{"id":457641,"date":"2025-12-19T11:28:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T11:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/457641\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:28:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T11:28:23","slug":"best-k-pop-songs-of-2025-25-staff-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/457641\/","title":{"rendered":"Best K-Pop Songs of 2025:\u00a025 Staff\u00a0Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tK-pop has long been defined by scale and spectacle. In 2025, the genre balanced that reach with sharpening precision. The year\u2019s most notable songs emphasized clarity and intention, delivering distinctly shaped moods and decisive hooks that resonated across an increasingly global audience. The strongest releases articulated clear artistic positions, capturing specific moments with confidence and control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe sonic range remained broad and varied. Veteran artists such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/blackpink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLACKPINK<\/a> (\u201cJUMP\u201d), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/nct\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCT<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TEN<\/a> (\u201cSTUNNER\u201d) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/bts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BTS<\/a>\u2018 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/j-hope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">j-hope<\/a> (\u201cKillin\u2019 It Girl\u201d feat. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/glorilla\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GloRilla<\/a>) carried global momentum \u2014 and saw the superstars breaking their own records on various Billboard charts through sharply defined production choices. Meanwhile, songs like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/hwasa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hwasa<\/a>\u2018s \u201cGood Goodbye,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/day6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DAY6<\/a>\u2018s \u201cMaybe Tomorrow,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/nmixx\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NMIXX<\/a>\u2019s \u201cBlue Valentine\u201d and WOODZ\u2019s \u201cI\u2019ll Never Love Again\u201d all highlighted the power of emotional nuance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tElsewhere, groups like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ateez\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ATEEZ<\/a>, JUSTB and H1-KEY hit new creative, commercial and chart highs, as did breakout soloists like BLACKPINK\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/jennie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JENNIE<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/wjsn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WJSN<\/a>\u2018s DAYOUNG and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/stray-kids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stray Kids<\/a>\u2018 Lee Know and Seungmin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tNew voices further enriched the field. Emerging acts, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/nowz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NOWZ<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/atheart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AtHeart<\/a>, KickFlip, Hearts2Hearts, KiiiKiii and CORTIS, carried forward the legacies of major agencies like SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, HYBE, Cube Entertainment, Starship Entertainment, TITAN CONTENTS and their respective labels while asserting greater agency and authorship in their productions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tTogether, these tracks illustrate a soundscape that expands in mood, texture and expression. The result is a distinctly multi-generational scene, shaped by artists progressing at their own pace and contributing diverse perspectives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tFrom the year\u2019s most bumping bangers to its truly beautiful ballads and the overall best bops, Billboard, in collaboration with Billboard Korea, presents the 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"pmc-fallback-list-items lrv-a-unstyle-list lrv-u-margin-t-2\">\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tHearts2Hearts, \u201cStyle\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThis SM Entertainment girl group is a relatively new one, having just debuted in February. Despite that, the eight-member group hit the ground running, producing banger track after banger track. \u201cStyle\u201d was the second single the group released following their debut, \u201cThe Chase,\u201d which lured audiences in with its dreamy sounds and visuals similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/newjeans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NewJeans<\/a>. \u201cThe Chase\u201d was a tough act to follow, but \u201cStyle\u201d knocked it out of the park with its clean production and nostalgic and refreshing bubblegum pop sound. It\u2019s a toe-tapper for sure, and one we\u2019ve had on repeat since its June release. \u2013 AMINA AYOUD<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tj-hope feat. GloRilla, \u201cKillin\u2019 It Girl\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"J-hope photographed April 7, 2025 in Los Angeles.\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/feature-j-hope-billboard-2025-bb-julian-dakdouk-3-1548.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Julian Dakdouk\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tReleased on <a href=\"https:\/\/billboard.com\/music\/bts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BTS<\/a>\u2018s 12th debut anniversary, \u201cKillin\u2019 It Girl\u201d celebrates beauty merged with achievement. A minimal rhythm section creates space for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/j-hope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">j-hope<\/a>\u2018s percussive delivery while layered synths build toward an addictive chorus. