The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks

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6 days ago

A kaleidoscope of sonic innovations and bold lyrical statements, K-pop songs in 2025 have already proven to be a year where artists' confidence in their sound and messages has an unmistakable, unshakable boldness.
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Acts like JENNIE, IVE, NMIXX, ONEW, BBGIRLS, STAYC and ALLDAY PROJECT flip the scripts on stardom, stereotypes and social expectations with anthems that are as empowering to listen to as they undoubtedly are for the artists to sing. Meanwhile, groups like SHINee, SEVENTEEN, DAY6, ATEEZ, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, JUSTB, ONE PACT, MEOVV, and KickFlip saw their members contributing across production, arrangement and lyrics to craft undeniable messages and sounds.
Zooming in, newly debuted acts like KickFlip and CLOSE YOUR EYES have churned out earworm hooks and unexpected genre dives, staking their claim alongside fellow next-generation boy bands like ZEROBASEONE and ONE PACT, ushering in a promising wave of male groups on the horizon. Elsewhere, rising female troupes like H1-KEY, MEOVV, and RESCENE demonstrate how new girl groups continue to set new trends with pristine soundscapes.
Moreover, beloved artists like ITZY leader YEJI and NCT superstar MARK secured their solo debuts to demonstrate new sides of their artistry, as the former leaned into her passion for dance, while the latter offered up an experimental, multifaceted musical exploration of his life. Both artists offered new ways for audiences to connect with them on a more personal level and crafted compelling records all their own.
With so many musical achievements from the K-pop industry already this year, which songs stand tallest among the best? Billboard's 25 best K-pop songs released in 2025 so far are below.
25. SEVENTEEN, 'THUNDER'SEVENTEEN is a decade deep into their career and still electrifying audiences, as proven with 'THUNDER.' Crafted by longtime producer Bumzu alongside members Woozi and S.Coups, the track pulses with seismic shifts — the catchy whistle hook makes it ready for pop radio ahead of dropping the chanty 'ALO! ALO! T.H.U.N.D.E.R.' chorus. 'THUNDER' isn't just a celebratory single for the group's 10th anniversary, but forecasts another decade of successes.
24. RESCENE, 'Glow Up'
As their latest single's title suggests, RESCENE's pristine discography is only growing better as the rising girl group mixes their dreamy soundscape with catchy, glitchy hyperpop hooks. The quintet's swift rollout of an English version of 'Glow Up' further cements RESCENE's promise as an ascending global K-pop force.
23. CLOSE YOUR EYES, 'All My Poetry'
While acts like NewJeans helped revived the bubblegum-pop sound of Y2K, CLOSE YOUR EYES bring back the smooth R&B flair of the era with their debut single 'All My Poetry.' Despite all of the members being born in 1999 or later, the septet channel '00s R&B boy bands like Day26 to ponder the point of all the lovely words, poems and stories they've crafted about the one they love: 'So, if I write it, does it matter?/ Does it matter? Does it matter?/ Tell me what to do,' with silky smooth delivery reminiscent of Lloyd and Omarion.
22. ONEW, 'Winner'
Shining in the solo spotlight, ONEW stakes his claim with 'Winner,' a reflective rock‑pop anthem that marries grit and grace. The SHINee leader unleashes his full vocal spectrum for a chorus that reads like a battle cry, with the translated lyrics, 'Raise your head and yell at the sky, I'm not going back… / Even if I fall down, I'll get back up/ I'll smile and ask you: 'Now, who's the winner?'' flipping vulnerability into victory.
The SHINee leader co‑wrote every track on his CONNECTION EP from January. With his past battles with vocal surgeries, as well as psychological and physical issues, ONEW choosing 'Winner' as his new single feels like one part painful memories, but another part manifesto to never give up.
21. JUSTB, 'CHEST'
While Charli xcx's influence has become undeniable on the western pop landscape, JUSTB went where few K‑pop acts have tread, plunging into brat-y hyperpop on 'CHEST.' Confirmed by the group to have been inspired by Charli, the track flits from delicate piano pulses to thunderous Auto‑Tune breakdowns in a SOPHIE-indebted production, crafted by member Geonu and more of his collaborators. But underneath the digital dazzle lies a tender payoff to ground the experimental ride in heartfelt comfort: 'When I come home, you can sleep on my chest.'
20. YEJI, 'Air'
As the first member of ITZY to drop a full solo project, group leader YEJI embarks on her journey and sets a fierce tone with a synth-pop single, 'Air,' dedicated to her love of dance and her immersion in the art form. But lyrics across the chorus like: 'You keep takin' all of my air, air, air/ When I'm locked in your gaze, you take my breath away' transform a personal passion into a universal metaphor for all‑consuming experience, from dancing and singing to falling in love.
