Music

Canciones de K-pop que marcaron un antes y un después

Discover the K-pop songs that have redefined the genre and left an indelible mark on global music. From viral hits that opened international doors to anthems that inspired new generations of artists and fans, this selection explores key moments in K-pop. Explore how these tracks have influenced pop culture, fashion, and musical trends worldwide. Immerse yourself in the evolution of K-pop through its most innovative and transcendental compositions.

500100% verified
  1. 1

    Blood Sweat & Tears (2017)

    499 Global Votes
    • Broke record for most likes on a K-pop group music video

      (+1)

    This song redefined K-pop with its sophisticated blend of literary symbolism, innovative musical production, and striking choreography. Its music video, inspired by Hermann Hesse's "Demian," elevated the narrative and visual standards in the industry, attracting a global audience with its thematic depth on youth and temptation.

  2. 2

    Red Flavor (2017)

    1 Global Votes
    • Debuted atop the Gaon Digital Chart

      (+1)

    "Red Flavor" marked a turning point in K-pop by establishing itself as an iconic summer anthem, redefining the concept of seasonal songs with its infectious energy and vibrant aesthetic. Its blend of childlike playfulness and young adult themes, coupled with a funky sound and a memorable bridge, showcased Red Velvet's versatility and their ability to create lasting hits.

  3. 3

    Gangnam Style

    0 Global Votes
    • Led to other K-pop artists' breakthroughs in the U.S. music industry

    This song revolutionized the global perception of K-pop, transcending cultural barriers and becoming a worldwide viral phenomenon. Its massive success on YouTube and international charts demonstrated the genre's potential to capture a global audience, opening doors for future K-pop artists.

  4. 4

    Dynamite

    0 Global Votes
    • Achieved commercial success worldwide

      (+3)

    BTS's "Dynamite" marked a turning point by being the first song by a Korean group to debut at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its global success demonstrated K-pop's ability to transcend language barriers and dominate international charts, paving the way for future Korean artists.

  5. 5

    Not Today

    0 Global Votes
    • Addresses themes of injustice and anti-establishment

      (+4)

    This BTS song stands out for its impactful choreography and inspiring message of unity and overcoming challenges, which resonated deeply with a global audience. Its music video, featuring a large number of backup dancers and epic production, set new visual and narrative standards in K-pop. The song's success on platforms like YouTube, quickly garnering millions of views, demonstrated the group's growing international power and reach.

  6. All the rankings you can imagine

    Thousands of verified votes to discover the best. Your vote here counts

  7. 6

    TT

    0 Global Votes
    • Became the most viewed K-pop girl group music video

      (+2)

    TWICE's TT stands out for its iconic and accessible choreography, featuring simple yet memorable moves that went viral. Its lyrics, exploring complex emotions of love and frustration, coupled with its catchy pop sound, solidified it as a hit that resonated deeply within K-pop culture.

  8. 7

    Cheer Up

    0 Global Votes
    • Music video went viral on YouTube

      (+4)

    This song solidified TWICE's musical identity with its innovative "color pop" sound, blending hip hop, tropical house, and drum and bass. Its catchy chorus and iconic choreography made it a cultural phenomenon that resonated deeply with the global K-pop audience.

  9. 8

    DDU-DU DDU-DU

    0 Global Votes
    • First K-pop group MV to reach two billion views

      (+4)

    This song redefined the 'girl crush' concept in K-pop, combining fierce rap, powerful vocals, and impactful choreography that empowered women. Its music video became a viral phenomenon, accumulating billions of views and setting new standards for the visual aesthetic and global impact of K-pop girl groups.

  10. 9

    Spring Day

    0 Global Votes
    • Named one of the greatest boy band songs of all time by Rolling Stone

      (+4)

    This BTS song became a global anthem of comfort and hope, addressing the pain of loss and longing with lyrical depth that resonated with millions. Its message of healing and the metaphor of spring as a promise of a better future established it as a transcendental work in K-pop.

  11. 10

    Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey)

    0 Global Votes
    • Highest-charting single for BTS

      (+1)

    This song marked a turning point in K-pop by being one of the most successful collaborations between a K-pop group and a Western artist, significantly boosting BTS's global popularity. Its debut in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 demonstrated the genre's growing impact and opened doors for future international collaborations, redefining K-pop's reach.

