K-Pop not only offers us catchy tunes to dance along to, but it also offers cohesive projects to properly immerse ourselves into. As 2023 comes to an end, join the Genius Korea community in looking back at some of the best K-Pop albums of the year.The list’s entries and rankings are compiled based on the opinion of the Genius Korea Community. 25. expérgo – NMIXXexpérgo is an astronomical album for NMIXX. After making a name for themselves with various stylistically explosive title tracks such as “DICE,” “O.O,” and “占 (TANK),” their first EP since debut, expérgo, attempts to define and explore the group’s style further. Were you aware that NMIXX also has a storyline and lore? Well, the Latin word that also acts as the album’s name means “to awake,” and it represents NMIXX’s desire to make connections with the fans they meet on the way. The title track, “Love Me Like This,” was a massive success, as listeners were happy to hear a more conventionally-constructed song. The other single, “Young, Dumb, Stupid,” samples an old children’s song, “Frère Jacques,” whose translation into Asian languages has made it a popular nursery rhyme for Asian kids. Together with the other songs, the album exudes a fantastical, innocent vibe that cements NMIXX’s unique musical style.24. THE UNSEEN – SHOWNU & HYUNGWONThough the songs vary in tempo and content, it’s safe to say that the album is very consistent in doing one thing: showcasing the cool and sexy vibe that both Shownu and Hyungwon carry in their vocals and performances. Still carrying the unique energy that most MONSTA X releases have, THE UNSEEN heavily caters toward the capabilities of the duo that, while paying respects to their origins, still feels unique to them. With the title track “Love Me A Little” and B-Side “Roll With Me” having had Hyungwon himself participate in the production, the album goes even further to showcase the duo’s talents as the songs stand out in the best way.23. Version Up – ODD EYE CIRCLEOver the summer, subunit ODD EYE CIRCLE—consisting of LOONA members Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry—reunited under their new company, Modhaus, to release the EP Version Up. “Air Force One,” the EP’s catchy title track belonging to the jersey club genre, alludes to the trio’s fresh start. Throughout the upbeat song, the girls sing of running into a new and exciting universe. Version Up also includes four B-Sides, and while each is amazing, two that stand out are “Je Ne Sais Quoi” and “Love Me Like.” On “Je Ne Sais Quoi,” a dreamy synth-pop song, ODD EYE CIRCLE sing of a lover who has a quality they cannot describe; on “Love Me Like,” a sweet disco-inspired track, the trio plead with a partner to love them like they do. Version Up is the perfect return for ODD EYE CIRCLE, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds.22. Cabin Fever – PURPLE KISSPURPLE KISS, from their debut, has never been afraid to dive into darker concepts, but Cabin Fever takes that distinctive advantage and utilizes events from the real world to localize the topics of their songs. This mini-album comes right at the end of the pandemic and deals with coming out of one’s hermit-like lifestyle. Their title track and its M/V follow their ongoing witch storyline as the girls explore their way out of an enigmatic hotel. It also marks a shift in the group’s sound, as we shift from a powerful sound and to a more mysterious, softer one. Multi-talented idols, the members participated in the lyrical content of the B-Sides, including the fan-favorite “Autopilot,” which features a swift and retro, ear-catching instrumental. Not to mention, their vocal capabilities as RBW entertainment idols are fully explored in the album. It can arguably be called the group’s best record to date.21. VERSUS – VIVIZIt’s just been release after release for VIVIZ, the trio reorganized from GFRIEND’s old members, and they show no signs of stopping. Their 2nd comeback of the year, VIVIZ brings a bit of edginess to their 4th mini album VERSUS, with the title track “MANIAC” and a promoted B-Side “Untie.” The edginess in the synth-pop title track is represented in its lyrics, where knife-sharp words are hidden beneath a sweet and catchy melody. It comments on the exasperation of love that’s not the most fitting. “Untie,” whose edginess shows in its instrumental and especially the spoken chorus, addresses the restraints social media puts on us by forcing us to create unrealistic beauty standards. It’s a generous exploration of VIVIZ’s musical style and concept capabilities, as the trio pushes and pulls with the pre-conceptions the public has about them as a group formed from idols known for their innocence and first-love idol concept.20. Rorschach Part.1 – PENOMECOApril of 2023 blessed us with the first of the two-part series Rorschach from P Nation soloist PENOMECO. A talented producer and lyricist, and even more skilled rapper, this release highlights many of PENOMECO’s abilities as an artist. The album flows beautifully, beginning