Cosmic’s Favourite Songs of 2012

    2012 was a good year to party, dance beats were supreme and everyone wanted to lose themselves to the music. I separate this year from 2009-2011 despite its decent quality because any year with Gangnam style should be considered the start of something new. That song is legendary because I still cannot escape memes with it to this day.


    Average song of the year (I should’ve included this last time I know)


    Shinhwa-Venus


    GROUP SHINHWA 'VENUS' Official Music Video
    SHINHWA 10th ALBUM 'VENUS' Official Music Video신화 10집 타이틀곡 '비너스' 뮤직비디오
    www.youtube.com


    Now this is the song that introduced me to Shinhwa so though I do love it’s perfectly middling for this year as in I love the electro-pop feel but it’s missing something maybe it sounded too much like songs on the radio at the time (trend following is kpop’s favourite thing is trend following your favourite thing). Still, it’s certainly a decent auditory experience as in it’s a nice club tune as generally that’s good enough for me, just not best of the year or worst of the year level.


    Honorable Mentions


    4Minute-Love Tension


    4MINUTE - 'Love Tension' (Official Music Video)
    8월 22일 발매되는 4MINUTE의 일본 싱글 'Love Tension'8月22日発売！4MINUTE 'Love Tension' PV 大公開！New Japanese Single 'Love Tension' (2012.08.22)
    www.youtube.com


    9Muses-Ticket


    9MUSES(나인뮤지스) _ TICKET(티켓)
    [Sweet Rendezvous] contains the confident love style of Nine Muses, with its title song [Ticket] acting as a metaphor for a new definition of love, comparing...
    www.youtube.com


    9Muses-News


    9MUSES(나인뮤지스) _ News(뉴스) MV
    The news of the cool ladies about to begin!Nine Muses is back with the 2nd digital single [News], following their debut last year with [Let's have a party]. ...
    www.youtube.com


    After school-Rambling girls


    [HD] After School (アフタースクール) - Rambling Girls PV
    Artist: After SchoolSong Title: Rambling GirlsAlbum: Rambling Girls / Because Of You====================Support After School!Purchase "Rambling Girls" on Yes...
    www.youtube.com


    After School-Flashback


    After School(애프터스쿨) _ Flashback MV
    *English subtitles are available.(Click on CC button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' fuction)More than what you could ever imagine, Afterschool is back ...
    www.youtube.com


    Ailee-Heaven


    Ailee(에일리) _ Heaven MV
    [ ♬ Download ]iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heaven-single/id502450229Melon : http://www.melon.com/cds/album/web/albumdetailmain_list.htm?albumId=...
    www.youtube.com


    Ajax-2myx


    A-JAX(에이젝스) - 2MYX(투마이엑스) Music Video
    A-JAX(에이젝스) 1st MINI ALBUM '2MYX'Music Video OPEN
    www.youtube.com


    B1A4-Tried to walk


    B1A4 - 걸어 본다 (TRIED TO WALK - Full ver.)
    B1A4 THE 3rd MINI ALBUM!Buy This song at iTtunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-the-wind/id578170800
    www.youtube.com


    BAP-power


    B.A.P(비에이피) - POWER M/V
    @ TS EntertainmentB.A.P(비에이피) 2nd album POWER M/V
    www.youtube.com


    Beast-Beautiful Night


    BEAST - '아름다운 밤이야 (Beautiful Night)' (Official Music Video)
    BEAST - 아름다운 밤이야 비스트의 5번째 미니 앨범 'Midnight Sun'의 타이틀 곡 2012.07.22BEAST - Beautiful NightThe lead single from BEAST's 5th EP 'Midnight Sun' 2012.07.22
    www.youtube.com


    BTOB-Wow


    BTOB - 'WOW' Official Music Video
    Official Music Video for BTOB's WOW (2012.09.12)비투비 - WOW 뮤직비디오Available on iTunes http://bit.ly/T30QLK
    www.youtube.com


    Boyfriend-Janus


    보이프렌드 (BOYFRIEND) - 야누스 (JANUS) Music Video HD
    - Album Title : BOYFRIEND 1st Album _ JANUS - Title Song : JANUS (야누스) - Produced by SWEETUNE- Release Date : 2012.11.08 - Artist : BOYFRIEND 보이프렌드 영민, YOUN...
    www.youtube.com


    Boa-The shadow


    BoA 보아 'The Shadow' MV
    BoA's 7th Album "Only One" has been released. Listen and download on iTunes & Apple Musichttp://itunes.apple.com/us/album/only-one/id547131609BoA Officialhtt...
    www.youtube.com


    Dalshabet-Mr Bang Bang


    달샤벳 (Dal★shabet) - Mr. BangBang
    달샤벳, 첫 정규앨범 [BANG BANG] 발표달샤벳의 사랑스런 고백 송 'Mr. Bang Bang'지난 2011년 1월 '수파 두파 디바(Supa Dupa Diva)'로 가요계에 혜성처럼 등장한 달샤벳이 첫 번째 정규앨범 [Bang Bang]을 발표했다.달샤벳은 그 동안 '수파 ...
    www.youtube.com