  12. 11

    Love Shot

    0 Global Votes
    • Massive hit despite not being well-promoted

      (+4)

    "Love Shot" significantly impacted the K-pop scene with its more mature concept and iconic choreography, which created a huge buzz within the community. The song showcased EXO's artistic evolution and their ability to release massive hits even with limited promotion, marking a turning point in their career.

  13. 12

    Gee

    0 Global Votes
    • Gained huge popularity globally

      (+4)

    Girls' Generation's "Gee" revolutionized the K-pop industry with its fresh concept and memorable choreography, which became a global viral phenomenon. The song popularized colorful skinny jeans and set a new standard for girl groups, influencing the fashion and musical style of future generations of artists.

  14. 13

    I Am The Best

    0 Global Votes
    • Symbol of the "girl crush" image in K-pop

      (+4)

    This song established a new industry standard in K-pop, being one of the first to popularize the "girl crush" concept with themes of ferocity and female empowerment. It received the "Song of the Year" award at the 2011 MAMA's, solidifying its cultural and musical impact.

  15. 14

    Growl

    0 Global Votes
    • Crown jewel in EXO's fantastic 2013

      (+4)

    "Growl" redefined K-pop music video production with its innovative choreography and single-take technique, setting a new visual and performance standard. Its impact on the industry was significant, inspiring future artists and raising expectations for live performances and music videos.

  16. 15

    Next Level

    0 Global Votes
    • First top ten single on Gaon Digital Chart

      (+1)

    Aespa's "Next Level" redefined K-pop by pioneering the integration of a metaverse concept and virtual avatars into its musical narrative. This song not only introduced an innovative artistic proposition but also set a new standard for fan immersion into a group's universe, marking a before and after in the industry.

  17. 16

    God's Menu

    0 Global Votes
    • Had a big impact and appeal to non-fans

      (+4)

    "God's Menu" by Stray Kids marked a turning point in K-pop due to its innovative concept and distinctive production, which drew in casual listeners and solidified the group's musical identity. The song stands out for its culinary metaphors and energetic choreography, creating a cohesive and memorable audiovisual experience that resonated globally.

  18. 17

    Seven (feat. Latto)

    0 Global Votes
    • Debuted atop Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200

      (+4)

    This song marked a before and after by being the first solo single from BTS member Jung Kook to surpass 600 million views on YouTube. Its global success was further solidified by exceeding 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, setting new records for a K-pop solo artist.

Frequently asked questions

This ranking focuses on K-pop songs that were revolutionary and changed the industry, music, trends, or fan base, not just those that are popular or iconic.
Influence is determined by its significant impact on the genre, such as the global virality of 'Gangnam Style' or the fusion of musical styles by Seo Taiji and Boys that helped shape modern K-pop.
While this ranking is based on a curated analysis of seminal songs, we always value community input on meaningful or revolutionary tracks in K-pop.
This ranking covers songs from the origins of K-pop with groups like Seo Taiji and Boys to more recent hits that have had a lasting impact on the genre and industry.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

This ranking has been compiled to identify K-pop songs that were not just popular, but truly altered the landscape of the industry, music, and fan culture. We focus on transformative impact rather than mere popularity.

  • Songs are identified that introduced new sounds, styles, or marketing strategies that influenced future K-pop releases.
  • Consideration is given to songs that achieved unprecedented global virality or opened new avenues for K-pop's international expansion.
  • Tracks that reflect significant shifts in musical production, choreography, or visual concepts within the genre are included.
  • The ability of a song to spark cultural or sociological discussions about K-pop and its influence is valued.
  • Songs consistently cited by fans and experts as turning points in K-pop history are taken into account.
  • Revolutionary Impact: The song must have introduced a significant change in the K-pop industry, whether in terms of sound, production, trends, or how fans interact with the genre.
  • Global Virality and Reach: Songs that achieved massive global resonance, breaking cultural barriers and exposing K-pop to an unprecedented international audience, like 'Gangnam Style', are prioritized.
  • Musical Precedent: The song must have set a new standard or fused genres in a way that influenced the future musical direction of K-pop, such as the experimentation by Seo Taiji and Boys.
  • Legacy and Recognition: Songs consistently recognized by the K-pop community and analysts as pivotal pieces that marked a before and after in the genre's evolution are considered.