Feature

K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2026

Posted on by 27 Comments

Risers & FallersRather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post.

I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: a 0.5 shift here, a 0.25 shift there. But, it’s a fun way to keep track of how my feelings on songs have changed over time – as well as which tracks currently have momentum on my playlist.

And remember, just because a song is marked as a “faller” doesn’t mean I hate it! Falling from a “9” to an “8.75” is no shame. 9+ rated songs occupy a totally different playlist in my music library, so I’m pretty particular about what qualifies. It’s a high bar.

This month’s feature covers the period from April 21st to May 18th. 

RISERS

BOYNEXTDOOR – ddok ddok ddok
Rating: 6.75 → 7.5

Close Your Eyes – Pose
Rating: 8.25 → 8.75

CORTIS – REDRED
Rating: 8 → 8.75 *Biggest Riser*

ILLIT – It’s Me
Rating: 7.25 → 7.5

ITZY – Motto
Rating: 8.75 → 9

NEXZ – Mmchk
Rating: 9 → 9.25

TWS – You, You
Rating: 9 → 9.25

UNCHILD – UNCHILD
Rating: 8.25 → 8.75

XngHan&Xoul – Glow
Rating: 8.75 → 9

ZEROBASEONE – Top 5
Rating: 8.25 → 8.5

FALLERS

KIIRAS – Ta Ta
Rating: 7.25 → 7

Park Jinyoung – Everlove
Rating: 7.5 → 7.25

Rain – Feel It
Rating: 7.5 → 7.25

Taeyang – Live Fast Die Slow
Rating: 8.5 → 8.25

27 thoughts on “K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2026”

  1. The huge rise for Cortis! I still don’t like the song much cause of the autotune and the way some of the members (Martin especially) sing also pisses me off. It’s in mid-7s for me. Mmchk, Pose and Glow also grew a lot on me as well over time, with Mmchk and Glow being 9+ for me as well.

    Also, the links to your reviews are wrong

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    • Also, aespa’s WDA grew a lot on me, the production really helped in me ignoring some of the song’s shortcomings. From a 7.75 to an 8.5 (8, 9, 9, 8)

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  2. I really think u lost the plot when u gave Redred an 8. But now u went even further. Just didnt see why u would like that trash ass song anyway.

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  3. Itzy’s first 9 rated song in like what, 6 years? but its a banger lol

    this was actually a very good month not going to lie

    Risers:

    1. Motto (Itzy) – 8.5 (8, 8, 9, 9) to a 9.25 (9, 10, 9, 9)
    2. You, You (TWS) – 8.75 (9, 9, 9, 8) to a 9 (9, 9, 9, 9)
    3. Unchild (Unchild) – 8 (7, 9, 8, 8) to a 8.75 (8, 9, 9, 9)
    4. Mmchk (NEXZ) – 8.5 (8, 9, 8, 9) to a 9 (9, 9, 9, 9)

    Fallers:

    1. Ddok ddok ddok (BOYNEXTDOOR) – 7 (7, 7, 7, 7) to 6.75 (6,7,7,7)

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    4. Top 5 was my biggest riser! It’s got an addictive quality and the chorus is fantastic. I also can’t get enough of Taeyong’s WYLD.

      I’d have to go with Redred as my faller 🫤 not enough variation for my taste, and the vocal effects just add to the monotone quality. It doesn’t help that my dance crew has been rehearsing it over and over for a performance ✌️😂

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    5. The more I listen to MOTTO the more I genuinely start thinking its boring. This is a good song but it doesnt have the itzy flavour whatsoever. The only redeeming quality is the chorus, everything else is so lame. Tunnel Vision, Imaginary Friend, Untouchable, heck even Girls Will Be Girls were all a lot more audacious than this twice rip off.

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    6. itzy’s motto finally reaches a rating 9!! well deserved, I’d put that track at 9.25 just for bias lol. cortis also surprises me, I didn’t expect it to grow into something I’d like 😭

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    7. Imm a bit behind but for me, the biggest risers are:

      BND – Ddok dokdok

      XHeroes – Voyager

      Cortis – RedRed

      LeSserafim – Celebration

      nMixx – Crescendo

      ZB1 – Top5

      JiHoon – Bodyelse

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    10. Good to see RedRed, Unchild, Pose and Glow getting more recognition, I like them all a lot and they made for a very strong end of April.

      My own biggest risers this month have been the twin girl hip-hop tracks Keyveatz – Key Beats and H//PE Princess – Stolen; I’m not even much of a hip-hop listener but both of those are super fresh, came out on the same day and are a thrilling listen back-to-back.

      Oh and I’ve been quite into Mingi’s solo gem too, it’s a pity Nick didn’t review it.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD0yLUVtAvk

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