Wondering if falling into the K-Pop rabbit hole is worth it? Well, the answer is YES! Here are the top five 2024 K-Pop releases that will secure your status as a true K-Pop fan.
Brightly dyed hair, complicated yet skillful dance choreographies, dazzling outfits, cinematic, high resolution music videos, concerts lit up in colours – this is but a small glimpse into the energetic world of K-Pop.
Korean Pop, more commonly known as K-Pop, is a music genre that has been around forever. However, the genre has become increasingly popular in the west over the years.
My Personal K-Pop Story
I’m sure we all remember our lives a few years back. When it was the height of the pandemic. Illness was rampant throughout the world, leaving us no choice but to bunker down with only our close family.
Within time, many of us found ourselves disinterested in the hobbies we once greatly enjoyed. Personally, I definitely remember feeling like that. Hoping for something, anything new to do or happen. Wondering how to make life in quarantine the tiniest bit more interesting.
Then it happened.
My sister had recently become a fan of the K-Pop boy band BTS, and eventually she started talking to me about the music and members of the band. Pulling up a picture of the group, she gave me the names and a piece of information about each of the seven members.
She made it a quiz where I had to study what I’d learned about the group in that short amount of time, and after many failed attempts, I finally hit it on the nose. After that day, I began looking into BTS myself. I fell in love with the unique and new style their music had and have been an avid K-Pop fan girl since that moment.
I eventually branched out into looking up other groups, and found my home in girl group BLACKPINK. Not only did their catchy, meaningful music speak to me, but also their presence, vibes, loveable personalities of the four members, beautiful music videos, style, and so much more about them. Everything really.
I also became a fan of a number of more girl groups and a few other boy groups aside from BTS. As a huge fan and long-time lover of anything K-Pop, let me tell you about five of the most magnificent K-Pop comebacks released this year.
1. Enhypen – Romance Untold
Cute and playful, but also romantic and passionate. This sums up K-Pop boy group Enyphen’s summer album, Romance Untold.
Living in a romantic fairy tale in a quaint and picturesque town. Having no worries while fetching fresh water from a nearby well or visiting the busy village market on a hot afternoon. Until one day, I meet the true love of my life in the most unexpected, grand, and cliché way. This is exactly how I feel while listening to this amazing album. It’s fresh. New. Timeless.
‘XO’ is the name of the album’s title track. It contains a soft melody that sounds like the colour pink (not sure how that’s possible, but it definitely makes sense). The calming melody mixed with the member’s deep voices is an excellent contrast that makes it heavily stand out from other Enypen title tracks (which are usually darker and more sultry).
The sidetracks on Romance Untold are similar to ‘XO’ but manage to have their unique vibes and feels to them. ‘Royal’ sounds exactly how you’d imagine it would. Refreshing, regal, romantic, and radiant. Especially refreshing. Along with ‘XO’, I have to say ‘Royal’ is my favourite track on the album.
Other songs on the album, like ‘Paranormal’ and ‘Brought The Heat Back’ give off a darker feel to the album while still remaining connected to the lighter, softer songs. Anyone searching for music with a refreshing new style will enjoy Romance Untold.
2. Stray Kids – ATE
I’m going to be 100% honest here. This may be biased coming from a Stray Kids fan like me, but I must say, anything Stray Kids releases is iconic. Especially when the group has member Felix’s deep and alluring voice. Not to mention Changbin’s masterful rap verses, and Hyunjin’s solid dance skills.
The thing about this group (I mean, aside from the obvious talent), is that although their music style is the same for all their albums, they find a way to add something new each time while still maintaining that trademark Stray Kid’s touch.
ATE’s ‘Chk Chk Boom’ proves it. This is the type of song that should be played in a future action movie during a heist or a car chase scene. It blends that usual Stray Kid’s sound that is catchy and upbeat with the feeling of danger and caution. The song signifies and embodies Stray Kids as a group so well. Whenever in doubt of a great party song to add to your playlist, just know ‘Chk Chk Boom’ is patiently waiting to be let in.
As much as I enjoy the album, the sidetracks aren’t really my personal favourites. For instance, the song ‘Stray Kids’ has a sentimental vibe and feels like a ballad. For the more emotional fans or first-time listeners with a strong affinity for sadder music tuning into the song will appreciate it. ‘Runners’ will leave you feeling empty too. That can be good. Or bad. Depends on your view.
