Author: annyeongannie

Happy New Year! The K-pop world has already given us so much great music in the first month of the year, so I’m excited to share this month’s roundup list with you. As usual, grab a snack and your headphones and settle in with me. The Spotify playlist is linked below, or you can click on each song’s name to go directly to each track.

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January 2

ITZY – “Mr. Vampire”

I love this song so much. And now that I’m seeing the lyric translations, it’s giving the weirdest Twilight vibes, but I’m still into it. The beat is super catchy, and all four members sound great in this style. And the choreography is a lot of fun both to watch and to dance along with. The speak-rap half of the chorus works so well with the more melodic second half, so it’s no surprise that this went viral online as soon as it came out. A great song to start out 2024.

TWS (투어스) – “Oh mymy : 7s”

I can’t say I was fully looking forward to this group’s debut, but this video has me expecting great things from them. Some fans say TWS has an unfair advantage because they’re with Pledis, under HYBE labels, one of the top 4 companies in K-pop, but that’s just how this industry works. They get support from the other groups in the company because they’re in the company. Getting to see SEVENTEEN be the older-brother group is really nice. And when we finally get into the song part of the video, it’s very catchy. As a pre-release song, it shows a lot of their talents in vocals, rap, and dance, as well as stage presence. You can tell they’ve worked hard to get to this level. TWS (TWENTYFOURSEVEN:WITH:US) is going to do great things, and no one can tell me any different.

January 3

ATEEZ (Hongjoong, Seonghwa) – “MATZ”

Have I been purposefully avoiding this song like the plague because I’m honestly terrified of it? Yes. But it’s time to give our MATZ a chance to show what they’ve got. Hongjoong is known to be one of the best rappers of his generation, but I think Seonghwa’s rap skills are grossly underrated. He proves his talent in this song, and his tone is absolutely insane. And honestly, they are on fire in this video. I’m obsessed. The beat change in the bridge completely surprised me, but in the best way. Letting Hongjoong wear a grunge plaid suit and hat while Seonghwa is dressed like a disgraced prince was the best choice their stylists have ever made, showing both of their personalities so well through their outfits. I’m obsessed.

January 4

Jeong Sewoon – “Quiz”

I don’t usually follow Sewoon’s comebacks, but I’d been intrigued by the teaser photos. I’m glad I did watch this one, because it’s got a really chill vibe. I love his vocal tone; that airy huskiness is one of my favorites. Also, can anyone tell me why he’s reading Colleen Hoover in this video? The oranges are cute and whatever, but I’m more concerned with his reading choices. Bless him, he’s adorable in the outro film, trying to pick up all of his dropped oranges.

January 5

RIIZE – “Love 119”

RIIZE is back! Sohee is so cute at the beginning of the video, honestly. We’ve got another throwback-feeling song from this group, which seems to be part of their vibe: releasing songs that feel like they could have been put out in the 90s. I don’t know if I fully understand the video concept, but I do think it’s cute. The members look great, as usual, and the sound amazing. SM knew what they were doing with this group, for sure.

January 6

MINHO (SHINee) – “Stay for a night”

I think this is a great song, even if it’s not what I thought I had expected from Minho. It does still suit him. I think, as SHINee’s main rapper, people tend to forget that his singing voice is so soft and sweet. This song seems like just the perfect song for him, sweet and emotional, but not too young for him. It’s not the most memorable song on this list, but it’s nice to have a couple of sweet ballads on the list.

January 8

ITZY – “UNTOUCHABLE”

Now THIS is peak ITZY. We’ve been getting great releases from them for the last month straight, all leading up to this masterpiece. Vocals, choreography, stage presence, and visuals are all unmatched. They really prove how untouchable they are in terms of the level of success they’ve gained in their careers. Another immediately-viral hit, the “bam bam bam ba li” part is iconic, and the dance is stunning. And that’s not even to mention the amazing visual effects in the music video that make such a high quality backdrop for their performance. I’m amazed and in awe of how much I love this song. I’ve been dancing it in my sleep, it’s so good. 10/10, no notes.

SF9 – “비보라 (BIBORA)”

I love the vibe of this song so much, but that’s not surprising, knowing how much I love an upbeat sad song. The members of SF9 have outdone themselves in terms of how perfect this song is. Their music usually has this sexy upbeat feeling that lends itself to elegance but also to hard-hitting choreography, and BIBORA doesn’t disappoint. I’ve heard this in so many cafes and marts here in Korea already, and it’s impossible not to dance along with it every time I hear this song. Stunning.

