The 15 Best K-Pop Songs of 2024 (So Far)

In 2024, the Korean pop scene is more vibrant than ever.

Groups like ATEEZ, Le Sserafim, Seventeen, and Stray Kids are blowing up music festivals around the world, while newcomers ILLIT, RIIZE, and ARTMS are putting down roots in their home countries. From shimmering synths to 80s Miami bass to bass-driven bangers, this year’s best K-Pop tracks are a dynamic blend of old and new. With intricate choreography, catchy melodies, and otherworldly visuals, K-Pop continues to captivate audiences around the world, pushing boundaries and setting trends.

Our favorites of the half year are the songs we continue to listen to and love, from rising boy groups like BABYMONSTER and BOYNEXTDOOR to established beauties like aespa and IVE.

“HEYA” IVE

IVE once said,Tiger country.In the chorus, IVE promises, “The moment you’re mesmerized… I’ll catch you in a second!” and the song reeles listeners in with a bravura, punchy pop treat. Among the instrumentals are group calls, jaunty chants, and howls that evoke the thrill of the hunt. The music video sees the sextet wandering through traditional Korean art and folklore reinterpreted in candy greens, purples, and pinks. Elizabeth De Luna

“Magnetic”, ILLIT

The debut track from girl group ILLIT (pronounced like “eyelet”) is a pop hit about the irresistible pull of undeniable charm. The production is popping with bouncy arpeggios and crisp hi-hats, and the lyrics are sweet (“My heart is like a giant magnet, and all of you stick to it“) and fresh (“I’ll give you the green light, a girl’s gotta be brave!Myers-Briggs types, Korean cultural obsessionsYou’re a J and I’m a P, S, and N. Exact opposites!() has a uniquely modern feel, but in a few years it will mature into a nostalgic tribute to the 2020s. E-commerce

“Supernova”, aespa

It’s a very powerful song NASA has released their response“Supernova” lives up to its name. The song exploded in popularity in Korea, where it holds the record for most weeks at No. 1 by an SM Entertainment artist, beating Girls’ Generation’s “Gee.” With its flashy sheen, “Supernova” fits perfectly into aespa’s diverse sonic palette. Sampling Afrika Bambaataa’s 1982 classic “Planet Rock,” the propulsive pop track explodes with a bouncy electro beat and a highly addictive hook fueled by a punchy chorus, “oh, ayy.” aespa has never been afraid to zig when everyone else zags, and that risk continues to pay off as “Supernova” smashes its way up the charts. — Crystal Bell

“Dash” by NMIXX

Since their controversial debut in 2022, NMIXX has carved out a dynamic path in an industry that relies heavily on fleeting trends. “DASH” implements the best parts of the group’s “MIXX pop” gimmick, fusing elements of funk, R&B, and hip hop with lush vocal harmonies and groovy rhythms that continue into “Zero to Hunid.” While the production stands out for its richness, “DASH” also allows the girls’ incredible voices to shine, with Lily showcasing her powerful voice and Bey demonstrating her unique vocal elasticity. “DASH” is more than just a catchy song; it’s a bold statement that NMIXX is here to redefine the rules. — CB

“Earth, Wind & Fire” The Boy Next Door

Extremely goofy and uninhibited, “Earth, Wind and Fire” is the best single from the up-and-coming six-piece BOYNEXTDOOR. Produced by their mentor and Korean megastar ZICO, the young band pinballs through emotions. “You’re my earth, my wind and my fire,” they sing in the throes of anxiety, jealousy and devotion. “I think I love you more than my life.” The highlight of the song is the frenzied pre-chorus line, “Baby, boo, my pretty darling, I think I love you more,” delivered at the speed and pitch of a nervous confession to a crush. The song’s choreography is equally captivating, combining explosive jumps and glitchy repetitions to capture the volatile nature of falling in love. E-commerce

“Tap” Taeyeon

It’s common for male idols to release projects before their mandatory military service, leaving fans with something to tide them over for the next 18 months. Known for his irresistible charm and commanding stage presence, Taeyong, the de facto leader of NCT, dropped his second EP just weeks before enlisting, and its lead single, “Tap,” encapsulates everything the rapper has to offer: playful but not irreverent, it’s a multifaceted effort that expertly expresses his unique vision. The real gag is that we’re left wanting to hear more. — CB