    EXO-History


    EXO-K 엑소케이 'History' MV (Korean Ver.)
    The world of new boy band EXO-K and EXO-M presented by S.M.Entertainment is opened! Second Prologue Single Music Video 'HISTORY (Chinese Ver.)' presents memb...
    www.youtube.com


    Girls’ day- Oh my god


    Girl's Day(걸스데이) _ Oh! My God MV
    The popular 5-member girl group Girl's Day is back in 8 months with a song to make a consecutive hit following their songs "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Hug me Once...
    www.youtube.com


    Gangkids-Honey Honey


    Gangkiz Honey Honey MV ver.1
    Gangkiz Honey Honey MV ver.1갱키즈 허니 허니 뮤직비디오 본편 1편입니다.
    www.youtube.com


    K.will-Please don’t


    [MV] 케이윌(K.will) - 이러지마 제발 (Please don't...)
    케이윌(K.will) 3rd Album Part 1 . - Album Title : K.will _ 3rd Album Part 1 - Title Song : 이러지마 제발 (Please don't...) - Release date : 2012.10.11.- Facebook STAR...
    www.youtube.com


    Shinee -Sherlock


    SHINee 샤이니 'Sherlock•셜록 (Clue + Note)' MV
    Listen and download on iTunes & Apple Musichttp://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sherlock/id511290379SHINee Officialhttp://shinee.smtown.comhttp://www.youtube.com...
    www.youtube.com


    Spica-Lonely


    SPICA(스피카) _ LONELY MV
    :: iTunes DL : https://itunes.apple.com/my/album/lonely-ep/id581451258Running non-stop! Meaning the number 1 out of the constellation, SPICA came back with t...
    www.youtube.com


    Spica-Painkiller


    SPICA(스피카) _ Painkiller MV
    Release of the repackaged 1st mini-album of SPICA on March 29th!SPICA, the best new singer of 2012 is releasing a repackage of their 1st mini-album [Painkill...
    www.youtube.com


    Sunny Hill-the Grasshopper song


    SunnyHill(써니힐) _ The Grasshopper Song(베짱이 찬가) MV
    '베짱이 찬가' The Grasshopper song If you delay and delay, there's no happiness and no more today again.(미루고 미루다 행복은 없어 오늘은 또 다시 없어)The time h...
    www.youtube.com


    Tahiti-Tonight


    TAHITI 타히티 - Tonight [Official Music Video]
    HOT!한 6인조 신예 걸그룹 타히티(TAHITI) "Tonight" 뮤직비디오 첫 공개!Available on iTunes & Spotify: http://smarturl.it/THTtnght & http://spoti.fi/OYEL8k2nd Single "Hasta Luego"...
    www.youtube.com


    T-ara-Lovey Dovey


    T-ara(티아라) _ Lovey-Dovey (좀비 ver.) MV
    [ ♬ Download ]iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/funky-town/id492897147Melon : http://www.melon.com/cds/album/web/albumdetailmain_list.htm?albumId=205...
    www.youtube.com


    TVXQ-Humanoids


    TVXQ! 동방신기 'Humanoids' MV
    TVXQ! is releasing the new album, 'Humanoids,' the repackaged version of "Catch Me."Listen and download on iTunes & Apple Musichttps://itunes.apple.com/us/al...
    www.youtube.com


    Vixx-Rock Ur Body


    빅스(VIXX) - Rock Ur Body 뮤직비디오 [VIXX] Rock Ur Body Official Music Video
    2012년 최고의 기대주로 주목받은 VIXX(빅스)!!빅스(VIXX)의 두 번째 싱글 타이틀곡 'Rock Ur Body'의 뮤직비디오 드디어 공개!!레트로한 게임 느낌의 픽셀 아트(Pixel Art) 컨셉으로 마치 비디오 게임 속에 들어와 있는 것 같은 비주얼, 임팩트 있는 구성,...
    www.youtube.com


    Miss A-I don’t need a man


    miss A “I don't need a man(남자 없이 잘 살아)” M/V
    miss A(미쓰에이) “I don't need a man(남자 없이 잘 살아)” M/Vmiss A Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saymissA miss A Official Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/j...
    www.youtube.com


    Nu’est-Face


    [MV] NU'EST(뉴이스트) _ FACE(페이스)
    [MV] NU'EST(뉴이스트) _ FACE(페이스)*English subtitles are available. Click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function. :) [ ♬ Download ]iTunes : ...
    www.youtube.com

    40. TVXQ-Catch me


    TVXQ! 동방신기 'Catch Me' MV
    TVXQ! new album 'Catch Me' has been released.Listen and download on iTunes & Apple Musichttp://itunes.apple.com/us/album/catch-me/id563873137 TVXQ! Officialh...
    www.youtube.com


    One thing that is certainly lacking from kpop in general this current year and the year before that(heck since at least 2013, songs used to be faster in 2008 than the average nowadays I think in kpop for goodness sakes) is the lack of propulsion in the songs, a driving instrumental, something that pushes the listener to jam out. Yes, I know this is a problem typically found in boy group tunes but it does happen to girl groups now as well (2021 girl crush trend mainly because not everyone can make rifts like Teddy that’s not to say their aren’t good girl crush songs made this year nit by him but that’s another list completely). The TVXQ duo or quintet is the group Yoo Young Jin always gave his most grandiose material to which usually is odd genre mashups, in another universe this song could be as meh as the metal hybrid song Triangle but due to overwhelming synths, a dubstep break that fits extremely well(rarer than you think After School’s flashback was held back from this spot by that dubstep break alone), and Changmin’s screams the best part of TVXQ songs vocally for me, the song will sweep you off your feet.