January 8

8TURN – “RU-PUM PUM (러펌펌)”

8TURN is giving me B.A.P Warrior flashbacks with every member being blond. It’s a choice, for sure. This isn’t my usual style of music, but it’s catchy. I will say: if you’ve got tinnitus like me, there’s a really high-pitched buzzing synth in the background bit of the instrumental that sets my ears ringing for a good few minutes after the song ends. But the vocals 8TURN gives are almost good enough to make me forget about the ringing. (Almost.) Their performance is really eye-catching, because they’ve perfected their specific dance style so well. It’s a good song, even if I can’t listen to it very often.

January 10

OnlyOneOf – “dOpamine”

I’m not exaggerating when I say I was looking forward to this comeback the most in January. OnlyOneOf has come back (finally) with a song that acts almost as a confession of maddening love. I won’t lie: it’s the physical beauty of all six members that tends to draw in fans, but they really show off their vocal and performance talent, once you can get past the laundromat-level washboard abs they’re giving in their all-denim outfits. And Junji’s high note? Mind-blowing. This song feels like what I imagine the actual chemical dopamine would act like if it were human. I love this song so much.

ALL(H)OURS – “으랏차차 (GOTCHA)”

I don’t know how I missed any lead-up to this debut, but I’m glad I caught it on a couple of idols’ Instagram stories. Because this is an insanely powerful debut song for a new group. This group is overflowing with talent. The vocalists are so good, I literally got chills during the bridge. The rappers bring a darker edge to the group. And the choreography is so intricate that I’m super impressed with the members’ stamina to be able to perform this so well. ALL(H)OURS, you’ve got a new fan here. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next.

ATEEZ (Yeosang, San, Wooyoung) – “IT’s You”

Was I also terrified to watch this ATEEZ unit video? Yes. With three of the strongest dancers in the group together, it was hard for me to expect what would come of this unit. I could never have expected this. Let Yeosang sing more! He killed his first verse. And San’s soft vocals are hypnotic. Oop, the chorus is exactly what I expected from these guys, and perfect for Wooyoung. So sexy, but in a powerfully elegant way. San’s second verse is overpowered, but I’m into it. Wooyoung can fly, apparently. Yeosang’s bridge and chorus are too good. This unit is way too perfect. Thank you KQ and ATEEZ for this masterpiece.

January 11

TRENDZ – “위로위로 (Go Up)”

Okay, I needed something more playful after that last one. TRENDZ is perfect for a high energy bop. And I obviously love this one because the lyrics are heart-breaking. The members’ bright vocal tones bring up the energy even more, contrasting beautifully with the “please don’t break up with me” vibe of the lyrics. This group deserves more love and attention for being able to flawlessly execute this difficult choreography while also belting out this sad bop. I love TRENDZ, and you should, too.

January 15

NMIXX – “DASH”

I”m in love with this song. All the girls sound great on this song, their unique vocal tones fitting perfectly with the jazzy funk undertones. I think I’d love to hear this song done with a live band. (They did that here.) The “change up” part getting lighter and brighter was fun, and shows off more of their versatility. Overall, I’m in love with the way this group is able to mix so many different styles together into a cohesive final song like this. Forever in awe of Lily and Haewon’s vocals.

YENA (최예나) – “Good Morning”

I wasn’t sure what I expected from the teaser photos for this comeback, but Yena’s uplifting message in the song contrasts beautifully with the grunge rock looks she shows off visually. The heavy drums and electric guitar bring a higher energy than a synth instrumental would have, which has made this an immediate addition to my morning ‘getting ready’ playlist. She looks great, sounds great, and gives a great message. This song is really amazing.

January 16

HUI (PENTAGON) – “흠뻑 (Hmm BOP)”

Can you believe the talent they were able to fit into this man’s tiny body? Insane. Also, where was he hiding those abs? To have written and composed such a stunning track (and album) is mind boggling. But this song perfectly showcases all of the unique parts of his voice, but of course, who knows his voice better than the man himself? If I were going to write an album for myself, I’d make sure to show off everything I’m proud of, too. Well done, Hoetaek. I’m glad you finally got to showcase your talent in a solo debut.

SISTAR19 – “NO MORE (MA BOY)”

The queens are back! I’m so glad we’ve got more music from SISTAR19. They prove without a doubt why they’re so formidable with this comeback. The visuals and choreography are so addictive, and the vocals are heavenly. I’m glad we got to hear more of Bora on this song than we used to on older SISTAR19 tracks. The outfits are a bit… odd, but they still look great. I love that Hyolyn bedazzles her tattoo for the video and on stage so that the TV stations will let her show it on broadcast. This song has lived in my head non-stop since its release, it’s so good.

