If you were to break down every artist’s debut, comeback album, EP, and more of 2021’s iconic contributions to K-pop — there would be a never-ending barrage of triumphant playlist essentials to cherish for decades. From heavy-hitter music acts to up-and-comers aspiring to discover their own place in the industry, there has been a true emergence of performers who have artistically prospered throughout an unpredictable year.

As 2021 heads into its final act and we’re collectively reminiscing over a dominant year for K-pop – it dually comes with the pleasure and responsibility of building the ultimate 2021 selection of songs to celebrate the impact music can have. We’ve witnessed the chart-significance of TOMORROW X TOGETHER, the unexpected reinvention of Secret Number, dozens of artists flourishing with solo content that doubles down on style – or conversely, branching out into something that qualifies as fresh and contemporary. 

While everyone has their own exciting K-pop preferences for the year, this collection of 21 songs best represents the versatility and magnificence that K-pop has displayed over the course of 2021 through the eyes of PopWrapped’s Senior Staff Writer and K-pop enthusiast, Aedan Juvet. 

TOMORROW X TOGETHER: “0x1=Lovesong (I Know I Love You) featuring Seori”

The HYBE group TXT had arguably the most successful year possible in terms of K-pop releases, making a huge impact on Billboard and Gaon charts for their youthful spin on pop-punk constructs. The group’s commitment to vocal-driven releases despite any potential genre twist at hand made the raw simplicity of their talent impossible to ignore – and the band atmosphere of this unforgettable production converging with their efforts has left listeners reasonably mesmerized. 

STAYC: “ASAP”

STAYC came out the gate swinging, with hit after hit since their 2020 debut under Highup Entertainment. The group started out their impressive year with “ASAP” a dazzlingly beautiful pop music product that already has proven to show mature evolutionary steps post-debut. Because of the vibrant pop talent and effortlessly smooth (low-range) rap from the group’s member J, “ASAP” has a lot of longevity behind it. 

ITZY: “In the Morning (마.피.아)” 

ITZY has become fourth-gen K-pop queens in record time, and their hard-hitting comeback single “In the Morning” showed a new side of ITZY that wholeheartedly impressed. From first listen, the Guess Who EP track had listeners enthralled by a style that directly pivoted from the much lighter EDM/pop music hits ITZY has already crafted. Versatile queens indeed!

woo!ah!: “Scaredy Cat (겁쟁이)”

When woo!ah! made their 2021 comeback with the three-track EP Wish, there wasn’t a single miss for the underdog musical act. That said, the B-side track “Scaredy Cat (겁쟁이)” exuded nothing but optimism through living boldly – and its piano beat with woo!ah!’s reformed vocal prowess makes it totally repeat-worthy. 

Seventeen: “Same Dream, Same Mind, Same Night (같은 꿈, 같은 맘, 같은 밤 – Vocal Unit)”

Seventeen is no stranger to making an impact on year-end lists or rankings, but their R&B-produced track by the group’s vocal unit might be some of the most memorable of the genre in recent years. With sheer grace and certainty in their presence or nostalgic synthy-backed soulfulness, it’s no surprise that months later some (like myself) are still revisiting the group’s song very consistently. 

Secret Number: “Fire Saturday”

Nothing sets up the perfect Saturday like Secret Number’s recent comeback, where the still-rookie group saw recent lineup changes and the addition of two new members to match the charisma of Secret Number’s limited, yet exceptional discography. The new music has an impressive retro-inspired twinge to a dance track that remarkably presents the new untapped potential of Secret Number – and there are plenty of fans who can’t wait to see what comes next for the group. 

The Boyz: “Thrill Ride”

The Boyz have already found great success in their time together with their presence on Kingdom, as well as their hugely notable album sales, so their new single “Thrill Ride” felt like the most appropriate way to experience a return. The idea that their career has become just that makes the energy of the song even more infectious, and the pure magic of their group chemistry brings fans along for the experience. 

TWICE: “Scientist”

TWICE will always have huge respect with K-pop listeners for their impact on the industry, but also for their unforgettable presence – making “Scientist” a zany, absolutely addictive treat. Seeing the group get to take on the trademark carefree style of some of their previous hit singles – but in an entirely fresh, unique spin that reminds listeners of TWICE’s untouchable reputation when it comes to forging an established sound. 

HYO: “Second (featuring BIBI)”

Girls Generation member, DJ, producer, and singer-songwriter are some of HYO’s recent labels in music, and her 2021 single “Second” captivated listeners with a feel-good burst of pop music. With a HYO-ready dance break moment and a verse by another standout soloist (BIBI) to accommodate the desired attitude – HYO offers another stellar moment in K-pop history.