    39. B1A4-Baby good night


    [MV] B1A4 _ Baby good night(잘자요 굿나잇)
    [MV] B1A4 _ Baby good night(잘자요 굿나잇)*****Hello! this is 1theK.As you've noticed, we've been working on the English subtitles for our MVs and Originals. But s...
    www.youtube.com


    One thing will always remain certain in the world of kpop styling, and that is cowboy outfits are cute. Baby Good night is a classic B1A4 song as in it’s a fun song with a breezy chorus that sounds and is the naughtiest children’s song ever made (can you believe a song this cute is about cheating). Also, WM entertainment has a thing for getting cute girls in B1A4 mvs more on this later.


    38. Apink Hush


    [MV] Apink(에이핑크) _ HUSH
    [MV] Apink(에이핑크) _ HUSH*English subtitles are now available. :D(Please click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function)With the warm wind ...
    www.youtube.com


    Hush is an addictive dancepop song. That vocal effect in the chorus is deliciously catchy. Also probably the most synthy Apink got before their more “sexy” concept songs such as I’m so sick, %%, and Dumhdurum. It’s also surprisingly intense on the electronic front for what’s considered a “cutesy” sound Also as usual Apink stylists deserve an award because they always look amazing.


    37. Crayon Pop-Saturday Night


    CRAYON POP (크레용팝) 'Saturday Night' MV/CG Ver. 뮤직비디오
    CRAYON POP (크레용팝) 'Saturday Night' MV/CG Ver. 뮤직비디오2012. 7월 18일 공개한 크레용팝의 'Saturday Night' 뮤직비디오 입니다.
    www.youtube.com


    Hi Nrg instrumental surprisingly headbanging dubstep break=good fun song.


    36. Exid I feel good


    EXID _ I Feel Good MV
    The group EXID, launched by the hit song maker and famous composer Shinsadong Tiger, is releasing their mini-album [HIPPITY HOP]. The composer Rado, who prod...
    www.youtube.com


    If there was one thing everyone remembers 2012 for it wasn’t the end of the world theories having to do with the Mayan calendar but fun party songs. Exid may be famous due to Hani’s charms in a certain fancam, but before the average kpop fan cared about them they not only had a different lineup with some girls who became part of Bestie(a group with the legendary song Love Options). Exid’s I feel good is a party romp with an aggressive club beat and an anthemic chorus. Have I mentioned how great LE’s voice is from a production perspective it’s unique and stands out, a big thing back in the olden days of kpop lore was female rappers in girl groups with distinct voices that’s for sure.


    35. Block B-Nillili Mambo


    [HD] Block B(블락비) _ NILLILI MAMBO(닐리리 맘보) MV
    *English subtitles are available. (Please click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function):: iTunes DL : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album...
    www.youtube.com


    This is one of the greatest kpop music videos ever that isn’t a long T-ara drama video, if you don’t believe me just watch it for yourself. The song certainly isn’t a dub either, with a powerful orchestral punch mixed with a stomping bass that combine to make a beat worth listening to.Also as in all Block B songs, the rappers really shine when they have a decent beat to work with.



    34. Tahiti Tonight


    TAHITI 타히티 - Tonight [Official Music Video]
    HOT!한 6인조 신예 걸그룹 타히티(TAHITI) "Tonight" 뮤직비디오 첫 공개!Available on iTunes & Spotify: http://smarturl.it/THTtnght & http://spoti.fi/OYEL8k2nd Single "Hasta Luego"...
    www.youtube.com


    I swear everyday kpop fans complain about autotune this or autotune that, if they cared about vocals so much, they would be jamming to opera. Tahiti’s Tonight is a fantastic song from a group with hot girls and catchy songs that never made it big for some reason (lack of promotion? Bad marketing?) yet managed to at least have a fair amount of songs(the group in varying lineups lasted for at least four years), so they didn’t do that bad business wise. Tonight, is a great song for two reasons, one that vocoded chorus will not escape your head and two, that electropop instrumental is made to hype one up to dance.


    33 U-kiss Doradora


    U-KISS 6th Mini "DORADORA(돌아돌아)" MV HD Full ver.
    2012.04.25 발매된 U-KISS(유키스)의 여섯번째 미니앨범의 타이틀곡 'DORADORA(돌아돌아)' MV국내 최고의 프로듀서 겸 히트곡 제조기 김형석(K-NOTE)과 Brian Kim(Zigzag Note)이참여한 곡으로 펑키(Funky)한 비트의 파워 풀한 댄스곡이다. ...
    www.youtube.com


    Yes, this song has dubstep during the bridge but I actually enjoy it somehow probably because it’s not a complete dance break. It also has an addicting chorus. Did I mention guitars should be mixed with electronic sounds more often because they should be. Also if you’re into hot guys at interesting camera angles this is the mv for you.


