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Timid’s self-proclaimed girl group enthusiasts are back for round two after having a blast last year. We set out to listen to as many K-pop girl group title tracks as possible—and once more, we ended up yapping our way through pre-releases, OSTs, and solos that also caught our attention. All totaled, our spreadsheet included over 300 songs, not including the b-sides we tuned in for as well. Older and allegedly wiser this time, we had a plan: start early, pace ourselves, and stay organized. Then the holidays happened. So here we are, fashionably late, armed with the same sincere enthusiasm and way too many opinions for our own good.
Again, we are not music critics or experts, just hobbyists hoping to share our excitement and make positive contributions to the many year end discussions. Here are the songs that we couldn’t shut up about:
With "ICY BBY," Moonbyul nails what a pre-release should do. It's catchy enough to get stuck in your head and upbeat enough to build real anticipation for the album. This perfectly-timed summer drop is bright and fun, the first jaunty beeps in the instrumental promising a good time. The second verse kicked off with a rap that immediately made me smile—it truly feels like we’ve gone from the days of “Why won’t they let her sing?” to “Yes, give us the rap!” Moonbyul spent years wanting to be recognized as a vocalist while being slotted into the rapper role, but her solo work over the years has given her space to prove that she can do both. Now, her raps feel more like a genuine flex from an artist who has earned the right to show every side of her skill set. Watching her grow into this completely confident version of herself has been one of the best long games in K-pop. —Jiselle
(Honorable Mention: Yuqi - “Gone”)
In 2024, The Black Label’s first girl group debuted with a song containing a lot of meowing and grandiose bragging; just two months later, they then released a pleading, heartwrenching ballad. This whiplash of a debut year made me insatiably curious as to what musical direction MEOVV would take moving forward. And in their first offering of 2025, “HANDS UP,” they are bolder and brassier than ever with an uncomplicated yet attention-grabbing melody over a frenetic Brazilian funk-inspired beat. The contrast of the edgy, darker verses and the hopeful, bright sound of the chorus gives the song an unexpected depth, while the layers of synths switching in and out keep the instrumental continuously engaging. On first listen, I was immediately intrigued, and then over the year, it just kept growing on me more and more. Suffice it to say this track was the perfect lead-in to their 1st EP, MY EYES OPEN VVIDE, and got me heavily invested in their future as a group. —Jem
(Honorable Mention: Yves - “White cat”)
fromis_9 has had a rollercoaster past couple of years, with the group earning their first big hit, “Supersonic,” in 2024, as well as the expiration of their contracts with Pledis Entertainment later that year. Fortunately, early in 2025, five of the members announced that they would carry on with the label ASND, breathing a second life into the group. And even better, their first release as a quintet firmly establishes fromis_9 as the reigning summer queens. “Like You Better” is a sunny and energizing love song with a soaring, heartfelt chorus that always makes me want to passionately sing along. The lively drumbeat and pure 80s pop groove bring me back to the comfort of my fondest summer break memories. The group’s surprising journey and continued success are enough to warm the hearts of even casual listeners like me. —Jem
(Honorable Mentions: izna - “SIGN”; VIVIZ - “La La Love Me”)
What can I even say about “Good Goodbye” that hasn’t already been said? This song has rightfully taken over South Korea the past month, even edging out the usual Christmas takeovers. What little choreography the song has is memorable enough that when Hwasa performed it with actor Park Jeong-min at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards, their chemistry was the perfect icing on an already perfect cake. This is Hwasa back in her comfort zone: raw, vulnerable, and completely in control. After recent high-energy tracks such as “I Love My Body” and “NA,” she returns to the emotional territory of “LMM” and “Maria,” but with a maturity that comes with experience. There’s grace here—and a quiet strength that says “I’ll be on my side instead of you.”
Teaming up again with producer Park Woo Sang, Hwasa stripped everything back and let her voice do what it does best: make you feel. The song holds the record for PAKs from a soloist, and people of all ages are doing the “Good Goodbye” challenge—proof that her charisma doesn’t need flashy production to captivate an entire nation. Sometimes all it takes is honesty and a voice that reminds us that we are not alone in our goodbyes. —Jiselle
(Honorable Mention: Jo Yuri - “Farewell for now!”)