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/glorilla\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GloRilla<\/a> completes the narrative with an authentic perspective through her distinctive Memphis flow. Reaching No. 3 on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/billboard-global-200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard Global 200<\/a> and No. 1 on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/digital-song-sales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Digital Song Sales<\/a>, the track captures a moment where success itself reads as beautiful\u2014something j-hope understands instinctively. \u2013 BILLBOARD KOREA<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tStray Kids, \u201cCINEMA (Lee Know &amp; Seungmin)\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tA cinematic band-pop showcase for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/stray-kids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stray Kids<\/a>\u2018 most lyrical vocal pairing. Lee Know and Seungmin frame gratitude from multiple angles\u2014as observers, performers and audience\u2014reflecting on their journey. Thunderous percussion locks into listeners\u2019 pulses while building layers create emotional progression beyond traditional ballad structure. After Stray Kids\u2019 blockbuster success, this reflective pause acts as a quiet note to fans and themselves. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tLE SSERAFIM, \u201cCome Over\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/le-sserafim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LE SSERAFIM<\/a> are way too <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=r9AEGPB6qIU\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">hot<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/n6B5gQXlB-0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">crazy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4vbDFu0PUew\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fearless<\/a> to get hung up on dancing alone. Then again, sometimes girls just want to have fun. This \u201960s-styled ditty from British collective Jungle sees the five plucky stars head-bopping and shoulder-shrugging (\u00e0 la <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-GetJ5lFebg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fosse<\/a>, no less) to a jittery funk\/bossa-nova concoction; it seems to ask who\u2019s going to match their freak on the floor. \u201cOh, I know you want to take my hand \/ Come over, come over and dance,\u201d the members casually beckon. Honestly, it feels like an honor just to snag the invite. \u2013 ABBY WEBSTER<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tKickFlip, \u201cMy First Love Song\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe seven-member JYP boy group\u2019s title track from their third mini album My First Flip fuses youthful energy with rock velocity, channeling pop-punk\u2019s raw spirit. The composition mirrors romantic awakening: hesitation giving way to sudden acceleration, rough-edged but sincere moments capturing innocent first love. Having played Lollapalooza six months after debut, their band-format approach signals many more live instrument performances to come. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tTREASURE, \u201cYELLOW\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"TREASURE x Uniqlo Collection\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01-TREASURE-x-Uniqlo-Collection-billboard-1548.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Uniqlo\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe YG Entertainment boy band celebrated its fifth anniversary this year and a single like \u201cYELLOW\u201d shows how they continue to innovate to remain just as competitive as their juniors. While new boy bands broke out in the K-pop scene (and onto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/year-end\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard\u2018s year-end charts<\/a>) this year thanks to a refreshingly bright and approachable energy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/treasure\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TREASURE<\/a> delivered the charm tenfold on this feel-good pop track reminiscent of previous YG megahit \u201cLove Scenario\u201d by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ikon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iKON<\/a> from 2018. But with lyrics by members Asahi, Choi Hyun Suk, Yoshi and Haruto, and the song co-composed by Asahi, it\u2019s clear the TREASURE boys themselves are at the core of their creations. \u2013 JEFF BENJAMIN\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\taespa, \u201cDirty Work\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/aespa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aespa<\/a> is no stranger to the Billboard charts, especially when it comes to album sales. This year alone they became the first K-pop girl group to have six projects reach the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/billboard-200\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard 200<\/a> top 50. Their big year only got bigger with a win for Group of the Year at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/h\/women-in-music-2025-watch-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard Women in Music 2025<\/a>. \u201cDirty Work\u201d dropped in late June and capitalized on the girl group\u2019s \u201cgirl crush\u201d concept. It\u2019s a track unlike anything we\u2019ve heard from aespa before, focused mainly on conversational singing or \u201cspeech-singing\u201d rather than utilizing the group\u2019s powerhouse vocals via Winter and Ning Ning. It\u2019s a grungy entry with heavy distorted bass, glitchy synths and an earworm chorus that we can\u2019t stop singing. \u2013 A.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tJUSTB, \u201cCHEST\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tFor those of us just tuning in after JUSTB member Bain\u2019s historic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/pop\/justb-interview-bain-coming-out-ally-kpop-industry-1235964479\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coming out<\/a> this summer, what a joy it was to discover that the underdog boy group had already released one of 2025\u2019s best produced K-pop songs. In the same vein as works from inspirations <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/charli-xcx\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Charli xcx<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/sophie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SOPHIE<\/a> and 2hollis, exquisite hyperpop banger \u201cCHEST\u201d masks its tenderly beating heart \u2014 \u201cCome take my soul away, that\u2019s all I have left \/ When I come home, you can sleep on my chest\u201d \u2014 with walls of electronic noise, proving how that unlikely combo can make for the most simpatico of bedfellows. \u2013 A.W.