The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday.
To be eligible for this top 50 list, songs must have had a Korean release as a title track or promotional video between Dec. 1st, 2019 and Nov. 30th, 2020.
Curious about last year’s countdown? Check out the masterpost here!
50. Woodz – Bump Bump
While most acts tackled a narrow pool of genres this year, Woodz’s Bump Bump delivered a blast of punky pop rock. Harnessing some of the same charismatic delivery that made G-Dragon a star, he more than proved his versatility as a songwriter. (full review)
49. SoRi – Initial S
There will be many retro synth-pop tracks on this year’s countdown, but SoRi deserves a nod for the catchy Initial S, which leverages an addictive instrumental loop to create a song that feels at once familiar and fresh. (full review)
48. BDC – Shoot The Moon
BDC’s Shoot the Moon is mostly ‘K-pop boy group by-the-numbers,’ yet when that majestic synth hook takes over, the track gains new life. But the rest of Moon proved to be a real grower on its own, tying together a series of catchy turns. (full review)
47. ONEWE – End Of Spring
ONEWE like to play with genre, and End Of Spring injected their core rock sound with festival-ready EDM. The result is a joyful sendoff to the spring season, buoyed by an effusive instrumental hook. The “rock” version is even better! (full review)
46. MCND – Ice Age
Some songs are instant hits, while others take time to unveil their charms. MCND’s Ice Age is brash and noisy, but what first felt obnoxious soon grew into an obnoxiously wonderful rallying cry. Never mind the fact that the song is as silly as can be. (full review)
45. Golden Child – Without You
While not as uplifting or intense as their other 2020 title tracks, Without You’s sparse arrangement and looping hook shown great spotlight on Golden Child’s vocals. It’s dynamic in its own way, growing from a hush to an anguished cry with undeniable flair. (full review)
44. NCT Dream – Ridin’
NCT’s 2020 releases were a mixed bag, but Dream remains the Korean unit to beat. Ridin’ harnesses some classic SM sounds and fuses them to an off-kilter chorus that climaxes in a mighty vocal flourish. (full review)
43. April – Lalalilala
In a just world, Lalalilala should have been April’s big breakthrough. It takes so much of what’s great about their sound and ups the intensity, highlighted by a swirling, strings-assisted chorus that feels like a not-so-distant cousin to the work of groups like WJSN and Oh My Girl. (full review)
42. IMFACT – Lie
Though not as well known as many acts on this countdown, IMFACT have a history of delivering the goods. Lie is no different, hinging on the group’s emotive delivery and a driving dance beat that surges in all the right places. (full review)
41. OnlyOneOf -Angel
OnlyOneOf’s Angel is the breezy summer smash that never was, grooving on an addictive instrumental that’s complimented by the group’s airy vocal. This is the kind of earworm that sticks around for much longer than expected. (full review)
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Yes Shoot the Moon! I loved the song on first listen and was hoping it would grow on everyone else!
Surprised Without You made it, but not really upset, it is a pretty good song.
April peak: Imfact – Lie
I’ll do the peaks for months any day I am not busy, thanks to Yan Zaman for the inspiration 🙂
Also, Initial S and Ice Age are massive earworms.
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Really am surprised to know that April lost so easily…… It didn’t even put up a competition…
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Yep. I guess the verses are why it ended so low, though.
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Also, it is impossible to not smile at Angel’s chorus, which is one of the best this year. of course, the verses are just bad…
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I am really surprised to see That MCND’s Ice Age and Golden Child’s Without You has grown for you and I am really satisfied… now Has Inception grown for you?
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Not much 😦
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Every single song you mentioned in this 50-41 category are all songs I absolutely love this year. Bump Bump was a pleasant surprise, to see Seungyoun harnessing his Luizy side, and I’m so happy to see it snuck into this countdown. Lie, Lalalilala, and Initial S were all bops that deserved so much more love than they got; Shoot the Moon isn’t exactly my favourite BDC release but it more than does its job as a song; and End of Spring/Ice Age/Without You are all great songs with their distinct vibes. Ridin’ is one of those songs that I think my bias makes me like a lot more than I ordinarily would because I thought it was one of the weakest songs on the Reload EP as a whole – it didn’t really stick out as a NCT Dream song to me – but I’m happy to see it here because Dream are my favourite unit haha
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Yay for NCT Dream! Just like you it’s my least favorite track of the album but the dreamies are just my ults ❤
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Seeing this reminds me how good Sept. 23rd was, AKA Nugu Boy Day, AKA when BDC, UNVS, and GHOST9 all released great tracks. Weird and a bit sad that this was probably my single favourite day of the year, but #2020.
‘Angel’ and ‘Lie’ are my other big highlights here. The latter in particular probably makes my top 20, if not top 10. I missed the Honourable Mentions until just now – I see my personal #1 (‘Scandalous’) has already dropped. That track gave me faith that Sweetune Greatness still exists; it’s unlike anything else they’ve done, and I can understand it being a bit understated for some tastes, but I found it such a breath of fresh air.
These countdowns are a highlight each year!
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Woah I’m so happy ONEWE made the list! End of Spring’s rock version is fire. I feel like the 2 side tracks of their latest comeback have a similar energy, and they’re all so good.
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Wait, it’s already been a year?!!!
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Would you be willing to put all of your top 50 songs into a youtube or spotify playlist of some type and link it when you’re finished? It’d make my life so much easier lol
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I may do that when all is said and done… unless someone wants to volunteer? 😉
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What i love the most about Lalalilala is its prechorus. I adore!
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OnlyOneOf is actually my #1 this year. There’s just something about Angel I love that I can’t describe. It’s not in your face but it hits all the right spots. And it’s a far cry from pretty much every other boy group tropes this year.
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