    32. Dalshabet Have don’t have


    달샤벳(Dal★shabet) - 있기 없기(Hate, Don't Hate!) (없기 Ver.)
    달샤벳(Dal★shabet) 5th Mini Album [있기 없기]한층 상큼 발랄해진 달샤벳, 5번째 미니앨범 [있기 없기]로 컴백!!히트작곡가 김도훈과 첫 작업한 달샤벳 '있기 없기'지난 6월 새 멤버 우희를 영입하고 첫 정규앨범 '미스터 뱅뱅(Mr. BangBang)'을 발표...
    www.youtube.com


    Yes, like most I prefer the “have not” version because unlike the “have” version it’s simpler and thus catchier even if the “have” version is pretty much a club remix of the “have not” version. Who are we kidding, Happyface wanted a Roly Poly soundalike for Dalshabet and Shindadong Tiger certainly delivered, if you’re going to hire him you might as well have him do songs similar to one of his biggest hits. Speaking of Dalshabet, they certainly delivered in 2012 you have the anthemic chorus of Mr.Bang Bang the heavy and aggressive Hit U and this gem of pure corny kpop fun.



    31. B1A4-Baby I’m sorry


    [MV] B1A4 _ BABY I'M SORRY
    [MV] B1A4 _ BABY I'M SORRY*English subtitles are now available. :D(Please click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function)B1A4 has set a n...
    www.youtube.com


    Similar to Dalshabet, 2012 was a great year for B1A4, multiple releases that are pretty good means a fantastic year generally like what happened with 9Muses in 2013(I know I said Dolls was their worse title track but it’s still fantastic not my fault messed up companies give their groups good discographies). Now that’s not to say the most consistent of the boy groups who debuted in 2011 with b names didn’t have good songs after 2012(What’s Happening, Solo Day, Lonely to name a few) but goodness all their Korean title tracks from 2012 made this list for a reason. Baby I’m sorry simply has the special spot of being their best song this year, due to that amazing vocoded chorus accompanied by a mix of electric sounds and rock guitars. Also, again WM delivers with cute girls in the B1A4 mvs, they’re always stunning. Pretty sure if girls this hot were nearby oppa in a mv nowadays fans would riot.



    30. f(x)-Electric Shock


    f(x) 에프엑스 'Electric Shock' MV
    f(x) 2nd mini album 'Electric Shock' has been released.Listen and download on iTunes & Apple Musichttp://itunes.apple.com/us/album/electric-shock-ep/id534866...
    www.youtube.com


    Electric Shock is a heavy-hitting club song of fun, it’s brash, it’s bold, and it will rock your world. It’s like a planned explosion precise in the focus to be a catchy pop song perfect for dancing, yet combative as demonstrated by the chant-style chorus that will make you move.

    29. T-ara-Day by Day


    T-ara(티아라) _ DAY BY DAY
    English subtitles are available.Click on CC button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' fuction.A girl-group that suits the words "Funky & Cute" the most! T-...
    www.youtube.com


    I put the drama mv because it’s epic and more people should watch it for that alone. Anyways, Day by Day is an extremely good T-ara soundalike of Criminal you know that one song by Britney Spears used in every fanvid ever at this point. However, unlike Criminal Day by Day has that trot feel which elevates on that alone as well as essentially being from a group that in it’s OT6 lineup(T-ara 2.0 as their original lineup had Jiwon from Spica if I remember right) so perfectly described as “six Britney Spears” (how I explained T-ara to my mom). Yes there’s two songs in the drama video but Don’t Leave the Day by Day b side is too good to be completely left out. Also the chorus of Day by Day has this yearning feel that will seductively draw you in like Jiyeon’s eyes.



    28. Hyuna Ice cream


    HYUNA - 'Ice Cream' (Official Music Video)
    현아의 2번째 미니앨범 'MELTING' 타이틀 곡 '아이스크림 (ICE CREAM)' 뮤직비디오!HYUNA - Official Music Video for 'ICE CREAM' Guest Appearance by PSYAvailable on iTunes10/23: iTunes E...
    www.youtube.com


    This is my fave Hyuna song and it currently looks like that’s never going to change. It’s a bombastic, fun song with a delicious synth rift. The overbearing instrumental is the perfect math for Hyuna’s vocal tone. The music video is interesting, and the weird protest signs are funny in retrospect. Also, Hyuna looks amazing, but when does she not? She could wear a trashbin and still look adorable.



    27. Sistar-Loving U


    SISTAR (씨스타) - Loving U (Music Video) HD
    Summer Special Album _ Loving U_Music VideoSISTAR _LOVING U ℗ STARSHIP ENTERTAINMNETAlbum Title : SISTAR Summer Special AlbumTitle Song : LOVING URelease : 0...
    www.youtube.com


    I would say 2012 was huge for Sistar conceptually as they settled on two concepts that they followed until disbandment, the sensual Sistar of Alone and the summery Sistar of Loving U. Of their summer songs, Loving U is their peak, with surf guitar driving a breezy summer song with a properly written melody unlike I Swear (who thought that chorus was okay, maybe they didn’t care they were looking at how hot the ladies of Sistar were and forgot to write a song).



