I’m back with my yearly roundup of favorite K-pop tracks. Just a heads-up: yes, I am biased. I mostly stick to the same artists, and I don’t listen to too much music outside of the K-pop sphere. However, if a song is trending on TikTok or other social media, I might catch a glimpse of it and become familiar with it. Also, I won’t be sharing my Spotify Wrapped because, well, I don’t use Spotify as much. I’m more of a Melon listener!

I first heard this song during Follow Again to Seoul, and I immediately fell in love with the melody. When it was officially released, I finally looked up the lyrics — and let me tell you, I cried. A lot. I even wrote an article about how "Cheers to Youth" has become the theme song of my life. It's the kind of song that, every time I listen to it, pulls at my heartstrings. This one will definitely remain in my playlist (and my heart) forever.

I'm really a sucker for songs about self, life, and happiness. This DAY6 song has been on my playlist as well when it was released. And I'm also so happy that this song was recognized by the general public. But I'm also sad at the same time because it only means that a lot of people can relate to this song. It’s bittersweet, really. (Also, shoutout to SEVENTEEN's DK for doing such a beautiful cover of this song.)

This song came as a complete surprise to me. I was never a huge Blackpink fan, though I know their songs. But for "APT," I was hooked from the first listen. Rosé truly nailed this one. And the collaboration with Bruno Mars? Chef’s kiss. I agree with a lot of reactors on this — the pre-chorus is definitely the highlight of the song. The harmonies? Just perfect.

I’ll admit, I first heard DAY6’s version of "I Stan U" and loved it, so I had to check out the original by IU. This song is totally my style, and the melody just resonated with me. But what makes it even more special is learning about the song’s creation and who it was written for. Knowing the backstory makes this song even warmer to the heart.

I don't typically listen to newer groups unless their songs are trending on TikTok, but TWS caught my attention thanks to SEVENTEEN. "Plot Twist" has this fresh, youthful vibe that fits the group perfectly. The music video? It just made me love the song even more. It’s the kind of track that makes me excited for their future releases.

I think I might be stanning QWER next year. I first heard this song while editing a reaction video at work, and it immediately grabbed me. There’s something about their style — it gives me strong anime band vibes, which I’m all about. I’m really looking forward to what they put out next.