Listen, we know it’s hard when this time of year rolls around: how to whittle down another dazzling year in K-Pop into a mere 25 songs?
Never fear, for some of our team have done their utmost, once again, to put together their favourite picks from this year so that you don’t have to. Thus we present, in no particular order, &ASIAN’s Top 25 songs that have made their mark this 2025. Whether they tugged hard at our heartstrings, made headlines we simply couldn’t ignore or threw out beats we couldn’t stop grooving to, here are the tunes that have lit up the year.
“Blue Valentine” – NMIXX
While NMIXX seemingly had people divided with their sound, the release of “Blue Valentine” united everyone as they fell in love with the track. Although it has an air of nostalgia, it still feels modern and showcases just how talented each member of the group is, with a catchy melody that isn’t shy of incorporating NMIXX’s love of experimenting.
“Another Life” – RIIZE
The six member boy group has a whole roster of fun, feel-good songs under their belt, but no track quite encapsulates the sheer joy and euphoria found in their work more than “Another Life”. From piano and guitar flourishes, a bombastic chorus and lyrics such as ‘Though not every moment of mine / Can be perfect / I want to live with no regrets’, this song is one of their very best and a highlight from the genre this year.
“Attitude” – IVE
Three years after “After Like,” IVE interpolate a classic tune again to create glossy dance-pop perfection, this time borrowing the “Da da da da” vocal melody from Suzanne Vega’s wistful “Tom’s Diner.” It works surprisingly well as a hook in this infectious girl power anthem, with the oft-underused Liz also getting a chance to shine via soaring falsetto moments (B♭5 notes).
“Ghost Girl” – TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Yeonjun’s solo piece on The Star Chapter: TOGETHER uses reggae elements and the right amount of phantomic synths to make us feel like we’re strolling through contemplative oblivion with the singer. His raspiness sells its gritty edge… as well as the music video set in the nowheres of London.
“Biii:-P” – XLOV
Bitpop is an adorable genre, but many of the songs end up quite dull because they rely solely on video game synths to attract attention. XLOV’s “Biii:-P” firmly avoids this problem, its charming vocal hooks every bit (no pun intended) as catchy as the chiptunes in the background.
“Hands Up” – MEOVV
When it comes to songs that get stuck in your head, MEOVV’s “Hands Up” took the title for the year, with Teddy finally moving away from the usual “YG” formula. Combined with the catchy choreography, it showed a different side to the MEOVV members, which made them more than just “pretty faces.”
“Loose” – ENHYPEN
Their vampiric concept certainly helps, but ENHYPEN have undeniably mastered the art of the sultry song over the years, with “FEVER” being one of their most famous. “Loose” – both English and Korean versions – follows on from this tradition, with their smooth, fluttering vocals dancing over a sparse instrumental with as much deftness and confidence as to be seen when the seven-piece dance.
“Ash” – LE SSERAFIM
There are many great LE SSERAFIM songs to come out of 2025, but nothing left quite an impact as much as this HOT B-side. Heavenly reverbed vocals and synths cling to our hearts while the bassy electronica takes control of our minds.
“Focus” – Hearts2Hearts
The title track from the octet’s debut EP of the same name, “Focus” abounds with layers upon layers of voices atop an exquisite house beat. It’s immersive from its very first piano note, helping Hearts2Hearts stand out in a sea of rookies.
“Her” – i-dle’s Minnie
K-Pop solo tracks should represent an idol, and I-DLE Minnie’s “Her” is the perfect example, giving sexy and sultry vibes that wouldn’t feel out of place at a jazz club. The vintage theme of the styling and music video was perfect for the sophisticated melody that makes Minnie stand out as a performer.
“Trap” – SHINee’s KEY
You could throw a dart at the tracklist for HUNTER and land on a fantastic song. The SHINee legend returned with the dark electronica in track no.2 “Trap”, while he weaves between falsetto and his rich lower register with absolute ease.
“Ice Tea” – Kep1er
Kep1er finally found their sound lately, characterised by lightning-fast rhythms and intense electronic production. It’s best exemplified by the frantic choruses of “Ice Tea,” an exuberant hip-hop B-side on their Bubble Gum EP.
