20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2012: BIGBANG, PSY, 2NE1 & More
These 20 K-Pop songs represent a fantastic array of veteran artists, popular idols, ballad crooners and talented rookies.
2012 was the year that PSY, an unlikely K-pop veteran, surpassed his contemporaries with international stardom and an inescapable single ("Gangnam Style," of course). But that doesn't mean the rest of the K-pop world wasn't also delivering excellent tracks. BoA reminded us what made her a superstars in the first place, After School said they "missed you" and went back to their sexy roots, and indie acts like Busker Busker and The Koxx showed how you didn't need a major agency to make waves in the business.
Best of 2012: Billboard's Year-End Charts & More | K-Pop Hot 100 of 2012
It was a year of fantastic tracks, exciting comebacks and these 20 singles represent a fantastic array of veteran artists, popular idols, ballad crooners and talented rookies. Check out the Billboard.com and Billboard Korea staff's picks for the top 20 K-pop songs of 2012, and tell us your personal favorite tracks of the year in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
20. "Catch Me" - TVXQ!
The K-Pop kings came back this year with a major electronic track. With a thumping bass and emotional piano backing, the duo paired their ethereal vocals with hulking roars and further proved why they have lasted in this industry for over a decade.
19. "Love Dance" - The Koxx
While EDM acts like Calvin Harris and Kaskade saw bigtime crossover success this year, The Koxx could give them a run for their money with "Love Dance." The indie band got dance-y with sputtering synthesizers with the song's best moment coming when its chorus builds to a moment of rock euphoria.
18. "Touch" - miss A
The dark disco feel of miss A's "Touch" showed a true change of form from the foursome's previous cutesy single "Good-bye Baby." The track got about as sexy as miss A could legally get as member Suzy was still not an adult in Korea (the legal age is 19), but expect an even more mature evolution when she does turn 19 next year.
17. "One of a Kind" - G-Dragon
With a knocking hip-hop beat that today's biggest rappers would kill for, the BIGBANG leader showed off his impressive knack for flow and lyrics with his EP's opening track. The track put his talent at the forefront in comparison to silliness seen in single "Crayon."
16. "Without You" - Dynamic Duo
The hip-hop heavyweights Dynamic Duo proved they didn't miss a beat from their lengthy hiatus. The melodic rap ballad has an earworm of a chorus along with the duo’s talent for vivid lyricism and sharp flow over sophisticated beats made the song an instant heartbreak anthem.
15. "Painkiller" - SPICA
In the hyper-stylized world of K-pop, sometimes a track to truly show off your act’s talent is all it needs to make an impression. That's exactly what rookie group SPICA's “Painkiller” was -- a simple, R&B-inspired single that put the spotlight on their vocals making them one of the most impressive rookie groups of the year.
14. "Same Love, Same Farewell" Urban Zakapa
Co-ed band Urban Jakapa’s “Same Love, Same Farewell” is a dramatic ballad that immediately sucks the listeners into the painful world of heartbreak with its members’ powerhouse vocals. The song brings out vulnerability from toughest men and women alike with aching lyrics all identified with this year.
13. "Good Morning" Verbal Jint featuring Kwon Jung Yeol
“Good Morning” is a witty response to 90s Korean act Exhibition and their ballad “Confession Of The Drunk.” Verbal Jint’s gift for wordplay mashed with Kwon Jung Yeol’s addictive vocals over a groovy beat shifted the classic into a delightful, modern-day hit.
12. "I Wish" F.T. Island
K-pop is known for its ability to seamless cross genre lines to make accessible, delicious pop music for fans worldwide. With a Spanish-guitar inspired sound, “I Wish” sambas right into the listener’s ears before erupting into the catchy, rocky chorus.
11. "Every Night" EXID
Hitmaking producer Shinsa-dong Tiger was on a roll this year with 4minute’s “Volume Up” and T-ara’s “Lovey Dovey,” but he brought his magic to rookie group EXID for them to truly stand out from the plethora of new girl groups. The song’s infectious melody and direct lyrics (co-composed and penned by member LE) about an ex’s nightly booty call captured the masses making them another top rookie group.
Text by Jeff Benjamin and Jessica Oak.
10. "Beautiful Night" - Beast
The charismatic boys of Beast returned after over a year to the scene with "Beautiful Night" -- a track that mixed dazzling synthesizers, the boys' powerful delivery, and an accessible dance production to really make you want to party throughout any "beautiful night."