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tYOUNG POSSE, \u201cFREESTYLE\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThis \u201990s-esque track features powerful raps blended with a decidedly calm segue to jazz at the one 1:24 mark, changing up the vibe completely. The switch-up is a refreshing pause from the aggressive yell-rap the girls produce, before its return around the 1:40 mark. It\u2019s another fresh take on the hip-hop genre that focuses primarily on rap, rather than vocals, making <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/young-posse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YOUNG POSEE<\/a> a standout among the slew of girl groups active today. While the group hasn\u2019t made an appearance on Billboard\u2019s charts just yet, this track certainly has us paying attention. \u2013 A.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tBLACKPINK, \u201cJUMP\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"BLACKPINK\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/blackpink-pr-cr-yg-entertainment-2025-billboard-1548.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of YG Entertainment\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tUpon <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/blackpink\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLACKPINK<\/a> dropping their long-awaited comeback single, co-producer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/diplo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Diplo<\/a> celebrated with <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DL9B6oMsbuh\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\">an Instagram shot<\/a> with him and the girls, sharing, \u201cOf course when the beautiful BLACKPINK ladies asked me to make a K-pop techno trance hardcore summer banger I said \u2018\ub6f0\uc5b4\u2019 [JUMP]!\u201d The collaboration couldn\u2019t have been a more apt pairing with BP\u2019s signature fierceness mashed with Teddy\u2019s pop-perfect melodies, all elevated with a twist of trance that shook stadiums across the DEADLINE World Tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cJUMP\u201d became BLACKPINK\u2019s longest-charting hit on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/hot-100\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard Hot 100<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/pop-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pop Airplay charts<\/a>, and with a rumored new album for early next year, we can only hope for the superstars deliver more innovation and, subsequently, new chart records. \u2013 J.B.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tNOWZ, \u201cEVERGLOW\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tIn a landscape of new boy groups built on hip-hop-infused brightness, \u201cEVERGLOW\u201d arrives with alternative rock and heavy metal weight. The post-chorus intensifies as distortion surges, breaking into gritty territory. This is a resilience anthem: strength forged through pressure, renewal born from challenge. Few 2025 releases carry this raw intensity. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tIVE, \u201cXOXZ\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IVE<\/a>\u2018s cryptic offering communicates emotional depth without spelling anything out. The chorus\u2019 low-register rap contrasts sharply with high, floating melodies, creating sophisticated tension. Heavy 808s, brass accents and precise drums establish a solid foundation while restrained vocals amplify every emotional shift. IVE\u2019s signature exploration of \u201cI\u201d evolves into something more coded yet direct, making it all the more alluring. The encrypted title may seem obscure, but their self-possessed attitude speaks clearly: asking for everything, with total confidence. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tDAY6, \u201cMaybe Tomorrow\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cMaybe Tomorrow\u201d hits to the core of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/day6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DAY6<\/a>\u2019s comfort-rock DNA: warm acoustic textures, uplifting melodies and Young K\u2019s consoling lyricism that promises small hope amid uncertainty. While DAY6 celebrated 10 years together in September with their appropriately titled The DECADE album, \u201cMaybe Tomorrow\u201d served as a musical comfort item for listeners amid the chaos of 2025, further solidifying DAY6 as K-pop\u2019s leading rock band. \u2014 J.B.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tAtHeart, \u201cPlot Twist\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cPlot Twist\u201d served as the title track of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/atheart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AtHeart<\/a>\u2019s debut EP of the same name, and it\u2019s a soft but mighty entry to say the least. This is a subdued bop with an EDM\/pop influence and a haunting almost empty electronic chorus that leaves you wanting more. The staccato beat and monotone delivery march along throughout the track, creating a dizzying melody that repeats again and again. It\u2019s the perfect earworm to kick off the girl group\u2019s EP, setting the tone for their future releases. \u2013 A.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tKISS OF LIFE, \u201cLips Hips Kiss\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tKISS OF LIFE\u2019s title track from their fourth mini album 224 uses sensuous, 2000s-styled R&amp;B to create a tactile dreamscape. Kick and snare hit hard at a medium tempo,\u00a0with delicate hi-hats adding hip-hop influence\u2014their core identity. The chorus, built on intimate, physical phrases, becomes sophisticated through the four members\u2019 channeled sensuality. Fresh off their first world tour, the group\u2019s commitment to R&amp;B through a K-pop lens reads as an artistic statement rooted in confidence. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tH1-KEY, \u201cSummer Was You\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tForgoing beat drops and chant-heavy choruses, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1NeLQ-Wl5QU\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cSummer Was You\u201d<\/a> embraced a guitar-led, nostalgic pop that sounded like sun-soaked memories, set to a three-wave chorus with its best moments bringing all four members\u2019 voices together. While H1-KEY sits squarely among K-pop\u2019s newer-generation girl groups, \u201cSummer Was You\u201d helped define them as an act that can embrace the chorus-first approach to seasonal hits that defines nostalgic classics of the first- and second-generation K-pop scene. \u2013 J.B.