Here are the gurus pick for their favorite songs released in 2021.
James:
Okay, I’m only a couple of months late in posting this as opposed to the couple of years late that I was for the last list. You’re going to see a lot of familiar names probably. As per usual I am only including songs that were released in 2021, and that have some form of official video to go along with it. That being said, some of the songs/artists I would not have expected to be on my list, but I’m glad they are. There really is no order to how I am listing these songs. I am also limiting myself as always to one song per artist.
1. Ready To Love – Seventeen
So, I really really really hate Manwon^^ (Just kidding, I love her to bits, but I actually hate her [again joking]). If it weren’t for Manwon^^’s obsession with this group when they debuted, and her dragging me to their 1st concert I don’t know if they would have this affect on me. But she did make me go to the concert and I fell in love with them, and since then I have loved every single song by them, so much so that it is very hard to choose which song of theirs I love more. That being said, this year I’m putting Ready To Love as one of my Seventeen song of 2021, because 1) it gets stuck in my head all the time, and 2) DK looks really freaking good in the sleeveless shirt (and I hate him for it [joking]). Seriously Seventeen is an amazing group and if for some reason you haven’t listened to them, you are missing out and need to start.
2. Not The End (불어온다) – Highlight
Yet another group that has never failed to disappoint me. I legitimately cried the first time I heard this song, it’s absolutely stunning. I still get goosebumps when I listen to it. I feel like I should say more about how amazing this song, but I just don’t have the words to do so. Also Gikwang is beautiful, and I’m so happy that he has so many lines.
3. Make It (해야해) – 2PM
THEY ARE FINALLY BACK! Yet another group that I have been obsessed with for years (since 2008 to be exact). Again & Again (see what I did there) 2PM releases music that I love. “Make It” is classic 2PM, sexy yet suave.
4. Beautiful Beautiful – ONF
Okay so the 1st just pure fun song that made it on to my list. I love ONF and sad that In years past they haven’t made songs that have made it on to my yearly favorites lists, because I really love their music. “Beautiful Beautiful” definitely deserves its spot on my list. This is one of those songs that is just so freaking catchy that you find yourself singing along to, and one that I can’t listen to in public because I will embarrass myself dancing to it.
5. Fireworks (I’m The One [불놀이야]) – ATEEZ
This song was my most played song of the year according to Spotify, so I guess I kinda love it, and for good reason…It’s amazing!!! My 2 complaints (that aren’t actually complaints) are that I wish I could see Mingi, but totally glad he sat out because health > MV, and SAN!!!!!!! It was with this MV that San attacked me and I am not okay with it!!!!! San and his stupid belly button have destroyed my life. But, In all seriousness, this song is amazing, and rightfully deserves its place as my most listened to song.
6. Odd Eye – DreamCatcher
DreamCatcher is probably one of my favorite girl groups at this time, and I have really loved all of the songs that they have released up until this point. This is yet another song that Is regularly stuck in my head. I love their darker concept, and the rockish feel that they have. My former J-pop/J-rock obsessed self really gravitates to this.
7. Excalibur – Kingdom
This one came out of nowhere. It was on either a daily mix or discover weekly playlist on my spotify and I instantly loved the song. At the time Manwon^^ and I hadn’t gotten back to working on the site, and it didn’t click that the group’s name was Kingdom. I thought it was the theme song for the survival program Kingdom, and was confused because I wasn’t recognizing any of the voices. I don’t know why that story needed to be told, but I think because the song left such a strong impression on me I remember hearing it for the 1st time so clearly. Most of the songs on my list this year are fairly well known, and Kingdom is not, and I highly recommend giving them a shot if you haven’t. I love their concept, their songs are amazing, and “Excalibur” is *chefs kiss* perfection
8. House Party – Super Junior
Okay, so honestly this is not one of my favorite SUJU songs, but I love them and I can’t not have them on this list. Also the fact that the song is legitimately a COVID song just cracks me up. I am the type of person who makes jokes to deal with tough situations so having a song about not being able to go out party because of social distancing and having to wear a mask is right up my alley. Leave it to Super Junior to be the ones to make a song like this.
