NME Magazine Names The Best 15 K-Pop Tracks Of The First Half Of 2024

With 2024 officially halfway over, British magazine NME has selected the top fifteen K-Pop songs that shouldn’t be missed. Compiled by several editors with K-Pop experience, this list includes a good mix of male and female artists from small and large companies.

Here are the tracks, listed in no particular order.

1. “Bam Yang Gang” — BIBI

In this track, BIBI conveys “a simple yet compelling tale of lost love,” and her vocals manage to touch anyone who listens.

2. “Nothing” — KISSOFLIFE

KISSOFLIFE give 90s R&B groups a “run for their money” with “Nothing,” a surprising empowerment track.

3. “Supernova” — aespa

The magazine praised “the undeniable star power” of the group for this catchy and alien-inspired track.

4. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” — ARTMS

A b-side on the group’s official debut album, Dall, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” works “as a tribute and as an upgraded version to LOONA’s “Butterfly.”

5. “DASH” — NMIXX 

Though NMIXX‘s tracks have often been debate, “Dash” serves as reminder of the group’s huge potential and talent.

6. “I’m Ready” — Chungha

“I’m Ready” serves as the perfect track for Chungha to declare her return following struggles at her former agency.

7. “Blush” — woo!ah!

Woo!ah! manage to capture the feelings of first love in “Blush,” their “refreshing” second digital single.

8. “Chiyu” — tripleS

TripleS‘s “Chiyu” is just as healing as the title suggests, an impressive track from the 24 member strong group.

9. “SPOT!” — ZICO ft BLACKPINK’s Jennie 

This unexpected collaboration between BLACKPINK‘s Jennie and Zico serves not only as a summertime bop, but highlights the female idols vocal ability.

10. “LOOP” — Yves ft Lil Cherry

Yves‘s solo debut with “LOOP” is a fun track featuring an unexpected feature from the enigmatic Lil Cherry.

11. “T.B.H” — QWER 

QWER‘s “T.B.H” is described as “explosive and addictive,” which is certainly true of the group’s debut.

12. “Impossible” — RIIZE

An unexpected summer jam, “Impossible” is just another track that shows off the huge range of styles that RIIZE is able to successfully perform.

13. “Love wins all” — IU

As the title suggests, IU managed to bring another love story to life and though this does not have the happiest ending, it is sure to rank in some of her best.

14. “Lucky Girl Syndrome” — ILLIT

The magazine praised the “refreshing” track, another of ILLIT‘s catchy hits from their debut album.

15. “Spell” — SEVENTEEN

“Spell,” a track by SEVENTEEN‘s performance unit, Hoshi, The8, Dino, and Jun, is an enchanting b-side that blurs “the lines between fantasy and reality.”