with the eerie “BOYPABLO (2019),” slightly disorienting and experimental in the best way possible. Features from ZICO, Paul Blanco, and Yonko (욘코) make this release well-rounded, with a combination of different styles coming together to create this masterpiece. A standout of the EP is “Bubble,” a track with a shouted chorus and dynamic instrumental that leave a lasting impression. With confidence and conviction evident in his lyricism, PENOMECO explores a variety of sounds on this album, expertly establishing himself as one of the best artists in the industry.19. Narcissus (나르시스) – DAWNFueled by the painful parting of DAWN and HyunA, a separation mourned by fans and the artists themselves, Narcissus (나르시스) is a work of self-reflection done by the present DAWN on his past self. The title refers to one of DAWN’s beliefs, which dictates that if one truly loves another, an individual’s brain will start to identify themselves and their lover as one single entity; thus, unsurprisingly, the album is almost entirely devoid of jealousy, and bitterness, but instead overflowing with selflessness. On this synth-pop and R&B-heavy album, DAWN remembers, forgives, and re-confesses his feelings to his past lover, but never once in his emotionally intense endeavors does he blame anyone else but himself. Finally, Narcissus (나르시스)’s moody, sincere, and raw delivery is a tasteful refresh of sound and creative direction in DAWN’s discography after his ventures with his former label, P Nation, had led him to pursue more trendy sounds.18. Born to be XX – KISS OF LIFEAfter their impressive debut with the self-titled album “KISS OF LIFE,” the quartet solidified their profound talents with their sophomore album “Born to be XX.” “Born to be XX” is a declaration by KISS OF LIFE that they are living their lives on their own terms, unbothered, empowered, and confident. The album comprises a collection of six tracks that emphasize living a fun, carefree life with confidence. The leading tracks “Bad News” and “Nobody Knows” demonstrate the theme of adopting an easygoing, unique lifestyle regardless of outside opinion. “Bad News” opens with a brilliant metaphor:How do I look? Have I changed?Turn on the TV, I’m the woman on the moonWalking above your head, feel no gravitysuggesting, with confidence, that they’re above the negativity spread through rumors. KISS OF LIFE delivered a celebration of individuality and self-expression wrapped into one harmonious cross-genre album.17. Unlock My World – fromis_9Five years after their debut, fromis_9 finally released their first studio album, Unlock My World. The album’s title track is “#menow,” a chill, dance-pop song wherein fromis_9 decide to embrace their true selves. They are tired of hiding behind a false persona and want to live life in an authentic way. Through “#menow” and nine other tracks, fromis_9 explore the concept of self-love through genres such as R&B, dance-pop, and UK garage. Standout B-Sides include “Attitude,” a dark, dance-pop track with an addictive chorus; and “Prom Night,” a UK-garage-inspired track performed by Saerom, Hayoung, Chaeyoung, and Jiheon. By utilizing a wide array of genres, fromis_9 show their versatility as a group on six tracks and through unit combinations on four. Each member gets their chance to shine on Unlock My World, and multiple members even get to show off their skills in lyric writing and composing. In fact, all members wrote the lyrics to the closing track, “Eye Contact (눈맞춤).” Overall, with its diverse sounds and message of living life in a carefree, authentic way, Unlock My World is a magnificent first studio album from fromis_9.16. BEIGE – Kid MilliA whopping 17-track album, Kid Milli’s newest project, BEIGE, has been a refreshing offering to an industry that seems to be finding its footing. He enlisted the help of producers dress, DPR Cream, and sAewoo, as well a stellar feature list including pH-1, Sik-K, B.I, and Rad Museum for the album. On tracks such as “R.I.P” and “BNC,” Milli shines between a slew of features with his signature flow and vibrant beats, whereas “HONDA!”, one of the album’s title tracks is accompanied by a woozy, green-tinted music video. Overall, BEIGE is a rollercoaster, with Milli bringing his own touch to many musical trends, such as rage songs and drill influences, proving that while being in touch with the industry, Milli’s still doing his own thing.15. EXIST – EXOLike the bubble foam that comes out after the “pop!” and the cork of the champagne bottle, EXO is back! Their first group album after Obsession, released back in 2019, EXIST is exactly what its title track, “Cream Soda” proclaims to be. Soothing, suave, and savory, the entire album is a mix of “cream,” which represents the relatively calmer choruses, R&B and soul vocal techniques, and melodic-heavy parts, and “Soda,” which represents the exciting and bubbly atmosphere that is often seen in the intro and rap parts. Some notable songs that make exceptional use of the two elements are, of