Part one of six end-of-the-year articles. Every year I put together my favorite songs and albums of the year. This year I’m doing a few slightly different articles. I’ve already written my Spotify Wrapped article, so now we’re in what I think were objectively my favorite releases. Three new categories this year will be my favorite music videos, my favorite Jpop songs, and a look back on what I did this year event-wise. So please look forward to those articles as well. But let’s kick things off with my fave Kpop songs.
This year I cut it down to just the top 25. I’ve previously done top 50 songs, but this year I listened to a lot of new music, but most of my time was spent listening to older songs or the same five albums nonstop. So if you’ve been keeping up with me, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what these lists are gonna look like. So let’s start with number 25.
25.) Only cry in the rain – CHUU
2025 was a great year musically for Chuu. I felt like there was much more momentum, and I’m so excited for her first full-length album releasing next year. I gushed about “Only cry in the rain”, here, so there’s a more in-depth look. I still agree it’s a sad song but a bop. The music video is great and the aesthetics for the album are fantastic. 2026 has got to be Chuu’s year. The timing is just to perfect.
24.) Glow Up – RESCENE
“Glow Up” was really the first release after “Pinball” that had me on the Rescene boat. And I’m still on it. What a killer start to the year. Such a great album and aesthetics as well. Can’t wait for more from them in 2026. Read more of my thoughts on this song and album here.
23.) Back to Life – &TEAM
Are y’all tired of me talking about &TEAM yet? lol. I love BTL, but compared to the Teamies other releases this year (and my re-appreciation of Yukiakari), I gotta put BTL lower on this list. I talk more about this here.
22.) TILT – RED VELVET- IRENE & SEULGI
“TILT” would be higher up, I think, if I listened to it more throughout the year. I love the song. We know I love a house track, but I didn’t really listen to it much. Totally my fault. I really enjoy this album as well, so I think in 26′ I’ll have it on rotation more.
21.) Up All Nite (Feat. SUMIN) – Crush
And really same with Crush. Fantastic album; I think I have two songs on my Deep House/Electronic playlist on Spotify. Crush doesn’t miss 💁🏾♀️.
20.) Love Language – TXT
Ah LoLang. I knew this would eventually grow on me, but it really did take about 20 listens to get there, lol. Still love the summer, Mediterranean vibes. We’re blasting this in the car whenever it pops up on shuffle.
19.) Bird of Night – TAEHYUN (TXT)
Still my favorite solo song from TOGETHER, talked about in this article, here. I tried to keep this list down to one song per group. But since this is a solo song, I’m counting it separately from a full group release.
18.) No Way – Key
I think the praise for Key’s third album is valid. From start to finish it’s a bop, and it’s wonderful to see all of Key’s hard work and artistic vision so well executed in one project like this. “No Way” is my favorite song from Hunter and will be on repeat throughout 2026.
17.) True Heart – JUSTB
This is like the house music section of this list, lol. I’ve gushed about JUSTB a lot on the blog. Like “No Way”, 2026 will be a lot of JUSTB and the next group on this list.
16.) 2.0 – CLOSE YOUR EYES
“2.0” like numerous songs on this list, would be higher up if I had listened to them slightly more throughout the year. But over the last month I’ve increased my listens of “2.0” and it’s become one of my favorite songs at the moment. I still really like “X” as well. But “2.0” is my go to song by CYE.
15.) Twilight Rush – EUNHO & STEVE (YOUNITE)
I’ve recently rediscovered “Twilight Rush”. I’m back in my random YOUNITE song that I replay off and on throughout the year phase again. I’m hoping for more bangers from them in 2026.
14.) PDA – SOYOU
“PDA” really brought me back to Soyou. Not that I really left. “All Night” is still my favorite song of hers, but “PDA” has dethroned “Decrescendo” as my second fave song of hers. “Decrescendo” is a strong third fave song of hers now. I hope there’s more like this in 26′.
13.) FACT$ – VVS
Oh man, now this is a song I’ve stuck with, or rather it’s been stuck on me since release. I adore this song. It’s so fun and catchy. I’m totally keeping a close eye on VVS in 2026. They’re so great.
12.) MAKE UP – The Deep
The Deep has released a lot of great music this year, but “Make Up” is still my favorite release. So addicting and fun. It feels like she’s really got a clear vision of her sound and style musically (and visually, I love her music videos and her styling), and I’m here for it.
11.) Do What You Do – UMI, BAEKHYUN & EL CAPITXN
Baekhyun’s music in 2025 didn’t hit as hard for me as it did last year, but man, I had “Do What You Do” on repeat every couple of weeks. I didn’t really listen to UMI much before this collab, but it’s totally put her on my radar now. My favorite Baekhyun-related release this year, hands down.
10.)TEN – STUNNER
I know, I know. “Stunner” being at 10 feels low. Really everything in my top 10 could be placed higher or lower (except for my numbers 1 & 2. Those are pretty interchangeable within being my favorite song of 2025) based on my attachment to them. “Stunner” I think, is Ten’s best release. Objectively, this is the most momentum and people I’ve seen talk about his solo music in years.
