Top 50 K-Pop Singles of 2012: 20-11
Updated: 2 hours ago
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20. Sistar- Loving U
Every journey has a beginning. For Sistar, their road to becoming "Summer Queens" began with this song.
Loving U was the first to present Sistar's signature summer sound with a joyful chorus and carnival-like brass section. You can't deny the sound of the season in this track!
19. 9Muses- Ticket
This song's hook should be illegal.
The repetition of "ticket" and "one way" gave this track its distinct, fun characteristic over a fascinating rhythm. The vocal melodies and instrumental, led by a recognizable synth melody that appears several times, present this song as highly energetic and irresistible.
This is the type of high-powered pop track that will get you going!
18. BIGBANG- Bad Boy
Bad Boy surges as a masterful old-school hip-hop track, employing stunning rap verses and a stirring swag-filled refrain.
Few groups can match the deadly combo of charisma and enduring production showcased here.
17. KARA- Pandora
If you ever need to listen to something high-octane, Pandora has you covered!
This is an energetic synthpop track led by its galvanizing chorus featuring an electrifying brass section and mammoth vocal harmonies. A distinct synth melody (which arrives at the beginning) also gave this song its addictive soundscape.
Adding more to the production, Pandora delivers an exciting breakdown-gorgeous bridge combo before a hair-raising, Seungyeon-led climax takes place - a riveting segment to experience!
16. BIGBANG- Blue
A song like Blue shouldn't sound this great with its restraint production, but due to its seesaw synth, entrancing singing/rapping, driving beat, and timeless hook, this nostalgic classic arrives as a mellow magnum opus.
15. Boyfriend- Love Style
Funky from the beginning, Love Style crests as a modern reiteration of any great 80's pop song.
Every second of this track is enjoyable, so don't be surprised if you're playing this on repeat. The melodies and instrumental are addicting!
14. Kim Sungkyu- 60 Seconds
After a gentle opening verse, 60 Seconds turned things up a notch and injected a powerful rock sound for its hook, showcasing a melodically driven, high-soaring production.
Sungkyu sings at his absolute best in this undervalued pop-rock masterwork.
13. Ailee- I Will Show You
The first verse couldn't be any more misguiding!
What started as a soulful, piano-led ballad, I Will Show You turned a 180 and dropped a firecracker of a chorus! Think of it as a modern equivalent to Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive, as Ailee shows off her vocal skills in this outstanding debut!
12. Girl's Day- Don't Forget Me
Don't Forget Me asserts itself as an underappreciated tears-on-the-dancefloor synthpop anthem.
After each verse, the song reaches for the sky with its colossal refrain, driven by emotional vocals over a glossy, propulsive instrumental. It helps that the song also pitches a catchy "You're my baby" post-hook.
Even before gaining more popularity by shifting into more mature music and image, I consider this Girl's Day peak musical moment due to how flawless it sounds as an emotional anthem.
11. EXO- What Is Love
What Is Love is a spectacular pre-debut song showcasing phenomenal vocal performances by D.O and Baekhyun over constant strumming and several instances of alien-like synths, giving this track its mysterious and breathtaking soundscape.
We didn't know what we had coming after this exceptional pre-debut!