9. Fever – ENHYPEN
I will say, when ENHYPEN came back, I fully expected “Drunk-Dazed” to be the song of theirs that made my end of the year list, and I’m a bit surprised that it ended up being “Fever”. Both are great songs, and I’m sure that since I’m putting “Fever” on my list, you’ll find “Drunk-Dazed” on Manwon^^’s list.
10. 0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) – TXT
TXT is honestly a group that I never expected would be on my favorite anything list. There was just something about their music that wasn’t gelling with me for reasons I don’t know. Then they released this song, and I was instantly hooked. I can’t explain why this song…but I think this song is perfect in every single way, and I think may actually be my favorite song of last year, and I’m tempted to put the song on my favorite songs of all time list as well. There are days where I listen to this song just on repeat and don’t listen to anything else.
11. Where Are We Now – MAMAMOO
Stunning! Need I say more.
12. Outsider – BTOB
Another group that cameback after a long while (curse you Korean military, you make being a boygroup fan difficult). “Outsider” just perfectly matches BTOB. The only thing that could make this song better, is if it was all of the BTOB members. Tell me that you don’t dance along when Eunkwang sings the chorus, because I don’t think its possible to not do the little hand dance.
13. Zombie – Purple Kiss
There is something about k-pop songs that have the word “Zombie” in the title. Full disclaimer, this song I heard the 1st time capping it and was that was it, I moved on. At least, until it wasn’t, and the reason why is just bizarre. So, for the last 7 or so months I have been obsessed with the game “Genshin Impact”, and a while back I came across a youtube video that had the creator’s opinion of what K-pop song matched each “Genshin Impact” character; that creator has paired the zombie child Qiqi up with the song….you guessed it “Zombie” by Purple Kiss. Since then I have had the chorus of this song stuck in my head on a loop and have been playing the song over and over and over again, and now it is one of my favorite songs.
14. Unthinkable (말이 안 돼) – FTISLAND
It’s FTISLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15. Rain To Be (비를 몰고 오는 소년) – OneWe
This is one of those songs that I heard and just knew it was going to be on this list. This is another song that when I heard it I cried. It kinda reminds me of the music from the “Death Note” musical, I know they are totally different but that’s what I think of. This song is beautiful, and I love the MV. It’s not flashy but perfectly fits with the song,. I have been of fan of OneWe since they were still known as M.A.S 0094 and I have loved watching them grow and with this song, I think they made magic happen.
16. Crush (우당탕) – MCND
Here is another one that I am surprised to see on my list. Like Manwon^^ said on her 2020 list…”What is this song?” I have no idea why I like this song, because its just so dumb but in the best kind of way. I don’t understand but for some reason I love this song.
Manwon^^:
2021 was a good year for kpop! The music coming out this year has left me really struggling to limit my list to anything that is short enough to make sense as a “best of 2021” year list. Because of that I am going to just go straight ahead and make a list of 21 of my favorite songs from 2021! Let’s get started! Oh, and since I always have a problem actually listing things from my favorite to least favorite – they will be listed out in order of release date
1. CIX – Cinema
This one surprised me. I really struggled getting in to CIX; their debut song was good, but just didn’t grab me immediately. Cinema really hit though, and now I can’t get it out of my head most days! It’s just a really great, catchy song!
2. Kang Daniel – Paranoia
This song is so freaking amazing. Kang Daniel is just an amazing performer and I love this song so much! Just as James blamed me for Seventeen, I get to blame James for Wanna One which in extension lead me to continue to follow Kang Daniel’s career still – and allowed me to fall in love with this song!
3. SHINee – Don’t Call Me
While this is not my favorite SHINee song ever, SHINee still always has my love when they release a song, and this song does find it’s way on a loop track in my head often!
