Now that I’ve taken a look at my favorite title tracks and singles of the year, it’s time to move on to… everything else. This countdown encompasses any track that didn’t receive a full music video. This becomes more nebulous by the year, with “track videos” and “special videos” and the like. I allow myself some wiggle room when deciding which countdown a song belongs on, but generally this list includes album tracks, one-off digital releases, and Japanese b-sides from Korean acts. Just like the Top 50 Singles list, all songs here were released between December 1st, 2024 and November 30th, 2025.
Honorable Mentions:
Close Your Eyes – Bubble Tea
BOYNEXTDOOR – Step By Step
Super Junior – Air
CRAVITY – Underdog
Newbeat – Unbelievable
G-Dragon – Take Me
TWS – Here For You
NOWZ – Problem Child
Twice – Mars
BOYNEXTDOOR – Bathroom
NOWZ – Louder
TWS – Now Playing
NMIXX – Podium
ZEROBASEONE – Step Back
izna – Super Crush
CRAVITY – Everyday
&TEAM – Rush
40. KAI – OFF AND AWAY
Kai proved that Afrobeats could be more exciting and propulsive than the laidback grooves most idols opted for. (full review)
39. ITZY – DYT
ITZY saved their best work for b-sides this year. The adventurous electro pop of DYT harnessed Untouchable‘s crunchy bounce and refashioned it for a new year. (full review)
38. YOON SANHA – 6PM (NOBODY’S BUSINESS)
A pitch perfect 90s funk beat provides the backdrop for this incredibly addictive summer jam. (full review)
37. CRAVITY – ON MY WAY
On My Way opened CRAVITY’s new era in stirring fashion. The sentimental chorus has such a nice sense of melodic lift.
36. NMIXX – SHAPE OF LOVE
Divided between subdued verses and an ultra-poppy chorus, Shape Of Love uses contrast to make each of its segments stand out.
35. CLOSE YOUR EYES – SUBTITLED
An absolutely gorgeous mood piece, putting the group’s vocal blend front and center. The chorus is stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful.
34. AHOF – INCOMPLETED
Surprisingly, 2025 was a standout year for subdued, acoustic-sounding b-sides. Incompleted is sparse but very effective, growing into a stunning melodic hook.
33. NCT DREAM – DREAM TEAM
I love songs that sound as if you’re setting off on an adventure. Dream Team uses excitable chanting in the best way — buttressed by huge waves of pop melody.
32. BAEK CHUNG KANG – DOT DOT DOT
Those of you missing the angsty, dramatic synth pop of past K-pop generations need to turn to Dot Dot Dot, which sounds as if it was ripped right from 2013. (full review)
31. ITZY – KISS & TELL
ITZY’s 2025 output was at its best when driven by angular synth and catwalk-strutting beats. The “So, did you hear that? So, what do you think?” hook is kind of iconic already. (full review)
30. NOUERA – WARNING!!
NouerA give pop/funk a try with this sturdy groove. It’s simple boy group pop, but in a way we don’t hear much anymore. This makes the song very refreshing.
29. KICKFLIP – CRUSH
A power pop stomp drives this anthemic track. I love the halted rhythm of the chorus. It’s like being hit over the head by the pop gods. (full review)
28. TWS – BLOOM (FT. AYUMU IMAZU)
Bloom is a summer collaboration guaranteed to put a big smile on your face. If “good vibes” were a song, this would be it. It’s just so incredibly cheerful without ever becoming cloying. (full review)
27. NMIXX – PHOENIX
NMIXX tether their experimental arrangements to a strong pop track that takes influence from K-pop’s second generation. It’s weird but also totally approachable and that contrast makes for an addictive listen.
26. NEXZ – WANT MORE? ONE MORE!
A rugged electro beat underlines this party-starting dance track. The title plays out in goofy fashion during the song’s chorus and it all climaxes in a walloping finale. (full review)
25. AHOF – EVERYTHING IS LOVE
Building upon the outro instrumental from their debut album, Everything Is Love opens AHOF’s first comeback with plenty of heartfelt sentiment. The melodies are instantly enticing. (full review)
24. CLOSE YOUR EYES – YOU
I love music that’s easy to listen to but not boring. That’s a very hard line to trace, but You is a perfect representation. It’s laidback but melodically delightful. (full review)
23. NOUERA – JET STREAM
Jet Stream is NouerA at their most upbeat and poppy, building toward a catchy synth loop that feels as if its bobbing above the clouds.
22. ZEROBASEONE – STAR EYES
Yes, it sounds like a survival series theme, but this is the platonic ideal of a survival series theme — big and boisterous, melodically rich and drenched in drama. (full review)
21. CRAVITY – SWISH
This wasn’t an initial standout on their new album, but over the year it became one of my most-played b-sides. I love the way it speeds and slows throughout its runtime, climaxing in a very satisfying final chorus.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
That means my queen reality hurts is in the top 20😍😍😍
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My bets are on Reality Hurts making the top 10 👀
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my favorites here are Star Eyes, You, Everything is Love, BLOOM, DREAM TEAM, Incompleted and Subtitled (and Bubble Tea, Step By Step, Here For You, Now Playing, Step Back and Supercrush in the honorable mentions). it’s been a really strong year for b-sides!
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For me, Dream Team is way higher in my list, but its still an incredibly solid list. Personally, except for a few title tracks, I was much more attracted to b-sides this year!
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I’ve been waiting for Star Eyes to make an appearance in your year-end lists, one of my top 5 B-sides this year for sure. The cheesy sentimentality and drama of its survival show sound works really well, I’m reminded of the schlager music you’ve showcased on the blog in the past. (Particular shoutout Elisa Lindström’s Forever Yours, which was a big hit for me last year)
Phoenix is probably my favourite track from the NMIXX album – I mentioned in a previous post but it sounds like a video game OST to me. (In particular, the chorus and layered vocals in the outro give a lot of Nier Automata vibes)
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