The emergence of K-Pop has a form has altered the axis of global music, transforming the Korea peninsula into a bona fide music powerhouse. Beneath this, however, lies a myriad of complexities – even within a single group, talents and skills can range from all-out pop to rap, hip-hop, electronics and beyond. There’s no real, singular ‘K-Pop’ – it’s about the way individual voices come together, an elixir that is continually evolving.
2024 saw K-Pop sub-divide once more, new voices coming through as old voices replenish. Away from some of the headline releases, a host of special moments were created by artists both mainstream and on the fringes.
A selection of CLASH writers put their heads together to craft this list of 2024’s most slept-on K-Pop tracks.
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One Pact – ‘Deserved’
An earworm, a song for crying in the club, a musical breath of fresh air; all of these are fitting labels for five-piece boy group One Pact’s latest single. It is ethereally melancholic, a song that leaves the world around you tinged in a muted blue. “I wish you think about me / You only come when you need me.” Utilizing the UK Garage genre, the track tells a tale of stomach-churning relatability penned by rapper, vocalist, and general music-making powerhouse Tag.
‘Deserved’ mulls over a relationship that leaves you wondering, “What did I do to deserve this?” (Ciara Glagola)
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Cravity – ‘Mr.’
Dripping with second-gen swagger and brazen self assuredness, ‘Mr.’ is a hidden gem within Cravity’s Evershine mini album. Raspy, rap-driven verses lay the scene over a thumping beat. Rappers Allen and Serim shine bright as they dash through line after cheeky line. “Iced out from my head to toe / Drip so hard, you might just get wet.” Notably, they even participated in lyric writing for their parts.
Deliciously reminiscent of k-pop greats like Shinee and Super Junior, ‘Mr.’ is a reminder that every style is Cravity’s for the taking. (Ciara Glagola)
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The Kingdom – ‘Energy’
Last spring, The Kingdom turned expectations on their heads with a conceptual 180. If one track showcases the group’s blazing potential in the dawn of their new beginning, it’s ‘Energy’. Its gritty first notes bound in without hesitation. Paired with captivating, high octane choreography, ‘Energy’ is spellbinding both audibly and visually.
“Your beautiful scene hidden in the fog / I want to show you again that without you I can’t do anything.” Vibrant, bouncy synths blend with a muted bassline to create a song as addictive as the love that they sing of. Of course, what’s all that energy for, if not for running laps within listeners’ brains? (Ciara Glagola)
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Wooseok – ‘Navy Blue’
At the intersection of pain and hope, there is ‘Navy Blue’. Known not just as Pentagon’s rapper and youngest member, but as a prolific songwriter and composer, Jung Wooseok made his long-awaited solo debut last winter. Wooseok’s music holds a striking, bittersweet quality very unique to him, and ‘Navy Blue’ is an exceptional illustration of that.
“A scenery different from my reality / I believe in the saying that a better tomorrow will come,” he ponders over a steady indie rock backdrop. Equally wistful and warm, this track will seep right into your chest and leave you looking out toward the very same better tomorrow that Wooseok speaks of. (Ciara Glagola)
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SF9 – ‘BIBORA’
Since 2018’s electro-house banger ‘Now or Never’, eight-piece boy group SF9 has been the underrated, undisputed kings of suave, sophisticated pop songs often imbued with a dark, moody edge. While the group’s comebacks in the last few years have been fairly sparse compared to their earlier years, we would be remiss not to shed light on one of 2024’s most infectious dance-heavy tracks, ‘BIBORA’.
Comparing the depths of heartbreak to the chaotic winds of a rainstorm, ‘BIBORA’ does just enough to sink its teeth into the throbbing house beat while perfectly delivering that “tortured soul” energy that contradicts the song’s atmosphere at every turn. From standout rap and vocal moments throughout, SF9 embraces the relentless club energy, luring any absentminded wanderers out of their misery and onto the dancefloor. (Chyenne Tatum)
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Song – ‘It’s call’
If there’s one genre we do not get enough of within mainstream K-pop, it’s trot. Known for its repetitive rhythms and vocal inflections, trot music is considered a staple in traditional Korean culture, originating during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century. Although the love of the genre is now mostly associated with Koreans of older generations, several K-pop idols have taken it upon themselves to revitalize trot among young listeners over the years. In 2024, we had iKON vocalist SONG to thank for giving us the rambunctious trot vigor we desperately needed.
Following up on his 2023 trot B-side, ‘Fighting‘, SONG made his solo debut with ‘It’s call’, a vivacious single that takes pride in knowing exactly what it wants to be. Opening with the genre’s signature big band instrumentals, there’s no doubt that trot is SONG’s domain as he jumps straight into the hook with all the confidence he has to offer. Even if the sound isn’t exactly your go-to, it’s hard to deny the innate charisma and showmanship it takes to pull off a concept this bold, something SONG has in droves. Whether planning a night at the karaoke bar with friends or looking for a quick energy boost in the morning, you can never go wrong with a dash of ‘It’s call’. (Chyenne Tatum)
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Sunmi – ‘Balloon In Love’
Industry veteran Sunmi is one of the few artists who have managed to transcend expectations of what K-pop is and can be. In a sea of never-ending comebacks and debuts either riding the coattails of the newest trend or attempting to reinvent the wheel, Sunmi has successfully carved out a cornerstone in music that’s all her own, simply known as Sunmi-pop. Incorporating genres such as disco, city pop, rock, traditional Korean music, and more, the former Wonder Girls’ sound hinges on mashing nostalgic melodies with lyrical metaphors and double meanings that are actually quite cynical, somber, or heartbreaking. Her 2024 single, ‘Balloon In Love’, is no exception to the Sunmi-pop rule.