January 17

ATEEZ (Yunho, Mingi) – “Youth”

Oh no, another ATEEZ unit here to rip my heart out. This time, it’s our tall babies, Yunho and Mingi. I wasn’t expecting such a soft song from them, if I’m honest, but it works for them. Yunho’s soft vocals suit this style so well, and Mingi’s low-tone rap and husky vocals complements him so well. But can we just take a second on the choreography?? The sharpness mixed with the soft lines and body rolling… I’m into it, don’t get me wrong, but this contrast of vibes is a lot to take in. Another beautiful ATEEZ unit song, and one I’m going to have to listen to a million more times.

January 18

Solar (MAMAMOO) – “Love Has Gone”

It’s almost unfair for someone this beautiful to also sing so beautifully. This is such a beautiful song that there’s almost no other words that can be used to describe it. Beautiful, powerful, heart-breaking. The melody of this song feels almost more like musical theatre than it does a K-pop ballad, but it shows off all of the beauty of Solar’s voice perfectly.

January 19

IVE – “All Night (Feat. Saweetie)”

I’ll be honest: I don’t love this song. It feels very gimmicky and made-for-TikTok. I do like Saweetie’s verse, because her autotuned voice matches the style of the song more than I think the IVE members’ voices in unison do. It’s giving both too much and too little at the same time. They all look amazing, but the song just doesn’t hit as hard as I’m assuming they wanted it to. In fact, this is one of the only songs on this list that I’ve included even though I couldn’t watch through to the end of the video. I want to know what you think about this song, so leave your thoughts in the comments below.

H1-KEY – “Thinkin’ About You”

H1-KEY’s vocals have been going viral ever since the Riina and Hwiseo’s participation in Queendom: Puzzle, and I’m a little upset I didn’t start listening to them earlier. This song is beautiful, and their sweet voices add so much emotion to it that I’ve got chills from their harmonies. I don’t often fall in love with English songs by idol groups, but this one is so beautiful that it is immediately going on my Moody Playlist.

January 22

(G)I-DLE – “Wife”

…Someone say “jk.” I saw so many opinions on this song before I ever watched it myself. And now I’m just wondering why they decided on this as the pre-release single. I think the one thing that bothers me the most is that they’re not lip-syncing along to the song for most of the video, which is just extra uncomfortable. And I just don’t like this song at all. It’s catchy, but I think it’s going to be one of those earworms that goes viral immediately and gets on everyone’s nerves.

TWS (투어스) – “첫 만남은 계획대로 되지 않아 (plot twist)”

Alright, official debut song! I’m obsessed with this tiny-group concept with them dancing on top of the to-do list. Also, the whole video concept of them wanting to talk to someone and impress them is so cute. I love the fresh and cute concept for a rookie group. The members are so cute in the video, and their performance is so good. I couldn’t help but smile throughout the whole song, because it’s so perfect for a debut. And honestly, I’m glad they chose a younger concept, because so many new boy groups are going for the manly, sexy concepts super early in their careers. It’s a nice way for them to stand out.

AB6IX – “GRAB ME”

I love AB6IX. The vocals are vocal-ing so hard in this comeback. I’m loving this concept and musical style for them. The switch up in the post-chorus caught me by surprise, but I think it’s still perfect for the song. The bridge is stunning, flowing into the adlibs over the final chorus in such a sweet and energetic way. There’s a lot of English in this song, which makes it easier for international fans to sing along, and I think that was a great choice for them for this comeback. (Go vote for Woong on Build Up!)

EVNNE – “UGLY”

I’ve already shared a lot of my thoughts on this comeback by EVNNE in my Album Review post, but I just can’t stop listening to this song. Every time I watch the video, I catch something I didn’t notice before. I’m amazed by how talented these boys are, and so proud of their success with promotions so far.

January 23

I.M – “Slowly (Feat. Heize)”

I love I.M’s more vocal songs because his deep, husky voice is so unique. This one is so beautiful, and perfect for winter. And Heize’s voice pairs perfectly with his, giving this dreamy, otherworldly feeling to the whole song. This song makes me want to listen to it in a smoky jazz bar with a drink in hand. I love this style for him, and I can’t wait to listen to this a million times until I get sick of it.

