Top 10 K-Pop Songs Released for the First Half of 2013

Alona

June 27, 2013

Time surely flies. It is already June and we are in the middle of year 2013. Oh, what a first half of the year it was in the K-Pop industry! We began the year with Girl’s Generation‘s fabulous song “I Got a Boy,” and SPEED made a successful debut as a group with “It’s Over” and “Sad Promise,” while 2NE1′s CL has released her very first solo single “The Baddest Female.”

One of the trends in K-Pop is dividing groups into sub-unit. With T-ara releasing “Countryside Life,” U-KISS with uBEAT and their “Should Have Treated You Better,” and SISTAR19 who made a successful comeback with a beautiful ballad titled “Gone, Not Around Any Longer.”

Enough said. Let’s move on to the Top 10 K-Pop songs of the first half of 2013.

[Note: the list below is a subjective opinion of the author].

10. WonderBoyz – Tarzan

The song, kept in the reggaeton style, brought a lot of freshness into K-Pop. The interesting lyrics, comparing the love for a girl to Tarzan’s love for Jane, made the song even better. A very surprising comeback for a group who debuted with a funny, trot-like song. With their easy-going personalities as well as great vocal and rap skills, WonderBoyz deserves a bigger attention.

9. INFINITE – Man in Love

Even though the song was not as popular as everyone expected, I think it perfectly portrays the style of INFINITE fans got used to. With the 80’s  feeling, the song is easy to follow and fall in love with. If only the music video was slightly better…

8. 2PM – A.D.T.O.Y.

If only I knew that 2PM was going to have a comeback with such a great and catchy song, then I would have not minded waiting so long. They are the only idol group in their twenties that could present as sexy choreography as they did. Nickhun’s and Junho‘s high pitch in the middle proves their great vocal skills. They really did “Grow” as the title of their comeback album says.

7. CL – The Baddest Female

At first the song might seem like a great copy of G-Dragon‘s style, but while the song is growing on the listeners, it is getting more and more clearer that it can also be called a copy of Nicki Minaj or anyone who releases slow hip-hop songs. It is just the style of music that makes the songs sound similar. “The Baddest Female” perfectly shows off CL’s charms, personality and rapping skills. Well, CL has once again proved that she is “the baddest female, Seoul city ever had.”

6. M.I.B – Nod Along!

Even though the song was kept in the style of their previous release “It is Only Hard For Me,” M.I.B surprised everyone with Cream‘s catchy vocal and the group’s sensitivity. The comments below the music video on YouTube say by themselves that the number of fans who are willing to “Nod Along” with M.I.B has increased.

5. EXO – Wolf

Over one year of waiting, an improved EXO managed to surprise everyone in a bad and a good way. The strong point of the song is the choreography that portrays the story told in the lyrics. The catchy chorus only added to it. Movie producers should consider hiring the twelve handsome, and well-synchronized wolfs for their next productions.

4. SPEED – It’s Over

If I had to choose the best debut this year, I would choose SPEED without a doubt. The group has everything that is needed in the world of K-Pop: handsome members, great vocals and rappers and outstanding dancing skills. The choreography for “It’s Over,” with the flashy gloves, perfectly fits the beat and rhythm and makes viewers afraid of closing their eyes even for a short second.

3. B.A.P – One Shot

One of B.A.P’s best songs. After releasing not-so-good “Rain Sound,” they came back to the style they debuted with and it was definitely a good decision. Intensive rap, jaw-dropping vocals and expensive music video are what makes the song as good as it is. “One Shot” kinda reminds me of Eminem‘s “Lose Yourself” with it’s concept and repetitive lyrics, saying “one shot,” “one chance” etc. Definitely a good one.

2. Girl’s Generation – I Got a Boy

The song was an amazing start of year 2013. Released on January 1st, “I Got a Boy” can make the biggest anti-fan of Girl’s Generation admit that it is indeed a good and catchy song. “I Got a Boy” has a full package: colorful music video, eye-catching outfits and interesting choreography. The constantly changing tempo and beat makes the song as interesting as it is.

1. SISTAR19 – Gone Not Around Any Longer

Even though it seems more like Hyorin feat. Bora‘s song, it definitely deserves the title of the best song of the first half of 2013. The single was produced by famed producer Brave Brothers and expresses the feelings of both falling in love and drifting apart. The single was an immediate commercial success, gaining two perfect all-kills by hitting number one on all major Korean music charts and maintaining the position for two weeks.^.In addition, the song gained them their first number one on the Billboard “Korea K-Pop Hot 100” chart.^.

What is your Top 10 K-Pop songs of the first half of 2013? Share your list in the comments below.

Article by: Karolina

Edited by: Jenny

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