This can be a unusual period for Okay-pop… not less than relating to my very own expertise. On one hand, there are a handful of acts I really feel extra invested in than ever, which is the sensation everybody desires as a fan. In some methods, I’m extra fascinated by Okay-pop than I’ve been in awhile, however this curiosity is fairly funneled into the acts I comply with. If I zoom out to the business on a bigger scale, the general music high quality is certainly missing this yr and even the standouts don’t essentially really feel like future classics.
For this mid-year countdown, I’m casting my web considerably broad. Included are a number of tracks which are actually making it into my year-end prime ten alongside many that may extra doubtless combat for spots within the prime twenty or thirty. As ever, I’ve alphabetized the artists reasonably than rank them. That remaining rating will are available in December.
Readers, what have been your favourite singles in the course of the first half of 2025?
BOYNEXTDOOR – If I Say, I Love You
My most popular monitor of their two 2025 singles and a music that’s rapidly turn into their biggest-ever hit. Its quirky sound is a superb conduit for his or her colourful character. (full assessment)
The Boyz – VVV
One of many only a few 2025 title tracks that provided an prolonged runtime to unleash as many musical highlights as potential. I’d go so far as saying that is The Boyz’ greatest ever single, and that’s fairly a feat given their previous discography. (full assessment)
CRAVITY – SET NET G0?!
A unusual little wiggle of a summer season music, anchored by a rugged electro stomp and wisps of vocal melody that give it a novel aptitude. (full assessment)
Fairy Mai – Gentle Please
Thrilling sounds typically emerge from Okay-pop’s indie aspect, and idol-member-turned-soloist Fairy Mai harnesses partaking rhythms that eclipse a lot of her big-budget friends. (full assessment)
fromis_9 – Like You Higher
A bounding, buoyant summer season dance monitor with open hearted melodies that encourage you to sing alongside on the prime of your lungs. This can be a rollicking antidote to Okay-pop’s present love of subdued sounds. (full assessment)
Hearts2Hearts – Model
After a muted debut, SM Leisure’s latest woman group delivers the form of bubbly home monitor that usually heralds the summer season season. This sound will get me each time. (full assessment)
NouerA – N.I.N (New Is Now)
Harnessing parts from Okay-pop’s previous ends in the yr’s strongest debut to this point. Refreshingly, this sounds nothing like international tendencies, choosing a selected fashion distinctive to this business. (full assessment)
NTX – Over N Over
Talking of eras previous, Over N Over recollects the upbeat, carefree sound of the early-2010’s with vitality to spare. It’s a tried and true system that hits all of the pleasure facilities. (full assessment)
ONF – The Stranger
ONF have topped my year-end chart twice, and their constant monitor report expands with this synth-funk banger. Their music is simply so reliably nice. (full assessment)
RIIZE – Bag Unhealthy Again
In all probability my largest grower of the yr? Initially, I balked on the music’s NCT-like sound, however its humorousness and bombastic manufacturing stored it occurring my playlist. (full assessment)
RIIZE – Fly Up
An old style rock n roll beat collides with Excessive Faculty Musical cheese for this upbeat sing-along. It’s not essentially RIIZE’s strongest level, however the infectious vitality is tough to withstand. (full assessment)
STAYC – Bebe
“Sing-talk” has been a significant downside this yr, however while you marry it to an thrilling dance beat I can’t assist however bop alongside. This was one other enormous grower for me this yr. (full assessment)
TWS – Countdown!
This music shares many sides with the group’s 2024 work, however I would truly favor the melodies and manufacturing right here. In 2025’s sea of laidback vitality, TWS burst forth with thrilling power, fueled by one of many yr’s greatest choruses. (full assessment)
TWS – Fortunate To Be Beloved
Showcasing their vary, the moodier Fortunate To Be Beloved was a slow-burn success, buoyed by a good looking set of melodies that draw out essentially the most interesting points of boy group sentimentality. (full assessment)
The Wind – Solely One
Talking of “boy group sentimentality,” The Wind has this specific model of “Christian horse boy” music down pat. With this monitor, they handle to ship a candy, classically woman group sound I’ve been lacking. They’re dwelling as much as their “BFriend” nickname. (full assessment)
ZEROBASEONE – Blue
ZEROBASEONE are on a roll, and this widescreen pop anthem presents them at their greatest. The surging refrain is addictive, egged on by a bombastic association and upbeat vitality. (full assessment)