Music is, as always, a huge part of our K-entertainment experience. Come find out which Kpop performances and Drama Soundtracks featured heavily in our 2019 playlists.
Favorite MVs of 2019
Karie the Maknae
DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS?????? I write the kpop feature posts every week and I’m supposed to narrow my choice down to ONE MV? Imma pull a Kdrama Jen move and make it two.
My first choice would be ATEEZ, but I promised our resident fangirl I’d leave that to her, so my ties for second choice come from brother bands Oneus and Onewe. I’ve been in love with Onewe’s “Regulus” from the time I first heard it, and Oneus’ “LIT” is one of my favorite modern/traditional fusion songs of the year.
Clkytta
I’m going with my boys and Halsey. That’s right, BTS’s “Boy With Luv” is my pick.
Drama Geek
Since we are talking about the MV and not just the song or the group, then I have to go with IU’s new release. It’s beautiful and makes me want an entire drama after watching it. The song is also Gorgeous.
Kmuse
“Senorita” is the MV that made me become a fan of (G)I-dle. I wouldn’t say that it really stands out as an MV but it is one of the first that came to mind for my favorite of 2019. I’m also adding in Super Junior’s “Super Clap” dance MV. The color animations to the dance moves really works for me and makes the MV all the more interesting.
MiataMama
ATEEZ’s “Wonderland” *was* my top choice. . . but since one of my fellow fangirls is giving that particular MV some love later on, I will have to go with my runner-up instead! I am in love with WayV’s “Moonwalk” – the futuristic steampunk concept is captivating and Ten’s dance break is 대박(daebak)!
Best Female Kpop
Karie the Maknae
This was an easier choice. IU’s “Love poem” blew me away. It may not be an actual MV, but the song itself grabs my emotions and won’t let go.
Clkytta
Park Bom had a comeback! Not just a comeback, but she also had a chance to shine bright on Queendom.
Kmuse
It is no surprise that Mamamoo wins for my favorite females of 2019. With multiple comebacks they dominated my playlists. And since I can’t just pick one of their songs to share I found a live performance where they do two of them! Who doesn’t want to just put this on repeat?
Drama Geek
I LOVE Ailee’s “Room Shaker”. Sadly, she did not get on that many music shows because of entertainment company politics, but she went out and did festivals and I loved watching her perform live. She also did a song for the Arthdal OST that was brilliant. Love her voice in that.
MiataMama
I don’t listen to many female Kpop artists, but hands down I’m picking Dreamcatcher! Both “Piri” and “Deju Vu” were released this year and I love how the songs combine powerful vocals with their signature rock-style music.
Best Male Kpop
Karie the Maknae
Eden’s “Suffering for Love” wins this one for me. I love his voice, and the set design in this video is SO over the top, in the best way possible.
Drama Geek
One of my favorite male groups this year suffers from being with SM. I find that company’s MVs a bit boring, but they did a selfie one that I thought was super cute, and really showed the members personalities.
I’m cheating and picking a second one. This is a group I’m not even that interested in, but I watched the MV several times because the storytelling is that good. “Nap of a Star” by TXT.
Kmuse
I’ll be honest, this year has been all about the ladies for me. But I was able to find a few male kpop songs that I really enjoyed. First is “Who Do You Love” by Monsta X. Yes, I know it is in English but don’t hold that against it. The song itself is amazing and so catchy that I find myself humming it all the time.
My second is Ateez’s song “Wonderland”. It took a while but I finally see what everyone else has been saying about Ateez. They really do have some amazing energy.
MiataMama
Between two mini-albums, their first full-length album, and a recent remix album, ATEEZ has been cranking out amazing tracks all year long!!! They are my FAVORITE Kpop boys and “Say My Name” was the song that started it all for me. . .
Best Solo/Duo/Subgroup performances
Karie the Maknae
One of the catchiest collaborations I’ve heard this year is “Give Me More” by VAV, featuring De La Ghetto and Play-N-Skillz. It’s on my workout list and I never get tired of it.
Drama Geek: There seems to be a theme with my picks, and it’s the storytelling. Yes, I like choreography too, but it doesn’t always keep me coming back for more. My solo or duo pick goes to Lee So Ra’s “Song Request (Feat Suga)”. Her voice is PHENOMENAL and the MV is a bit sad.
Kmuse
I have been waiting for two years for this comeback and it did not disappoint. My pick for Best Duo has to be AKMU with their comeback “How Can I Love the Heartbreak”. The soaring vocals and perfect harmonies bring across all the feels.
MiataMama
I can’t pick just one video for this category! So for my solo artist pick I have to share Gaho’s “Fly”. His voice is ah-maz-ing and I could (and often do!) listen to his songs for hours on end.
For best duo, I absolutely love Bolbbalgan4’s unique sound, and their newest song “Workaholic” doesn’t disappoint!
I love to see groups that play their own music and recently Day 6 has captured my attention. While I usually tend to enjoy more upbeat music, “Not Fine”, off their newest album grabbed me with it’s angsty, rock sound.
Best OST
Karie the Maknae
I’ve written about it before, but I find Chen Xue Yan’s “Nameless Generation” from Go Go Squid is relatable and haunting and everything I never knew I always wanted from a cdrama OST.
Drama Geek
I know two Fangirls who will for sure pick the first one that comes to mind, so I’ll go with the second one. Search WWW has so many songs that I LOVE. Enjoy.
Kmuse
This isn’t a whole OST but it almost counts if I have it on repeat for five or six times in a row? Right? Jung Kyung H and Sandia’s song “The Street You Left” is brilliant and never seems to grow old. I love the old fashioned feel along with the amazing guitar solos.
I also came across this song for the Manderin Netflix original Nowhere Man performed by Hyukoh. That drama suddenly went a lot higher on my list and this song is amazing.
MiataMama
I adored the soundtrack from My Fellow Citizens! And while it was hard to pick just one song from that OST (go listen to them all!), I have to go with “Haorio” because I loved trot/rock sound so, so much.
Best Quirkiest/Feel Good MV
Kmuse
Sunmi’s “LaLaLay” takes this category. It is both quirky and feelgood and makes me want to dance.
Drama Geek
WooSung’s “Face” is just so much fun and I love how he included so many different faces he likes. 🙂
MiataMama
I don’t think this fits the quirky part, but Day6’s “Sweet Chaos” is totally a feel-good song for me. And the awesome retro vibe of the MV makes me happy as well!
Best Album of 2019
Drama Geek: I had to go and look to see if Mono by RM came out in 2019 and it was October of last year, so it doesn’t make the cut. It is one that has gotten me through some hard times though. Next to that one, Epik High’s Sleepless in ______. comes in as my go-to albums that help calm me down and just make me super happy.
MiataMama
Well, it’s a tie for me – BTS’s Map of the Soul: Persona and ATEEZ’s Treasure – Ep. Fin: All to Action. I love EVERY track from both albums – need I say more?
What are your favorite songs of 2019? Tell us in the comments and be sure to check out our other End of Year reviews.
The Fangirls
Dramas With a Side of Kimchi