course, the title track, “Regret it,” “Cinderella,” “Private Party,” and “No Makeup.” This juxtaposition of opposite styles creates an almost lazy, relaxing atmosphere that helps to differentiate EXO’s signature style as a 3rd-generation vocal powerhouse group.14. The Name Chapter: Temptation – TOMORROW X TOGETHERThe Name Chapter: Temptation covers an entire journey of self-awakening in just five songs. Each song features a different musical style—from the breathy, bass-heavy opener “Devil By The Window” to the melancholy acoustic guitar in the final track, but the album’s emotions flow seamlessly. With seductive vocals and a catchy hook, the title track, “Sugar Rush Ride,” explores the sweetness of succumbing to pleasure. The upbeat track “Happy Fools” is a moment of childlike refusal to see beyond the present. But their irresponsible enjoyment ends as the next track, “Tinnitus (Wanna be a Rock),” finds them facing the emptiness of popularity. Finally, in “Farewell, Neverland,” TOMORROW X TOGETHER chooses painful truths over sugar-coated illusions. The vocals and range of musical styles superbly capture the emotions of a descent to reality.13. I’VE MINE – IVEKnown for their back-to-back hits, IVE became a staple artist in K-pop. They continued their hot streak this year with their latest project, I’VE MINE. A mini-album with three title tracks, “Off The Record,” “Baddie,” and “Either Way,” it was a release full of headliners, but the cohesive direction of the release kept the rest of the B-Sides also in the spotlight. The sound of this project is also softer in comparison to past releases, but the new direction turns out to be an almost perfect fit for the metaphorical glass slippers. Though IVE’s lyrics are often known for being intricately poetic, I’VE MINE’s lyrics take their content up to a whole different level. From how others see us (“Either Way”), to how we see each other (“Off The Record”), to how I see myself (“BADDIE”), the album demonstrates a sense of curiosity and a willingness to explore.12. YOUTH IN THE SHADE – ZEROBASEONEComing out of Mnet’s competition show Boys Planet, the expectations for ZEROBASEONE’s debut album were high. However, YOUTH IN THE SHADE absolutely lived up to its hype. With a fresh and upbeat sound, the album is all about new beginnings, starting with a question: Is it a new start or the end? Acknowledging how new beginnings encompass anxiety, as much as they do possibility, the album leans toward optimism, though, as ZEROBASEONE announce their arrival to the industry with confidence on “New Kidz on the Block” and start their journey as a group on “Our Season”. Aside from the sweet love song “우주먼지 (and I),” the title track “In Bloom” is the true highlight of the album. The song combines a bright concept with catchy hooks that make the song a joyful listen. Through its exuberant instrumentation and sometimes sweet, sometimes enthusiastic vocalization, “In Bloom” transports a faith in love that is defiant in the face of darkness and disappointment. Meanwhile, “Always,” performed by Zhang Hao’s as a solo song, finishes out the album on a softer note, acting as a promise and a request to be together always. YOUTH IN THE SHADE made ZEROBASEONE the first rookie million-seller. While that is impressive, it, more importantly, laid the groundwork for a distinct and cohesive sound that leaves them room to grow and expand as a group.11. ZONE – JIHYOA vastly underrated solo debut that we’d all been waiting for, JIHYO’s ZONE dives into the process of her musical self-discovery in seven tracks. The title track (excluded from JIHYO’S composition credits) “Killin’ Me Good” suited both the sweltering August heat & JIHYO’s moxie. Her first Western artist collaboration on the English single “Talkin’ About It” featured rapper 24kGoldn, introducing a fresh and flirty vibe to the album. Fan-favorites “Closer” and “Wishing On You” evokes sheer sensual confidence that acts as the catalyst to listeners’ newfound real hot girl shit. “Don’t Wanna Go Back” ballad collaboration with JIHYO & HEIZE contained a perfect harmony in the making, especially with her divine high notes. Delicate yet comforting, “Room” was made for the ones ready to overcome their worries and never look back. Lastly, “Nightmare” (introduced early at TWICE’s “READY TO BE” world tour) showcased a darker extension to JIHYO’s personality that quenches our thirst and desire for something bold from TWICE’s audacious leader. Showcasing the various skillful hats that created her debut solo album, ZONE’s presence will never be forgotten here.10. ROCK-STAR – Stray KidsAlways busy and on their feet, for their second Korean comeback of 2023, Stray Kids leaned into the rockstar persona with 樂-STAR (ROCKSTAR), an album led by the addictive, self-proclaimed “noise-pop” title track “락 (樂) (LALALALA).” Ever the lyrical experts, the title track wordplays with Chinese and Korean characters that reminds us that happiness is not one-dimension and can have many faces. At the same