    26. Ailee-I’ll Show You


    [MV] Ailee(에일리) _ I will show you(보여줄게)
    [MV] Ailee(에일리) _ I will show you(보여줄게) *English subtitles are available. (Please click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function):: iTune...
    www.youtube.com


    Before Ailee did Crazy in Love covers for years on end, she had good songs in 2012. Surprising, I know. I’ll show you is a soundalike of the Gloria Gaynor classic, I Will Survive with modern production values. Though originally will never be a strong trait of pop music it’s undeniable how good the chorus of the disco anthem is. Also, Ailee is adorable with glasses and it was a smart idea to star G.O. from Rain’s first boyband project MBLAQ. This song also proves as a rare event where an extremely talented singer gets an extremely good song in terms of catchiness.


    25. Sistar-Alone


    씨스타(SISTAR) - 나혼자 Music Video (Alone)
    씨스타 1st Mini Album _Alone나혼자(Alone) HD Music video .SISTAR _Alone ℗ STARSHIP ENTERTAINMNETAlbum Title : SISTAR 1st Mini AlbumTitle Song : 나혼자(Alone)Release :...
    www.youtube.com


    Sistar’s most sensual song is a Brave Brothers tune with a sensual instrumental of a pounding piano rift and sleek synths. If anything, it’s how overwhelming the instrumental is compared to the vocals that make this Sistar’s best piece of work as you don’t get to suffer from the vocal wailing that defined their later work (Yes I know Hyorin/Hyolyn(I’ve seen the romanization of her name both ways so I apologose to her in advance if I got it wrong), can sing well, doesn’t change the fact that it ruins the song sometimes, a song is more than just how well the singer can sing). At least with all Sistar comebacks they look great, love the outfits in this one.


    24. IU and Fiestar-sea of moonlight


    [MV] IU, FIESTAR(아이유, 피에스타) _ Sea Of Moonlight(달빛바다)
    [MV] IU, FIESTAR(아이유, 피에스타) _ Sea Of Moonlight(달빛바다) LOEN MUSIC's New Brand Name, 1theK! 로엔뮤직의 새이름 1theK!The producers and singers of Loen Entertainment, inc...
    www.youtube.com


    It’s a sunnier version of Take on Me, and yes anything with that synth line will sound good. There’s not much to be said about this song other than it’s Take on Me with better production values, cute girls, and a lighter, softer airy feel to the vocals throughout which make it sound happier and less melancholic. I would say it’s catchier than Take on Me by a small margin, the aegyo style talk chant and IU’s sweet voice really sell the track for me.



    23. Gangkidz-Mama


    Gangkiz MAMA MV (Dance Ver.)
    Gangkiz MAMA MV (Dance Ver.) 갱키즈 MAMA 뮤직비디오 댄스 버전입니다.
    www.youtube.com


    Ever seen a spaghetti western, you know the only westerns worth watching from a filmmaking perspective alone such as The Dollars trilogy (a very mainstream choice but also a great place to start), this song is essentially if you took one of Mr. Ennio Morricone’s tracks and modeled it into a short, catchy pop song. That’s why I love it.


    22. Big Bang-Fantastic Baby


    BIGBANG - FANTASTIC BABY M/V
    5TH MINI ALBUM [ALIVE] Available on iTunes @ http://smarturl.it/BigbangAlive#BIGBANG #빅뱅 #FANTASTICBABY #ALIVEMore about BIGBANG @http://ygbigbang.com/http:/...
    www.youtube.com


    A song once synonymous within the fandom(yes one could say there was a kpop fandom back in the day for the industry as a whole) for kpop itself Fantastic Baby is a raucous party song of the best kind(I would even dare say Bang Bang Bang was a second attempt at this feel of song), with it being a great mixture of hip-hop and that electro club sound that was all the rave back in the day. Like most good Big Bang songs, it’s the synths that carry the song with the autotune being a welcome gift. Also similar to the best 2nE1 mvs(I am the best for example) the video accompanying this song is a trip. With a song like this you are surely to be boom-shalakakaking like Seungri and those catgirls.


    21. Beast- Midnight


    BEAST - 'Midnight -星を数える夜-' (Official Music Video)
    BEAST、1年4ヵ月ぶり、待望のニューシングル 'Midnight -星を数える夜-' の PVBEAST 의 새 일본 싱글 'Midnight -星を数える夜-'의 MVOfficial Music Video for BEAST's 'Midnight -星を数える夜-'
    www.youtube.com


    Beast despite the name is oddly at their best when they do melodic songs rather than hardcore electropop pieces. Midnight is one of their melodic style songs, a fast yet melancholic track in a similar vein to the hit that was Fiction. I adore how lush the synths are in this song, it’s instrumentals like this that truly allow vocals to matter.



