I agree with the sentiment that 2012 was a great year for kpop, and even with all the dozens of sub-par rookie groups debuting, some of them were just really good right off the bat. It was also the first year I immersed myself completely in Korean pop music, and in the end, I had great difficulty narrowing this list down to a top 10. Just skip to the end if you don't wanna read my bullshit.
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#1. D-Unit - CrushThe opening track of D-Unit's debut album just gets me in a good mood every time. It's a fine example of the group's idol/90's pseudo-hip hop/dance sound that both takes me back and sounds oddly current at the same time. It's probably hard to claim that "Crush", written by D-Unit's tiny bosswoman Ram, is the greatest song ever made, but, it's fun, solid, my most played track of 2012 and starts an album I immensely enjoy and rarely stop listening to halfway through. That's worth #1. We gon' be alright, baby.
#2. T-ara - Don't LeaveThe Day by Day MV was powered by a pair of similarly themed sorrowful tunes suitable for the first part of the apocalyptic samurai-sword wielding kick-ass chick drama epic. The title track for me was outshined by the follow-up song, Don't Leave. The instrumental is great with the orchestra bits fused with a somewhat more generic beat, Hwayoung's swansong rap segment (+the other one with Eunjung/Ahreum) with the piano/string orchestration is one of my all-time fave interludes, and Soyeon's ultimate
cupcake vocal power sends chills down my spine. Dis just good music, son.
#3. D-Unit - Missing YouThe MV of the definitive D-Unit song has all kinds of ridiculous shit going on in it (only topped by the MV of Luv Me later on). While I've always had my share of issues with D-Unit's visual style and dance moves... their music is what made me a believer. Missing You has quite a lot going for it musically, as well, from the sneaky layers of acoustic guitar and electronica to the semi-cheesy 90's club beat/sounds, and the girls are quite proficient at dis singing thang. It all reaches guilty pleasure-like heights but satisfies every time.
#4. Orange Caramel - Bubble BathBefore hearing this tune, I didn't think an Orange Caramel track would ever make my top 10. They're fun, silly and quirky, but Bubble Bath takes all that and dips it into this quiet, sorrowful melancholy. "I scrub myself clean and erase you", whoa, dude. Add to that a sweet beat, just the right kind of voice effects and an excellent Perfume-esque interlude, you got yourself #4, girls.
#5. Sistar - AloneMost people - me included - didn't expect Brave Bros to write such a track for Sistar, a group more famous for their high-octane butt-in-yer-face sex appeal and wild party tunes. More surprising was how good it really was, and suddenly Sistar was the darling of the nation. Both classy and sexy, accompanied by simple piano, synth hooks and a groovy bass beat, Alone is one of a kind, and by far my favourite Sistar track of all time.
#6. 2NE1 - I Love YouThe ethereally beautiful "I Love You" was released by the time I was really starting to get into the music of 2NE1, another group I had visual and stylistical issues with. Glad I got over that. The [noembed]
[/noembed] - which works amazingly well even alone - is just expertly crafted from start to finish and it gives the music such a nice floating-through-space kinda vibe. Add the girls, achieve true greatness. I love you too, 2NE1.
#7. Wonder Girls - Like ThisLike This is a simple, infectious hook defined. A stripped down instrumental beat, fun as hell dance and just the right kind of MV make it all a perfect package. Like dis, yo, like dis.
#8. f(x) - Electric Shockf(x) always brings the fun and Electric Shock was doing everything right. From the outfits, MV and choreography to the super-infectious hook-filled track and a brilliant accompanying mini-album, it was worth the long wait and just usual good times from SM's finest. E-E-E!
#9. Girl's Day - Don't Forget MeI was happy that after the fun, but somewhat mediocre OMG, Girl's Day got back to their signature sound, apparent most strongly in the chorus. They can stick to this forever and I'll be a happy camper. Really, I ended up liking this song far more than I initially imagined I would, perhaps boosted with all the visually pleasing performances, outfits and my growing love affair with both Yura and Sojin.
#10. Crayon Pop - Bing BingThe dance practice video for Bing Bing is what got me - and many others, I'm sure - into Crayon Pop. I watched that smoothly synced shit dozens of times. Since then, they've crafted their own brand of unadulterated guerrilla idol anarchy and become the favorite rookies of the year for many more people. Their other singles are fun, but Bing Bing is still the most special to me.
Closest contendersMiss A - LipsLips has one of my fave choruses of the year but is a little bit let down by its somewhat repetitive and unimaginative interludes. So close!
D-Unit - Luv MeOut-reediculousness-ing the mv of "Missing You" with ease, the spiked bats, guns and meth labs hide another musical gem. D-U is just good at making songs that I like. Luv Me would have been right at home on D-Unit's debut release.
Gain - BloomThe MV and Gain's sexual message of joy alone made me consider including this in the top 10, but the song, while good, didn't quuuuite make it.
f(x) - JetMy second fave from the Electric Shock EP, Jet boasts another of the year's best choruses. Luna accompanying that last one, hoshit, I'm flying baby.
Brown Eyed Girls - Come With MeBeautiful song. Dem harmonies towards the end, chills every time.
T-ara - Lovey-DoveyAh, this just makes me wish I had more spots, I was sure I could fit Lovey-Dovey in there. Another simple, fun, T-ara disco dance number. Even has zombies, damn. Oh wellZ.
T-ara - Day by DayHot chicks with katanas, hot-as-fuck blonde Jiyeon, arrival of our saviour Dani the Great, pretty awesome song... pretty terrible choreography. Might've made the list if not for "Don't Leave".
D-Unit - Stereo, Turn the Lights On, Sleeping In/LateYes, I obviously loved D-Unit's brilliant, ultra-cohesive debut album to bits... My initial top 10 was 50% D-Unit, but I figured, perhaps as a bit of a compromise, that two songs in the top 3 is plenty.
Rest of the top ~504minute - Say My Name
Ailee - Heaven, I Will Show You, Shut Up
AOA - Get Out
Crayon Pop - Dancing Queen
EXID - 전화벨, I Feel Good
Fiestar - We Don't Stop
Hello Venus - Like a Wave
Hyuna - Ice Cream, Green/Unripe Apple
Nine Muses - News, Who R U
Kara - Way, Pandora
Miss A - I Don't Need a Man, If I Were a Boy, No Mercy
Orange Caramel - Lipstick
Secret - Falling In Love, Talk That
Sistar - Loving U
Spica - Russian Roulette
Sunny Hill - The Grasshopper Song, Princess and Prince Charming, 3-Out
Taetiseo - Twinkle, Baby Steps, Library
Wonder Girls - Girlfriend
TL;DR01. D-Unit - Crush
02. T-ara - Don't Leave
03. D-Unit - Missing You
04. Orange Caramel - Bubble Bath
05. Sistar - Alone
06. 2NE1 - I Love You
07. Wonder Girls - Like This
08. f(x) - Electric Shock
09. Girl's Day - Don't Forget Me
10. Crayon Pop - Bing Bing