Carrying you away on a wistful journey through lover’s lane, ‘Balloon In Love’ sees a gentler, more delicate side of Sunmi than most listeners are used to. Throughout this soft indie-rock number, the singer compares the rise and fall of her relationship to the relative lifespan of a balloon — the love expands as the balloon is being blown up, only for it to pop and fizzle out if you’re not careful. Although she predicts this inevitability, she blissfully lets herself get swept off her feet in a hazy, loving, carefree romance, holding on to whatever she has left before it finally bursts and dissipates into thin air. After all, it’s never really Sunmi-pop if you’re not left with a bittersweet taste on the tip of your tongue by the end. (Chyenne Tatum)
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Chanyeol – ‘I’m on your side too’
After years of teasing fans with a string of singles and solo projects, EXO rapper Chanyeol spent 2024 with his debut solo EP, ‘Black Out’. Painting in varying shades of rock with tinges of hip-hop throughout, each track digs deep into Chanyeol’s essence as a musician — someone who loves to play around and get rowdy but knows when to ease up and let the vibes speak for themselves. While its lead single ‘Black Out‘ heavily leans towards the latter and is hypnotic in its own right, the mind-numbing B-side, ‘I’m on your side too’ ultimately made the cut for top under-appreciated jams of 2024.
Reminiscent of rock music in the 2000s, ‘I’m on your side too’ feels primed for a road trip montage scene of two lovers in an indie film, the kind that hits you in all the right ways and makes you want to savor every moment. While its verses feature Chanyeol lightly rapping over a sparse beat and electric guitar, the chorus hits even harder as the instrumental finally unleashes its reigns and soars through the gates of rock heaven. And with lyrics written by Chanyeol himself for longtime EXO-Ls, there’s even a nod to one of his group’s early releases as he raps, “I’m still here, your Peter Pan.” Although his youthful spirit remains unbreakable, Chanyeol’s true strength lies in his willingness to evolve and mature without sacrificing his identity to do so — “I’m on your side too” understands this assignment and runs with it. (Chyenne Tatum)
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BLITZERS – ‘SUPERPOWER’
BLITZERS truly put themselves on the map in 2024. The six piece has had a stellar year, most notably featuring an impressive run on Britain’s Got Talent, making them the first K-pop group to do so. Shortly following this endeavor was the release of their fourth EP ‘LUNCH-BOX’, featuring title track ‘SUPERPOWER’.
Simply put, ‘SUPERPOWER’ is electrifying in every way. The song’s highlights are a punchy saxophone and a staunch bassline, and the refrain reminds us that there’s “no need for anything special, there’s power in small things.” Albeit simple, it’s a gentle reminder that the simple joys of life are not to be overlooked, but cherished. The music video spotlights a uniquely diverse cast, and features flawless footwork that makes it clear these boys were born to entertain. ‘SUPERPOWER’ is a joyous reminder not to sweat the small stuff, and with it, industry underdogs BLITZERS have proven it’s time the world tunes in to them. (Natalia Kabenge)
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ONEW – ‘All Day‘
When any SHINee member releases new music, it’s imperative that the music world pays attention, and leader ONEW is no exception. Following a stellar 2023—during which he released critically acclaimed album ‘Circle’—ONEW’s ‘All Day’ served as the pre-release for his third mini album ‘Flow’.
A gentle glissando eases listeners into this track, and the song builds to a steady R&B melody with clear jazz influence. Fed up with the monotony of everyday tasks, the lyrics provide a light hearted escape from the neverending woes that life throws at us. With ‘All Day’, ONEW proves that stardom doesn’t necessarily exempt one from the familiar feeling of wanting to evade our true responsibilities in lieu of curling up on the couch to watch a binge worthy show.
Despite the message, ONEW’s rich vocals are calm in the storm. The meticulous nature of ONEW’s artistry is not to be overlooked—while the song is an easy listen, there’s undoubtedly countless hours that went into perfecting the honeyed vocals that embody this track, making it near impossible to resist putting it on repeat. (Natalia Kabenge)
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CHUNG HA – ‘I’m Ready‘
Known as one of the K-pop industry’s most prominent soloists, CHUNG HA’s return to the music scene after over a year left nothing to be desired. ‘I’m Ready’ is everything CHUNG HA does best—pounding bass, siren-like vocals, and a bold statement marking her return.
‘I’m Ready’ is an entrancing piece, both sonically and visually. The choreography contains a beautiful balance of soft, poised formations, and sharp, swift arms control. As one of the few idols that specializes in waacking, it’s clear this piece was meant to highlight CHUNG HA’s strengths both as a vocalist and a performer. Heavy bass and syncopated hi-hats meet their match in warped synths that ground the melody, coupled with a multitude of voguing elements that have made her a standout within South Korea’s queer community. Not only does the singer exude confidence—she embodies it. ‘I’m Ready’ is a culmination of CHUNG HA’s successes, and certainly the ultimate club anthem. (Natalia Kabenge)
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NEXZ – ‘Ride The Vibe’
Seven member boy group NEXZ hit the ground running with their debut track ‘Ride the Vibe’. In contrast to the general bass-heavy dance tracks expected of K-pop boy groups, NEXZ offers a mellow introduction to their discography in this song.
While the group’s concept is rooted in their identity as new generation idols, the lyrics of ‘Ride the Vibe’ are a simple but necessary message to a plugged in world—just take a step back and live in the moment. The members are hard to keep up with in the music video, as viewers witness the boys getting into typical teenage trouble—sneaking out the house, partying, and inevitably running from security.
Coupled with a bright R&B melody, this track is a particularly comforting listen, and a stellar foundation to a promising career in the industry. (Natalia Kabenge)
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