19. TOMORROW X TOGETHER, 'Love Language'TOMORROW X TOGETHER school listeners in the sweetest way with 'Love Language.' With the sun‑drenched Afro‑house beats and a synth breakdown that recall some of the best Justin Bieber tracks, 'Love Language' doesn't let the production do all the talking with fluttering harmonies from the guys opening the track, setting the stage for warm vocal layerings and ambitious belts later in the track.
TXT's main producer Slow Rabbit recently promised a 'transitional period for the group,' with 'Love Language' loudly announcing an exciting new era for the group ahead of full-length album The Star Chapter: Together.
18. BBGIRLS, 'LOVE 2'
Formerly known as Brave Girls, BBGIRLS broke out in 2021 with 'Rollin'' as an unexpected viral K-pop hit. Despite changing their name and record label, the group is still doubling down on feel-good pop. Released in January, 'LOVE 2' is the perfect winter pick-me-up with a more mature take on recognizing different sides of love: 'Would it be alright if we held hands? I'd love to…/ The way you speak even wipe away my tears/ I don't love to lose…'
17. CHEN, 'Broken Party'
Switching up from his tender ballad releases from recent years, CHEN transforms by embracing a rebellious rock‑pop sound with 'Broken Party.' The EXO vocal powerhouse embraces thunderous guitar riffs and percussion to throw an emotional rager: 'Oh, welcome to my broken party…/ I'm dancing with my broken memories, baby.' The track feels both celebratory and cathartic, while also being incredibly refreshing to hear CHEN's vocals soar into territory beyond ballads.
16. KickFlip, 'Umm Great'Alongside CLOSE YOUR EYES (at No. 23 on the list), fellow rookie group KickFlip is proving that 2025 is shaping up to have one of the most impressive classes of new boy bands in recent memory. Following in the tracks of major artists like 2PM, GOT7, DAY6 and Stray Kids, the latest male act under JYP Entertainment introduced themselves with 'Umm Great,' a minimalistic hip-hop track that somehow flips nonchalant retorts into an intoxicating, viral-ready beat, in translated lyrics: 'Umm great, why are you stressing so much?/ Umm great, my head's in the clouds/ Umm great, I'm all about the fun stuff/ Umm great, yeah, uh huh, sure, umm great.'
With these playful, cool riffs on life's little curveballs, KickFlip feels like a refreshing voice for a new generation of listeners and ones to watch to skate past being simply 'umm great,' but into something fantastic.
15. ONE PACT, '100!'
Living up to their name by delivering the ultimate impact together, ONE PACT's '100!' is a full‑throttle funk fest. Produced and penned by member Tag, the track's vintage synthesizers shimmer, and the choruses are anchored with BeeGees-esque falsetto delivery that makes the track feel like a proper homage to a more funky time in music. This February single marked the group's first release with member Jay Chang in a minute, showcasing the group back at a complete '100!' percent and leaving us all the more curious about what's next for the quintet.
14. Whee In, 'Aftertaste'
While we certainly miss having the four queens that make up MAMAMOO singing together, the members are all continuing to serve in their individual lanes and sounds as soloists. Originally immortalized by legendary Korean vocalist Kim Bumsoo and composer Shim Hyunbo in 2009, Whee In's rendition of 'Aftertaste' simmers with subtle restraint and a more somber take, with each chorus ascending higher, stronger, and more moving than the last.
Her first release as an independent solo artist, 'Aftertaste' showcases Whee In's impeccable vocal instincts and acumen, transforming a beloved classic with her own sonic signature.
13. STAYC, 'BEBE'
As STAYC inches toward their five‑year mark, 'BEBE' marks a bold glow‑up from bubblegum to bold, badass women. Over pulsating house beats, the sextet delivers a manifesto of self‑worth in a sing-rap cadence, blending both English, Korean, and French into the ear-wormy hook: 'Don't wanna be a bebe, you know I'm sick of lyin'…/ Si, c'est moi, si, c'est moi' for a multilingual twist that elevates their signature catchiness. Blending the clubby bass alongside empowering lyrics, STAYC prove they're no longer babies in K‑pop, but a troupe with far more to deliver.
