Introduction
Happy Lunar New Year! In this blog, we look into the vibrant and diverse world of K-pop to bring you a selection of tracks that encapsulate the joy, reflection, and anticipation of bidding farewell to the old and embracing the new. Though we are a little late for the global new year, we still have the Lunar New Year, Seollal. In Korea, listening to energetic and wishful songs at midnight on New Year's Eve has almost become a tradition. Let the countdown for Seollal begin, and may your transition into the New Year be filled with fantastic tunes and festive vibes!
1. WJSN’s As You Wish
We can not start a New Year’s song playlist without our Cosmic Girls’ As You Wish. As You Wish was released by Starship Entertainment on November 19, 2019, and distributed by Kakao M. The album's title track, "As You Wish," charted at number 106 on the Gaon Digital Chart in the week ending November 23, 2019.
This song hit #1 on every music chart when the new year strikes and it has been doing so for the past five years! Just look at the lyrics - everything will come true as you wish~ It has been Korea’s New Year song since it was released!
2. æspa’s Dreams Come True
Despite being a remake of the 90s hit, this song was well received by the public and became very popular when the new year arrived! The song is described mainly as a "crisp" pop song with solid influence from trap and hip-hop elements. When it hit 2022, it peaked at #4 on Melon's Real-Time charts. Who can blame the Koreans when the song tells you that your dreams come true?
The remake's unique young energy and contemporary style are said to be added: "to build a soundscape that pays tribute to S.E.S's artistry whilst also showcasing the vocal skills of the girl group." The remix, which featured a "scintillating" chorus and "crisp" pop and hip-hop components, was described as "a thrilling reinvention" by Clash.
3. NCT Dream’s Hello Future
NCT Dream is known for their youthful and vibrant concept, focusing on coming-of-age themes. Hello Future is a track from one of the leading K-pop boy groups, NCT’s unit. This single is from the group’s first studio album, repackaged “Hot Sauce,” and it just connects with the soul.
Focusing on its central message, it is about facing the future with a special someone. Regardless of pressures and issues, no matter how challenging life gets, anything is possible when someone is by one's side. It is the perfect song to listen to for only good vibes in a new year. Let NCT Dream take care of your new year!
4. Red Velvet’s Happiness
Red Velvet’s Happiness was released as their debut single and is an upbeat and energetic track that is a mixture of pop and electronic dance music (EDM). "Happiness" is known for its catchy and lively melody, establishing Red Velvet’s unique and versatile style.
In 2020, Red Velvet’s debut track, Happiness, re-entered the charts at no. 8. With its cheerful lyrics telling you to get rid of your worries and amazing beat, it truly deserves to top the charts every new year in hopes of having a happy year! Only happiness and joy shall await you in the new year!
5. BTS’s I’m Fine
We can not continue this list without everyone’s favorite, BTS. The lyrics of "I'm Fine" address self-love, healing, and self-discovery themes. The lyrics' message is to be resilient and strong even in the face of hardship. While acknowledging challenges and hardships, the song also stresses the value of remaining true to oneself and finding peace within.
When asked in a live with his fans about what song would be good to start off the new year, BTS’s Suga suggested “I’m Fine” as a way to begin the year with the hope of reminding the ARMY that everything’s okay. After this live, the track re-entered the charts at no. 57 at 2020’s New Year's Eve.
6. IVE’s After Like
A list of New Year's tracks would not be complete without one of the 2022’s most incredible comebacks. From one of the biggest girl groups of the fourth generation, After Like quickly gained popularity with the hard-hitting release. After Like can be described as a pop song that draws from EDM, disco, and house music with lyrics about "showing your love methods with actions rather than your heart". With its captivating music video, IVE’s After Like is the most-watched music video of IVE and the most-watched MV on Starship Entertainment’s YouTube channel.
7. Weki Meki’s Siesta
Known for its bright and upbeat Pop-EDM elements, Weki Meki's song hits all the right notes when it comes to providing the ideal energy boost. Written with the intention of conveying the significance of our own understanding of rest and offering a chance for reconciliation. The title track, Siesta, expresses the same message as its Spanish word origin.
Weki Meki used figures of speech to make the song's lyricism relatable to both Ki-Lings and non-Ki-Lings. It demonstrated powerful parallels between fireworks and emotional sparks. They wrote the ideal New Year's anthem, complete with reference to fireworks in lines like "it makes us burn up more" and "feel the sparks come alive in your heart."
8. EXO’s The First Snow
This list can not be complete without EXO’s The First Snow, the anthem of snowy days in Korea and even worldwide, thanks to the popularity of K-pop. If you are lucky enough to start a new year with some snowfall, the first song you should put on is EXO’s The First Snow. The First Snow has topped the charts every year since 2013, when the album Miracles in December came out during the snowy periods in Korea’s winter. With their warming voice and lyrics, EXO will warm you up even in the coldest winter days.
The lyrics of "First Snow" convey a story of longing and nostalgia, where the first snow stimulates memories of a past love. The members of EXO express how much they miss that specific someone and the bittersweet emotions that come with winter. Their heartfelt vocals and a gentle, lyrical melody evoke feelings of coziness and longing in the listeners’ hearts.
9. Day6’s Days Gone By
With their unique musical style and creative selections, DAY6 has expertly encapsulated the New Year's Season spirit in this song. The Korean band DAY6 sang about romance and time in the song, channeling a throwback vibe. The band expressed gratitude for looking back and recalling past experiences, both positive and negative.
The synth-pop element used in the song conceals its true meaning, even though it was released in 2018 and has depressing lyrics about the past. Day 6 conveys the idea that the past isn't just made up of pleasant memories; unpleasant emotions can also tarnish it. But the music video's strikingly retro color scheme also surprises viewers in terms of appearance.
10. FIFTY FIFTY’s Cupid (Twin Ver.)
Genius Korea’s 2023 top songs’ no. 1 Cupid is an anthem for all the single ladies! Fifty is a South Korean girl group that recorded the song "Cupid." On February 24, 2023, it was released as The Beginning: Cupid, a single album that included an instrumental version of the song, a Korean version, and an English version (called the "Twin version") sung by group members Sio and Aran. This K-pop, disco-pop, synth-pop, and bubblegum song talks about the shame a young woman feels for having an unrequited love. This song is the song for you if you are looking for Cupid to shoot his bows to you and your crush!
Conclusion
The magic of music lies in its ability to transcend time and language, bringing people together in shared moments of joy, reflection, and anticipation. From all of us here, we wish you a happy Seollal filled with love, laughter, and, of course, fantastic K-pop tunes! We hope this musical journey has added an extra layer of magic to your Seollal celebration. Tune in to our playlist made for you to start the year of the Dragon with some great songs that wish you good fortune! Do not forget to check our January box to celebrate Seollal just like you are in Korea! May the tunes that fill your Seollal be the soundtrack to a year filled with joy, success, and unforgettable moments.
Image credits:
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