“Tap Clap” begins with an almost soft and dreamy quality before giving way to a grand, driving chorus, like blinding daylight breaking through the cover of fluffy clouds. There’s a lot to love about this track: the airy verses, the strong, assured lyrics, and that insanely hard-hitting beat. The music video is equal parts silly and endearing, indulging in the fantasy of running away on a chaotic girls trip with the Apink members, like they’re your own personal hype squad. Though I got into K-pop way after the group’s heyday, I’m lucky enough to tune in just as they’ve released their long-awaited 11th mini-album in early 2026. And “Tap Clap” reminds us all that it's never too late to show your rockstar side and join the party. —Jem
(Honorable Mention: IVE - “REBEL HEART”)
We usually stick to title tracks for our picks unless specified otherwise, but I had to give props to Dayoung’s “number one rockstar.” Don’t get me wrong—“body” has rightly been getting its flowers, especially after the hard work she put into promotions, with creative music show stages and challenges with idols I didn’t know were even still active. But “number one rockstar” is the real statement. Dayoung isn’t asking to be a star; she’s telling us that she already is one. The nostalgic pop rock sound gives the song a confidence that is more earnest than cocky, and when she sings “you’re gonna love me, right?” it doesn’t sound like a question. Though I missed out on WJSN’s active years as a group, watching Dayoung claim this moment of self-assured reinvention had me feeling like I was a proud Ujung. She sang about “turning lemons into limelight,” and YUP, she really did that. —Jiselle
(Honorable Mentions: BABYMONSTER - “WE GO UP”; JENNIE - “like JENNIE”)
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In my very humble opinion, “Bubble Gum” is the most instantly and irresistibly addicting song of the year. After hearing it for the first time, I was hooked by the aggressive plosives in the impactful chorus and the melodic vocals walking the line between seductive and dangerous. It then went on to take over the next two weeks of my life. I watched every single music show stage performance and would wake up with the song somehow still stuck in my head, as if my dreams were entirely plastered by its sticky charm.
The fact that this became my favorite song of 2025 was a shock to me on two different fronts. First, “Bubble Gum” was so extremely different from my preconception of Kep1er based on their releases last year, which were overall cleaner and cuter. And second, I think it’s easy to love songs from artists you already follow, but I went in not knowing much about the group. Girls, I wasn’t really familiar with your game, but now I’m lining up to get season tickets. —Jem
The first time I played this song, I had it on in the background while I was doing work on a different screen. But there was Mandarin dialogue during a break in the song that made me pause, rewind, and actually pay attention. Plot twist number one: this music video was, for lack of a better word, COLD. Rather than the toxic relationship that the lyrics portrayed, the MV touched on some serious and taboo topics within K-pop, like deepfakes and suicide. Plot twist number two: Young Posse, a group known for their energetic hip-hop sound, delivered this subdued yet cinematic piece that showed off their musical versatility. The music video was filmed with Taiwanese actor Tseng Jing-Hua, allowing the members to flex their acting chops, making it feel like a short film. Everything about this was a departure from their norm. And honestly? It paid off. —Jiselle
Instead of individual honorable mentions, we decided to team up for this bonus entry, because what the hell!? If you had told us a year ago that we were going to get some form of Blackpink x One Direction crossover, we probably wouldn’t have believed you. And if we had, there was zero chance we would’ve guessed this specific duo. We had so many questions during the lead-up—Whose idea was this? Were they actually in the same room when they filmed the MV? What was going to happen when these two massive fandoms collided? The surprising answer to the last one: pure entertainment. The week that “EYES CLOSED” released was the most fun we had on fandom Twitter all year, with Sooyas and Zquad making playlists of the other artist’s songs, teaching each other the most random facts about their faves, and the memes—the glorious memes!