4. Wendy – Like Water
This song is so beautiful, and Wendy’s vocals are just amazing! I wish SM would give Wendy more chances to show off her beautiful vocals!
5. OnlyOneOf – libidO
Honestly this song was just such a breathe of fresh air in so many ways in the kpop industry. I’ll just leave this here for your viewing!
6. Enhypen – Drunk-Dazed
James picked Fever – which was one of the songs on my initial potential list for this list (along with Drunk-Dazed) and since James picked Fever, I pick Drunk-Dazed because Enhypen is just a beast of a rookie group who releases so many amazing songs!
7. NCT Dream – Hot Sauce (맛)
Damn it NCT Dream! I love this stupid sub-unit of NCT, I hate that I love them so much but damn it do I love them and this song is just so freaking good!
8. Taemin – Advice
This song; I don’t have the right words for this song and it’s artistry. Just take a listen, there’s nothing more I can say.
9. TXT – FROST
Well hot damn TXT is dominating my lists of favorite songs from the past three years and this song is excellent! I could have really easily put 0x1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) or even LO$ER=LO♡ER. I am loving the vocal fry being added to their songs (my inner emo teen is very happy!). Frost is amazing, and this specific performance video of Frost is so amazing!
10. B.I – Illa Illa
This song – just take a listen; its a journey of emotion and finding healing.
11. Mamamoo – Where Are We Now
I agree with James – There’s nothing to say, just enjoy the beautiful song!
12. 2PM – Make It (해야해야)
2PM just always releases such amazing songs! The return of 2PM with Make It just made 2021 one of the best years within kpop – I missed this group so much while they were finishing their military service up, and having them back is just the best thing ever!
13. OneWe – AuRoRa
Another beautiful song from 2021! OneWe released so many great songs in 2021; AuRoRa really just hits so hard in how beautiful it is and the vocals in this are just stunning!
14. Stray Kids – Thunderous
It took me a long time to love Stray Kids’ shift in sound from their debut to what they are making now, but oh my goodness! Now that I am in love with their current sound, I can’t get enough of it! Thunderous is a great song which gets stuck in my head constantly and ends up being the backtrack to entire days!
15. BTOB – Outsider
BTOB! This was the last released before our final two members of BTOB returned from military, and they did not waste this release! It is so good and just BTOB at their top BTOB form!
16. Ateez – Deja Vu
This could have gone either way with Ateez – either being Fireworks, The Real, Turbulence, or Deja Vu. Since James picked Fireworks I am picking Deja Vu! 2021 was really the year ATEEZ came into their own and found their groove.
17. Kingdom – Black Crown
James picked Excalibur (which is an amazing song!) so that freed me up highlight another wonderful song by Kingdom – Black Crown! I just love Kingdom’s concept, I love their dances and I love their songs! I really hope Kingdom gets more love in 2022!
18. Seventeen – Rock With You
Seventeen is one of those groups again that had a number of amazing songs in 2021! James already included Ready to Love; Anyone could have also easily been on this list too! Rock With You gets stuck in my head all the time, and I just really love this song so much and I love Seventeen so much! I am so glad I can take responsibility for getting James into Seventeen!
19. NCT 127 – Favorite (Vampire)
What is it with whistling in NCT songs and those songs becoming one of my favorites? I just don’t know what magic it is they possess – it’s kind of scary! But Favorite (Vampire) is just so fantastic and I had to add it to my 2021 favorite songs! hahahaha
20. The Boyz – Maverick
The Boyz – they just stupidly have a special place in my heart, they are so talented and I still think they are tragically underappreciated and underloved! I love this song and love getting to highlight such a talented group!
21. FT Island – Unthinkable (말 이 안돼)
What a way to end 2021! FT Isand! This song just gives me goosebumps. Take a listen and show FT Island some much deserved love!
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