The year is coming to an end and with it, all the "best of 2023" lists are being published. Throughout this year I tried to listen to as many kpop songs as I could so that, by the end of the year, I could objectively decide on the best tracks of the year (titles and b-sides). To avoid being biased, I have decided to not consider songs from groups and artists that I stan (also because my faves' music was too good this year and would obviously overpower this list 
).
So, here it goes:
10. "Nobody Knows" KISS OF LIFE
A very recent discovery from me, and a song that makes you wonder exactly HOW this is a rookie group. It's not your typical kpop gg track and for that, it stands out massively in any kpop playlist. Despite the lush production and arrangement, the real star here is the girls' vocals. Good things are coming for them in the future if they keep up this song quality.
Rating: 9.9/10
9. "Get a Guitar" RIIZE
Well this is just 2 minutes and 40 seconds of pure fun. Sometimes all it takes is a simple and catchy hook. One of the most addictive songs of the year and a certified hit in my personal airplay charts (85 PAKs!).
Rating: 9.9/10
aespa is, once again, one of the highlights of the year for me. "Spicy" was initially shortlisted to make this ranking, but the release of the colossal "Drama" kicks the former out of the chart. With one of the best and most memorable instrumentals of the year and a fantastic vocal performance, aespa gets the 3rd butter bonsang of the night.
Rating: 9.9/10
Carrying a very pretty melody and a tasteful arrangement, this TXT b-side is also my absolute favorite song from the group so far. I find that their vocal colors fit the vibe of this song like a glove. Soft TXT is my favorite TXT.
Rating: 9.95/10
6. "Kill Shot" ITZY
Similarly to TXT, this b-side released in 2023 is ITZY's best song to date. It's too bad that it's barely 2 minutes long: I need more, much more of this.
Rating: 9.95/10
5. "Hold On Tight" aespa
How to turn a classic Russian folk song, which also happens to be the main theme of one of the most iconic video games, into one indisputable big fat bop? aespa knows just how. The replay value here is crazy.
Rating: 9.95/10
The most gg song to ever gg, and also the most chorus to ever chorus. This is instantly one of the most iconic songs of the entire 4th gen. Liz ATE and congrats to IVE for a fantastic musical year!
Rating: 9.95/10
3. "I Don't Wanna Know" Lee Chaeyeon
The very first (and until Stray Kids' recent cb with LALALALA, the only) drift phonk kpop song that existed (or at least that I knew about). Chaeyeon's A&R team deserves enormous praise for daring to include such an atypical and niche genre in her mini-album's tracklist. I would KILL for NCT to dive into this genre.
Rating: 10/10
2. "Killer" KEY
Key is one of those soloists that, just when you think can't surprise you and blow you away more than he already has, here's when he releases this MONUMENTAL bop. It's the kind of song that only someone with the charisma and delivery Key has could pull off. Even after 10 months, it's still one of my most frequently played songs. Gagged!
Rating: 10/10
1. "Standing Next To You" Jung Kook
Coming from the massive success that was Seven, and Jungkook being my BTS bias and my favorite vocalist in the group, I had extremely high expectations for his English full debut album. But somehow, he managed to exceed them. What can I say? That 25-second long intro, the MJ vibes, the immense production, the backing vocals, the vocal delivery, the "bass and drums!" and the instrumental outro, all paired up with the exquisite MV, the choreography and JK's star quality makes it THE perfect kpop solo song. A collapse that leaves you thirsty for more. Excited for what this guy is going to deliver in the future, once he comes back from the military. Oof.
Rating: 10/10
Bonus: The best albums of 2023
The best mini-album:
The inevitable and obvious choice, the sophomore mini-album by the teen sensations was my favorite EP of the year. With 5 equally addictive tracks full of ear candy, this EP only loses out a bit for me for its short duration and for the absolute SCANDAL that it was to deprive us of a full version for "Get Up", which would have made my top 10 best songs of 2023 list. #justiceforgetup
Best track: Get Up Cool With You
Score: 9.06 (average)
The best full length album:
"GOLDEN" Jung Kook
Who else could it be? Not much is left to be said about the phenomenal year this boy had. It's a Butter Awards daesang sweep!
Best track: Standing Next To You
Score: 8.305 (average)
Feel free to share your own lists! 