SEOLA (WJSN) – “Without U”

This song is so good, and I’m glad Seola finally gets a chance to show off her vocal skills solo. She’s beautiful, and this almost 90s-feel throwback suits her so well. I can’t say I fully understand the concept of the video, but it’s good enough that it makes you want to watch again and again to try to figure it out. The song is good, and I hope we get more music from Seola in the future.

January 24

IU – “Love wins all”

I’ve been looking forward to IU making new music for what feels like ages. Finally, she’s back, giving us a cinematic masterpiece to go with her song. Wait, why am I crying? The video is so beautiful, that I forgot to listen to the song the first time through. The key change had me sobbing, it was so beautifully tied into both the song and the video. The imagery at the end of the video is so intensely emotional, with the video camera dying and the falling of their wedding outfits… If this is her pre-release, I can’t wait for the full album “The Winning” to come out soon. She really is the queen for a reason.

CIX – “Lovers or Enemies”

Not only was I super excited for this comeback, but getting the song to start out with Hyunsuk and Yonghee’s vocals was such a sweet choice. And Seunghun’s lower register is absolutely one of my new favorite things. (Go vote for Seunghun on Build Up!) This is such a good song, and I really love the video concept of the members being cyborgs. Beautifully done, CIX.

KIM JAE HWAN (김재환) – “Ponytail”

I don’t know what I expected from Jaehwan, but it wasn’t this. I’m into it, though! I’ve loved his vocals since his days in Wanna One, so I’m not surprised at how amazing he sounds on this song. The rap(?) verse is stunning, and somehow still matches the rest of the song and Jaehwan’s overall vibe so well. It does make me want to wear a ponytail more often so I can imagine he’s singing this phenomenal song about me.

ATEEZ (Jongho) – “Everything”

Our killer vocal maknae finally gets his turn. I’m always stunned by how beautiful Jongho’s voice is, but a song like this really showcases his talent. If he sang every OST for a drama, I’d watch just for his voice. And this music video plays out like a drama and I love it. I’m not crying, you’re crying. It’s beautiful. The high notes and the heart break. Everything. Was not expecting all the fire at the end, but pop off, king.

January 26

VCHA – “Girls of the Year”

This is one of the debuts I’ve actually been looking forward to, as far as girl groups go. VCHA, the group coming from JYP Entertainment’s survival show, A2K. I’m so glad that this song and video are so strong for their official debut. I’ll be honest, I was almost in tears, so proud of these girls for showing that they’ve got what it takes to be in the same industry as idols who have trained for years. This song is catchy, and I love the choreography.

January 29

(G)I-DLE – “Super Lady”

Going into this, all I wanted was something more serious than “Wife” was. And we’re immediately thrown into Soyeon’s insane vocals with metallic silver visuals. This is definitely higher-quality and bigger-scale than I expected. Am I the biggest fan of the song? Not really, but it is catchy and I do like the message of being a strong woman. It’s immediate meme-ability has already made it viral here in Korea.

January 30

VANNER (배너) – “JACKPOT”

This song is giving 2010s K-pop with a hard rock edge, and I love it. These guys are so talented, and I genuinely had a lot of fun watching this music video and trying ot follow the storyline. I love the visuals, colored mostly black and red, with all the gambler/gangster/cowboy(?) vibes sprinkled in. It’s a great video, and I love that Taehwan gets to show off his vocals, reminding fans how amazing he is. (Go vote for Taehwan on Build Up!) This is an insane comeback for VANNER, and I love it.

January 31

YUGYEOM (GOT7) – “LA SOL MI”

My GOT7 maknae! Good to know I still love his unique vocal tone after so many years with him. I like that this song is a bit softer than his solo stuff usually is, mixed with the groove that accompanies most songs Yugyeom has a hand in creating. The floral visuals are beautiful, and I honestly just enjoy watching him drive a pickup truck across a field. This is a great song for the (hopefully soon) beginning of spring, and I’m going to add it to my travel playlists immediately.

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Final Thoughts

Wow, that was a lot of great music. I’m glad we got so many great songs in January, but I am quite tired after all of that.

Which leads me to my next point! Starting with February’s Roundup, I will no longer be listing all of my favorites from the month. Instead, I’ll do my top ten plus two honorable mentions. It makes it easier for me to write these on time (not two weeks into the month, oops) and easier for you all to read as well. So look forward to a much shorter post next month!

So you don’t miss out on the new, shorter roundups, make sure you’re subscribed to the blog! And leave in the comments below your thoughts on January’s music.

And until I see you again, annyeong! –Annie👋