9. "Cherry Blossom Ending" - Busker Busker
Busker Busker brought something new and sweet this year with their smash debut hit. The indie band proved it was a sound to be heard above the din with its concoction of Beom-June Jang's charismatic vocals atop simple melodies.
8. "Gangnam Style" - PSY
The inescapable track that brought K-pop to the masses, “Gangnam Style” stands out not only for its slick, electronic production but also for its deeper critique on high-class society. Next time you’re doing the horse dance take a closer look at the lyrics.
7. "Only One" - BoA
K-pop queen BoA made her long-awaited comeback this year with the catchy mid-tempo “Only One.” Along with fellow K-diva Son Dam Bi, BoA reminded us why she was such a superstar in the first place in a track that showed off her sugary vocals and a music video for her impressive dance skills.
6. "Flashback" - After School
The lyrics of After School’s comeback track tell of missing a past love and wanting to “Flashback” to be with them. But the industrial, dance track also appears to be a nod to After School’s original sexy concept when they debuted in a style similar to the Pussycat Dolls in 2009. Whatever the meaning, it worked and fans were wowed by their charismatic comeback.
5. "Bad Boy" - BIGBANG
The boy band phenom had an extraordinary year with a slew of hits, including club-banger “Fantastic Baby,” melancholic jam “Blue,” and angst-ridden “Monster.” But the hip-hop/R&B mid-tempo “Bad Boy” outshined them all. The boys take turns showcasing their individual talents, as they emotionally croon, rap and sing about being a “bad” boyfriend over producer Choice 37’s head-bopping beat.
4. "I Love You" - 2NE1
Their past discography features a slew of self-empowerment anthems, but 2NE1 delved into a completely new topic for their 2012 single; love. Each member sounds completely in her element in the atypically structured half-melancholy, half-euphoric track where the biggest moment doesn’t come until the very last section.
3. "Memory of the Wind" - Naul
Naul, the 12-year R&B veteran, tugged the ears and hearts of music listeners with his soulful flute ballad. “Memory Of The Wind” is comprised of heart-ripping yet hopeful lyrics that Naul takes to another level with his beautiful vocal performance. Naul’s work is affectionately known as “healing music” in Korea and definitely mended a few broken hearts this fall.
2. "Alone" - SISTAR
2012 was a year of experimentation for SISTAR who always banked on the success of the high-energy cheerful dance tracks. “Alone” marked a true change of heart and sound in the slow disco groove single. The members presented their strong vocals alongside the vulnerable head voice to show a strong evolution to earn them their second K-Pop Hot 100 setting up the bubblegum pop track “Loving U” to be their third No. 1.
1. "The Chaser" - INFINITE
INFINITE’s masterpiece single “The Chaser” takes listeners on a ride the second they start the track. With an introduction packed with forceful vocals, dynamic guitar licks, and dramatic violins, it almost sounds like the track will never find a true direction. But at just 50 seconds, the song evolves into a waterfall of 80s synthesizers (courtesy of super producer Sweetune) with the same vocal energy brought back to the explosive trumpet-driven chorus. The track puts INFINITE and Sweetune truly at the forefront of 2012 proving risk and innovation in K-pop can trump all.
Text by Jeff Benjamin and Jessica Oak.
| 20 | "Catch Me" - TVXQ  The K-Pop kings came back this year with a major electronic track. With a thumping bass and emotional piano backing, the duo paired their ethereal vocals with hulking roars and further proved why they have lasted in this industry for over a decade. WATCH THE VIDEO |
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| 19 | "Love Dance" - The Koxx While EDM acts like Calvin Harris and Kaskade saw bigtime crossover success this year, The Koxx could give them a run for their money with "Love Dance." The indie band got dance-y with sputtering synthesizers with the song's best moment coming when its chorus builds to a moment of rock euphoria. |
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| 18 | "Touch" - miss A The dark disco feel of miss A's "Touch" showed a true change of form from the foursome's previous cutesy single "Good-bye Baby." The track got about as sexy as miss A could legally get as member Suzy was still not an adult in Korea (the legal age is 19), but expect an even more mature evolution when she does turn 19 next year. |
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| 17 | "One Of A Kind" - G-Dragon With a knocking hip-hop beat that any of today's biggest rappers would kill for, the BIGBANG leader showed off his impressive knack for flow and lyrics with his EP's opening track. The track put his talent at the forefront in comparison to silliness seen in single "Crayon." text by Jeff Benjamin and Jessica Oak
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Busker Busker brought something new and sweet this year with their smash debut hit. The indie band proved it was a sound to be heard above the din with its concoction of Beom-June Jang's charismatic vocals atop simple melodies.
