Favorite Songs of 2014: MORE

1. Back by Infinite - It took me a while to warm up to this song. Though I will not deny Infinite's talent their typical sound doesn't always vibe with me, but I like this song. 

2. Beautiful by Park Boram - I really like this song and wish I would have heard it sooner. Her voice is super sweet and the addition of Zico's rap gives the song a more modern element. 

3. Bing Bing Bing (One Way) by JJCC - I don't know why but I love this song. It's super catchy and not trying too hard which may turn some people off but I like it. I didn't like the video though, it was too typical. I am really rooting for JJCC. I hope they become super successful. 

4. Boy in Luv by BTS - I have never denied that I love BTS but there was something about this and especially its MV that made me not really like it. It grew on me though.

5. Breathe by ZE:A - I really want ZE:A's music to be popular because it's not bad. This song is really nice, it has a nice tempo and they have nice harmony. The members are actually really good at singing and dancing. I hope their music careers can become as notable as their acting and variety careers.

6. Day 1 by K.Will - It's a sweet song and you can't really not like K.Will's voice. 

7. How Do I Look? by Beenzino - I really really like this song. The whole Up All Night album was good, but this was like the only clean song and the only song with an MV. The MV's really fun and so is the song. 

8. I'm Different by NC.A - This song may irritate some because it's high-pitched and runs along the lines of bubble gum pop, but it has a disco undertone that elevates the song a bit. 

9. I'm Getting Married by Skull ft. Yoojin - This is quite different from the reggae I am used to but I like the song. I like the ballad feel of it and Yoojin's voice is really sweet in the chorus.

10. I'm Him by Mino - I don't think I could ever get tired of this song. Mino's tough guy persona goes well with his raspy voice and chiseled face. I also think he's in the right environment at YG to foster his creativity and budding career as a rapper and producer.

11. La Song by Rain - I kind of hated this song when I first heard it, but another K-Pop fan convinced me to listen to it again. So I listened it again, and again, and again. It's a fun song, i'll admit it.

12. Lonely by B1A4 - This song has really pretty moments and a few irritating moments, but I like it the more I listen to it. 

13. Love Satelitte by Clazziquai Project - LOVE THIS SONG! I like the groovy instrumental, I like the allusion to Marvin (a character from their work). It's a really great song.

14. Melt My Heart by Eric Nam - Very sweet song and I like the Motown sound.

15. Miniskirt by AOA - The ladies have really nice voices and this song shows that off well.

16. My Copycat by Orange Caramel - I didn't know what to make of the song the first time. I didn't dislike it but I didn't exactly like it either. Now, I like it. It's fun and bright and makes a good pick me up song. 

17. My Old Story by IU - A very pretty song. IU's voice always shines and even though this is a cover the changes she made gave the song a very different sound and feel from the original.

18. Nice Body by Hyomin ft Loco - I hate Hyomin's outfits in the video, but I give her credit for a catchy song that features one of my favorite rappers.

19. Peppermint Chocolate by K.Will, Mamamoo ft Wheesung - Talk about a powerhouse combination. The ladies of Mamamoo can definitely sing, there's no doubting that. I love the retro tone to their songs, it's like a return to the western girl groups of the sixties. Add K.will and Wheesung's amazing vocals and members of VIXX into the MV and you have some pretty epic awesomeness going on. 

20. Red Light by f(x) - I like the banging base line and I've learned to love the difference in sound between the verses and the chorus. 

21. Something by Girl's Day - This song is great mix of sweet vocals and a sultry R&B instrumental.

22. 싱숭생숭 (SsSs, Sing Sung Saeng Sung) by Dynamic Duo & Lena Park - At this point it's almost impossible for me not to like something that has Dynamic Du in it. The thing I like about this song is combination of Gaeko and Lena Park's voices. Through in Choiza's deep rap for a bridge and you have harmony unlike any other. Loved it!

23. Stress Come On by Big Byung - This is just a fun song. It really does take all the stress away. The video is a must watch.

24. Uh Hee by Crayon Pop - I can't exactly explain what I really like about this song, but I do enjoy it. It's fun and catchy.

