So Billboard just released their Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far). The rankings are determined by their expert critics, and the number 1 spot was none other than Jennie’s Like Jennie. I kind of expected it before diving into the list and wasn’t surprised at all when I saw it at the top. The song is a bop in every sense of the word. It went viral from dance challenges (one of the best choreos for sure!) to topping the charts both domestically and globally. 2025 has absolutely been Jennie’s year! Well deserved! Also, the MV is incredible, do check it out if you missed it!
The number 2 spot went to NMIXX’s High Horse! This one was a pleasant surprise for me. It was one of the very few b-sides selected in the entire Top 25 ranking, and while I was already aware of just how good the song was, I certainly didn’t anticipate it ranking as high as number 2. But hey, I’m not complaining! It’s one of the best songs I’ve ever heard in K-pop, and I highly recommend everyone give it a listen if you haven’t! Congrats to NMIXX! There’s no official MV for the song but there is a jaw dropping stage practice for this track where the group delivers raw live vocals along with a beautiful choreography. It’s a MUST watch for everyone!
The number 3 spot belongs to ATEEZ’s Lemon Drop. I feel like this song is their best release in recent years and I’ve been enjoying it on my playlist recently! It’s a vibey summer jam and feels perfect for driving with the windows down on a nice weather day. The only thing I’d nitpick (this is just my opinion) is that while I do agree it belongs in the top 25, I personally wouldn’t have placed it as high number 3 on this list. Here’s the MV of the song!
Back to back summer vibe tracks! Number 4 went to H1-KEY’s Summer Was You. A lot of you might be unfamiliar with the song since H1-KEY isn’t a super popular group, but it’s a really great summer song. If you’re a fan of that QWER type, anime-coded sound, you’ll probably really enjoy this one. The climax of the song is so good! Check out their MV as well. It deserves more than just a million views!
Another soloist made the top 5, and it was Mark’s 1999. This is easily my favorite track from him. I love the orchestra. And I love the whispery chorus followed by those playful rap verses. This song really solidified his identity as a solo artist in my mind, and I’m looking forward to what he puts out next. Great song! The viral ballet challenge is hilarious. I still can’t believe this is the version everyone remembers lol
There were also 3 rookie groups that made the list, including ALLDAY PROJECT’s Famous, KickFlip’s Umm Great, and Close Your Eyes’ All My Poetry. Congrats to the rookies on their strong debut!
I’ll include the rest of the ranking here.
I know rankings in general are super subjective, even when they’re put together by professional critics. But I genuinely liked this list (and as a MIDZY, I’m so glad Yeji made the ranking as well). Sure, there were some songs I thought deserved a spot, but that’s not to say this list was bad by any means. I really appreciate that they dug deep and highlighted some hidden gems from less popular groups. It’s truly awesome to see music like that get recognition on a platform like Billboard. What do you guys think? I’d like to hear your thoughts on the list!
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