12. IVE, 'REBEL HEART'IVE embrace guerrilla glamour on 'Rebel Heart,' a defiant pop march with its English chorus acting as a global rallying call: 'So you can love me, hate me/ You will never be, never be, never be me/ Try me, I'll break free/ You will never be, never be, never be me/ We are rebels in our hearts.' Co-penned by Eurovision veterans Thomas 'Grizzly' Gustafsson and Jimmy Jansson, 'Rebel Heart' sees IVE expanding their international soundscape and staking out territory as an increasingly ambitious force in K-pop.
11. ALLDAY PROJECT, 'FAMOUS'
ALLDAY PROJECT rewrite the script when it comes to overnight fame as one of K-pop's rare co-ed groups. The quintet's debut single, 'FAMOUS,' rides a Neptunes-infused groove that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, in large part thanks to the group's creative connection with BLACKPINK hitmaker Teddy and their debut under his agency, THEBLACKLABEL, which also houses Rosé, Taeyang, Jeon Somi, MEOVV and more.
Teddy's signature minimalist bounce underpins verses from group members Annie Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo — five artists with five very different trajectories in entertainment, colliding to prove themselves one after another in their individual verses, but topping the charts as a collective.
10. SHINee, 'Poet | Artist'
To celebrate their 17th anniversary, SHINee crafted a true testament to late member Jonghyun. Written and composed by their late bandmate before his passing, 'Poet | Artist' weaves vocals Jonghyun recorded for the guiding demo track with those of his members for a truly heartfelt homage. Furthermore, ONEW, Minho, KEY and Taemin all tapped into Jonghyun's dynamic vocal styling for a celebratory single that feels like a classic SHINee track from the group's first decade.
9. IU, 'Never Ending Story'IU returned in May with the third album in her beloved Flower Bookmark series, led by her take on the 2002 hit by Korean rock band Boohwal in 'Never Ending Story.' The superstar transforms the track into a piano‑and‑strings reverie with IU's crystalline timbre as its centerpiece. Few artists today can pull off a stirring orchestral track like 'Never Ending Story,' further cementing IU's status as one of Korea's legendary performers.
8. DAY6, 'Maybe Tomorrow'
A song that plays off DAY6's namesake, 'Maybe Tomorrow' is a rock ballad proving that, even as demand for the group is at its highest, the quartet still knows how to expertly balance deeper emotional heft with the uplifting and bright melodies that made their music connect with so many during the pandemic. Young K's lyrics feel like a soothing balm for weary hearts in a chaotic 2025, translated to English, with: 'When tomorrow comes, it might be better than today/ This burning wound might hurt a little less/ I wait for the day to get my smile back/ Maybe tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.'
7. ZEROBASEONE, 'BLUE'
ZEROBASEONE dip into bittersweet hues with 'BLUE,' a shape-shifting dance‑pop track penned by legendary K-pop songwriter Kenzie. The song's cool and crisp synth work blends with an emotional vocal performance that feels equal parts nostalgic and hopeful: 'Can you remember days/ When we found each other, when the sky so blue/ When seasons pass and everything begins to change and disappear, yeah/ I wanna run, into your world of bright blue.' Be sure to listen out for Taerae's sky-piercing high note on the bridge, asking, 'Baby, what if there is a way?' packing an additional emotional punch and further deepening ZB1's pristine catalog of pop gems.
6. MEOVV, 'DROP TOP'
A stomping anthem that fuses Teddy's signature pop polish with just enough darkness to keep the listener on edge, 'DROP TOP' sees MEOVV swapping their kitty claws for horsepower. Roaring through lyrics about shedding the past and driving toward a better tomorrow, the members' emotional and melancholy vocals possess crystal-clear conviction that elevates the track as one of the top singles of 2025 so far.
After setting the groundwork for a group identity pairing hard‑hitting bangers like 'MEOW' and 'BODY,' with tender mid‑tempos like 'TOXIC,' the bold gear shift with 'DROP TOP' delivers a curveball for the quintet and proves there is lots more to see from THEBLACKLABEL's first-ever group.
5. MARK, '1999'
With the song title recalling the classic Prince hit, the lead single for MARK's debut full-length album goes for a bold and experimental sound to establish his voice, just like The Purple One did during his time. With a cinematic orchestral intro, '1999' sees MARK leaning into his birth year ('A 1999‑baby bringing a brain slap to the industry') for a mix of clever wordplay (Noting how 'Today I feel so new/ Feels '99' to declaring 'I'll leave the 99/ Just to get the one baby'). He achieves this by spanning a range of vocal deliveries, from the falsetto-driven chorus to playful rap verses and the warm, raspy pre-choruses.
While MARK has topped the charts as a member of NCT 127, NCT DREAM and SuperM throughout his career, his solo album, The Firstfruit, establishes him as an artist in his own lane completely, making lines like 'This is a revolution' feel all the more weighty.
