200 industry experts select the Best K-pop Song of 2024

To mark its 20th anniversary, the entertainment and business magazine 'JoyNews24' conducted a poll with industry experts from September 30 to October 8, asking about the best dramas, variety shows, movies, actors, singers, and more of 2024. A total of 200 industry insiders, including entertainment company employees, broadcast company staff, content creators, and entertainment reporters, participated.

For the first category, industry insiders were asked about the best song that resonated with the most listeners in 2024, here are the results.

Aespa’s "Supernova" — An Unchallenged No. 1

Aespa’s "Supernova" received 93 votes, securing the top spot—a natural result. With its musical quality and addictive sound, combined with Aespa’s powerful performance, "Supernova" lit up this summer’s music scene. Everyone sang along to iconic lines like “Su Su Su Supernova” and “Ah Oh Ay.” The song’s widespread popularity was also evident in variety shows and challenges, where Supernova’s music and choreography were everywhere. The song’s impact was reflected in the survey, with 93 of the total 200 votes going to "Supernova."

Not only that, "Supernova" held the No. 1 spot on Melon and Genie’s weekly charts for 13 consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest consecutive No. 1 song of the year. It also topped Circle Chart’s streaming chart for 12 weeks straight, proving its sustained popularity with listeners. In July, the song surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, cementing aespa’s status as a powerhouse in digital music. The song also received the most perfect all-kills out of any song of 2024 at 317 hours (good for 7th best all-time).

After sweeping the 2021 JoyNews24 survey categories for “Rookie of the Year,” “Most Refreshing Song,” and “Next Year’s Rising Star,” aespa has claimed the “Song of the Year” title three years later, strengthening their position in the music industry and proving their growing influence.

BIBI’s "Bam Yang Gang" and DAY6’s "Happy" — A Surge of Healing Songs

Following "Supernova," BIBI’s "Bam Yang Gang" ranked second with 42 votes. Released in February and written and composed by Jang Ki Ha, "Bam Yang Gang" captures BIBI’s adorable transformation from her previously bold style. With a fairytale-like sentiment of finding meaning in sharing a simple Yang Gang, a sweet red bean paste jelly, instead of a grand feast, the song quickly topped the charts upon release.

In the first half of this year, "Bam Yang Gang" was also the most searched song by Melon users. This popularity helped BIBI achieve her first No. 1 on a music show, and the song’s popularity even boosted real Yang Gang sales, with BIBI landing a model deal for the dessert as well.

DAY6’s "Happy," with 17 votes, claimed the third spot. Part of their April mini-album Forever, the song saw a sudden rise in August after NMIXX performed it on a web variety show, surpassing their hit Melt Away to reach No. 1. In response, all DAY6 members participated in the NMIXX “See That?” challenge to thank fans.

With contrasting lyrics that add a touch of sadness to an otherwise upbeat melody, high vocals, and band sound, Happy won listeners over. Now in their 10th year, DAY6 solidified their reputation as a “trustworthy” band, with a solid fanbase boosting the song’s rapid climb up the charts.

TWS, IU, and NewJeans Lead a Cross-Generational Listener-Unifying Chart

Following the top three, "Plot Twist" by TWS secured fourth place with 9 votes, IU’s "Love Wins All" came in fifth with 8 votes, and NewJeans' "How Sweet" took sixth with 6 votes. TWS achieved an impressive result with their debut as a male idol group, while IU and NewJeans, both known for their solid reputations as “trustworthy artists,” ranked high with their beautiful melodies and emotional depth, reflecting strong support in this year’s survey.

Other songs that received votes include:

NCT 127’s "Walk"

ZEROBASEONE’s "Feel the Pop" 

(G)I-DLE’s "Fate" 

ILLIT’s "Magnetic" 

The Boyz's "Nectar" 

Xdinary Heroes’ "Night of Fireworks"

aespa’s "Armageddon"

DAY6’s "Melt Down"

QWER’s "T.B.H"

Taeyeon’s "To. X"

fromis_9’s "Supersonic"

RIIZE’s "Boom Boom Bass", "Love 119"

ATEEZ’s "Walk"

Lee Young Ji’s "Small Girl"

Zico’s "Spot"

NCT Dream’s "Smoothie"

SEE ALSO: aespa win #1 + Performances on November 1st 'Music Bank'!

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