“Whoa” Baby Monster

It’s never easy to live in someone’s shadow, especially when that person is one of the biggest pop artists in the world. All eyes were on BABYMONSTER, the first girl group to debut under YG Entertainment since BLACKPINK burst onto the scene like a missile seven years ago, when they released “SHEESH,” a bombastic introduction to YG’s next generation. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that “SHEESH” made an impact. That’s mainly thanks to the group’s seven members, who wowed audiences with their live vocals and onstage charisma while promoting the song on weekly music shows. In doing so, “SHEESH” shot up the charts, prophesying the song’s staying power. When BABYMONSTER said, “Tell your friends,” people listened. — CB

“Virtual Angel” ARTMS

Elegant and warm, “Virtual Angel” is the melody you want to hear as you approach the gates of heaven. It’s the promising debut from 7-piece ARTMS (pronounced “artemis”), comprised of former members of beloved but now disbanded girl group LOONA. In “Virtual Angel,” ARTMS are angels heralding the arrival of first love. “Inside my frozen heart, new flowers begin to bloom,” they whisper cheerfully to new love. “Since I met you, I’ve found my true self.” E-commerce

“Siren” RIIZE

RIIZE released their first single in September 2023 and have been experimenting with a wardrobe of genres ever since. With an appealing musicality, the group has branched out into house (“Impossible”), funk (“Boom Boom Bass”), pop R&B (“R&B”) and more.“HonestlyTheir latest single, “Siren,” is another impressive offering, combining hip hop with Josh Price’s exhilarating and exhausting choreography. E-commerce

“Deja Vu,” Tomorrow x Together

TXT’s experiment with pop-punk in 2021 resonated with fans and critics alike. The sonic direction was a perfect fit for the boy band’s penchant for channeling volatile coming-of-age emotions over catchy melodies. Though the group is out of its emo phase, “Deja Vu” packs an emotional punch, delivering mature melodrama with a sharp edge. CB

“Girls Never Die” Triple S

While most pop songs paint Girls’ Generation in a rosy glow, “Girls Never Die” brings all 24 members of Triple S together to convey the reality of being young. “I hate myself for being weak/I don’t want to show this side of me/Why do you wear heavy makeup/Why do you use heavy filters,” they sing. Though it features 24 voices, “Girls Never Die” never feels disjointed or convoluted. Instead, it doubles down on the dreamy atmosphere of past releases, crafting a moody anthem with a modern message: “Girls don’t die, girls don’t cry.” CB

“Fatal Trouble” ENHYPEN

In “Fatal Trouble,” ENHYPEN delivers brooding pop with plenty of rock and R&B elements, immersing themselves in compelling theatrics. The song is one of six tracks on a special album that tackles the premise of ENHYPEN’s webcomic “Dark Moon,” in which the seven band members are vampire classmates struggling with immortality and a shared love. In “Fatal Trouble,” they tell her, “Your memories are crumbling… my heart, my long-held trust, is crumbling.” This is drama done right. — E-commerce

“How Sweet” New Jeans

Leave it to Nu Jeans to deliver the sweetest kiss of the summer. “Yeah, don’t you know how sweet it tastes? / Now that you’re gone,” they taunt a toxic lover over electroclash breeze synths and laser beams. “How Sweet” evokes the same laid-back sound and innate cool that propelled Nu Jeans to the top of the charts and made them memorable. Nostalgic without being overly simplistic, it’s an effortless blend of playful lyrics and polished production. And the sweetest thing about the song? The way the group’s vocals glide over the track with a breezy confidence. — CB

“Shooting Star” Kepler

In May, Weikwan Entertainment announced Kepler, a nine-member girl group formed through the survival series. Girls Planet 999have extended their original project contract without members Yeso and Mashiro to continue as a seven-piece. “Shooting Star” is their final release as a complete unit and also their magnum opus. Shimmering synths, ethereal vocals, and vocoder harmonies make this a must-listen. The song captures the essence of Kep1er’s journey, full of bittersweetness and hope for the future. — CB

“Chk Chk Boom” by Stray Kids

Prior to the release of “Chk Chk Boom” in July, Stray Kids teased the song as “something we’ve never done before,” perhaps referring to the song’s Latin influences, including several Spanish words and Changbin’s rolled “R” pronunciation. The song is a fun twist on the group’s signature dynamic intensity, reflecting their willingness to constantly explore and innovate across genres. In some ways, the song sounds like an easy-listening version of their breakout single, “God’s Menu,” with fierce rap verses, a pre-chorus melody, and an explosive hook that gets the energy pumping. In true Stray Kids style, “Chk Chk Boom” ends with a party, where everyone comes together to celebrate. La Vida Loca. — CB