We've made it to the end of another year! 2022 has been an eventful year for K-pop music from exciting debuts to heartbreaking disbandments and the comebacks of legendary groups including SNSD and KARA and now it's time to look back and reflect on the songs that stuck with us.
The KpopWise founder picked her top 20 in a painstaking attempt. The choices are not based on any professional analysis, they are just songs that personally wore the repeat button out. The songs are in no particular order. Additionally, we asked our readers to give us their top 10 songs of the year. The only rule the songs must have been released in 2022.
As always we appreciate the variety of artists from rookies to well-established and the different genres. It is interesting to see which songs are in common across the board and to learn about songs we have not heard before now.
STAFF PICKS
Charming, sweet and exciting are words to describe this group and this song expresses that exactly.
STRAY KIDS - MANIC
There is something so addictive about the repetitive "manic" lyric over a reggae-influenced melody.
IVE - AFTER LIKE
COOING - ONE LAST TIME
Discovered by accident and couldn't be happier that it hasn't been removed from repeat since.
BIBI - VENGENCE
LESSERAFIM - ANTIFRAGILE
It has been a particularly strong year for rookie girl groups. Lesserafim proves to be indeed antifragile.
ATEEZ - GUERRILLA
This song really proves why ATEEZ are performance masters who have earned the nickname "the last 30 seconds. "
LEO - LOSING GAME
The first comeback after finishing his military service proves he is still as on point as ever.
B.I x Soulja Boy - BTBT ft. DeVita
An irresistible vocal, beat, and dance performance make the song a winner.
TRIPLES AAA - GENERATION
A sub-unit that embodies that Y2K fever with a song that one can't help be enchanted by.
ONLYONEOF - GASLIGHTING
KWON EUN BI - GLITCH
A stylish and excellent slay of a song and concept.
JUNNY ft. CHUNG HA - COLOR ME
A satisfying collaboration with creative lyrism and a gorgeous vocal range displayed by both Junny and Chung Ha.
TAN - DUDUDU
ASTRO - CANDY SUGAR POP
Astro gives us a tasty and fun treat.
KB - BE FREE
The second solo from OnlyOneOf's "Be" series, which are all amazing so far, but something about this smooth funk song really set the tone for the summer.
NEWJEANS - ATTENTION
The nostalgia the group has given the masses should be studied.
LE SSERAFIM - BLUE FLAME
A rookie group that has no misses.
VERIVERY - O
They show off much they've grown up with a sensual RnB song.
TEMPEST - BAD NEWS
A group debuting with a fresh concept is much appreciated and well-deserving of the rookie awards.
READERS' PICKS
@ASHLYHRNDZ
AGER, YELLOASIS - GO OUT
SOLE - O오래오래
TAN - DU DU DU
BAN ESTIN, JUNG JIN WOO - NO WAY
WONHO - EYE ON YOU
BTBT - B.I, SOULJA BOY, DEVITA
NEWJEANS - ATTENTION
PATTERN - MALIBU
SOULBESEL, I.M - NVRMND
MONSTA X - LOVE
@KATHRYN_POULSEN
SEVENTEEN - DARL+ING
TXT - OPENING SEQUENCE
BLITZERS – HIT THE BASS
MIRAE – MARVELOUS
LUCY – YOU ARE MY LIGHT
CRAVITY - ADRENALINE
STRAY KIDS - FREEZE
GHOST9 – CHAMPION
MONSTAX - ABOUT LAST NIGHT
XDINARY HEROES – STRAWBERRY CAKE
@WABARMY25
BTS - RUN BTS
J-HOPE - = (EQUAL SIGN)
NEWJEANS – HYPE BOY
LE SSERAFIM – FEARLESS
SEVENTEEN - HOT
MIRAE – MARVELOUS
KARA – WHEN I MOVE
BTS – YET TO COME
BTS – FOR YOUTH
STRAY KIDS – VENOM
@MISSALY90
GOT7 - TWO
OVAN - DO I DO
JIMMY BROWN, ROBB, SWEET THE KID-ONE OF THEM ONES
BABYLON, LIM JEONG HEE, UPTOWN- ALL OF MY LIFE
WONHO- DON’T HESITATE
LEO - LOSING GAME
KEY - GASOLINE
XIUMIN - BRAND NEW
BLACKPINK - TALLY
SIMON DOMINIC, LOCO, WOO, COOGIE - TTFU
@BLUENESSCANDY
SHINHWA WDJ - FLASH
GREATGUYS - SWEET NIGHT
UP10TION - WHAT IF LOVE
JEA - ORANGE DRIVE
SUNYE - JUST A DANCER
NICOLE - YOU.F.O
PIXY - VILLAIN
KIM BOA - AFTERIMAGE PROJECT PT. 4 'UNICORN'
NINE.I - BEAUTY INSIDE
XEED - JUST LIKE NOW
@HUENINGOLOGY
TRIPLE S - GENERATION
ATBO - ATTITUDE
BILLLIE - GINGAMINGAYO
FIFTY FIFTY - LOVIN' ME
VERIVERY - O
YENA - LXXK 2 U
NEWJEANS - HYPE BOY
YOUNITE - YOUNI-BIRTH
TRENDZ - CLIQUE
MCND - MOOD
Are any of your 2022 favorites in any of these mentions? Let us know your top picks!