    20. Orange Caramel-Lipstick


    Orange Caramel(오렌지캬라멜) _ Lipstick(립스틱) MV
    English subtitles are available. Click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function.Korea's idol unit group' 'Orange Caramel' stands as a top...
    www.youtube.com


    The best thing about Orange Caramel as a subunit of After School was how fun their songs were. Lipstick is a hi-Nrg trot connection that is deliciously addicting. The backings in this song are awesome and that “oma oma” part is an earworm what more do you need?

    19. 4minute-Volume Up


    4MINUTE - 'Volume Up' (Official Music Video)
    포미닛 미니 3집 타이틀 곡 'Volume Up' 뮤직비디오 대 공개!1년만에 돌아온 포미닛의 야심작, 'Volume Up'의 음원 및 뮤직비디오가 4월 9일 0시 공개되었습니다.더 파격적으로, 더 멋지게 돌아온 포미닛의 모습!지금 바로 감상하세요!------------------...
    www.youtube.com


    An anthemic dance club jam made to be blasted on speakers loudly. An addicting saxophone rift drives the song adding a constant sense of dynamism and urgency which are essential for dance songs so that as the track builds to a beautiful, soaring chorus. Hyuna looks amazing with red but in a rare event visually I would say she’s upstaged by Sohyun this time visually especially in that black gothic look where she fits the vampire concept perfectly.



    18. Aoa get out


    AOA - GET OUT M/V
    AOA 2nd Single Album [WANNA BE] GET OUT M/VMusic Video Release: 2012.10.10▷OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://fncent.com/▷OFFICIAL FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/ZDhWNd▷OFF...
    www.youtube.com


    AOA were in a weird spot in 2012 with an eclectic concept of being a band and a dance group combined into one group somehow. However, FNC the company that was king of having boring songs for their groups before the advent of AOA, managed to get them a cool ska-rock track that actually rocks(rarer than you think for a label specializing in “idol bands” until this point. Also, kudos to AOA to doing the film concept early on, giving us visual blessings such as Yuna as Lara Croft and Choa as Elle Woods.


    17. Block B-Nalina


    Block B(블락비) _ NalinA(난리나) MV Full ver.
    [ Download ]iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/welcome-to-the-block-ep/id499748311Melon : http://www.melon.com/cds/album/web/albumdetailmain_list.htm?...
    www.youtube.com


    2012 was the best year for Block B though I am of the unpopular opinion that their 2011 releases(Freeze and Tell me) were decent singles(I considered Boyfriend the worse debut on 2011 of the b name boygroups). Nalina has a strong electronic beat and due to my soft spot for electronica that places it above the amazing Nilli Mambo for me. It reminds me of Nu Abo of the best f(x) tracks with an insanely odd instrumental and that sing-songy chorus is ridiculously catchy. Park Kyung is who I generally find the hottest in Block B but Zico for once looks amazing here. Shame about their 2013 decrease in quality for title tracks in retrospect though.



    16. Spica-Russian Roulette


    SPICA(스피카) _ Russian Roulette(러시안룰렛) MV
    [ ♬ Download ] iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/reosianrulres-russian-roulette/id501866785Melon : http://www.melon.com/cds/album/web/albumdetailmain...
    www.youtube.com


    Russian Roulette is similar to Ailee’s I’ll show you in that yes, you can have incredibly talented vocalists and give them an amazing song. With a sleek yet potent instrumental of strings, thundering drums, and elegant synthesizers. The song does not show off their vocal skills as much as Painkiller which rests on the honorable mentions list and is all the better for it as a restrained performance is catchier.



    15. Girls’ Generation-Paparazzi


    Girls' Generation 少女時代 'PAPARAZZI' MV
    ♬ Download on iTunes : Coming Soon☞ 少女時代official HP : http://www.girls-generation.jp/☞ UNIVERSAL HP : http://www.girls-generation.jp/☞ Official Facebook : ht...
    www.youtube.com


    This is the strongest song in SNSD’s Japanese discography by far, a pure uptempo electropop jam with a throbbing bass that threatens to overwhelm the holistic performance of Girls’ Generation as a unit. Their other attempts at adult dancefloor songs simply suck in comparison to Paparazzi’s coy nature. Whereas Flower Power’s chorus lags, Paparazzi’s chorus stands out by being a powerful climax to an almost pompous instrumental.



    14. U-kiss-Believe


    U-KISS 'Believe' M/V Full ver.(고화질)
    U-KISS SPECIAL ALBUM [THE SPECIAL TO KISSME] 6/5일 발매된 유키스 스페셜 앨범의 타이틀곡 [Believe]는 사랑하는 여자가 더 이상 자신으로 인해 상처받지 않도록 나쁜남자에서 믿음직스러운 남자로 자신을 변화시키겠다는 다짐을 고백한 가사와 긴장...
    www.youtube.com


    I don’t think I can say this enough, but U-kiss were incredibly underrated to me as a 2nd gen boy group in that I don’t think many people sperged out over their music back then. Believe is my fave U-kiss song with a melodic refrain supported strongly by an unflagging tempo and a strong synth foundation that results in an ecstatic europop masterpiece.