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tATEEZ, \u201cLemon Drop\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"ATEEZ, Billboard Artist, Billboard Korea\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01-ATEEZ-Biiboard-Artist-Korea-no5-2025-billboard-1548.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Joseph Cardo\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cLemon Drop\u201d is a more mature, stripped-down R&amp;B track from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ateez\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ATEEZ<\/a>, a group well-known for blending the genre with trap, EDM and hip-hop. It\u2019s a distinctly cool and lax track, in contrast to some of the boy band\u2019s boisterous hits like \u201cBOUNCY\u201d and \u201cCrazy Form.\u201d The song was dropped in the heat of the summer, but is decidedly not your usual upbeat, feel-good fare\u2013rather, a head-nodding entry with the same swagger and confidence as the group\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/lists\/best-kpop-songs-2024\/ateez-ice-on-my-teeth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024 hit \u201cIce on My Teeth.\u201d<\/a> \u2013 A.A.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tKiiiKiii, \u201cI DO ME\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tA pre-release single following the girl group\u2019s debut EP Uncut Gem, which dropped in March, \u201cI DO ME\u201d is a dreamy pop track with vocals that swell and build to a catchy but stripped-down chorus led by the English phrasing \u201cI do me, I do me right.\u201d It\u2019s a hopeful and groovy track that\u2019s softer than some of the other entries on this list. Listening along makes us feel like we\u2019re strolling through a grassy clearing, crisp spring breeze whipping through our hair. \u2013 A.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tTEN, \u201cStunner\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tSince <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TEN<\/a>\u2018s first introduction as an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/nct\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCT<\/a> member nearly a decade ago, the Thai superstar has become known as one of K-pop\u2019s most creative and experimental performers. With a genre-hopping, shape-shifting and polyphonic production, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LfoIQZf9Hqs\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cSTUNNER\u201d<\/a> feels like his boldest showcase yet of his many gifts, both in the song and the choreo-heavy music video.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThree-and-a-half minutes isn\u2019t that short amid the TikTok-ification of song lengths, but even that feels too little time to allow TEN to show off the extent of all he\u2019s capable of, both as a storyteller through dance and singing as he flickers between open vulnerability and club-ready confidence. With the 29-year-old\u2019s next solo album already rumored for release early next year, we\u2019re eagerly waiting for the next chapter from a star so ready to shake up the global stage. \u2014 J.B.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tDAYOUNG, \u201cbody\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tDAYOUNG reintroduces herself through a performance-forward identity, achieving a fresh departure from her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/wjsn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WJSN<\/a> years. Sharp beats and a muscular bassline provide immediate impact, anchored by a concise, addictive hook. Her bright, assured vocal creates a clean, summery pop-dance track driven by conviction. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tJENNIE, \u201clike JENNIE\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Jennie photographed on October 25, 2024 in Seoul.\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/feature-jennie-billboard-2025-bb5-yoon-song-yi-2-1548.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Songyi Yoon\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cLike JENNIE\u201d is a two-minute flex of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/blackpink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLACKPINK<\/a> star\u2019s pop culture dominance: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/diplo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Diplo<\/a>\u2019s metallic hybrid of baile funk and phonk gives <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/jennie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JENNIE<\/a> an aggressive landscape to serve some of the sharpest raps of her solo career \u2014 in both Korean and English \u2014 centered around a self-referential hook that doubles as a personal manifesto.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThis song broke barriers to become the longest-charting track from her solo album Ruby on both the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/hot-100\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard Hot 100<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/pop-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pop Airplay<\/a> chart \u2014 longevity not typically seen for a song with an entire verse in Korean, but most of those songs aren\u2019t delivered by 2025\u2019s It Girl JENNIE. Beyond the chart stats, this single distilled JENNIE\u2019s celebrity into a short, savage and precisely produced statement single to amplify her rise to this special solo moment. Perhaps even more crucially, \u201clike JENNIE\u201d demonstrates how K-pop stars can infuse their personas into widely accessible hits without diluting their identity. \u2013 J.B.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tWOODZ, \u201cI\u2019ll Never Love Again\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tCho Seung-youn, otherwise known as WOODZ, made a big splash with his track \u201cI\u2019ll Never Love Again.\u201d It\u2019s an entry that draws you in from the very start thanks to dramatic organ, followed by strong rock and metal-inspired vocals in the chorus that juxtapose with the softer pre-choruses. It\u2019s an anthem-esque track that you\u2019ll be sing-screaming in your room post-breakup.\u00a0 \u2013 A.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tHWASA, \u201cGood Goodbye\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMore than a decade into her career, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/hwasa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HWASA<\/a> enters an exciting new chapter as a soloist with \u201cGood Goodbye,\u201d pairing her unmistakable voice with cinematic storytelling for a resonant, measured impact. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tWritten and composed together with An Shin-ae and Park Woo-sang, the song settles into the stillness after separation rather than its emotional chaos. Her signature breathy rasp, set against a vintage Hammond organ, transforms silence into feeling, shaping late-autumn melancholy into something clear-eyed and composed. The bridge\u2019s falsetto shift lands not through force, but restraint. Claiming No. 1 on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/World%20Digital%20Song%20Sales\" target=\"_blank\">World Digital Song Sales<\/a> and the inaugural <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/billboard-korea-hot-100\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard Korea Hot 100<\/a>, \u201cGood Goodbye\u201d underscores how measured sophistication commands attention. It stands as 2025\u2019s most precisely crafted breakup song. \u2013 Billboard Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tCORTIS, \u201cGO!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"CORTIS\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01-CORTIS-billboard-brasil-1800.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy Billboard Brasil\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThis Big Hit Entertainment entry is one we can\u2019t stop dancing to. The boy group debuted in late August of this year, bringing with them a fresh new sound to the K-pop sphere with a danceable mix of modern trap along with sharp synths, bouncy drum and shouty reverbs reminiscent of artists like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/Travis-Scott\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travis Scott<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/playboi-carti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Playboi Carti<\/a> that stick in your head long after the track is over. It\u2019s a song that experienced major virality on apps like TikTok, and made waves on our own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/world-albums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Albums<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/billboard-global-200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Global 200 charts<\/a>, an impressive feat for a rookie group. \u2013 A.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tNMIXX, \u201cBlue Valentine\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"NMIXX photographed on Oct. 16, 2024 at the Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/latin-music-week-nmixx-billboard-2024-david-cabrera-3-1548.jpg\" data-lazy- data-lazy-\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: David Cabrera\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tif ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tpmcCnx.cmd.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpmcCnx({<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplugins: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpmcAtlasMG: {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tiabPlcmt: 2,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tplayerId: &#8216;4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaylistId: &#8216;190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a&#8217;,<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}).render(&#8220;connatix_contextual_player_div&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<br \/>\n\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\/\/ This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it&#8217;s event time.<br \/>\n\t\t\t\twindow.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer();<br \/>\n\t\t\t}<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cBlue Valentine\u201d is not the most obvious utilization of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/NMIXX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NMIXX<\/a>\u2019s at-times polarizing \u201cMIXX pop\u201d sound, but it is true to form: waves of melancholic synths, soaring guitar riffs, an undeniable bubblegum hook and tempo-shifting boom-bap beats that all blend together to elevate the song and make it more far more cinematic than anything formulaic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tPerhaps it\u2019s the drama of \u201cBlue Valentine\u201d that turned the single into a breakout hit of the year and the girl group\u2019s most successful song on the Korean charts and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/charts\/billboard-global-200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billboard Global 200<\/a> (their first song to break into the upper half of the chart). While NMIXX had previously struggled to establish themselves as chart mainstays with their arsenal of potentially divisive singles, the group\u2019s talent has never been in question, and \u201cBlue Valentine\u201d offered a more emotional delivery for the group to embrace while remaining faithful to its experimental ways.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBut beyond commercial markers, the track repositions NMIXX from experimental rookies into serious pop forces, proving a girl group can certainly lead with clear compositional and musical ambition to push boundaries while still delivering an earworm of a chorus. In a year when many K-pop releases chased obvious virality or A-list features, \u201cBlue Valentine\u201d proved that longevity and artistic risk can coexist. It\u2019s a career-defining single that expanded what mainstream K-pop compositions can attempt \u2014 and accomplish \u2014 in 2025. \u2013 J.B.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"K-pop has long been defined by scale and spectacle. In 2025, the genre balanced that reach with sharpening&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":457642,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[1444,171,50704,2126,980,975,5499,67,132,68,209397],"class_list":{"0":"post-457641","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-1444","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-genre-kpop","11":"tag-global","12":"tag-lists","13":"tag-music","14":"tag-music-news","15":"tag-united-states","16":"tag-unitedstates","17":"tag-us","18":"tag-year-end"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115746002078146065","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/457641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=457641"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/457641\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/457642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=457641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=457641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=457641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}