It makes me wonder how much more successful Ten and WayV would be under different management. But I’ll save my ‘I hate SM Entertainment’ rant for another day. Both of them and HYBE can get these hands on sight, lmao. I really can’t stress enough how much I want a WayV international tour. A proper one in North America, South America, and Europe. We need it baaaad.
9.) Invasion – YEJI
I gushed about Air and “Air” here. It’s one of my favorite albums and solo debuts this year. I cannot recommend this album enough. It’s fantastic. “Invasion” was on repeat so much in early 2025 for me. And it’s still sounds as fresh as it did when it first dropped. Not enough people are talking about this album!!
8.) Rizz – XLOV
And really I can say the same for XLOV and UNXLXVE. Although this release has done wonders for the group. They’ve had their best album sales to date, and their popularity has grown exponentially. So I expect the momentum and energy to increase even more in 2026. “Rizz” has been on repeat for me since release. It’s currently my favorite XLOV song. Stan XLOV, you’ll love them 🔫 .
7.) r u okay? – ifeye
“r u okay?” Is another super catchy and fun song. I need more of this in Kpop. I love when songs sound different and just naturally catch on. This song has legs. I can see it going viral again in the near future. Like in Korea, not just the English-speaking side of Kpop on TikTok.
6.) PYTHON – GOT7
Who is surprised that this song is on here? Or this high? lol. I will stand on “PYTHON” being one of the best releases of 2025 and one of GOT7’s best releases. You can read more about my thoughts on Winter Heptagon, here.
5.) Gameboy – KATSEYE
My favorite KATSEYE song, hands down. The moment I heard it, I was hooked. Honorary mention for “Gnarly” because that’s my second fave song. “Touch (feat. Yeonjun)” rounds out the top three for me. I hope with the current TikTok trend with the song, it gets a second chance at promo in 2026.
4.) if you wanna – WONHO
I was torn on “if you wanna” when I first heard it. Not because I didn’t like it, but because it didn’t fully hook me like “Better Than Me”. But I love it so much now. I can’t wait to eventually hear and see it performed live. I wish I had loved Syndrome more, but there’s a lot of potential here.
3.) Wait On Me – KAI
Another song that shouldn’t be a surprise on here at all. Unfortunately for everyone, if Kai releases an album, it’s probably going to be one of the only things I will listen to consistently throughout the year. I’ll take small breaks from it, but eventually I’ll come back to a song or two off it.
I almost think next year I need a list for fave b-sides of the year (not me giving future Ash more work, lmao). It was hard for me not to place “Flight to Paris” because that’s my favorite song from the album. But “Wait On Me” is like the gateway drug, so I have it listed here instead.
2.) Creepin’ – CHUNGHA
I almost forgot “Creepin'” released this year because of how much I’ve been listening to it. It feels like it’s been my emotional support song for a few years now. And maybe that’s just a reflection of how horrific 2025 has been for Americans who didn’t vote for this current administration, lmao.
This year has felt like five years. Anyway, “Creepin'” as mentioned in my article talking about Alivio, is my favorite song on the album. I just wasn’t prepared for how addicting this song was going to be for me. It’s now my favorite Chungha song.
1.) Lemon Drop – ATEEZ
And of course, my other queen, “Lemon Drop” had to be in first place. Something about the rollout for Golden Hour Part 3 and the lead-up to “In Your Fantasy” is so perfect. “Lemon Drop” was the song of the summer for me. It brought me back to ATEEZ and being in my ATINY era again.
When I think about the highlights of this year musically, what changed my brain chemistry, “Lemon Drop” leads the charge. I don’t think we can even be friends if you don’t fw “Lemon Drop” at this point; it’s so precious (pun intended) to me, lol.
Honorable mentions to:
- “GO” and “FaSHioN” by CORTIS
- “Ash” and “So Cynical” by LE SSERAFIM
- “Shake It Off” by Mingyu (SEVENTEEN)
- “Thunder” by SEVENTEEN
- “IN MY ROOM” by Chaeyoung (TWICE)
- “Body” by Dayoung
- “Heavenly Blue” by XngHan&Xoul
- “Energy” by JUNNY
- “Bad Desire (With or Without You) English Version” by ENHYPEN
- “CHEST” by JUSTB
- “Killin’ It Girl (Solo Version)” by j-hope
- “M.I.A.” and “Gaberiela” by KATSEYE
- “DESERVED” by ONE PACT
- “underpressure! (feat. Wooyoung of ATEEZ)” by Gallant
- “Starlight” by SHINee
- “Damn Right(feat. Childish Gambino and Kali Uchis)”, “Like Jennie” and “ExtraL” by Jennie,
- “Raincouver” and “+82 Pressin'(feat. Haechan)” by Mark (NCT)
I know there are more I’m forgetting, but this is a quick mention off the top of my head lol.
Alriiight, omg that was such a long article to put together, but I hope y’all enjoyed it. Let me know your favorite songs of 2025 on Twitter, Bluesky, & Instagram. I’ll see ya next article!
Ash💫