So far, 2026 has brought some absolutely beautiful songs from K-pop artists, as well as some…well, not so great songs. And so, as a fairly casual listener of K-pop (what can I say, I kind of listen to everything), I’ve decided to list some of the best and worst K-pop releases of 2026 down below (in no particular order)!
Worst K-pop Releases of 2026:
- “GO” by BLACKPINK (and just the entirety of their album, DEADLINE)
- “PINKY UP” by KATSEYE (I’m not sure if they’re actually K-pop, but I’m counting it)
- “It’s Me” by ILLIT
- “CELEBRATION” by LE SSERAFIM
- “Who is she” by KISS OF LIFE
- “KILLA (Face the other me)” by Kep1er
Best Kpop Releases of 2026:
- “Stick With You” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER (and their entire album, 7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns)
- “REDRED” by CORTIS
- “Swim” by BTS (and most of their new album, ARIRANG)
- “Catch Catch” by YENA
- “404 (New Era)” by KiiiKiii
- “Moonwalkin’” by LNGSHOT
- “RUDE!” by Hearts2Hearts
- “Tweak” by GIRLSET
- “HYPNOTIZE” by XG
- “KGB” by ADELA (like KATSEYE, I’m not sure if she counts as Kpop, but I’m adding her anyway)