Happy New Year! Another year has gone by – and I have been completely absent on Dramabeans. How is everyone?! This list has become something of a tradition now – I always find it fun to look back at musical highs of the year as well as compare my top tracks from year to year. I’d love to hear some of your favorites as well – how much did you enjoy 2022’s kpop offerings and what are you looking forward to in the future?
20. Keep me up – B.I | Love or Loved Part 1
This song does not have any grand climax, but it has a consistent hypnotic quality and groove that mixes with the rawness of B.I’s vocals in such a satisfying way.
19. Cupid – DKZ | Chase Episode 2. MAUM
In a time dominated by shout choruses, the cheerful energy of Cupid shines through. I admittedly have a bias for bright and bubbly, and this song more than satisfied.
18. About You – WOODZ | Yumi’s Cells 2 OST
WOODZ is a true chameleon when it comes to genre-tackling. He does it all. And he does it all so well. This song is just super cute. Sometimes, that’s just exactly what I need.
17. DARARI (Remix) – TREASURE | The Second Step: Chapter Two
I’ll be honest, I have no idea if I’ve heard the original version of this song. That aside, this remix rocks. Literally. What an incredibly fun and catchy hook.
16. But You – iKON | Flashback
This song was such an unexpected turn for the group – a dive into the 80s synth trend that, for me, really worked. The chorus is a bit understated, but the melody grows with repeated listens and iKON’s vocals are a highlight.
15. New Addiction – CRAViTY | New Wave
New Wave was one of my favorite albums this year. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but all of the tracks were poppy, fun, and worked seamlessly together to create a fantastic ride throughout. I had a hard time picking my favorite off of the album, so in the end…here you go!
14. Replay – Golden Child | AURA
Golden Child’s sound doesn’t seem to bend to boy group trends. They have a firm identity and know how to run with it. And Replay certainly runs and doesn’t stop with its incessant, and bold, intensity.
13. Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go – Tomorrow X Together | Minisode: Thursday’s Child
TXT always brings such unique wistfulness to their songs. Even with its upbeat melodies, this track still has a hint of melancholy – a strange dichotomy that I cannot get enough of when it comes to this group.
12. Villain – DRIPPIN | Villain
DRIPPIN hit me with one of the few songs that I loved right off the bat at the beginning of the year. It’s slinky, funky, and has a killer instrumental backdrop that I couldn’t help returning to again and again.
11. Super Yuppers! – WJSN Chocome | Super Yuppers!
The kind of quirkiness I love to see embraced in kpop. I had this song tirelessly and unapologetically on repeat immediately after the first listen.
From your Iist I only know Ikon’s But You and i do like the song. Since i mostly listen to OSTs, my discovery for 2022 is an old song – Spring Day by BTS 😄
I think you and I have the same taste! I just listened to these and loved pretty much all of them! I’m looking forward to checking out your top 10 later.
Infinitize
December 31, 2022 at 9:18 PM
Fini’s Fifth Annual Kpop Top 20 for 2022
Happy New Year! Another year has gone by – and I have been completely absent on Dramabeans. How is everyone?! This list has become something of a tradition now – I always find it fun to look back at musical highs of the year as well as compare my top tracks from year to year. I’d love to hear some of your favorites as well – how much did you enjoy 2022’s kpop offerings and what are you looking forward to in the future?
20. Keep me up – B.I | Love or Loved Part 1
This song does not have any grand climax, but it has a consistent hypnotic quality and groove that mixes with the rawness of B.I’s vocals in such a satisfying way.
19. Cupid – DKZ | Chase Episode 2. MAUM
In a time dominated by shout choruses, the cheerful energy of Cupid shines through. I admittedly have a bias for bright and bubbly, and this song more than satisfied.
18. About You – WOODZ | Yumi’s Cells 2 OST
WOODZ is a true chameleon when it comes to genre-tackling. He does it all. And he does it all so well. This song is just super cute. Sometimes, that’s just exactly what I need.
17. DARARI (Remix) – TREASURE | The Second Step: Chapter Two
I’ll be honest, I have no idea if I’ve heard the original version of this song. That aside, this remix rocks. Literally. What an incredibly fun and catchy hook.
16. But You – iKON | Flashback
This song was such an unexpected turn for the group – a dive into the 80s synth trend that, for me, really worked. The chorus is a bit understated, but the melody grows with repeated listens and iKON’s vocals are a highlight.
15. New Addiction – CRAViTY | New Wave
New Wave was one of my favorite albums this year. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but all of the tracks were poppy, fun, and worked seamlessly together to create a fantastic ride throughout. I had a hard time picking my favorite off of the album, so in the end…here you go!
14. Replay – Golden Child | AURA
Golden Child’s sound doesn’t seem to bend to boy group trends. They have a firm identity and know how to run with it. And Replay certainly runs and doesn’t stop with its incessant, and bold, intensity.
13. Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go – Tomorrow X Together | Minisode: Thursday’s Child
TXT always brings such unique wistfulness to their songs. Even with its upbeat melodies, this track still has a hint of melancholy – a strange dichotomy that I cannot get enough of when it comes to this group.
12. Villain – DRIPPIN | Villain
DRIPPIN hit me with one of the few songs that I loved right off the bat at the beginning of the year. It’s slinky, funky, and has a killer instrumental backdrop that I couldn’t help returning to again and again.
11. Super Yuppers! – WJSN Chocome | Super Yuppers!
The kind of quirkiness I love to see embraced in kpop. I had this song tirelessly and unapologetically on repeat immediately after the first listen.
parkchuna ❤️🍉
December 31, 2022 at 11:49 PM
From your Iist I only know Ikon’s But You and i do like the song. Since i mostly listen to OSTs, my discovery for 2022 is an old song – Spring Day by BTS 😄
RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
January 1, 2023 at 10:44 AM
I think you and I have the same taste! I just listened to these and loved pretty much all of them! I’m looking forward to checking out your top 10 later.
Possum
January 2, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Super Yuppers! Was a favourite of mine too. 🙂