“jellyous” – ILLIT
ILLIT’s songs always cement their identity, taking classic K-Pop music and making it into something fun and magical. “jellyous” is a song that seems like complete nonsense, but it suits the fun and whimsical aesthetics of the group, especially teamed with catchy lyrics and intricate choreography that is unforgettable.
“Stupid Brain” – P1Harmony
A respite-providing anthem for the cursed with an overactive mind, Stupid Brain is not only gorgeously catchy, but it’s been blessed with Keeho, Jiung and Theo’s sincere vocals. We all feel it in our bones when we sing along: “Wish I could shut my stupid brain up sometimes.”
“What It Sounds Like” – HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami)
Listen: we know everyone’s talking about “Golden”, the K-Pop Demon Hunters track that is sitting on a truly golden throne on charts worldwide, but we’d humbly like to offer “What It Sounds Like” as one of the best tracks in the movie. The harmonies are divine, the vocals are impeccable, and we’re a sucker for an earnestly empowering song about friendship and unity.
“Wildflower” – VIVIZ
VIVIZ’ A Montage of ( ) EP is filled with great songs. This impossibly dreamy, retro R&B-infused B-side takes the cake, the trio singing each gorgeously written lyric with equal beauty.
“JUMP” – BLACKPINK
When BLACKPINK drop a song, we listen. The four-piece were finally back this year with a song tailor-made for their world tour and for clubs worldwide. It’s been a hot minute since they dropped a track made for BLINKS (and casuals) to lose their minds to, and the track’s explosive streaming numbers showed that this song certainly made waves this year.
“Stupid Idiot” – SEVENTEEN’s HxW
It might have just been the B-Side of SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi and Woozi debut EP, but “Stupid Idiot” was the perfect representation of the duo and their friendship with each other. Not for everyone, the track is just a lot of fun and never fails to put smiles on faces with the upbeat tempo, catchy choreography, and bold concept.
“SPAGHETTI” – LE SSERAFIM, j-hope
Signature LE SSERAFIM is nonsense with an indescribable amount of catchiness infused, just like the saucy chaos of a bowl of spaghetti. J-hope’s verse only serves to drive home the point of the song further: “You lost in the sauce? No turnin’ back.”
“GO!” – CORTIS
Was this the debut heard around the world? It’s no easy task taking centre stage when your label mates are K-Pop icons BTS and one of 4th Generation’s brightest stars TOMORROW X TOGETHER, but CORTIS planted their flag in the sand and then some. Throw together a catchy chorus, addictive beats and an eye-catching music video (with no expense spared): “GO!” was the debut this 2025 that had everyone talking.
“Love Race” – SF9
Over the years, SF9 has been known for their sexy and classy comebacks, but “Love Race” showed that they can do powerful and performance-based songs as much as any group. “Love Race” was definitely completely different from any track they’ve done, but the bold melody and intricate choreography were sleek, impactful, and showed off just how talented all the members are.
“Air” – ITZY’s Yeji
From all the way back in March, ITZY’s leader debuted with an album full of sleek, modern production that allowed listeners to sink into the song’s vulnerable atmosphere. The whole album is worth a listen, but if you pick just one song from it to give a spin, make it this one.
“The Chase” – Hearts2Hearts
As one of the cleanest debuts for a K-Pop group, The Chase ticks every single box imaginable: flawless harmonic vocals, a catchy ever-moving melody, and a fun, dance-a-longable choreography.
“High Horse” – NMIXX
How to pick a highlight from an album full of highlights? NMIXX have had a truly breakout year, growing from strength to strength, and it all kicked off this 2025 when “High Horse” was dropped as a pre-release for their album Fe3O4: Forward. This is their group at their best, with their experimental sound providing a fantastic bedrock for the group’s vocal prowess. We should have known from then on that 2025 would be theirs for the taking.
“Sugar (18:00)” – A.C.E.’s JUNHEE
The A.C.E singer absolutely shines in his solo endeavour, and after creatively assigning each of his album’s songs a time on the clock, we find ourselves drawn to the comfort and groove occurring at 6pm.