These Are TIME Magazine’s 10 Best K-Pop Songs Of 2021 — And Some Might Surprise You
Earlier today, TIME Magazine posted an article about what they believe to be the best K-Pop songs of 2021. While some of the songs on this list shouldn’t come as any surprise, some of them might be unexpected, though they all deserve the recognition! Here are the 10 songs that the popular magazine believe to be the best of K-Pop this past year.
1. “Cinema” by CIX
“Cinema” served as the title track for CIX’s fourth mini-album that was released on February 2 this year, Hello Chapter Ø: Hello, Strange Dream. The album has made over 66k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 21.5 million views!
A vivid serenade that thrums with pizzazz, “Cinema” has the enduring quality of the timeless classics to which CIX compares this courtship.
— TIME Magazine
2. “Love So Sweet” by Cherry Bullet
“Love So Sweet” served as the title track for Cherry Bullet’s first mini-album that was released on January 20 this year, Cherry Rush. The album has made 14.9k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 8.5 million views!
Featuring a softly whistled tune in the hook and whispered hushes throughout, the song is light and subdued as Cherry Bullet asks for the romance at its center to be kept a secret.
— TIME Magazine
3. “Fever” by ENHYPEN
“Fever” served as a B-side track for ENHYPEN’s second mini-album that was released on April 26 this year, Border: Carnival. The album has made 772.3k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 57.1 million views!
“Fever” leaves a scorching trail, as ENHYPEN describes their bodies burning up from passion. The breathy delivery of the vocals and the exasperated sighs let out throughout the track help signal the rising temperatures, while the instrumentation’s palpitating thumps emulate a fervent heart’s beating.
— TIME Magazine
4. “After School” by Weeekly
“After School” served as the title track for Weeekly’s third mini-album that was released on March 17 this year, We Play. The album has made 42.7k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 112.5 million views!
The sunny melodies, fast-paced tempo and lyrics about eagerly anticipating the freedom that comes with the end of class all serve to create this euphoric anthem.
— TIME Magazine
5. “Advice” by Taemin
“Advice” served as the title track for Taemin’s third mini-album that was released on May 18 this year, Advice. The album has made 134.9k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 32.2 million views!
While the song’s high replay value will make it a playlist regular until the artist’s return post-discharge, “Advice” is sure to have staying power in the years after.
— TIME Magazine
6. “Pirate” by EVERGLOW
“Pirate” served as the title track for EVERGLOW’s third mini-album that was released on December 1 this year, Return of the Girl. The album has made 25.0k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 34.4 million views!
The track sets itself apart by turning the standard song structure on its head, with a jumbled order of its pre-chorus, chorus and refrain. Structural technicalities aside, one thing is certain: The six artists are ready to face whatever wave may hit them on their newly boarded ship—and we’re invited to join the crew.
— TIME Magazine
7. “Feel Like” by WOODZ
“Feel Like” served as the title track for WOODZ’s first single album that was released on March 15 this year, Set. The album has made 89.6k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 15.1 million views!
Co-written by WOODZ, “Feel Like” is a sultry track about the irresistible pull between two lovers. The artist’s singing is as magnetic as the force of attraction described in the lyrics.
— TIME Magazine
8. “ASAP” by STAYC
“ASAP” served as the title track for STAYC’s second single album that was released on April 8 this year, Staydom. The album has made 90.1k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 43.3 million views!
The members’ distinct vocal colors also make this song uniquely theirs, from the introductory verses by deep-voiced member J to the chorus opened by Sieun’s more high-pitched, feathery tone.
— TIME Magazine
9. “Rock With You” by SEVENTEEN
“Rock With You” served as the title track for SEVENTEEN’s ninth mini-album that was released on October 22 this year, Attacca. The album has made 2.06 million sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 48.1 million views!
Inspired by a visual of flames and motorcycles, member Woozi contributed to composing “Rock With You,” which features an electrifying guitar riff, a propelling rhythm and an all-around galvanizing energy. One section that gets the blood pumping more than any other is the second half of the chorus, in which the low-toned voices of rappers singing ‘baby hold on’ are woven together with vocalists’ light falsettos in a dynamic contrast of vocal timbres.
— TIME Magazine
10. “Savage” by aespa
“Savage” served as the title track for aespa’s debut mini-album that was released on October 5 this year, Savage. The album has made 549.1k sales, and the music video for the song has reached over 133.1 million views!
The song’s ferocity is evident from its first line, as Winter scoffs, ‘Oh my gosh/ Don’t you know I’m a savage?’ Then, over trap beats and discordant instrumentation, aespa delivers punchy rap verses spelling out why they’re a threat.
— TIME Magazine