time, while they will always remain K-pop’s kids, the album also feels a lot more grown up as it leans into more moodier elements. Vulnerabilities are shown and comfortably addressed. Of course, it would also be hard not to mention the new remix of “Social Path” with Japanese pop-rock singer LiSA. Amid recent discussions and debates about the identity of K-Pop, by again demonstrating their uniqueness and a willingness to be outlandish and experimental, Stray Kids have made their case on their contributions to “K” initial of the word.9. THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW* – ATEEZThe second installment of ATEEZ’s THE WORLD series was released at the height of the summer, and the title track “BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)” completely took the world by storm. Upon its release, the six-track EP landed at #2 on the US Billboard 200, and for good reason. Trapped in a world void of art and emotion, the eight-piece sets out to free the masses with their passionate performance and powerful sound. The group’s storyline is woven into their lyricism—opener “This World” coaxes listeners to trust them in joining the revolution and tracks like “DJANGO” and “최면 (Wake Up)” bringing the album to a head, confident message and electrifying sound taking us on an intense journey. ATEEZ, ever the experimentalists, embrace a variety of genres in this release, and there’s sure to be something for every listener.8. My World – aespaWith their third EP, My World, girl group aespa step out of the virtual world of Kwangya and into the real world. Don’t let this sentence fool you, though—My World is still very much aespa. The summer-themed title track, “Spicy,” trades in their usual hard-hitting, futuristic sound for something more sunny and LA. The music video also reimagines aespa as the queen bees of the high school. With My World, aespa also proves they can release music that doesn’t heavily depend on their lore. As mentioned, traces of aespa’s futuristic AI concept can still be found in its B-Sides, “Welcome to MY World” ft. nævis”, “Salty & Sweet,” and “I’m Unhappy.” Not to mention, this album also featured one of aespa’s best B-Sides to date, “Thirsty”, an R&B track about falling in love with an MV that parodies the 2000s TV show FRIENDS and other shows of that era.7. D-DAY – Agust DD-DAY, Agust D’s third studio album, delivers on its grand finale status. As the last installment in the three-part trilogy of albums that included D-2 and Agust-D, D-DAY is a flavor-thick blend of smoking guns and thorny roses. Aggressive compositions like the title track “해금 (Haegeum),” a track about the toxicity of living in a polarized society, contrast with more reflective tracks such as “사람 (People) Pt.2” ft. IU), and the absolute golden goose of the album itself, “Snooze” ft. 坂本龍一 (Ryuichi Sakamoto) & WOOSUNG. Evidently, more mature than 2016 Agust D and another step in self-acceptance and maturity compared to 2020 Agust D, D-DAY acts as the older brother to his younger self, providing insight that only someone standing on the other side of hardship can have realized.6. Chill Kill – Red VelvetIt had been six long years since Red Velvet released a full album. In a chilling tale of love, Red Velvet’s Chill Kill marks the first time the group merged their Red and Velvet concepts into one. Equally balancing hope (Red) and tragedy (Velvet), Chill Kill depicts the duality of Red Velvet throughout this album. The title track, also titled “Chill Kill,” explores the theme of a love that disrupts their quiet world. Described as a “Bright Tragedy,” this song follows a love that brings hope and tragedy into their lives, portraying both the positive and negative emotions that come with love. In true Red Velvet fashion, the group explores various sounds and genres, including pop and R&B, throughout ten songs, incorporating the bright tragedy theme into their music.5. SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN – SEVENTEENTaking inspiration from festivals, SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN is a largely fun affair that brightened up the rainy and gray fall. That is especially true for the title track “음악의 신 (God of Music).” In typical SEVENTEEN fashion, the song is dedicated to music itself and its power to connect people across space and languages. As they give their thanks to the art itself, the onomatopoeia “Kung chi pak chi, kung kung chi pak chi” feels like prayer to the creator of music itself, one that anyone can join in on. While the rest of the album traverses a myriad of genres, it manages to create a thematic and throughline around ideas of community and support. Be it through the promise of supporting a friend (“SOS”), an ode to teamwork (“Back 2 Back”), or gentle and comforting words in times of grief and loss (“하품 (Yawn)”), “SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN” reaches out a hand to its listener. Furthermore, with “Diamond Days,” SEVENTEEN once again renews their vows as a team, while “Headliner” is a song dedicated to their fans, Carats, turning idol-fan relationship on its head and making the audience the true ‘headliner.’ With SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN, SEVENTEEN invited anyone and everyone to celebrate, to join the festival that is caratland, and simply enjoy good music, lifting us into never-felt heights of joy as we skip right by the seventh heaven to land in the seventeenth.4. I feel – (G)I-DLEI feel is about building up your confidence and feeling empowered. Through their penmanship, (G)I-DLE is giving a voice to countless youth who feel left out and sidelined. Their songwriting prowess has grown over the years, and it’s high time we paid attention to what they have to say. Continuing on the group’s streak of socially-aware title tracks is “퀸카 (Queencard),” a song about self-embracement and self-confidence. However, distinguishing it from a mere love yourself anthem is the lyrics’ acknowledgment of harmful and unrealistic beauty standards. The other pre-release single, “Allergy”, focuses on the toxic role of social media and how it forces us to compare ourselves to influencers and celebrities. The B-Sides also stay on topic. With “All Night,” a club-banger that encourages listeners to tune out their haters, to “어린 어른 (Peter Pan),” a song about confusion and adulthood, I feel packs critical social commentary in bright sounds, speaking to (G)I-DLE’s brilliance as artists.3. The Drift – MIRANISince coming onto the scene in 2020, MIRANI has been steadily rising to become one of the most popular new female rappers in Korea. Her first album, The Drift, features several collaborations with big names and a variety of different sounds, making for an album that never gets old and leaves the listener guessing. Keep an ear out for the title track “BAD BOY,” especially with a completely new sound for the rapper and a feature from fellow up-and-comer, BIG NAUGHTY. At the same, MIRANI also demonstrates her capabilities on the album with tracks like “야 (Ya)” and “WOW,” where her unique voice and laidback delivery style allow her to stay centerstage despite chaotic instrumentals. Her star power is also demonstrated in the amount of catchy choruses, proving her ability as a songwriter next to her undeniable aptitude as a rapper.2. Dear Insanity … – DPR IANCombining storytelling with slightly experimental sounds and elements that feel cinematic, DPR IAN is an artist who does just that, and the release of Dear Insanity… goes further in proving it. The album shines as both a standalone with different twists and turns in each song but also as a continuation from Moodswings In This Order and Moodswings In To Order, where the “character” of Mr. Insanity is first found. Catering to both those who have been long-time fans of the artist and those who are just now discovering his music, DPR IAN excels in this album by providing tracks that leave you wanting more while anticipating what comes next. With “Famous Last Words” as an introduction and “Violet Crazy” as the conclusion, alongside the lyrical complexity, Dear Insanity… easily merged itself into being one of the best albums of the year.1. Indigo – RMWith a blend of different genres, a roster of eclectic artists, and masterful penmanship, RM created the poignant Indigo, an intimate yet universal composition of his twenties. While lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, RM’s storytelling prowess is the core of the album as he allows himself and helps listeners navigate through the depths of emotion and human experience. With songs like “Lonely” and “건망증 (Forg_tful),” RM captures introspection and the complexities of isolation in adulthood, which are more often than not too complicated for us to unpack by ourselves.Certain albums deserve to be listened to the way they are presented by the artist and don’t necessarily boast singles, and Indigo is one of them. Not only is each song a lyrical journey in and of itself, but they come together to weave a story that leaves a lasting impression on listeners' minds and hearts. With songs like the Anderson .Paak assisted “Still Life”, “All Day” with Tablo, and “No.2” featuring Park Ji Yoon, Indigo provides listeners with solace, inspiration, and a moment to reflect and move forward with more determination. The album grapples with nostalgia of our younger years, our aspirations, and the inevitable challenges that come with growing up and maturing. Even though the album explores themes of uncertainty and doubt, the project itself always maintains a cohesive identity, which is all thanks to RM himself. A lyrical masterpiece, Indigo offers both reflective and ambitious perspectives, making it the best album of the year.Follow Genius Korea on X (Twitter) and Instagram for regular updates about Korean music, dramas, and entertainment.Written by @ANC613 @ssaa10dec @snwyluvy @celestialwaves @nataliamichelle @Tayah-F @fazers @unlikelycarat @sianii @sheonshine

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