The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday.
To be eligible for this top 50 list, songs must have had a Korean release as a title track, follow-up or promotional video between Dec. 1st, 2021 and Nov. 30th, 2022.
Curious about past countdowns? Check out the masterpost here!
Honorable Mentions
50. Victon – Chronograph
Victon revisit the dancefloor drive of 2019’s Nostalgic Night with Chronograph’s brisk propulsion. This song fits squarely within a specific boy group archetype, but its bristling energy will always be a hit with me. (full review)
49. NewJeans – Hype Boy
Originally overshadowed by the buoyant Attention, Hype Boy has gone on to become a major sleeper hit, revisiting early-00’s pop sounds with one eye on modern trends. It’s deceptively addictive. (full review)
48. LE SSERAFIM – Antifragile
LE SSERAFIM come into their own by twisting a much-utilized genre to their own ends. Depending on the day, Antifragile can either be cloyingly repetitive or absolutely thrilling. Lately, it’s leaning closer to the latter.
(full review)
47. woo!ah! – Rollercoaster
Producer Collapsedone found his 2022 niche with fizzy, retro dance pop. Rollercoaster reinvents woo!ah!’s sound with a sugary headrush of a chorus. Bonus points for those fun robotic backing vocals. (full review)
46. B.I – Keep Me Up
While not as flashy as many K-pop tracks, Keep Me Up had a vice grip on my playlist thanks to its gorgeous vocal arrangement and hypnotic beat. It’s the kind of song you just want to get lost in, scarcely emerging for days. (full review)
45. Treasure – Darari (Remix)
I can’t say I listened to the original Darari more than once before this boisterous rock remix reared its head. But, its reinvention drew out the fun melodic flourishes and ballsy energy of the track. YG boy groups have always thrived on rock sounds, and this is another great addition to that legacy. (full review)
44. Super Junior – Mango
Super Junior could easily put on their dad pants and record an endless stream of ballads for the rest of their careers, but they continue to churn out funky, ultra-smooth dance pop like Mango. We all benefit from their commitment to a good time. (full review)
43. Jay B – go UP
I would have never expected Jay B to pair with Thomas Troelsen, one of my favorite producers in the world. This match bore musical fruit as go UP’s funky backbeat proved irresistible. It’s the most excited I’ve been about a post-GOT7 solo project. (full review)
42. Winner – I Love U
I Love U bounds forward with ebullient summertime energy. Even if those showy high notes during the chorus turn you off, they’re performed with enough panache to withstand criticism. This is the carefree energy Winner does best. (full review)
41. Wonho – Crazy
Wonho’s solo career has long defied expectations. He keeps finding stronger and more addictive grooves, and Crazy harnesses his most rhythmically-satisfying beats yet. It’s a fantastic send-off as he embarks on an enlistment-forced hiatus. (full review)
NEXT: NUMBERS 40-31Original Article