4. H1-KEY, 'Summer Was You'
With a late-June release, H1-KEY's latest single rushed in during the midst of the summer heat and couldn't have come at a better time. Trading the typical fizzy synths for summer hits with hearty rock guitars, the quartet paint a sun‑drenched romance — 'Under the blazing summer sky, we soaked in sunlight/ Dreaming away, every moment like a shooting star/ You and I, those days when everything shined' — and crown it with a chorus that builds in three distinct waves of harmonies. The powerhouse vocals that made 2023's 'Rose Blossom' their breakout hit get to shine for this rock-'n'-rollicking, top‑of‑your‑lungs anthem that doesn't rely on beat drops or catchphrases, but offers a nostalgic, classic K-pop chorus to fit perfectly into 2025 summer playlists.
3. ATEEZ, 'Lemon Drop'ATEEZ squeeze every last drop of summertime into 'Lemon Drop.' Unlike the Billboard 200-toppers' usual bombastic bangers, this R&B-inflected hip-hop jam simmers, transforming the group's signature grit and zest into a laid-back groove. From San's velvety vocals starting the first verse to Mingi's 'Emergency, emergency' rap snapping an addictive urgency, and Wooyoung's youthful, 'Cheers to this night!' ahead of the harmony-heavy chorus, every member's part feels perfectly catered to his skills.
The results are ATEEZ's most accessible track to date, underscored by the guys scoring their first Billboard Hot 100 entry when 'Lemon Drop' hit No. 69 on the chart dated June 28, 2025. By channeling classic club sounds for a fresh pop anthem, ATEEZ are proving that even when they dial back the intensity, they are still cooking up global hits while turning up the heat on their ever‑soaring careers.
2. NMIXX, 'High Horse'To introduce the Fe3O4: Forward EP, NMIXX knocked audiences clean off their 'High Horse' with a single that's deceptively laid-back yet undeniably commanding, designating the girl group in a musical league all their own.
There's a masterful balance of minimalism and crescendo, tension and release, throughout 'High Horse.' Opening with haunting piano chords, the song gradually incorporates crisp breakbeat drums and ethereal electronic textures for a deep, trip-hoppy tapestry best compared to Radiohead. The sextet offer more of an intimate, vulnerable vocal performance to glide over the mix, using the final minute to let loose with a series of their signature belts, with Sullyoon's closing refrain nailing the track's theme of rejecting outside labels and riding confidentially in your own identity: 'Sick of that high horse/ Our minds don't work like theirs.'
Lyrically, it serves as both a personal manifesto (Jiwoo sings, 'They can't tell you what you are/ If you already know who you are'), a message of comfort to listeners (Kyunjin follows with, 'I will love you when all is gone') and, overall, a statement of artistic intent: NMIXX define success on their terms, making 'High Horse' one of 2025's most impossible‑to‑ignore K‑pop anthems.
1. JENNIE, 'like JENNIE''Like JENNIE' isn't just a Billboard Hot 100 and Pop Airplay hit — it's a two‑minute power surge that truly cements JENNIE's status as a next-generation It Girl.
Over a metallic hybrid of baile funk and phonk production (courtesy of Diplo), she delivers some of the sharpest rapping of her career with a snarled confidence, with lines like 'Name, shame, blame tryna burst my bubble' upturning every negative narrative on its head. Co-written with top names like Tayla Parx and ZICO, the track's self-referential lyrics double as a manifesto of identity. Despite the hate or jealousy leveled at her, JENNIE remains the blueprint everyone wants to follow: 'Who wanna rock with JENNIE? Keep your hair done, nails done like JENNIE/ Who else got 'em obsessed like JENNIE? Like, like, like, I think I really like JENNIE.'
Like JENNIE' is a standout on the BLACKPINK star's Ruby album, not just as the best track on the LP, but also for being the one track that weaves Korean into an otherwise all-English record. The song still resonated far beyond K-pop circles, peaking at No. 83 on the Hot 100 and becoming Ruby's longest-charting song. Even Top 40 pop radio — a far more traditional platform and not historically overly welcoming of Korean-language material — embraced the celebratory anthem, as 'Like JENNIE' spent 11 weeks on the Pop Airplay chart and even outpeaked Ruby's all-English lead single, 'Mantra.'
At the halfway point of 2025, 'Like JENNIE' speaks volumes, showing that Jennie Kim cannot only serve a self-celebratory anthem for the masses but also flip all expectations of what constitutes a K-pop hit today.
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