2024 has been a phenomenal year for music, with K-pop continuing to push boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide.
Among the numerous hits that filled the airwaves, multiple songs stood tall, dominating the charts and rewriting K-pop history.
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the songs that made 2024 unforgettable.
Note: Joy News 24 celebrated its 20th anniversary with a survey of 200 industry experts, predicting the top dramas, variety shows, movies, actors, and singers of 2024.
Best 16 K-pop Songs of 2024
According to a survey of 200 industry experts, the following songs have been selected as the best K-pop songs of 2024.
aespa’s ‘Supernova”
It is no surprise that aespa’s “Supernova” secured the top place. The catchy summer anthem dominated the domestic charts for months.
aespa’s “Supernova” earned the top spot with 93 votes in Joy News 24 survey. Released on May 13, 2024, “Supernova” serves as a pre-release track for their debut full-length album “Armageddon,” which followed on May 27, 2024.
This chart-topping single dominated Melon and Genie’s weekly charts for 13 consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest reign among 2024 releases. Additionally, “Supernova” topped Circle Chart’s streaming chart for 12 weeks and surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify in July.
It is expected to sweep “Song of the Year” awards at year-end award ceremonies.
BIBI’s “Bam Yang Gang”
BIBI’s “Bam Yang Gang” claimed the second spot with 42 votes. This song, released in February, was specially crafted by Jang Ki Ha for the 26-year-old singer. It showed her softer side, a delightful departure from her signature bold style.
The song’s enchanting, fairytale-like charm quickly won over listeners, sending it to the top of the charts.
BIBI’s “Bam Yang Gang” was the most-searched song on Melon in the first half of the year. Its massive popularity led to a milestone moment: a perfect all-kill and her first music show win since debuting.
As the song’s fame soared, it had an unexpected effect – sales of Yang Gang (a Korean snack) skyrocketed.
DAY6’s “Happy”
DAY6 secured third place with 17 votes for their song “Happy.” Initially released in April as part of the mini-album “Fourever,” the song saw a surprising chart spike after NMIXX performed it on a web variety show in August.
It overtook their recent song “Melt Down” from the 9th mini-album “Band Aid” released in September to reach number one.
TWS’ “plot twist”
TWS’ “plot twist” secured fourth place with 9 votes for best K-pop song of 2024.
TWS made history as Pledis Entertainment’s first boy group debut in nine years, following in the footsteps of SEVENTEEN. Their debut EP “Sparkling Blue” and lead single “plot twist” dropped on January 22, and quickly made waves on Korean music platforms like Melon, Bugs, and Spotify.
“plot twist” achieved success with its catchy, laid-back vibe, which is rare in K-pop’s typically high-energy landscape.
NewJeans’ “How Sweet”
“How Sweet” by NewJeans claimed the sixth spot, garnering 6 votes.
NewJeans’ million-selling hit single “How Sweet” was released on May 24, 2024, as the title track of their second single album, accompanied by B-side “Bubble Gum.”
The song achieved remarkable success, topping music charts with 5 wins and debuting at #12 on the US Billboard Bubbling Hot 100 Singles chart. Months after its release, it is still dominating the domestic music charts.
NCT 127’s “Walk”
NCT 127 made a summer comeback for the third time since their 2016 debut, ending a seven-year drought since their last summer release in June 2017.
Industry experts picked the title track “WALK” as one of the best songs of the year. NCT 127 released their 6th studio album “WALK” on July 15, along with the title track of the same name. The song “WALK” received an overwhelming response and secured three music show wins.
ZEROBASONE’s “Feel The POP”
ZERBASEONE’s addictive track “Feel the POP” dropped on May 13, 2024, as the lead single from their third EP, “You Had Me at HELLO.” The catchy summer anthem secured 4 music show wins.
The lyrics inspire young people to let go of fears, doubts, uncertainty, and anxiety and instead embrace the carefree spirit of youth.
(G)I-DLE’s “Fate”
(G)I-DLE’s “Fate” surprisingly outperformed their title track “Superlady” and pre-release single “Wife” from album “2” on music charts.
Produced and penned by (G)I-DLE leader Soyeon, “Fate” achieved perfect all-kill. The song secured 3 wins on Inkigayo in March and April.
‘Fate’ is a song about the heartbreak that comes from meeting a stranger who feels strangely familiar.
ILLIT’s “Magnetic”
The list of 2024 best K-pop songs is incomplete without “Magnetic” by ILLIT, one of the most streamed songs in the first half of the year.
ILLIT’s debut single “Magnetic” made a splash in the music scene. Released on March 25, 2024, as part of their EP “Super Real Me”, the song was made by producers Slow Rabbit, Bang Si-hyuk, and Martin.
“Magnetic” became the first K-pop debut song to land on the UK Official Singles Chart at No. 80 and the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 91. The song also racked up 12 music show wins.
fromis_9’s “Supersonic”
fromis_9 created a buzz with their long-awaited comeback after a year with the single “Supersonic” in August. Many fans think this addictive anthem is one of their best title songs to date.
Soon after its release, “Supersonic” shot to No. 2 on the Circle Digital Chart. Moreover, it secured four music show wins and entered the Melon Top 10.
RIIZE’s “Love 119” & “BOOM BOOM BASS”
RIIZE kicked off the year with a bang with the release of the single “Love 119” on January 5. The soulful lyrics compared the feeling of falling in love for the first time to an emergency. The song created quite a stir and landed at No.1 on Bugs, Melon, and Vibe.
The title song “BOOM BOOM BASS” from the debut album “RIIZING” is one of the most loved K-pop songs of 2024. The song achieved an impressive grand slam, winning on all music shows broadcast during the week of June 25.
SEVENTEEN’s “Maestro”
It is impossible to complete the list of top K-pop songs without including a masterpiece from SEVENTEEN. The lead single from their compilation album “17 IS RIGHT HERE,” released in April, received praise for its composition and choreography.
The song earned a grand slam by winning 5 music shows and topped the Circle Digital Chart. “Maestro” reflects on how the group’s past influences their ongoing growth and evolution.
Lee Young Ji’s “Small Girl” (ft. EXO D.O.)
“Small Girl” by Lee Young Ji and EXO’s Doh Kyung Soo (D.O.) is a lead single from her first EP “16 Fantasy.”
In her latest song, Lee shares her experiences dating guys around her height or slightly shorter. With candid lyrics, she confesses her admiration for petite girls and struggles to fit societal beauty standards.
She earned her first music win with the song and achieved a Real-Time All Kill.
Zico’s “SPOT!” with Jennie
The hip-hop song “SPOT!” by Zico (ft. Jennie) took the music charts by storm in April. The song tells the story of a chance meeting between two friends at a party that’s going late into the night.
“SPOT!” achieved an impressive ‘all-kill’ feat on major local music charts like Melon, Vibe, Bugs, and more.
What’s more, it was the first song of the year to surpass 400,000 daily users on Melon.
Within just 24 hours of its release on April 26, the song garnered an astonishing 1,353,300 cumulative plays.
Rosé and Bruno Mars “APT.”
Saving the best for the last, Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” was released on October 18 without any promotions. While this song is not part of the survey, we believe it deserves a spot.
The MV recently gained 400 million views on YouTube in just over a month after its release.
Based on the local drinking game “Apartment,” the song occupied the major overseas music platforms. It topped the US Spotify, Worldwide iTunes, and more. “APT.” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard HOT 100 and has maintained a strong position on the chart since.
What’s your go-to K-pop jam of 2024? Share your favorite song in the comments!
