My Favorite K-songs of 2017
Hello lovelies!
Since 2017 is over, I decided to make a post with my favorite songs of the year!
First of all a disclaimer: These songs are just my personal favorites. I‘m not claiming these are the best songs of the year and I’m certainly not claiming to be unbiased. These are just the songs I played the most, for many different reasons that have to do with more than just quality. And of course I haven’t listened to all of the K-pop songs released this year. In particular, since both my favorite girl groups quit this year (Miss A & Wonder Girls) I rarely listen to girl groups, so they will be seriously neglected in this list (but I’m happy to hear suggestions for good girl group songs!). Also there are plenty of songs I love that didn’t make the list.
Also, to keep the list more diverse, I will limit myself to one song per band/unit, and only Korean releases from 2017. So in my actual list there are actually many songs with the same groups (and older songs), but that will be too boring lol. I will do 12 songs, because that way I will cover all bands that released a song that I played 100+ times (and one that was played 96 times because it’s so close lol).
The format for my Xth favorite song will be:
X. Group – Title – Playcount (rank in my overall 2017 list)
So let’s begin!
12. VIXX LR – Whisper – 96 (42.)
I liked this song from the first listen, though I wasn’t obsessed with it. But then I just liked it more as I listened to it more, so I ended up playing it a lot. Also, I like the MV, because it’s unique, and the story has to do with themselves, Leo and Ravi, as friends connected to music, which I think is sweet.
And actually, there was another VIXX unit I liked just as much (and played 89 times), Rose with Ravi and Ken (yes I’m Ravi biased), and overall I thought VIXX had a good year.
11. Victon – Timeline – 102 (35.)
When it comes to Victon, I haven’t really stan-ed them, in the sense that I don’t know all their names and so on, but I’ve listened to their albums since debut, and I always like (or even love) at least one song on each album. Their last album was especially good in my opinion, and out of all the songs this was my favorite:
It’s just a super sweet song, and I really like all of their voices, especially Seungsik’s ❤. And if you like this song, you should definitely also check out Sunrize. It’s fantastic ❤❤❤
10. NCT127 – Limitless – 104 (34.)
I hated this song when I heard it first. Really didn’t like it. Then I happened to see it live a couple of times, and it got glued onto my brain, and before I could fight back, I was in love with it *sigh*
Honestly I’m not a big fan of the whole NCT-concept… so I didn’t want to get into any NCT unit, but apparently I’m a for SM and can’t help it. Also, watching Yuta dance gives me life. Seriously. That kid is not normal. He’s so incredibly sharp without being obvious/flashy about it, and he uses breaks and “pauses” in a way I’ve never seen anyone do. So this song is probably also the one I’ve watched most in music show recordings *sighs* Also, the Japanese version of it is possibly even better than the original, I’ve listened to it 50 times already (and counting).
9. JJ Project – Coming Home – 104 (33.)
Honestly, when their album came out in August, I wasn’t completely sold right away. I don’t know why exactly, it just didn’t fit my mood at the time. So I only really played Find You to begin with, and was almost bummed out I didn’t like the album more, because JB and Jinyoung are my 2nd and 3rd favorites in Got7, respectively (and I spent years trying to make either one of them into my bias, but Youngjae wouldn’t budge). But then in the end this album really grew on me, and I ended up listening to it for 4 months, and didn’t really fall for Coming Home until October.
Over all, it’s a good album, so I don’t really know why Coming Home is my favorite, it just is (and the part at 2:55-2:59 just kills me). Maybe because it’s because the song is kind of calming, and good to listen to on the way to work during the dark winter mornings and it’s something I’m often in the mood for. So I love it ❤ and definitely recommend the entire album.
