HAPPY 12 YEARS WITH 2PM

To the first group that brought me into kpop, happy happy anniversary! 

---

It's been a while since I've written anything here, but I'm stopping by today for a 2PM appreciation post! Despite not being the first group I knew/heard about (Wonder Girls and 2NE1 were familiar names by then), 2PM was the very first group I actually stanned. Kpop wasn't so big in my country then, and it was considered odd to be listening to music that wasn't in a language you speak, but my admiration for 2PM went beyond that. I made friends because of 2PM and even found AFF along the way (let's pretend I didn't hide all my unfinished fics). The content 2PM put out, especially their numerous full-length albums, were really a form of escape from academics in my teens and I will forever be grateful for these six awesome people for inspiring me through the years, even now that I'm in my twenties. 

I wasn't able to catch their countdown live last night, which is a bummer, but I was so happy when I found out four members gathered to celebrate together (ft. Junho who called and Chansung's zoomed in photo, and the plushies that represented the two!). It has been so long since their last full group comeback and even though Taecyeon is no longer in JYPE, 2PM still lives and Hottests will always be supporting them. 

Enough of my word vomit, here's 12 of my all-time favorite 2PM songs (it was so hard to come up with just 12 but i needed to match the theme lol):

12. My House (from No.5, 2015)

I mean, who doesn't like the iconic 'uri jibeuro kaja'?? This comeback was honestly so smooth and the way it really gives off the classy macho 2PM vibes. Also, I love how this song gets covered a lot by new generation idols and gets mentioned a lot in variety shows!

11. Only You (from The First Album 1:59PM, 2009)

This song is one of my favorites especially in their concerts (let's pretend I went to one, okay?). Aside from this original version, the acoustic version is to die for! Only You's a go-to chill 2PM song 'til this day.

10. 모르니 Don't U Know (from Hands Up, 2011)

The first time I heard this song was actually not from their album but in a fanmade video for the kdrama "Lie to Me" and I honestly thought it was an OST lol. It took me so long to find this song because the only thing I heard was "moreuni" and I was amazed that it was a 2PM song. Anyway, this song gives old-school kdrama vibes and the falsettos are so smooth!!!

9. Winter Games (from Genesis of 2PM, 2014)

This song just sounds so epic? Especially with the string ensemble at the back of the instrumental mix. As always, 2PM looks superior in suits (long coats in this case). Dramatic instrumental + angsty concept? A YES FROM ME.

8. 100th Day Anniversary (from Republic of 2PM, 2011)

2PM may be a dance-focused group with the beast-dol concept but they have really good ballads, especially in their Japanese albums. This song sounds so melancholic yet full-of-love at the same time, and I'm a er for the consistent snare drum sound in this ballad-ish song. Also, THE HARMONIES in the bridge esp the Nichkhun x Chansung one? Heavenly.

7. Ultra Lover (from Republic of 2PM, 2011)

This song honestly makes me happy every time it goes on my shuffled playlist. The choreography for this looks so cute even with the dark-themed videos. My favorite part of this song has to be the part where Junho sings "hanasanai itsumo, sobo ni ite mamoritai" bc that half-time sounding part was just memorable?

6. Like in the Movies (from Hands Up, 2011)

Again another ballad on this list because I just really love 2PM's voices and how their tones are so light and smooth especially when they do falsettos. Fun fact: it was not until 2016 when I really differentiated their positions in the group (except Taecyeon bc he was obviously main rapper), like I just considered all of them really good singers?? 

5. Comeback When You Hear This Song (from Grown, 2013)

Sure, A.D.T.O.Y. was an incredibly shocking track (I still remember the black and white subtle alluring dance scenes to this day), but who wouldn't have a serious case of LSS with the earworm of "i norael deutgo dorawa" and the grabby-hands gesture in the choreo?

4. 離れていても Even When We're Apart (from Grown, 2013)

Words are not enough to express how much I love this song. I don't even remotely remember the english title for this song, but this has always been labeled in my mind as "Hanarete Itemo". The low notes at the beginning which I can't even sing, the melancholic reminiscing chorus, the bridge that raises the tension of the song, and even the heavenly background vocals that are so prominent in the bridge. This song perfectly encapsulates 2PM's vocal prowess.

3. Please Call My Name (from Grown Grand Edition, 2013)

"This song is with you, Hottest. Call my name." -- The fact that this line starts the song and that Taecyeon composed this makes this so meaningful to the whole fandom. Every time this song plays I honestly tear up, it makes me miss 2PM more than I already do. Please Call My Name is so precious ;u; <3

2. Heartbeat (from The First Album 1:59PM, 2009)

Heartbeat is so iconic that this is the song that got me into kpop in the first place? To this day, this is still my favorite 2PM title track -- from the bitter-sounding rap that starts the song, to the smooth vocals that follow to the chorus, to the string ensemble epic instrumental, to the acrobatic choreography in the dance break, to their long-hair, to the iconic 'listen to my heartbeat' heart-pumping dance, everything about this song was just so perfect I don't have complaints at all. HEARTBEAT REMAINS SUPERIOR!

1. I Can't (from Still 2:00PM, 2010)

I have no other words to say but acoustic guitar + 2PM vocals = PERFECT. I love this song to bits and I really learned guitar finger-plucking just so I could play this?? This is my most-played 2PM song and to this day, my heart still flutters when I hear this song. 2PM, I can't forget your love.

 

And that's it for my 12 songs for 2PM's 12th anniversary! It was so hard to narrow down all my favorites to just 12 and rank them, especially that 2PM has so many good songs especially their iconic dance title tracks (which I sadly didn't get to include here). I'm really looking forward to the end of Chansung and Junho's military service so we can finally see our OT6 together! As Nichkhun had stated so many times, 2PM will always be six. Even in 2020, it's STILL 2PM.

To the Hottests out there who happen to find this post, what's your favorite 2PM song? 

Anyway, I hope you all are well. Stay safe always!