Top 20 Iconic K Pop Songs
Get ready to dance! For this list, weโll be looking at the most innovative, memorable, and/or quality tracks in the genre.
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00:00 [Music]
00:03 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 20 iconic K-pop songs.
00:09 [Music]
00:13 For this list, we're looking at the most innovative, memorable, and/or quality tracks in the genre.
00:18 Did we forget your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
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00:34 Number 20. Candy - H.O.T.
00:38 Setting the tone for mid-90s music in South Korea,
00:41 H.O.T. is an integral and influential act in K-pop history.
00:45 [Music]
00:53 Their embrace of pop sounds paved the way for other similar groups to follow.
00:57 Developing mainstream production elements,
00:59 this act provided a crucial puzzle piece for the development of the larger style.
01:03 [Music]
01:07 The bubblegum hit "Candy" is an unabashed statement that has a bouncy and hypnotic beat.
01:12 Assembled by professionals, the release also set the stage for the birth of idols.
01:17 The five members became sought-after personalities
01:20 that helped cultivate an industry of dedicated followers.
01:23 [Music]
01:29 Number 19. Up & Down - EXID
01:32 Powered by an alluring cocktail of beats,
01:34 EXID has never sounded better than on Up & Down.
01:38 [Music]
01:43 The experimental sound centers around a recurring trumpet noise that lures listeners back for more
01:48 and lends an inviting hook with unorthodox influences.
01:51 It was included on both their second EP and the debut album "Trouble",
01:55 introducing the band to a larger audience.
01:58 [Music]
02:02 Even with a slight delay in appreciation,
02:04 listeners eventually came around to the song months after its initial release thanks to a viral fancam,
02:09 and the track ended up reaching the top of South Korean charts.
02:12 The group's performance was undeniable once people decided to give them a chance.
02:17 [Music]
02:20 Number 18. Electric Shock - f(x)
02:23 Don't just take it from us,
02:24 take it from the fact that Electric Shock received over half a million downloads in a single week.
02:29 [Music]
02:33 This one's iconic, alright.
02:35 Combining electronic and pop wonder,
02:37 this exciting production contains all the marks of a classic from f(x).
02:41 Four years after its release, the tune continued to garner large amounts of views on YouTube.
02:46 [Music]
02:50 Their popularity has clearly left a mark on the industry
02:53 because millions of listeners kept coming back to this electro masterpiece through other newer releases too.
02:59 This was definitely a turning point for the girl group,
03:02 as not only the song but the entire EP actually made it to the top of the KOWN charts.
03:07 [Music]
03:14 Number 17. Call Me Baby - EXO
03:17 For this mid-2010s release,
03:19 EXO once again shows that they have what it takes to reach a massive audience.
03:23 [Music]
03:32 Call Me Baby even took hold in Canada, the US and the UK, along with, of course, South Korea.
03:39 It's easy to understand why after you hear the song.
03:42 A single off of their second album, Exodus,
03:45 this pop track features a chorus that feels right at home with the best songwriting of the era.
03:49 [Music]
03:53 It's also in debt to previous K-pop and even American boy bands from the last century.
03:58 Mixing old and new influences,
04:00 the group made the most out of a clever beat with a release that captivated millions.
04:05 [Music]
04:09 Number 16. Catalina - Orange Caramel
04:12 Known for their stylish concepts,
04:14 Orange Caramel brings an elaborate mix of pop influences to this single.
04:18 [Music]
04:26 Catalina has a hook that isn't easily forgotten in the best way possible.
04:30 This is partly due to the use of a Punjabi folk song sample,
04:33 which provides a welcome change to the typical sounds of K-pop.
04:36 [Music]
04:42 The track embraces other European and American styles as well to round out its unique production.
04:47 Combine the girl group's work with a truly striking and unforgettable music video,
04:52 and you have your classic recipe for success.
04:54 [Music]
04:58 Number 15. Sherlock - Clue & Note - SHINee
05:02 You get two tracks for the price of one in Sherlock - Clue & Note.
05:05 If for no other reason,
05:07 this combination presents an epic vision that's rarely seen in the usual K-pop scene.
05:12 [Music]
05:16 SHINee effectively performs each section with their trademark talents.
05:20 Dubbed a hybrid remix,
05:22 the group's single features creative references to detective stories such as the number's titular sleuth.
05:27 [Music]
05:33 The high caliber of this pop presentation comes through in every passing line and beat.
05:38 Taking chances and pushing boundaries,
05:39 it is a bright spot in a catalog of sharpness and innovativeness that captures commercial praise.
05:45 [Music]
05:48 Number 14. Ringa Linga - Taeyang
05:51 From his time in Big Bang to his solo efforts,
05:54 Taeyang has enjoyed immense popularity for his varied output.
05:57 [Music]
06:03 Ringa Linga comes from his second album Rise
06:06 and features a co-writing credit from the talented G-Dragon.
06:09 Building off a strong foundation,
06:11 the artist gives his all to an EDM track full of big swings.
06:15 [Music]
06:21 The inclusion of hip-hop verses gives listeners a look into the singer's strong performance style.
06:27 It's the kind of music to elevate any evening at the club or night out
06:30 and easily climb the ranks on the US World Digital Song Sales.
06:34 Throw in a few cool music videos and you have another iconic release for the performer.
06:38 [Music]
06:43 Number 13. BoA - BoA
06:46 In what could be considered her most important song,
06:49 BoA performs a piece full of memorable phrases.
06:52 [Music]
06:57 The young artist was more than ready to set a new standard for female solo artists at the time.
07:02 In fact, she's considered to be one of the top faces of the genre
07:06 and her command of the early 2000s scene earned her the title Queen of K-Pop.
07:11 This release brings together her star power and ability to elevate any material.
07:16 [Music]
07:20 Being just 16 years old at the time makes the success even more impressive.
07:25 Her studio album of the same name was actually the fourth bestseller of the year.
07:29 The Daesung winning track took the idol and Korean music to another popular high point,
07:34 making her number one indeed.
07:36 [Music]
07:40 Number 12. Sorry Sorry - Super Junior
07:44 This funky track has all the pop and dance parts you could hope for in a K-Pop song.
07:48 [Music]
07:54 Creating a global sensation in the process,
07:57 Sorry Sorry stands as a pivotal moment in the history of Super Junior and the larger genre.
08:02 The densely packed single highlights the 13 members in a groovy production.
08:06 [Music]
08:14 Known as the major players in the "How You Wave",
08:17 the act was arguably never better than on this popular release,
08:20 which propelled them to the top of cultural favor.
08:23 Several artists have covered it in tribute,
08:25 making it obvious that it's become much more than a commercial property.
08:29 [Music]
08:36 Number 11. Nobody - Wonder Girls
08:39 Courtesy of JYP Entertainment,
08:41 Nobody finds the Wonder Girls in a groundbreaking mood.
08:44 [Music]
08:52 The throwback song harkens back to 60s style numbers while also progressing the sounds of K-Pop.
08:57 In keeping with that retro idea,
08:59 the music video follows suit by putting the band in a presentation that salutes the likes of Motown.
09:04 It's much more than visuals, as the group members sing their heads off.
09:08 [Music]
09:14 With all the right musical and stylistic elements,
09:16 the track eventually created a major bridge between East and West,
09:20 and made an unprecedented splash on the US Billboard Hot 100 too.
09:24 Signaling its mainstream popularity in the country,
09:27 K-Pop at this point was no longer a niche genre for some Americans.
09:31 [Music]
09:35 Number 10. Growl - EXO
09:37 Accruing a strong fan base off of this song,
09:40 EXO rose to stardom with their elite level talent.
09:43 [Music]
09:48 Growl creates an R&B sound all its own,
09:51 and allows the members to infuse pop into the performance.
09:54 With fantastic choreography,
09:56 the music video also summed up their multi-faceted abilities.
10:00 [Music]
10:05 The overall success of the song ensured that it appeared on charts such as Billboard's Korea K-Pop Hot 100.
10:11 Perhaps the true mark of its commercial and cultural impact
10:14 came with its impression on audiences in North Korea.
10:18 Considered a modern classic in many circles,
10:20 this enduring single is still an undisputed heavyweight.
10:24 [Music]
10:30 Number 9. Ring Ding Dong - SHINee
10:33 Not every K-Pop song is a lyrical masterpiece.
10:36 [Music]
10:41 The lyrics of Ring Ding Dong fall into familiar territory when talking about love,
10:45 but reach an entertaining peak with the chorus.
10:48 You can't help but sing along with it by the end.
10:50 SHINee leans into the track's fun grooves with complete professionalism.
10:55 It's even been suggested that their work is so memorable
10:57 that it's a notable distraction to South Korean students.
11:00 [Music]
11:04 Whether or not that's the case,
11:05 the release captured the hearts of audiences in the home country and elsewhere.
11:09 The band even saw early success in the United States
11:12 as K-Pop was beginning to gain ground around the world.
11:15 [Music]
11:19 Number 8. Merodic - TVXQ
11:22 This highly acclaimed track from TVXQ
11:25 marks one of the group's strongest outings.
11:27 [Music]
11:31 Sharing the title of their fourth album,
11:33 Merodic was greeted with immediate success
11:35 from both South Korean and Japanese audiences.
11:38 The ensemble really shines on their final hit as a five-piece band.
11:42 However, the original lyrics were considered explicit for their sexual connotations,
11:47 which would later prompt a clean version to be recorded.
11:50 [Music]
11:56 Still, this didn't stop it from being extremely popular with audiences.
12:00 Full of proud pop elements,
12:02 this single represents another high point for male groups in the late 2000s.
12:06 Critics and audiences seem to agree that it is a near perfect example
12:10 of everything there is to love about K-Pop.
12:13 [Music]
12:19 Number 7. I Am The Best - 2NE1
12:22 Throwing subtlety out the window,
12:24 2NE1 ascended the K-Pop ladder with their own brand of empowering music.
