Staff Picks: Our Favorite Songs of 2025

09 Jan 2026, 16:21 by K-Soul · allkpop

2025 has been another year full of exciting K-pop releases and global expansion.

With so many releases to choose from, narrowing things down wasn't easy. Still, a handful of tracks stood out. Here are the songs the allkpop staff couldn't stop listening to in 2025.

Susan Han

SHINee - "Poet | Artist"

Chillingly beautiful. On one hand, it makes you wonder how things might have been different if this song were released when he was still with us. On the other hand, it so brilliantly reflects how SHINee's artistry has matured.

Lorr Ye

XLOV - "Bii:-P"

“biii:-p” stands out for how unapologetically strange and addictive it is. The production is sharp, glitchy, and unpredictable, but never chaotic for the sake of it. XLOV manages to make something experimental feel accessible, with a hook that sneaks up on you and refuses to relent. It’s the kind of song that feels ahead of its time: bold, confident, and unique. A sonic diamond in an oversaturated rough.

Sofia Sayson

JENNIE’s “Like JENNIE”

“Like JENNIE” is an absolute vibe. It hooks me every time the beat drops, and it has this power to shift my mood right on the spot. The choreography makes it even more addictive. Jennie perfectly channels her inner confidence to the listener through the song—definitely a standout mood-shifter.

A-Nish

Tablo x BTS' RM - "Stop The Rain"

Don't know where to even start talking about the lyrics. The way Tablo and RM did not hold back in openly sharing their inner feelings and thoughts is truly commendable. The song deals with concepts such as past trauma, pain, and the struggle to just keep living. I perceived rain as an everlasting reminder in their lives of painful thoughts. Our mind is mostly filled with bad thoughts, and sometimes it gets too difficult to push them away. That is why they sing "I’m tryna stop the rain...." Every time I hear the song, I can sense the turmoil in their voices. That is how truthfully hurtful their singing was. (PS: It was a tough call between this song and "Background" by Jin.)

Janie-Reign

XLOV - "1&Only

Some might call this a peculiar pick for song of the year amid so many releases, while others might say the track is actually underrated. But is it? This group maintains a tightly knit and steady following through their dedicated fandom community, and the song was even recently used by actress Han So Hee (a Boucheron global brand ambassador with nearly 17 million followers on Instagram) as the background music for one of her posts. Beyond all of that, the number one reason I love this song is that I could never get tired of it. Built on an effortlessly smooth fusion of Latin and Afrobeat-inspired sounds, the track naturally makes you want to move. Every time I listen, it feels as though I am sinking into an endless pool of silky and sweet-smelling body wash, transporting me to a dreamy, almost heavenly space where I am welcomed by the four confident members of XLOV. Listening to XLOV feels like an experience in itself, one that constantly makes you wonder what the group will do next, elevated by their overall production direction led by member Wumuti (a detail that truly is underrated), alongside the group’s impressive dance and vocal abilities. Aside from this song, a very close runner-up for me this year was BBGIRLS’ "LOVE 2," a track marking the brief return of Sweetune, the producing team that helped shape the sound of roughly one third of 2nd and 3rd generation K-pop groups. When people say "they don't make K-pop as they used to," I passionately disagree. From such return of influential artists and producers to newer groups like XLOV, arRc, izna, n.SSign, AHOF, and idntt, K-pop continues to expand its range, looking back while moving forward at the same time, and proving that discovering new releases will always be worthwhile.

Minsoo-Kim

aespa - “Rich Man”

For aespa, this year was musically one of their best, yet personally one of their worst. Among their releases, "Dirty Work" felt a bit disappointing, so I saw this song as the real main title and had high expectations. In the end, the song delivered the direction I was hoping for and turned out to be fresher than expected.

Of course, expecting another "Supernova"- or "Whiplash"-level track might be asking too much, but I still hoped aespa would continue the impactful, minimal style they’ve been pushing since vol.2. The impact this time doesn’t quite reach that level. Still, in terms of overall completeness, it’s undeniably a strong, well-made track.

Alec06

Hwasa – "Good Goodbye"

Hwasa’s "Good Goodbye" became a cultural phenomenon in 2025 after her legendary performance at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. During the ceremony, she delivered a cinematic, barefoot performance with actor Park Jeong Min that felt like a short film. This viral moment transformed the soulful ballad into a massive chart-topping hit, reaching a "Perfect All-Kill." The song itself is a beautiful exploration of parting ways with grace, highlighted by Hwasa’s velvety and emotional vocals. It is truly the most soul-stirring and talked-about song of the year.

Demian09

tripleS - "Are You Alive"

My favorite song is “Are You Alive” by tripleS. It was released on May 12, 2025, and one of the parts I enjoy most is the opening line, “La-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la,” which gently draws the listener in and makes the song pleasant to listen to from the very beginning. The melody feels soft yet emotionally engaging, setting the mood for the message that follows.

tripleS is a South Korean girl group under MODHAUS made up of 24 members, each contributing to the group’s unique identity. The song “Are You Alive” reflects the idea that the world is not always bright or easy, but it encourages listeners to stay awake and aware even during difficult times. Through the lyrics, the girls express a strong sense of togetherness as they support one another through moments of uncertainty, find meaning in life despite confusion, and continue moving forward toward their dreams. This message of solidarity and hope makes the song both comforting and inspiring to listen to.

KatL903

ifeye - "NERDY"

"NERDY" is one of the most attention-grabbing debut songs I’ve ever heard. The song introduces a refreshing, layered sound that’s unique to ifeye – bringing an ethereal vibe that makes it enjoyable to listen to again and again. The magical, uplifting atmosphere of "NERDY" made it an easy pick for my favorite K-pop song of the year, and I’m excited to see more from ifeye in the future.

ean1994

RIIZE - "Odyssey"

As the first song on their full-length album, this immediately hooked me the moment the beat began. It feels like a moment of becoming—quietly powerful, reflective, and deeply personal. It doesn’t rush its emotions; instead, it unfolds like a journey, capturing the uncertainty, hope, and courage that come with moving forward even when the destination isn’t clear. The melody carries a sense of calm determination, while the vocals feel sincere and grounded, as if the song is speaking with you rather than at you. Also appreciate the fact that this song displays the vocals of each member, which you otherwise wouldn't be able to hear from, say, a title track.

K-Soul

PLAVE - "Chroma Drift"

PLAVE’s “Chroma Drift” quickly became one of those songs I kept coming back to throughout the year. With its city pop-inspired sound, the track blends old-school Japanese city pop vibes with a modern K-pop edge, creating something that feels familiar yet fresh. It’s the perfect song for a night drive — the kind you play with the windows down as city lights blur past. The song also fits perfectly within PLAVE’s album 'Caligo Pt.1,' which stood out for its variety of genres and showed just how flexible and adventurous the group can be musically.

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