I’d advise you to whip up a PB & J sandwich before listening to ‘JJAM.’ All the fun energy the member’s voices exude while singing about the sticky, sticky food will no doubt leave you craving jam, and the need to get up and dance. The confidence the portray in the song is yet another example of Stray Kids excellence. While the song is innovative, it undoubtedly has the signature Stray Kids sound.
3. BABYMONSTER – ‘Like That’
Yes, yes. I’m aware ‘Like That’ is a BABYMONSTER single and not an album. It’s just so stellar and outstanding it had to be included in the list!
For a rookie group, BABYMONSTER is taking the world by storm. Great talent and a synchronized ability to excellently perform on stage creates the illusion they’ve been doing this for years. When in reality, they love what they do and are good at doing it.
‘Like That’ is simple. I believe it’s the non-overcomplication of the song that makes it stand out. It’s also fully in English, which is cool to see a group singing in a different language than from what they’re used to.
Rami singing the introductory lyric of the song also sets the vibe. Her voice is mature and enticing. When you hit play and hear that first lyric, it’s just like the first sip of tea with honey when you have a sore throat, or a gentle breeze flowing through your hair.
The fact that it’s catchy and enjoyable but not obnoxiously upbeat is what will attract more people to become active listeners of BABYMONSTER. After mediocre releases like ‘Batter Up’ and ‘Sheesh’, ‘Like That’ was a leap in the right direction for this group.
4. Kiss of Life – Sticky
Kiss of Life is climbing their way up in the K-Pop world due to their epic two-song album Sticky.
I first heard this song accidentally. One night while my playlist was on a K-Pop shuffle ‘Sticky’ played. I’m so happy it did. This song has that standard, summery sort of K-Pop atmosphere to it.
Kiss of Life’s dance performance video on the setting of a white-sand beach and emerald green ocean is exactly what the song would look like if it were tangible. The dance choreography and matching outfits but different hairstyles and colours make you want summer to last forever. ‘Sticky’ puts swimming in the sun, walks on the beach, ice cream dates, and sunsets all into one song representing summer.
5. (G)I-DLE – I Sway
G-IDLE’s album I Sway and title track ‘Klaxon’ is a look back in time. ‘Klaxon’ has that retro ’80s vibe that is so often reminisced. It’s another summer-like song but with the right twist of nostalgia.
With our current summer nearing its end, it’s the perfect track to listen to during these fleeting summer nights, and reflect on the season that has passed us. Also, although it’s nostalgic and makes summer feel like a distant memory – it’s a good and happy feeling, rather than sad. That’s what makes ‘Klaxon’ so unique and stand out amongst most other K-Pop releases this year so far.
Honorary Mention: LISA – ‘Rockstar’ & ‘New Woman (feat. Rosalia)’
BLACKPINK’s well-loved member, LISA, has also been making waves with her two most recent song releases.
‘Rockstar’ was an unexpected track which however turned out to be an amazing and fun song. Not only does it stray away from BLACKPINK’s usual music sound, but it also differs from LISA’s previous solo releases. Aside from being fun, catchy, and carefree, it’s the versatility shown by the singer that really makes ‘Rockstar’ stand out.
LISA not having released any solo pieces for nearly three years and finally making a comeback with ‘Rockstar’ was awesome. But, not only did we get ‘Rockstar.’ The singer also released a collaboration with her friend and Spanish artist, Rosalia.
Their song together is titled ‘New Woman.’ It is also very different from ‘Rockstar’ which again showcases LISA’s versatility and comfort with reaching out of what she knows to experiment with new sounds.
‘New Woman’ is a fresh and happy song that can be played for nearly any occasion. The two artists’ voices together contrast exceptionally well, and, the mix of English lyrics along with Spanish is what really makes the song so cool.
I am hoping to hear a lot more music from LISA in the future. Especially a full-length album.
To Conclude…
K-Pop is a diverse genre with many songs, groups, and artists. Whether you’re into upbeat or slow music, there really is something anyone is bound to enjoy. While the top five K-Pop releases of 2024 I’ve mentioned earlier are just a few of my personal favourites, there are many more releases this year that I’m sure other K-Pop fans would have used instead.
I hope all of you non-K-Pop fans give any of the songs mentioned above a chance, because I guarantee you’ll fall in love with at least one. And to all my fellow K-Pop fans out there, check these songs out if you haven’t already!