Pentagon: “1+1” 

Pentagon has a way of winning people over for their personalities and musicality combined – and the dark horse hit “1+1” might be one of the best standout moments of the year. The song is easily their best dip into the world of pop-R&B music, and of all the songs on the playlist, is dually one of our favorites from the group’s near-perfect discography. The members of Pentagon each contribute something phenomenal to the group, and 1+1 gives each current member an opportunity to “shine”, (with exceptional flair from rapper Wooseok!)

AB6IX: “CLOSE”

AB6IX is a well-oiled machine of four men with a relentless drive for musicality, so the notion that their release “CLOSE” became their best dance track (and best songs, generally speaking) showed the potential to continue down a promising path. The single builds off of an uptempo pop music prominence and successfully incorporates a necessary hardened beat – resulting in something awe-inspiring when met with their immense vocal abilities. 

Dreamcatcher: “Alldaylong”

City-pop is a genre that always has the ability to ignite a relatable, chill ambiance – but still feel-good vibe when done correctly, and Dreamcatcher’s choice to test the waters exceeded all expectations. The ambient and hypnotic approach to their relaxed release served as a softer shift in direction for Dreamcatcher, so you know we’ll be loving this veteran group’s unexpected track for the foreseeable future.

BM: “Body Movin”

BM’s transition into solo-stardom has been a wondrous journey to witness, and through he released multiple songs to choose from – “Body Movin” has been a standout release that you can’t help but yearn for more of. The almost whistle-like synthy pitch that kicks off the track leads into BM’s fast-paced delivery and admirable work that kept plenty of listeners dancing throughout the year. 

P1Harmony: “If You Call Me”

If you haven’t noticed, there’s a distinct appreciation for a few R&B releases on this list, so that makes the rookie group P1Harmony’s addition a fundamental song of the year contender. The members that make up the group have such a handle on their own skillset and plausible impact, that their end-result of the emotional plea in “If You Call Me” unapologetically offers nothing short of a first-class reveal of raw expertise. 

JEON SOYEON: “Beam Beam”

(G)I-DLE leader, rapper, and singer-songwriter JEON SOYEON brought her A-game with “Beam Beam” a masterful, guitar-heavy pop-rock banger. What made this track an even more courageous act was the fact that it placed the entire weight of the comeback on a style that went against current reliable trends. That self-assurance in her music made the summertime anthem a song that extends her already inclusive outlook on music for much more than a finite period of time.

STAYC: “Complex”

After the overwhelmingly sugary-sweet pop music exposure with “ASAP,” STAYC returned with their third release (and second for the year) STEREOTYPE. Even with the lead single’s more than desirable presentation, the dark horse track “Complex” shed light on an imaginative R&B story with a euphoric dreamy-pop landscape. Another major win for STAYC, and very likely,  the beginning of a beautiful discography! 

TAEYEON: “Weekend” 

TAEYEON is K-pop royalty in every sense, and her 2021 comeback single “Weekend” took a more tranquil approach, celebrating her career with some much-needed relaxation. The retro-pop moment from the esteemed Girls Generation leader has a timeless and whimsical sound that makes us long for a universally treasured moment of the week. The music video for “Weekend” corroborates that influence and sound, with a pastel pink form of escapism that the world could benefit from. 

T-ARA: “All Kill”

Second-generation K-pop legends T-ARA have offered fans some of the catchiest dance tracks in a decade – only to return with a sound that feels like a classic second-gen sound, merged with a futuristic country-western concoction. The deadly combination finds itself as an underestimated B-side track for T-ARA’s anniversary return and reminds next-gen idols that they have so much more to offer. 

WONHO: “Blue” 

WONHO has some of the most welcoming and lovable idol-energy there is – and his single “Blue” initiates a feeling of irresistible enthusiasm about life. The singer has always maintained his place as one of the most level-headed artists due to his overall graciousness, and “Blue” joins his prior hit tracks as something that now feels the most authentic to the immeasurable talent and sincere personality fans have always recognized from WONHO. 

Golden Child: “Bottom of the Ocean”

If 2021 was both a year of comfortable releases and new terrain, Golden Child found time to appease both fanbases with their second studio album, Game Changer. The song “Bottom of the Ocean” might initially feel like a nice supporting track to a traditional Golden Child album – but the early ‘00s boy-band sound felt like the most fulfilling challenge they could have accomplished through the era. Golden Child’s vocal reach and band-backing leave us hoping for a grand-scale concert with a live performance to really emphasize their musical stability. 

Brave Girls: “Fever”

The endearing resurgence of unending appreciation for Brave Girls has been the best (most gratifying) K-pop moment of 2021, but even with that, their massively underappreciated track “Fever” teases variety to the group’s musicality. The mid-tempo elements of “Fever” and its disco-esque flavor are the perfect vehicles for Brave Girls’ well-trained vocals – becoming a song that’s as equally deserving as their mega-hit “Rollin” for another wave of love.