Around 6 months ago, I published the article listing all my favorite K-Pop songs from January to June of 2019. Ever since then, the music industry has seen many new amazing K-Pop releases to make the ending of the year as grand as ever. It’s already 2020, let us look back and see The SLY Choice for the second half of 2019.
See more: The SLY Choice | Favorite K-Pop Releases from the 1st Half of 2019
DAY6 Time of Our Life & Sweet Chaos
If there is one band you can always trust for quality music, it’s definitely DAY6 (and N.Flying). They came back with another series called “The Book of Us” and we are more than grateful. While I prefer “Sweet Chaos” more than “Time of Our Life”, the latter is way more memorable and sentimental as it finally got DAY6 their first (and second) music show win. The two are rock songs, the songs DAY6 are mad amazing at, and of course, you cannot expect the boys to do anything but deliver.
Verivery Tag Tag Tag
My personal bet for “Music Video of the Year” is the music video of Verivery’s “Tag Tag Tag”. The song, the MV, and the dance.. all of these are really phenomenal. The group went astray with their signature new jack swing sound and went with a much more generic pop this time, however, with the production and the boys’ singing skills, “Tag Tag Tag” became a really good product.
Rocket Punch Bim Bam Bum
Woollim Ent. finally debuted their newest girl group 5 years after Lovelyz’s debut. Rocket Punch’s “Bim Bam Bum” is a rather experimental synth-driven pop song that highlights the youthfulness of the members. One may recognize a few members as familiar since three of their members came from Produce 48. Moreover, their oldest member, Juri, was a popular member of Japanese girl group AKB48.
Red Velvet Umpah Umpah
I really don’t understand why “Umpah Umpah” did not hit it big like how “Red Flavor” dominated the whole South Korea. For me, it’s an even better song! “Umpah Umpah” is a very energetic track, much to Red Velvet’s forte, that is very catchy and colorful. It has all the qualities of a national hit, but unfortunately, it did not become one.
X1 Flash
Only a month after their formation, X1 debuted following all the hype for winning the now controversial Produce X 101. “Flash” is a pop track with synth and dubstep-esque breaks that doesn’t only highlight the vocals of the boys but also their dancing prowess as it is accompanied by breathtaking choreography. While many haters try to bring X1 down, it’s undeniable that they really are the top rookies of the year 2019 if we’re talking about popularity, digital sales, album sales, and MV views.
W Project 4 1M1S
Unlike what other post-Produce X 101 groups debuted with, Woollimz released “1M1S”, a rather emotional and slow song with heavy bass drops as its hook. This song actually shows the talent of the Woollim Ent. trainees we never saw in PDX101 like Changuk’s main vocal worthy singing and Yunseong’s rap. “1M1S” is just the tip of the iceberg as we continue to look forward to Woollimz’s actual debut.
Twice Feel Special
While I am still more of a fan of Twice’s previous sound, I can’t deny how catchy “Feel Special” is. The upbeat song is complemented by the very flashy and aesthetic music video.
Kim Jiyeon (KEI) I Go
Kei, who went by her real name Kim Jiyeon, marked the start of a solo career with her first extended play “Over and Over”. She is the fourth Lovelyz member to have a solo career after Babysoul, Yoo Jiae, and JIN. “I Go” is a dream-like and hopeful song that is executed with Kei’s very sweet and colorful voice.
(G)I-DLE Lion
It’s a shame how “Lion” wasn’t able to take the crown for Queendom’s finale as it was the performance that impressed me the most. What made me really like the song is the energy and strength the song radiates especially with Minnie’s high note and Soyeon’s rap.
Lovelyz Moonlight
While “Lion” may be my favorite performance, “Moonlight” is my favorite song from Queendom’s finale. The song is entirely different from Lovelyz’s previous songs as they turn over to another page of their careers. The girls showcased a more mature sound, but of course, with the girls’ extraordinary vocal prowess.
GOT7 You Calling My Name
On the first listen, I really thought “Crash and Burn” is more title-worthy than “You Calling My Name”, but after more plays, I realized how powerful the latter is. It’s also an entirely different sound compared to their previous title tracks but it really works. “You Calling My Name” sports a very sexy and mature sound very much fitting of the very sexy and mature members of GOT7.
Rainbow Aurora
When it comes to having a sisterly bond, no one ever comes above the seven members of Rainbow. Even though they already disbanded in 2016, they reunited together again to release an album commemorating their 10th anniversary. Unlike their catchy hook songs when they were active, “Aurora” is more mature and has a hopeful and bright sound. The girls’ singing skills remain as beautiful as they were years ago.
IU Blueming
The Queen of K-Pop herself, Miss IU, came back with a new single and as expected, dominated the music charts. “Blueming” is quite similar to “Palette”, both which I really love.
AOA Come See Me
After losing two members (three if you count Youkyung), AOA came back stronger than ever with a new album. “Come See Me” is a pop dance song that has a rather intimate and dark sound as compared to the previous “Bingle Bangle”. What’s notable is that the members you barely noticed before, Yuna and Chanmi, got more exposure along with the lineup change.
Golden Child WANNABE
Along with Bomin’s coming of age, Golden Child also transitioned from bright and bubbly boys to sexy and mature men. After a 13-month hiatus, Golcha came back with 1st studio album and carrier track “WANNABE”. The song is a powerful dance track with dark melodic synths and an electronic beta leading to a beastly dance break. Not only were the main vocalists’ skills highlighted but also almost every vocalist in the group had a moment to shine. It goes without saying that Golden Child is among the best dancers in K-Pop and has visuals that are praise-worthy as well. This era is very memorable for the members and fans as Golden Child scored their first music show win in MCountdown with “WANNABE”.
2020 is here and we cannot do anything but look forward to what K-Pop will bring. Have a blessed new year everyone!
