What's on your best K-pop songs of 2024 list? Maybe you followed the ongoing girl group renaissance to new music from NMIXX and aespa, with a sprinkle of ILLIT's debut. Maybe you embraced exciting comebacks from ATEEZ and ZEROBASEONE, or celebrated when the members of BLACKPINK began leaning into solo releases. You surely have your own favorite K-pop songs of the year — but it turns out the people who help create K-pop music have their lists, too.
If you're a longtime K-pop listener, you'll know it's often a collaborative effort: idols, producers, songwriters, creative directors, choreographers, photographers, and company heads all come together to create something mesmerizing and larger than the sum of its parts. As K-pop has become even more global, so have its influences and contributors.
These days, it's common to see K-pop records with lengthy credits sections, as songwriters in Korea and abroad craft music with and for the artists who fill out our playlists. The musicians we love then bring that art to life, making it their own by the end of the process (and some contribute actively to the songwriting and production processes, joining the collaboration).
To celebrate the best releases of the year, Teen Vogue reached out to more than a dozen writers who have made music with some of the biggest K-pop artists of all time to hear about their personal favorite K-pop songs of the year. Below, hear about the best K-pop songs of 2024, according to the songwriters who work with some of your favorite groups to make magic.
Jaehyun, “Can't Get You”
“Jaehyun x ‘Can’t Get You’ is my fav song this year! Big reason is I was a big fan of Babyface and he played a big part in the song, it brings me a nostalgia. Definitely feel good music! Almost mad I wasn’t a part of that one 😭😂” —Geoffrodamus (SuperM)
Lisa feat. Rosalía, “New Woman”
“I think the Lisa/Rosalía collab is so f*cking wild, it's super unexpected for a K-pop record to do something like that, which makes me respect the artists more. I love a good hit record but I love an artsy record even more :)" —Ben Samama (Jin of BTS, RIIZE)
ILLIT, "Magnetic"
“If I'm going purely based on feeling; like when I'm traveling and I hear a song come on or play in public... something I'm always happy to hear is ILLIT's ‘Magnetic.’ It just puts a smile on my face.” —Jordain Johnson/Outlaw The Artist (NCT 127, EXO)
“Much like last year's ‘OMG’ by NewJeans, ILLIT's ‘Magnetic’ took this year by a storm with its simple catchy chorus and addictive choreo that was replicated all over social media. For that reason, it deserves a spot as one of the most impactful K-pop songs this year.” —Celotron (JO1, Lee Know)
“I love this song. It has all the components I look for in a hit K-pop song. Catchy melody, great energy, amazing hook, and it doesn’t try to do too much, but what it does, it does really well.” —Anonymous (TWICE, NCT Dream)
NMIXX, “DASH”
“There’s definitely a production nod to the older Y2K songs but the way they did it was so fresh. I particularly like the jazzy chords on the pre chorus (very NCT 127 in style) which then set up the hard hitting chorus with super tight interesting harmonies that just keep coming like waves.” —Andy Love (TXT, ENHYPEN)
“This song has so many incredibly arranged vocal and production parts with pristine delivery. It transitions so smoothly from section to section to well even though it has lots of music/melody changes. It's hard to have a song with so many changes that also feels very easy to listen to, which is why I love it!” —ROKMAN (NCT 127, U-Know)
“DASH' by NMIXX is a perfect example of what makes K-pop so exciting and bold. Catchy hooks, and incredible vocals! It’s dynamic, unpredictable, and full of energy, showing off everything the K-pop genre does best in my opinion. Easily one of the most standout releases of the year!” —William Segerdahl (ZEROBASEONE, SEVENTEEN)
Aespa, “Supernova”
"사건은 다가와, ah-oh, ayy (yeah, yeah, yeah, yеah)
거세게 커져가, ah-oh, ayy (nova)
질문은 계속돼, ah-oh, ayy (bring the light of a dying star)
The listener is introduced to the hook in a softer way in the pre [chorus], but it stands out so much as a chant in the outro. The rhythm of the chant is one of the best I've heard this year and I love it!" —Charlotte Wilson (ITZY, ATEEZ)
“'Supernova' sounds like you're in another universe. The hook is incredible, and I love how each part of the topline is so well chosen.” —Isa Guerra (Weeekly, tripleS)
G-Dragon, “Power”
"I just love the flows in GD's 'Power,' and the melodic bits give me goosebumps. As a long-time K-pop fan, it's really nice to see him release music after so many years, so to me, it's an iconic comeback in general." —Isa Guerra (Weeekly, tripleS)
QWER, “T.B.H.”
"I think the song is nicely crafted and the simple melody in the chorus is so nostalgic and beautiful. I'm a bit of a sucker for the melodic songs! It really reminds me of my childhood as I loved watching Japanese animations from very young age because of my parents!" —Michael Lee Cheung (TWICE, NCT)
RIIZE, “Impossible”
"Although choosing a favorite was 'impossibly' difficult, RIIZE's ‘Impossible’ masterfully includes fresh vocal melodies and stunning dance visuals. Hooked me right away as something special." —Celotron (JO1, Lee Know)
Rosé feat. Bruno Mars, “APT”
“It's a fun song with a super catchy hook!” —Ninos Hanna (SHINee, LE SSERAFIM)
NCT Dream, “Rains in Heaven”
“I’m a sucker for soft pop/rock productions with touches of retro sounds in the production. Throw in a top notch emotional chorus with great vocals, and this one went into instant rotation for me.” —Anonymous (TWICE, Baekhyun)
Doh Kyungsoo (D. O.), “Popcorn”
"I chose this song because not only are the vocals incredibly smooth and on point but mainly because I can listen to this over and over and not be tired of it. It's a simple song with lots of memorable moments, and also very underrated." —ROKMAN (NCT 127, U-Know)
Lisa, “Rockstar”
"The song showcases great vocals by Lisa; the main gimmick of the song is very catchy and the production is very modern with great sound selection. The topline is perfectly executed with very western melodies while maintaining K-pop unique's flavor." —Alawn (NCT, IVE)
aespa, “Whiplash”
“For me, this song hits every mark needed for a fierce and catchy K-pop song which will be memorable for years to come. Every section has its own melodic killing point and it really presents an overall high quality level of both songwriting and production.” —Jessica Pierpoint (ITZY, Purple Kiss)
ZEROBASEONE, “Sweat”
“I loved this song from the moment I heard it, and I remember it being stuck in my head for days after. It’s a real ear-worm and super uplifting — everything that a fun song with a summer vibe should be! I think even non K-pop fans would really enjoy listening to it.” —Jessica Pierpoint (ITZY, Purple Kiss)
DAY6, “Melt Down”
“A very refreshing melodic and rejuvenating performance. Makes me start my days the right way. This song is filled with musical creativity and shows their true joy and love for music.” —Albin Nordqvist (Stray Kids, TWICE)