The song itself is an easy listening pop ballad, ensconced in a tender and dreamy atmosphere created by the acoustic guitar and synth keyboard. Jisoo and Zayn’s voices blend together beautifully, touching on a new and intimate romance where both partners have a lot of baggage and wounds. It doesn’t do anything crazy vocally or melodically, but it’s a song that knows exactly what it wants to be—sweet, purposefully uncomplicated, and impossible not to hum later. The whole thing was a gift we didn’t know we needed, and we’re definitely not mad about it. —Jem and Jiselle
I originally had this under the “Plot Twist!” category, because wow, a GFRIEND reunion definitely wasn’t on my bingo card, not even for their tenth anniversary. But that initial shock was completely overshadowed by the feels this comeback brought. Seeing all six reunited in the music video—their signature synchronized choreography and sweet vocals, the returning clock motif, old clips flickering on the train windows to signify their journey… perfect nostalgia bait, and I fell for it completely. I was fortunate enough to attend the last stop of their limited tour, and seeing them back on stage together, you could tell it meant just as much to them as it did to BUDDY worldwide, maybe even more. It felt like a reunion with old friends, where everything and nothing has changed. —Jiselle
Every disbandment hurts—whether you find out with no warning or lots, whether it’s two years into a contract or ten. And with Purple Kiss, it felt unsurprising and devastating at the same time. But I will always be grateful that their announcement still allowed fans to enjoy an English album, a final tour, and this last farewell single, “Breath.”
In “Breath,” the members’ voices are honest and insistent, guiding the listener through the rocky waters of finality to reach the other side. A firm, steady drumbeat and heavy electric guitars build and build throughout, bursting with sheer emotion and sincerity by the end. When I first heard this release, I immediately put it on loop and held back tears as the song struck me with the power of the most beautiful promise—that though there are many goodbyes in a lifetime, love lingers. It can stay by your side while you forge something new. Thank you for everything, Purple Kiss. —Jem
(Honorable Mention: Chuu - “Only cry in the rain”)
I mean this with all the respect in the world, but Solar is insane. Listen, learning any new language, especially as an adult, is an incredible feat. But learning Mandarin, a tonal language, in seven months while juggling comebacks, a musical, a YouTube channel, and probably ten thousand other things? Incredible. I feel like she’s managed to squeeze more than 24 hours out of a day, and I would love to know her secret.
“Floating Free” is a sweet, warm song about friendship that transcends distance, and Solar brought that theme to life with the help of Taiwanese artist 9m88. In addition to filming the music video in Taiwan, she put her new skills to use, promoting entirely in Mandarin and even flying in alone a week in advance to push herself to practice the language. I didn’t know it was possible for her to be more beloved in Taiwan, but as with everything when it comes to Solar, she found a way. —Jiselle
In a very welcome English collaboration between Sorn and Minnie, “Reservations” is a mellow, introspective track that muses on a lover giving off mixed signals and raising red flags. Though the song envelops the listener in a cocoon of understated sorrow, the warmth of their vocals soothes the stinging pain away. It was a real treat seeing these two talented Thai idols working together, and I can only hope we hear more from them in the future.
On a last note, I noticed numerous year-end lists for best songs came out in early to mid December, which feels a bit disingenuous in terms of reviewing 2025’s offerings. “Reservations” (and other great songs) dropped after those lists were published, which is a real shame. As Sorn and Minnie aptly sing about in this song, the truest things in life can’t be rushed—they have to be cultivated and enjoyed over time. —Jem
(Honorable Mention: ITZY - “ROCK & ROLL”)
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I turned 30 this past August, and my friends jokingly said I had become a certified “hag” now, especially by K-pop standards. So to honor my fellow hags, my co-author and I decided to create this category celebrating idols also over 30. Onwards, geriatrics!
Red Velvet’s subunit, Irene & Seulgi, made their first comeback after a 5-year wait, and so there was understandably a lot of hype in the lead-up (very-thinly-veiled-sexual-innuendo oyster, I will never forget you). And I’m happy to report that “Tilt” lives up to it all. In addition to a thematic and very much appreciated five-course buffet of psycho-sexual queerbaiting, “Tilt” is provocative and magnetic in its lyrics and sound. The pop dance track has R&B and electronic elements, showcasing the contrast of Irene and Seulgi’s vocal tones in a push and pull dynamic. The release makes use of rhythm, melody, tone, and cinematography to give a real sense of tilting back and forth, jostling the listener around in an unforgettable ride. And very conclusively, Irene and Seulgi prove that some things do indeed get better with age. —Jem
(Honorable Mention: Kwon Eunbi - “Hello Stranger”)
Kim Taeyeon is arguably one of the most accomplished K-pop artists of all time. Panorama: The Best of Taeyeon is exactly what it promises: a compilation album to celebrate her ten years as a soloist. The new title track “Panorama” accompanies a long list of her best hits, and many would argue that it doesn’t even include all of them. The song pairs nostalgic and introspective lyrics with a cathartic pop rock melody, bringing listeners along with her down memory lane as she looks back on a decade worth of moments—the good, the bad, the ugly—while still moving forward. It sounds like it belongs in a movie montage when the lead has made peace with some personal conflict and is gearing up for some competition or Big Moment. And it's the perfect capstone for an artist who's managed to stay relevant, respected, and utterly herself through constant evolution. Her career is one worth taking in from every angle, and wow… What a view. —Jiselle
(Honorable Mention: Sunmi - “CYNICAL”)
There were so many great NMIXX songs this year that I wasn’t sure which one I wanted to write about the most. I only knew that NMIXX would definitely be on this list somewhere. I cycled through “High Horse,” “Know About Me,” “Blue Valentine,” and half a dozen b-sides before finally settling on “Papillon.” That’s just how good of a year they had.