12:28 [Music]
12:35 Their girl-pop style created a different corner of the sandbox
12:38 for the already huge genre.
12:39 With a full-throttle video,
12:41 I Am The Best finds the members in glorious outfits,
12:44 swinging around some surprisingly stylish weapons.
12:48 The mix of electro house and hip-hop also suits the group,
12:51 while still keeping up an inviting sound for all kinds of audiences.
12:55 [Music]
13:02 It was a breakthrough for 2NE1.
13:04 In part, profiting from the newfound global support for South Korean culture.
13:09 2NE1 also brought about a spotlight to the girl-crush movement.
13:12 [Music]
13:19 Number 6. Bubble Pop - Hyuna
13:21 Among the catchiest songs in a genre full of them,
13:24 Bubble Pop displays the talents of Hyuna as well as any other number.
13:28 [Music]
13:32 Her solo career exploded with this release in the early 2010s,
13:36 taking Bubble Gum to a whole new level.
13:38 This pop tune has a chorus that's a certifiable winner.
13:41 [Music]
13:48 There's also an added dance element that helps get listeners moving.
13:52 Becoming a viral hit on YouTube,
13:54 the video was the first to pass 100 million views for a solo female K-Pop performer.
14:00 It will forever be a summer anthem that proves there is an international audience for great music,
14:05 regardless of language barriers.
14:07 [Music]
14:14 Number 5. I Know - Seo Taiji and Boys
14:17 While you could argue about the exact point that K-Pop came into being,
14:21 many people credit this song with starting the movement.
14:24 [Music]
14:28 The single formed a template for future artists in the South Korean music industry,
14:32 mixing elements of pop and hip-hop.
14:34 Seo Taiji and Boys were ahead of their time with this track.
14:38 [Music]
14:42 It borrows elements from late 80s and early 90s genres such as New Jack's Wing,
14:46 and even includes some rocking guitars to round out the eclectic sound.
14:50 As one of the first of its kind,
14:52 this piece sets the tone for the many more successful releases to follow.
14:56 [Music]
15:00 Number 4. Gangnam Style - Psy
15:03 Bringing K-Pop to a global audience,
15:05 Psy created one of the most recognizable hits in the genre.
15:09 [Music]
15:13 Gangnam Style was a viral sensation for its wild video and remarkable hook.
15:17 Not only did he cement himself in popular culture,
15:20 but the artist also galloped his way into history with an accompanying dance.
15:24 Gangnam Style eventually had a record-breaking run on YouTube with over a billion views.
15:29 [Music]
15:35 It was also a game changer in terms of transcending any niche audiences
15:39 by becoming a household entity for people who had no idea about K-Pop or its typical sounds.
15:44 This over-the-top creation is endlessly entertaining and still talked about to this day.
15:50 [Music]
15:52 "Oppa Gangnam Style!"
15:53 [Music]
15:54 Number 3. Blood, Sweat & Tears - BTS
15:58 In the 2010s, BTS arrived on the scene as a ready-made band with hip-hop and pop prowess.
16:04 It was songs like "Blood, Sweat & Tears" that helped introduce them as the next great K-Pop act.
16:09 [Music]
16:15 From their second album, the single explores the sometimes visceral
16:19 and complicated experience of being in a relationship.
16:22 This particular track also explores sounds from the Moombahton style.
16:26 [Music]
16:32 Separating it from other K-Pop efforts,
16:34 the production completely owns its unique mixture of influences.
16:37 And with it, BTS revealed themselves as bona fide superstars
16:41 willing to push themselves into greatness.
16:43 [Music]
16:51 Within several years, they continued their climb to the top of their genre with works like "Dynamite."
16:56 Number 2. G - Girls' Generation
16:59 Brimming with pop perfection, G set a new standard for girl groups in K-Pop.
17:04 [Music]
17:09 Girls' Generation's nine members make their mark across an engaging production.
17:13 Full of electro-pop majesty, this song sings the praises of being in love.
17:18 It wasn't the act's last brush with success either, just the opposite.
17:22 It set them on a course for international stardom.
17:25 [Music]
17:30 This track helped bring about renewed attention to K-Pop in the late 2000s,
17:34 signaling the global breakthrough for the genre in the 2010s.
17:37 Girls' Generation also helped to shape the next wave of female ensembles
17:41 with their extensive lineup, all of whom created a strong impression.
17:45 [Music]
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18:06 Number 1. Fantastic Baby - BIGBANG
18:11 There's a reason that BIGBANG is considered the kings of K-Pop.
18:14 With the release of Fantastic Baby, the band reached yet another level of success.
18:19 [Music]
18:26 Their innovative track incorporates various pop influences
18:29 into an EDM single that's pure excitement.
18:32 The double platinum hit sold millions
18:34 and became one of the best-selling songs in the group's home country.
18:37 [Music]
18:42 Critics have also been kind to this release and its place in the genre's history.
18:46 Many cite it as a crowning achievement for the act and 2010s music as a whole,
18:51 bringing together high production values and infectious hooks into a momentous result.
18:56 [Music]
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19:10 [Music]