A new category for the blog 🎉🎉🎉 I’ve been a Jpop fan for some years now, even before being a Kpop fan. And there are so many groups (Korea based) each year that also have Japanese releases that I adore. I think it gets a bit confusing when it comes to the end-of-year wrap-up articles, because I want to include these songs in my faves lists, but because they aren’t Kpop, it’s difficult to place them. I would rather not take a spot from a Korean song.
Eventually I may just have to have an ‘Other Asian Music I loved in 20__’ or something. But for this year, I have 13 Jpop songs I gotta talk about in this article. So let’s get into it! In no particular order, just in order of discovery/added to my Spotify playlist of the same title. For some reason it was easier for me to keep this list up than my fave Kpop songs *major eye roll at myself *.
What’s Happenin’ – PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE
I really underestimated how much of a deal TikTok is for music now. “What’s Happenin'” solidified that. This is the best personal example of me discovering a ‘new’ group and song and becoming completely obsessed with it from TikTok. Well, one that wasn’t a ‘Western’ song since I remade my TikTok account (I used to have one in 2020, then deleted it because I got addicted to it lmao).
I started getting ads for “What’s Happenin'” in either late December or early January, I believe. Like right before it released, and I was hooked. I loved the Y2K aesthetics for the music video. Plus they don’t have one black member, but multiple??? In Japan??? I didn’t know y’all got it like that.
I admittedly haven’t listened to a full PSYCHIC FEVER album yet, it’s on my to listen. But I’ve been hooked with what I’ve heard so far. Like…
Paradise – PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE
Another banger. I really love Kokoro’s vocals on this track. I feel like this song does him more justice than “What’s Happenin'”. Weesa and Ren do the damn thing on this track as well. Yeah, I gotta check out more of their music in 2026. I gotta catch up fr.
Magic Clock – f5ve
My favorite Jpop song of 2025 easily. I talked about “Magic Clock” and my love of f5ve in this article and this one. So y’all can read up more on f5ve there. But I adore f5ve’s pop sound. It’s nostalgic and futuristic at the same time. It’s giving LOONA in the best way.
Kawaii The Magic – FRUITS ZIPPER
Another TikTok find. I straight up would never know this was a thing without TikTok, lol. I don’t remember who had this song in their video, or if I got an ad for it once the algorithm realized I like Jpop, but I love this song. This is what I would normally think of when it comes to Jpop, very cute and poppy.
Wolf Type – &TEAM
Of course, I can’t have this list and not mention my current favorite Jpop boygroup (I know, I know they’re a global group) &TEAM. “Wolf Type” was an early 2025 fave of mine. I love Go In Blind soooo much. This won’t be the last time you’ll see me talk about it in my end-of-year articles.
Run Wild – &TEAM
Oh man, “Run Wild”… WHY IS THIS ALBUM SO FRICKING GOOD?? 😭😭😭😭. “Run Wild” is so catchy. Love the instrumentals so much. And the “ooo ooo ooo” parts. Chef’s Kiss.
Yum – Kep1er
Kep1er got in their STAYC bag with this one. “Yum” is something I gotta experience in the club at least once in my life. I’m begging y’all to stan Kep1er. Nothing but back-to-back hits. They’re allergic to making bad music. You know who else is allergic to making bad music?
Ash – ATEEZ
Ayyy another song with my name lmao. ATEEZ is pissing me off this year. Because what do you mean you’re just releasing nothing but S tier songs all year. ALL YEAR? They can’t handle all that!!! They being me, the industry, and other ATINY. One of my favorite ATEEZ songs now. I’m undecided if I love it more than “Still Here”. But those are definitely my top two ATEEZ Japanese songs. With “Ash” just being one of my favorite ATEEZ title tracks, period.
Also, the visuals in this music video are CRAAAAZY. The boys look soooo good.
12 Midnight – ATEEZ
Also slaps. I like that this one is a bit more upbeat. It has a bit of that Y2K, NewJeans, PinkPantheress sound that’s trendy right now. I love ATEEZ’s twist on it.
Can’t Stop – TXT
I love “Can’t Stop” so much. Now this is what I expect in a TXT title track. I love Yeonjun’s whisper, “TXT” at the beginning. I recently bought this album, Starkissed. It’s my first TXT Japanese album I have physically in my possession. I haven’t looked at my inclusions yet, but I’m happy to have it. This is my favorite Japanese album of theirs to date.
Step by Step – TXT
I was so excited to see “Step by Step” on Starkissed. One of my favorite TXT Jpop songs now. I’m still in love with Yeonjun and Huening Kai’s raps.
I Chose You – f5ve
Strobe warning for this music video, btw. I wasn’t expecting f5ve to have a remix album with a few new solo songs on it as well. “I Chose You” is my fave of the new songs, but I enjoyed them. I think I’ll be listening to them and Sequence a ton in 2026.
Echoes – ENHYPEN
My second favorite Enha song this year. I love love love “Echoes”. The “cause I always think about youuu youuu ou” part is so catchy. My favorite part.
And that’s it for my fave Jpop songs of 2025. This list was much easier to put together, lol. Maybe next year I’ll expand my horizons a bit and have a longer list. Did y’all have any favorite Jpop songs this year? Let me know on Twitter, Bluesky, & Instagram. I’ll see y’all next article!
Take care!
Ash💫