25. What Do I Do? by Kangnam (M.I.B.) - I really had no idea that Kangnam had such a nice singing voice. This song has become quite popular since it's release and actually "came at number one on Daum Music’s realtime chart." After listening to the song it's pretty clear why. Not only does Kangnam have a nice voice but the sweeping instrumental is really sweet.

It really was a full year of K-Pop for me. If I add up all of the songs featured on my "Favorite" posts it comes out to an awesome 114 songs. And that's just to tip of the iceberg. I hope you have enjoyed reading my Favorites posts and I hope to do more in 2015.

감사합니다! Thank you!

More Music Favorites of 2014 - Favorite Rookies, Comebacks, and Solo Projects

Favorite Rookies

HIGH4 - I am really rooting for these rookies. Their first 3 singles were well received and I am hoping that the momentum continues into 2015 and beyond. If you listen to the album you'll hear them take on multiple genres and do quite well. They also have a knack for snagging great female features, I hope that trend continues in their music.

WINNER - YG newbies, WINNER not only managed to impress through the competition show Mix and Match, but also through their first releases. WINNER's singles quickly caught fire and rose to the top of charts. It's not only remarkable that their singles weren't typical pop/hip hop song, but also that they had a hand in writing and producing the songs off their first album. Not bad for rookies.

Akdong Musician - YG's folkly twosome ran the show for most of 2014. Not only did their music make headlines but also their cute personalities. These kids are just all kinds of adorable which, in all honesty, breathed life into the usual line-up that YG boasts. AKMU is also another set of rookies that had a lot of say in their music. From what I heard it turned out really well.

Got7- These rookies really did impress with great songs and choreography. So far they have yet to disappoint and I am hoping that as they continue to show us what they can do through their music and their time on variety shows.

Red Velvet - Though Red Velvet got off to a rough start, I think that they handled themselves well musically and performance wise. Their first single Happiness was really fun and catchy and showed off some serious vocal talent. Their second single Be Natural showed that they mastered that balance between sexy and classy. I hope they can keep a classy image into the new year.

Favorite Comebacks

Rain - Rain's 2 comeback songs managed to stay in my head the entire year. Although I am not familiar with Rain's earlier music, I knew how big a deal it was for him to release new music in 2014. Other than a new album, Rain also returned to the small screen in My Lovely Girl. The show was kind of disappointing overall but I am sure that avid Rain fans loved seeing him in something after such a long time.

Seo Taiji - I can't believe he hasn't put out an album since 2009. After hearing the 2 singles from his latest album Quiet Night it really made me a fan. The two songs were amazingly arranged and I finally got to experience what Korean fans have known all along.

g.o.d. - Another comeback that I am sure OG fans really loved. I listened to their entire album and thought it was nice to hear the same sound from their songs when they first began. It was a very nostalgic and fun album. I am definitely a g.o.d. fan now.

Epik High - Probably the best K-Hip Hop album of the year. I listened to a lot of hip hop albums from Korean artists this year and I must say that I most enjoyed this compilation of songs. Though I am really not a fan of cursing in music I think that the banging instrumentals and thoughtful lyrics made up for it.

Favorite Solo Debuts/Acts

Taeyang - It's not like this is Taeyang's first solo project but this one definitely showed his growth and maturity as an artist. I really enjoyed both of his singles, but their were songs on the album that I loved. His vocals are getting stronger and his incorporation of several YG artists show his gratitude and love for his agency.

Geako - I'm not that big a fan of the album but I really loved the 2 singles he released. They were perfect for the fall/winter season. The instrumentals were a little slow and cool, but also had that signature Dynamic Duo sound--a mix of R&B and hip hop that they master with each and every song.

Zhoumi - I don't follow Super Junior-M very closely but I am very impressed with Zhoumi. To be able to hold your own in two different languages is tough but he pulled it off flawlessly. Rewind is one of my favorite songs from this year.

Taemin - Taemin is known for having an amazing voice but it was on full display for all to enjoy in his solo album Ace. If you ever had any doubts about the signing abilities of the members of SHINee just listen to them separately. They are very good at what they do.

For a look at more favorites click the links below:
My KPOP Playlist of 2014
My Favorite Korean Albums of 2014
Favorite Songs of 2014: September to December
Favorite Songs of 2014: May to August
Favorite Songs of 2014: January to April