But why “Papillon” in particular? Well, I think it most concisely captures why I love their discography and also serves as a pinpoint encapsulation of the group’s musical ambitions. As is typical of an NMIXX song, “Papillon” mixes so many disparate elements together, blending and switching between staticky electronica, smooth and then staccato R&B, and immensely thick layers of harmonies. It’s a wall of sound interspersed with intense, moody vocals, embracing experimentation and the struggles necessary for triumph. NMIXX has stuck to their own path, often eschewing trends—sometimes to the point of controversy—and “Papillon” shows why it’s always worth the risk. —Jem
(Honorable Mentions: LE SSERAFIM - “Ash”; UAU - “Good Luck”)
I’ve been to many concerts this past year, and even though my wallet probably hasn’t forgiven me for those decisions, I have zero regrets. Not when I got to experience the joy of Wendy performing “EXISTENTIAL CRISIS” live, especially towards the end when she really lets loose and proves exactly why she’s one of the best vocalists of her generation. Her energy was so contagious, running around the stage, getting the crowd to sing parts with her, that when she agreed to take requests after, we immediately asked for it again. She was down, but only if we all put away our phones and stayed fully present with her this time. And seriously, that second run reminded me of what live music could be: not just witnessing a performance but being fully immersed in one. You hear people say that their fave sounds better live all the time, but Wendy makes you feel why that matters. A recording can never truly capture the way her voice hits you physically—the kind of power that vibrates through your chest and stays with you long after. That’s the kind of feeling you can’t put a price on. —Jiselle
(Honorable Mentions: Winter - “BLUE”)
Dami - “Chequered Flag (feat. Yoohyeon)”
Dreamcatcher members have been carving out their own paths this year, and Dami did exactly what fans expected and hoped for: she sat down in the producer chair and got to work. She produced, wrote, and self-released “Chequered Flag,” an F1-inspired banger that trades her group’s signature rock sound for electronic dubstep. The result? Pure adrenaline. Engine screaming, tires screeching, Dami’s rap dripping with the kind of swagger that knows she’s already crossed the finish line. For the chorus, she brought in her usual partner-in-crime Yoohyeon—her fellow ‘97 liner bestie wasn’t going to miss this, of course. Yoohyeon’s smoother vocals act like pit stops on a circuit, giving Dami’s relentless flow room to breathe without losing momentum. One thing’s for sure: wherever Dami’s driving next, InSomnia will be in the stands cheering her on right there with the rest of Dreamcatcher. —Jiselle
(Honorable Mention: H1-KEY - “Summer Was You”)
To me, this category perfectly exemplifies why I love this project. Without it, I would’ve never heard of Episode or their song “Look At Me,” much less listened to it. I struggled to even find the group on Spotify, where half the albums attributed to them are wildly incorrect, but I finally understand the real meaning of “they had two dollars and a dream.” Yet, “Look At Me” has a brash appeal that I find unmatched by anything else I heard this year. The melody is simple, weaving around memorably plinky synths, and the members’ voices alternate between innocently sweet and attitude-filled confidence. This release isn’t exactly showstopping or big budget, but it’s undoubtedly worthy of love, and love it I do. —Jem
(Honorable Mentions: Rolling Quartz - “Masquerade”; TDYA - “Keep the Light”)
That’s all for now. Thank you for tuning in, and see you next year!
Spotify Playlist:
YouTube Playlist:
