my top 40 kpop songs of 2021

This list will include only title tracks and singles (to avoid confusion). There may also be songs as special mentions by the artists which will also include b-sides. Please note that I added as many artists as I could and I do not intend any hate to the artists who are mentioned and not mentioned.

2021 was a great year for kpop. These songs will probably never leave my playlist and will always give me nostalgia. Numerous groups and solo artist made their comebacks and debuts and carved their place in the music scene. It was extremely hard for me to rank the songs but here we are.

40. Echo - Eric Nam, Armaan Malik, KSHMR

If 2021 gave us nothing else at least it gave us this earth-shattering collaboration with amazing vocals. 

MV: 0/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 4/5

Special Mentions: everything sucks, Butta Bomma

39. My Turn - CRAVITY

A catchy song with good visuals. The boys show their flair as they blow up the stage with their coolness.

MV: 2/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 6/15

Special Mentions: Gas Pedal, VENI VIDI VICI

38. On The Ground - Rosé

With her long-awaited solo release, the acoustic guitar takes centre stage as our girl reflects on her life as an idol. Gone is actually better but sadly, it's a b-side. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 2/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 6/15

Special Mentions: Gone

37. Zombie - Purple Kiss

A weird concept and catchy beats are all you need to catch the eyes of kpop stans. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 0/5

Total: 6/15

Special Mentions: Ponzona

36. Hwaa - (G)I-DLE

The girls managed to rock some charts and move some fans even after a drastic change in concept. 

MV: 2.5/5

Song: 1.5/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 6/15

Special Mentions: BEAMBEAM, Giant

35. Switch To Me - Rain & JYP

The collaboration of a century with a good combination of flamboyant acting and pleasing vocalisation.

MV: 3/5

Song: 2/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 6/15

34. Thrill Ride - The Boyz

A feel-good summer song with amazing production and vocals. The concept was executed pretty well and the appropriate budget had been put in. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 6/15

Special Mentions: Maverick

33. Hello - Joy

It is one of the best bubbly songs in a while by one of the best vocalists of the century. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 2.5/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 6.5/15

32. Where Are We Now - MAMAMOO

Contemplating life decisions and dilemmas and bringing them alive by making music.

MV: 0.5/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 3.5/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: I'm A B

31. Damage - JUST B

A new group with a fresh concept about free will (or freedom), with an EDM track to complement it. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: Tick Tock

30. Eleven - IVE

One of the best debuts in a while that includes a dream lineup, with great build-ups and visually pleasing films. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 7/15

29. Rock With You - Seventeen

Their amazing vocals and synchronized choreography shine as the boys hit the stage while consistently making their presence known in this industry. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: Ready to love, Anyone, Pang

28. Sticker - NCT 127

This song might be the weirdest shit ever but it was good, whatever the general public might say. While the flute part was strange, it did get stuck in your head. So, there. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3.5/5

Lyrics: 0.5/5

Total: 7/15 

27. Peaches - Kai

The sensually Japanese concepts, especially make a good impression as Kai once again manages to surprise listeners with both his vocal and dance ability. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 7/15

26. Jessi - What Type of X

Jessi shows just how much of a bitch she really is with this compelling song and makes the listeners speechless. 

MV: 2.5/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1.5/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: Cold Blooded

25. Bicycle - ChungHa

With a thrilling concept, alluring visuals and solid choreography, the soloist definitely makes a bang. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 0/5

Total: 7/15

24. Drunk-Dazed - ENHYPEN

Their best release yet was received well by the general public and fans alike. With astoundingly precise choreography and remarkable production, the boys show a lot of promise. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: Tamed-Dashed, Blockbuster ft. Yeonjun of TXT, Fever, Mixed Up

23. Dumb Dumb - Jeon Somi

Definitely a lot better than her past releases and her first album, Somi left no stone unturned with this catchy song. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 7/15 

22. Hot Sauce - NCT Dream

A song about a spicy side-dish with a wholesome chorus that's will be stuck in everyone's head for years to come. Please, help Mark. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 0/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: Hello Future

21. I'm Not Cool - HyunA

With lyrics hinting at our new normal and her new normal (psst her boyfie), HyunA came back with a bop yet again. The dance moves brought a new chill to our summer with the ironic title. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 7/15 

20. Next Level - aespa

With a weirdly addictive melody, this song will remain on the playlists for a long long time. These girls have already become trendsetters with their catchy choreographies and their vocals never disappoint. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 0/5

Total: 7/15

Special Mentions: Savage, Dreams Come True

19. Paint The Town - LOONA

The instrumental sets the scene as the girls take the stage with intricate choreography and high-quality vocals. The build-ups for the song hit hard as the girls set the stage on fire. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3.5/5

Lyrics: 1/5

Total: 7.5/15

18. Hate That... - Key & Taeyeon

Highlighting the actual emotions of ex-lovers accurately this song shows raw emotions. We need more of this duo. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 2/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 8/15

Special Mentions: Bad Love, Weekend

17. Don't Call Me - Shinee

The unique ad-libs and concept make the visual experience enjoyable as the boys set off to smash some charts with this powerful song. 

MV: 3.5/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 1.5/5

Total: 8/15

Special Mentions: Atlantis

16. After School - Weekly

Talking about what teenagers do after school? Check. Catchy beat? Check. Tiktok-worthy-choreo? Check. Chart-smasher? Check.

MV: 3/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 1.5/5

Total: 8.5/15

15. Stereotype - StayC

Moving away from the traditional cute-girl or bad-bitch concepts, these girls are trying something new and excelling at it. This song's speciality is not just a part but the whole of it. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 2.5/5

Total: 8.5/15

Special Mentions: ASAP

14. Must - 2PM

Come back after 10 years? A catchy chorus and sexy visuals are all you need. And why not add a 5-second rap section which will make it sexier? Yeah? Done. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 9/15

13. Bad, Sad and Mad - BIBI

This underground rapper takes the stage with an unusual composition that sets her apart from other artists and shows promise of her future endeavours. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 9/15

12. Rose - D.O

A feel-good romantic song that could make anyone hopeful, Kyungsoo's vocals hit home as this purely nostalgic love-filled ballad makes the listeners gush with happiness. The English version also managed to hit a chord. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 4.5/5

Lyrics: 2.5/5

Total: 9/15

11. BTS - Film Out

With meaningful lyrics and chilling vocals, the best boys show the world how it's done. The heart-wrenching lyrics become the support for anyone who needs a shoulder to lean on. 

MV: 2/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 9/15

Special Mentions: Butter, Permission To Dance, My Universe

10. Spider - Hoshi

Hoshi met the expectations for his solo debut with all guns blazing and became the blueprint for a lot of anti-drop songs to come. His raspy vocals set the tone as the unexpected choreography and props make the performance even more enjoyable. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4.5/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 9.5/15

9. Thunderous - Stray Kids

After their winning stint at Kingdom: The Bullshit War, the boys returned with a unique traditional concept of heroes coming back home after a victory (the irony), as the boys set off the music scene with a kind of pristine grandeur. 

MV: 5/5

Song: 3/5

Lyrics: 2/5

Total: 10/15

Special Mentions: Mixtape: Oh, Red Lights, Cheese 

8. Celebrity - IU

IU has left nothing to the imagination with this mesmerizing song. Her melodic voice brings meaningful lyrics to life that asks the listener to cherish and love themselves. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 10/15

Special Mentions: Coin, Lilac

7. LO$ER = LOVER - TXT

With the members participating actively in the album-making process their songs contain a certain flair that is unique to the boys. It strives to satisfy the musical senses and the bridge especially hooks the listener to stay till the very end.

MV: 5/5

Song: 2/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 10/15

Special Mentions: OX1 = Lovesong (I Know I Love You) ft. Seori, Frost, Magic, No Rules

6. Alcohol-Free - TWICE

Something about comparing love to booze and how it feels like booze but it's not actually booze-infused makes anyone wanna dance. With their drunken charisma (they are actually sober) and on-point dance moves, it's definitely a feel-good summer song. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 4.5/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 10.5/15

Special Mentions: Scientist, First Time, Scandal, Perfect World

5. Ping Pong - HyunA & Dawn

This groundbreaking collaboration blew us all to smithereens. One of the best dance tracks in a while and satisfies the listener's senses which can get anyone moving to its beats. Their bold visuals and powerful choreography make the song thoroughly enjoyable. 

MV: 4/5

Song: 4/5

Lyrics: 2.5/5

Total: 10.5/15

4. NAKKA - AKMU ft. IU

This delightful song shook fans all around the world with its intoxicating beats. From the very first hook, it never let us go and IU's voice is just a cherry on top. 

MV: 3/5

Song: 5/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 11/15

3. Tail - Sunmi

Coming back with a sexy concept Sunmi completely wrecks the stage with her sultry performance. Her vocals are to die for as her fatal moves could make anyone speechless. 

MV: 3.5/5

Song: 5/5

Lyrics: 3/5

Total: 11.5/15

2. The Feels - Twice

The girls try their hand at an English song for the first time and slay at it. Everything from the electrifying choreography, their charmingly innocent expressions and the way they handled the teen-girl-in-love concept can make anyone fall in love with the song. 

MV: 4.5/5

Song: 5/5

Lyrics: 4/5 

Total: 13.5/15

1. Mafia In The Morning - ITZY

ITZY had a remarkably successful year as they established themselves even more firmly as the 4th generation aces. With an exhilarating concept, the girls show their eloquence and charm perfectly. Their vocals and choreography hit hard and show their potential as great artists. 

MV: 4.5/5

Song: 5/5

Lyrics: 5/5

Total: 14.5/15

Special Mentions: LOCO, SHOOT!, Sorry Not Sorry, Swipe

Please leave your comments below and tell me your favourite songs of 2021. 

Happy new year!!