It’s difficult to determine the most popular K-Pop song in 2021 because many excellent Korean musicians are coming back this year. K-Pop itself has expanded its boundaries and scope from year to year where the listeners are from Korea and the world.
BTS, for example, who since their debut in 2013, have become one of the most influential artists in the world by constantly setting new records in the global famous music market. The group led by RM cs recently became the first Asian artist to win Artist of the Year at the 2021 American Music Awards.
So, if you are curious, here is MataMata, which summarizes the 6 most popular K-Pop songs in 2021 according to various versions, namely according to NME, Billboard, Teen Vogue, and TIME, in full below:
1. BTS – Butter.
In 2021, BTS released the single hit Butter, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and was voted by some media outlets as one of the best songs of the year. At least Billboard, NME, and Teen Vogue have a positive review of this song.
Their other release in 2021, Permission to Dance, is also gaining attention for incorporating international sign language in its choreography.
2. Aespa – The Next Level.
Billboard, Teen Vogue, and NME included Aespa’s song The Next Level on the best K-Pop songs.
The members’ voices, namely Karina, Ning Ning, Winter, and Giselle, are very smooth to the ears, and their choreography is also perfect.
3. IU – LILAC.
IU debuted in 2008 and has become an artist known for her acting skills and singing and songwriting abilities. As reported by Soompi since 2011, he has regularly ranked in the top 10 in Gallup Korea’s artist/singer/song survey and ranked first in 2014 and 2017.
In 2021, IU enjoyed chart success with songs like LILAC, NAKKA (with AKMU), and Strawberry Moon. The song LILAC also entered the list of best K-Pop songs according to NME, Teen Vogue, and Billboard.
4. After School – Weekly.
Weekly is back with a bright new song. On March 17, the girl group released their new mini-album; we played along with the music video for the title track.
After School is a pop song mixed with reggae and trap beats, and the lyrics are about spending time with friends after school. TIME, Teen Vogue, and NME named this song one of the best releases of 2021.
5. BLACKPINK Lisa – Money.
Lisa BLACKPINK’s debut solo album ‘LALISA’ is certainly not missed. As reported by Soompi on November 9, Billboard officially revealed that Lisa’s B-side solo song “MONEY” has topped the chart for the second week on the Hot 100 (weekly ranking of the most popular songs in the United States) after entering the chart at No. 90 weeks earlier.
This makes it the first song by a female K-Pop solo artist to spend two weeks on the Hot 100. It’s no wonder it’s among Billboard and Teen Vogue’s best K-Pop songs.
6. Tomorrow X Together feat Seori – ‘0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You).
If there’s one song that all versions of NME, Billboard, Teen Vogue, and TIME have voted the best, it’s TXT or Tomorrow X Together. According to Soompi, TXT’s second studio album, The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE, which was initially released on May 31, has become the first K-pop album of 2021 to spend seven weeks on the Billboard 200 (Billboard’s weekly ranking of the most popular albums in the United States).
TXT’s title track ‘0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)’ is also a Korean artist’s longest-serving song in 2021.
According to various versions, that’s the row of the most popular K-Pop songs in 2021. Which is your favorite song?
6 Most Popular K-Pop Songs 2021, BTS to Lisa BLACKPINK.