    13. Girl’s Day-Don’t Forget Me


    Girl's Day(걸스데이) _ Don't forget me(나를 잊지마요) MV
    Girl's Day came back with digital singles Girl's Day Party #5 'Don't forget me' after 6 months. The title song 'Don't forget me' is made by the composer Nam ...
    www.youtube.com


    I’ve never met someone who hates this song, which is pretty interesting, if you do hate it you are certainly special in a good way as in it’s better to have a unique music taste to me than share similar tastes with others. I love how Don’t forget me not only has a smooth catchy melody holding the song together but the wall of noise of the synthesized backtrack that has this interesting effect of seeming to move in and out while still pushing the song to the desperate dramatic chorus. It must be said that the girls look stunning in this video, especially Hyeri who never stood out for me before this video was released.




    12. Wonder Girls-Like this


    Wonder Girls "Like this" M/V
    Wonder Girls(원더걸스) "Like this" M/VDownload "Like this" on iTunes: http://bit.ly/L0dLE5[June 3rd, 2012. Wonder Girls 2nd Mini Album "Wonder Party" Released]'W...
    www.youtube.com


    Wonder Girls had an interesting year musically in 2012, they had that horrendous mistake of a song The DJ is Mine, Like Money, the fun electro-pop single that I would have killed to hear on the radio because I enjoy it a ton in a guilty pleasure way. Like this, however, was by far their best single this year by far, with a spare yet funky production that allows this r&b hip-hop genre synthesis of a song to work extremely well. Also the planned flash mov music video is adorably comfy and makes me happy every time I watch it.

    11. Crayon pop-Bing Bing


    CRAYON POP (크레용팝) "Bing Bing" MV 뮤직비디오
    크레용팝 미니앨범에 수록되어 있는 Bing Bing 의 뮤직비디오입니다.CRAYON POP / THE 1ST. MINI ALBUM - Sub Title "Bing Bing" MV.twitter : @crayonpop
    www.youtube.com


    I’m going to sound like a mega-hipster right now, but I was one of the few people who cared about Crayon Pop before megahit Bar Bar Bar. Bing Bing is a rolypolyesque song of pure fun yet it’s quite restrained for a Crayon Pop song compared to their later work with a heavy focus on having an inescapable melody.



    10. EXO-Mama


    EXO-K 엑소케이 'MAMA' MV (Korean ver.)
    The world of new boy band EXO-K and EXO-M presented by S.M.Entertainment is opened! The first mini album title song 'MAMA' of EXO-K and EXO-M has been releas...
    www.youtube.com


    EXO-M 엑소엠 'MAMA' MV (Chinese ver.)
    The world of new boy band EXO-K and EXO-M presented by S.M.Entertainment is opened! The first mini album title song 'MAMA' of EXO-K and EXO-M has been releas...
    www.youtube.com


    Yoo Young Jin has a thing for giving boy groups songs that simply sound epic. Cacophonous metal lite is clearly something he likes (Triangle by TVXQ, Don’t Don by Super Junior). Mama is an interesting song choice to say the least with a Gregorian chant inspired beginning that fits those weird monk outfits the EXO boys wear at the beginning of the video and a heavy metal dance break with shouting. These are odd choices for a pop song aimed at teenage fangirls to say the least. Mama was such a exhilarating debut song a great climax to the predebut buildup from History(O but better) and What is Love(which I didn’t like that much musically). I posted both versions because I like them about equally.




    9. Miss A-Touch


    miss A "Touch” M/V
    miss A(미쓰에이) "Touch” M/Vmiss A Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saymissA miss A Official Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jypemissA miss A Official ...
    www.youtube.com


    Most cited as Miss A’s sexiest work is Hush, which I dislike primary due to arrangement reasons namely baiting me into attempting the song would go somewhere yet going nowhere, thus a waste of 3:35 minutes of my time back in the day. Touch, Miss A’s titular sexy track before Hush existed, comes packaged with a better song courtesy of JYP, with synths to die for, a cool pitch-bending keyboard, and restrained vocals that works better that Hush because the instrumental goes somewhere creating a peak sexy track.


    8. 2ne1-I love you


    2NE1 - I LOVE YOU M/V
    NEW SINGLE [I LOVE YOU]Available on iTunes @ http://smarturl.it/2NE1iloveyou#2NE1 #ILOVEYOUMore about 2NE1 @http://www.yg-2ne1.com/http://www.facebook.com/2n...
    www.youtube.com


    Teddy could’ve made this europop song simple and yet I find it interesting because of that stop-start beat combined with Bom’s nasally voice that seems unable to be fixed in the production studio which gives every 2NE1 song a distinct flair. The synths are sumptuous, the chorus is a euphoric climax made better than little nuances almost hidden in the song (that video game sound at 2:45, that way the vocals stutter at 3:35), it’s these almost unnoticeable elements that perfect the song.



    7. BAP-Warrior


    B.A.P - WARRIOR (워리어) M/V
    @ TS EntertainmentB.A.P (비에이피) - WARRIOR (워리어) MV
    www.youtube.com


    BAP’s best song will always be their debut. Warrior is a rap-rock song with a combative feel that I can’t help but love. Like what was TS entertainment thinking, “you know our next idol group should sound like Run-DMC”, which it bizarre in retrospect but was a genius idea as it was incredibly different than the electropop that was in style in 2012. In a crowded market, if one is lucky enough, sometimes having a different musical style works for popularity as BAP seemed huge for a rookie group in 2012.