8. SF9 – Easy Love – 106 (33.)
Actually when this song came out (April), I was super extremely busy, and not up to date in K-pop at all. But my friend was like “OMG This song totally reminds me of early-days 2PM, you're gonna love it. You have to check it out!” And yeah, I’m not sure I see any resemblance with 2PM, but I love it so maybe she has a point, lol:
But yeah I love it! It’s poppy and angsty in a overdramatic fun way, and I really like the MV and the boys also (Inseong biased ❤), and O Sole Mio was super fun as well, so I’m looking forward to more from this group!
7. GOT7 – Face – 110 (32.)
I’ve been listening to GOT7 since forever, as a very relaxed fan. Though now that Youngjae is turning hot I might get more invested. And their albums usually always have at least one or a couple of songs I like. This year, Face was my favorite:
I just think this song is really well done. Especially in the line distribution, because each part really fits each member in my opinion, and sort of drags out the best of each voice. So I really love it, and it’s probably my 2nd all time favorite GOT7 song, (after the super fluffy and happy: Let Me).
(BTW how awesome is it to have GOT7 in the 7th place)
6. B.A.P – Wake Me Up – 122 (26.)
This is not only a personal favorite, but in my opinion among the best songs of the year. Although I’ve been fairly quiet about it on AFF, I’ve been a B.A.P fan since debut, but I think that musically 2017 might be their best year yet. They didn’t release that many songs, but all of them are just so good.
Wake me up deals with depression in a more real and relatable way than I’ve ever seen in Kpop, and I think it’s really brave to do that as a title song, as the stigma against mental illness in Korea (and everywhere else) is real and serious. Usually I don’t bother watching MVs unless there is dancing, but I absolutely love this one. Also, I’m not always the biggest fan of western people in K-pop videos (there is enough of them everywhere else), but I absolutely love the diversity in this video, because it emphasizes that mental illness can happen to anyone anywhere.
And the lyrics are just fantastic, such pure, and raw and honest emotions and capture the desperate feeling of wanting to get better but don’t knowing how.
I’m so happy I managed to see it live in their concert.
Amazing.
5. Suzy – Yes, No, Maybe – 163 (16.)
Okay, so Miss A is my all-time favorite girl group, and JYP is my favorite song writer, so of course I’m going to love this song.
And if you haven’t listened to Suzy’s OST song, you should.
4. Lee Kikwang – 오해해 – 195 (14.)
Also something I’ve been keeping quiet here on AFF, but I’m a Huge Beast-now-Highlight fan, and they are my 5th most listened to Kpop group ever.
And why do I always fall for the dirty songs? Not like I understand Korean *sighs* But it’s awesome.
3. Monsta X - Incomparable – 256 (7.)
In 2017, Monsta X had a really great year, honestly I think everyone should agree on that. So many good songs appeared, so I’m not sure Incomparable is necessarily among their best, but it’s my favorite and I just luv it so damn much ❤ and Kihyun’s voice is just ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
2. Lee Taemin – Back to You – 288 (5.)
Okay, I’m completely biased because I’m head over heels in love with Taemin (even though Onew is my SHINee bias), but Taemin’s album is just one of the best albums I’ve ever heard in my life. Seriously. If you haven’t listened to it, go listen to it now. There are so many fantastic songs that I’m not sure Back to You is even in top3 of the best songs on this album. But it’s still amazing (I can’t believe an album exists where this is not the best song), and it’s my favorite because it hits me right in the feels.
I only started listening to this song in December… so it will continue into 2018. Luv you Taemin ❤❤❤
So much.
1. EXO – The Eve – 310 (2.)
For me, this is the best song of the year. It’s just perfect and the dance routine is a gift from god.
I love this an unhealthy amount and I’m just so incredibly happy that it exists.
But I hope you guys liked reading my list! (and if not, I had fun writing this, so it’s all good lol)
I made similar blog posts for 2015, and 2014 if you still haven’t had enough (but not 2016).
If you have your own favorites, feel free to comment!
I’m always happy to hear about other people’s favorites :)
Later!
2PM2PM2PM
P.S. One final shout out to my favorite debut song of the year:
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