As we build toward the 2024 Billboard Music Awards on Dec. 12 and Billboard’s Year-End Charts reveal on Dec. 13, check out our editorial list of staff picks for the best K-pop songs of the year.

As more and more K-pop artists break the genre and cultural barriers that can divide listeners, the Korean music industry grew its visibility and expanded its experimental nature this past year, resulting in greater opportunities for the scene at large while gifting global audiences some undeniably special singles.

In line with trends since the start of the decade, girl groups continued to dominate the singles space as (G)I-DLE, fromis_9, aespa, NewJeans and ILLIT delivered inescapable hits, alongside beloved troupes like Red Velvet, ITZY, Dreamcatcher and Kep1er, who delivered some of the best songs of their career.

K-divas BIBI, Lee Young Ji and K-pop’s standout rookie boy band TWS delivered singles that became mainstays on the charts and across social media. Elsewhere, Lim Young Woong, PENTAGON’s Hui, ATEEZ, Loossemble and ARTMS all stepped up to new moments of musical greatness with creative curveballs that defied expectations but delighted all kinds of audiences.

From the nostalgic reunion of BIGBANG’s leader G-Dragon enlisting his bandmates Taeyang and Daesung for “Home Sweet Home” to the rookie girl group that made Billboard Hot 100 history this year, not to mention a track that samples Afrika Bambaataa and the Afrobeat-infused flair of KISS OF LIFE’s “Sticky,” this year’s best K-pop songs boast some of the most eclectic, exciting tunes in recent history.

While the Korean music industry continues to expand its global reach, with many of its artists releasing English singles or tracks explicitly aimed at the Western pop market, this list focuses on the songs released with Korean lyrics or with core K-pop audiences in mind (as much as we loved bops from the likes of Jimin, AleXa, BABYMONSTER, the BLACKPINK members and many, many more).

With some of the best boy bands, greatest girl groups, specially selected soloists, plus one dynamic duo, dive into the complete list to experience the finest K-pop songs of 2024. And check out our list of the 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2024, too.

As we build toward the 2024 Billboard Music Awards on Dec. 12 and Billboard’s Year-End Charts reveal on Dec. 13, check out our editorial list of staff picks for the best K-pop albums of the year.

As is seemingly tradition, the K-pop industry has plenty to celebrate when reflecting on the year’s album milestones. 2024 featured record-breaking achievements, inventive breakthroughs and a wealth of impactful projects to solidify K-pop’s ever-growing global presence as a commercial and creative force.

Stray Kids, ATEEZ and TWICE dominated the Billboard 200, earning their fifth, second and first No. 1 albums in America, respectively. Their successes contributed to a historic moment when three K-pop acts—BTS’ Jin, ENHYPEN and ATEEZ—simultaneously ranked in the top 10. Elsewhere, celebrated projects led several artists to their first-ever appearances on the Billboard 200, while rising, next-generation stars P1Harmony and BOYNEXTDOOR climbed to new peaks.

But 2024 wasn’t just about breaking records, but also a year when artists pulled listeners deeper into their worlds. Beloved solo stars like ONEW, Baekhyun, Yves and D.O released their first projects under new labels, showcasing their individuality after departing longtime agencies.

Meanwhile, superstars like IU, RM, DAY6, SEVENTEEN and tripleS delivered some of their most ambitious work yet, blending innovative concepts with personal storytelling.

From K-pop icons to promising rookie acts, R&B wunderkinds and even one virtual boy band, check out our full list of the best K-pop album below — and be sure to check for our top K-pop songs of 2024 list, too.

Watch Mustard share his start in music and how collaboration brings together greatness, exclusively for Billboard and Honda Stage.

Mustard:
The music is collaborative, you know, like, how I think is one way and how the next person may think is another way. And you put two great minds together, you know, you come out with something great every time. When did I discover my love for music? When I started DJing at 11. Uncle was a DJ. I always wanted to be like him, and I DJed a party. Well, he left me at a party. When I first came across Amirah, I just really was drawn into her voice, like her voice, how she sound. But then I I looked at her, like her other socials, and I was just like, “Oh, she has personality.” But if you ever meet her, you’ll be like, “Oh, she’s like, an interesting person.” When I’m working with Amirah, sir, you know, anything like that, I gotta already first believe in you, I think already have some type of level of respect before I’m even walking in the studio with anybody big or small.

ROSÉ has finally dropped her highly anticipated solo debut album ‘rosie.’ Keep watching for a breakdown of her newest work!

Tetris Kelly:

Her and Bruno have had us all singing “APT” and now ROSÉ has arrived with her full project. We break it down in this week’s Music You Should Know: ‘rosie.’ “APT” with Bruno Mars became ROSÉ’s first solo Hot 100 top 10 song and after a hot Mama Awards performance, we couldn’t wait to see what she delivered next. She’s taken a break from her BLACKPINK sisters for 12 tracks, including fan favorite “number one girl.” And just today with rosie’s fresh release, she dropped a new single and video for ‘toxic till the end.’ We’re obsessed. And to be honest, we have been since “On the Ground,” a certified bop. Do you have a favorite track on ‘rosie’ yet? Let us know in the comments. It’s out now.