    6. Kara-Pandora


    KARA(카라) - PANDORA(판도라) Music Video
    KARA 5th Mini Album 'PANDORA(판도라)' Music Video
    www.youtube.com


    Pandora is an odd girl group song and that’s due to Sweetune producing it. It’s extremely structured on guitars that remain out of earsight due to synthesizer overdose unless you listen carefully. Also Sweetune really has a thing for pedal-point rifts and I like that.



    5. 100% Bad boy


    100%(백퍼센트) _ BAD BOY(나쁜놈) MV
    Energetic Boy Group '100%', with their new energy and masculinity will be able open a new door in the K-POP scene with their new album [WE, 100%].The title s...
    www.youtube.com


    The best debut song of 2012 wasn’t from EXO, BAP,Spica, Nu’est, or Crayon Pop but now disbanded boy group 100%. Bad boy is an adrenaline rush of a tune with a tense instrumental that leads into a strong chorus. I adore how uptempo this song is(more boy group songs should be this fast) as well as how spacious the instrumental is, carried by that infecting beat. Strings as always are welcome and this song delivers on them well without them overshadowing the most important thing with a dance song:the beat.



    4.T-ara-Sexy Love


    T-ARA(티아라) _ Sexy Love (Dance Ver. MV)
    T-ARA(티아라) _ Sexy Love (Dance Ver. MV) *English subtitles are now available. :D(Please click on 'CC' button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' function)T-A...
    www.youtube.com


    T-ara dance song with Kraftwerk style synths, truly spectacular. Also was a hit at the height of the controversy for being so addicting.


    3. Big Bang-Monster


    BIGBANG - MONSTER M/V
    SPECIAL EDITION [STILL ALIVE] Available on iTunes @ http://smarturl.it/BigbangStillAlive#BIGBANG #빅뱅 #MONSTER #몬스터 #STILLALIVEMore about BIGBANG @http://ygbi...
    www.youtube.com


    Big Bang got big with songs such as Haru Haru which were sleek downtempo angst songs that I would say are overshadowed at least by non-Korean fans by their high energy party bangers such as Fantastic Baby. Monster to me is Big Bang’s greatest work even if it got forgotten compared to their other releases in 2012 despite seeming to me as an impeccable piece of songwriting from the poignant piano intro to the simple melody caressed by piano and strings. Also, that little piece of discordant piano at 3:35 is my favourite part as in it gives the repeated chorus a final climax as the song concludes. From a purely objectification perspective TOP looks amazing here as visual members should mainly due to that cowboy hat.




    2. Rania-Style


    Rania(라니아) _ STYLE MV
    *English subtitles are available.(Click on CC button or activate 'Interactive Transcript' fuction)Rania started her activities with one of the best producers...
    www.youtube.com


    Style is pure pop perfection, the production value on this track is amazing (Tablo is a musical genius that’s something everyone should know by now surely). The way the song is structured allows those wonderful synthizers to shine yet still having a powerful enough yet simple chorus that is catchy. Style is elegant and sassy, perfect for strutting down a catwalk.



    1. Infinite-The Chaser


    [MV]INFINITE_The Chaser_추격자 Dance Version
    The Chaser Dance VersionINFINITE 3rd Mini Album _ INFINITIZE
    www.youtube.com


    Seriously, it’s almost unfair how Infinite gets such good songs consistently, their discography has classics like Back, Before the Dawn, and Be Mine with often forgotten masterpieces like Paradise, She’s Back, the Hitchhiker banger Come back Again and many more, but I can’t help but be somewhat biased here. Infinite’s appeal to fangirl always somewhat confused me because their songs in general remind me what you would imagine being the soundtrack to an intense motorcycle ride, and boy groups broadly seem to be more R&B focused in the majority of places(Boys II Men is one of the greatest boy groups of all time after all) so I have thought that’s simply what girls like in musical tastes in a broad sense(I honestly mean no insult to any tastes here, honestly the hardest part of writing these lists is feeling like I will offend someone, I will confess I’m no better than Billboard in aiming for mass appeal with these). The Chaser is awe-inspiring with its constant speed throughout the song, an endless progression in the backing track that only concludes when those drum beats end the song. As usaul for Sweetune the production is glossy and dramatic, with intense vocal layering in the chorus granting the melody a feeling similar to a typhoon (Interestingly Infinite has a non Sweetune song called the Eye which is the Korean title of Typhoon it’s pretty good as well but not this good). The flipping of expectations with the chorus between 1:31 and 1:49 is genius showing a genius method of using repetition in a song without it being exactly the same due to somehow something I would say many pop songs in general lack, dynamic contrast. Honestly if I was doing a film set in a futuristic dystopic 80s inspired world this is the perfect song to use as a theme. If you want a song that makes you dream of adventure when hearing it this is the song for you.

  • Moderator

    Moved the thread from forum The Lounge to forum K-POP.

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