BTS, Parasites, BLACKPINK, Squid Game (opens in new tab). Korean content is bigger than ever around the world. Through Hallyu (opens in new tab), Korean pop culture (opens in new tab) has become a major driving force in world culture, and at the center of it all is K-POP. Every music fan should at least check out this super genre: K-pop is one of the most innovative music forms, incorporating subgenres and eras from around the world to create its own unique sound. Needless to say, K-pop fans can never get enough. Idol groups and solo artists typically release new songs every couple of months, and comebacks offer fans massive videos, music show performances, and live streaming For those new to K-pop who don't know where to start (because there are so many ), here are some essential K-pop songs, from the earliest groups to the latest hitmakers.

"I Know" - Seo Taiji and Boys (1992)

Concept: Fusion of hip-hop, techno, and rock

Impact: This group is considered a pioneer in K-pop.

"Candy" - H.O.T (1996)

Concept: cute/bubblegum pop

Impact: H.O.T is considered the first idol group in K-pop. The second single from their debut album, Candy, cemented their popularity, and the album sold 1.5 million copies.

"I'm Your Girl" - S.E.S (1998)

Concept: schoolgirl love

Impact: S.E.S was K-pop's first big girl group, and their debut single was the bright love song "I'm Your Girl " which was.

"Perfect Man" - Shinhwa (2002)

Concept: heartbreaking

Impact: In addition to being the longest-running idol group in K-pop, Shinhwa was the first group to succeed after leaving their first agency

"No. 1

"No.1" - BoA (2002)

Concept: Upbeat R&B

Impact: BoA's album "No.1" was the first to top the K-pop charts, solidifying her status as the "Queen of K-pop."

"10 Minutes" - Lee Hyo-ri (2003)

Concept: Sexy

Impact: "10 Minutes" was Lee Hyo-ri's debut solo song apart from her group Fin.K.L., and 2003 was called by the Korean media as " It became so popular that it was dubbed the "Year of Hyo-ri.

"Replay" - SHINee (2008)

Concept: love of a nuna (older woman)

Impact: SHINee later introduced a new pop and dance subgenre to K-pop (see "Ring Ding Dong"), though, it all began with one of the greatest idol debuts of all time.

"Mirotic" - TVXQ.(2008)

Concept: Sexy/electro-pop

Impact: "Mirotic" is considered a K-pop classic and the last TVXQ comeback song with all five original members.

"Rain".

"Rainism" - Rain (2008)

Concept: Sexy

Impact: One of the hallmarks of an iconic K-pop song is that it has been covered many times, and "Rainism" definitely fits that bill.

"Gee" - Girls' Generation (2009)

Concept: cute/bubblegum pop

Impact: After "Gee," Girls' Generation became Korea's "national girl group" and also started their international fandom.

"Sorry, Sorry" - Super Junior (2009)

Concept: mature

Impact: "Sorry, Sorry" became the first K-pop song to become a dance craze on social media and a prison in the Philippines Multiple covers were posted online, including a cover (open in new tab).

"Abracadabra" - Brown Eyed Girls (2009)

Concept: sexy/adult

Impact: This song, along with "Mirotic," was one of the first electro-pop songs, and it was the trend that This song was one of the first electro-pop songs, along with "Mirotic," and was the catalyst for this trend to really take off in K-pop.

"Mister" - KARA (2009)

Concept: Sexy

Impact: This B-side song was a breakthrough and made KARA extremely popular in Japan. The Japanese music video is the only version we could find.

"Bad Girl, Good Girl" - miss A (2010)

Concept: girl crush

Impact: Another iconic debut song, "Bad Girl Good Girl", was a standard Korean hit on the The song was the first debut song to reach No. 1 on the Gaon digital chart, Korea's standard hit chart.

"Nobody" - Wonder Girls (2010)

Concept: retro

Impact "Nobody" became the first idol group song to make the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to its release in four languages, including English.

"I Am the Best" - 2NE1 (2011)

Concept: girl crush

Impact: This intense song is considered the prototype for the badass, self-help "girl crush" song. It was also featured in a Microsoft commercial in 2014 and is one of the few non-English K-pop songs to receive airplay on American radio.

"Fantastic Baby" - BIGBANG (2012)

Concept: EDM

Impact: While the world was dancing to "Gangnam Style," K-pop fans loved this EDM meets hip-hop track.

"Gangnam Style" - PSY (2012)

Concept: Millionaire

Impact: It was the first K-Pop song most Americans heard, the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views, and millions recreated the viral dance

"Grow.

"Growl" - EXO (2013)

Concept: R&B

Impact: EXO performed "Growl" at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

"Up and Down" - EXID (2013)

Concept: Sexy

Impact: Sometimes a viral fancam can revive a group. and became an overnight success.

"Catallena" - Orange Caramel (2014)

CONCEPT: quirky/e eccentric

IMPACT: If you want to see how unique K-pop can be, look no further than after-school sub-unit (groups with few members) Orange Caramel and their most popular song, there's no reason not to give them a look.

"Eyes, Nose, Lips" - Taeyang (2014)

Concept: ballad

Impact: Taeyang has become Korea's "Prince of R&B" in part because of his vulnerable performance on this breakup ballad.

"Very Very Very" - I.O.I (2016)

Concept: cute

Impact: This upbeat song was the first music show win for I.O.I, a project group composed of winners from the reality show Produce 101 and was the first to win a music show.

"Spring Day" - BTS (2017)

Concept: ballad

Impact: This emotional song about loss and grief is BTS' longest hit on the Korean melon charts and the group's biggest hit besides "Dynamite" The song.

"Red Flavor" - Red Velvet (2017)

Concept: bright/summer

Impact: Perhaps K-Pop's summer song, "Red Flavor" is the group's first #1 on the Gaon chart and always makes K-Pop fans smile. It can always make K-pop fans smile.

"Palette" - IU (2017)

Concept: ballad/nostalgic

Impact: In this soft pop song about self-reflection, IU's lovely songwriting and artistry show why she is one of Korea's most beloved star and shows why she is one of Korea's most beloved.

"Rollin'" - Brave Girls (2017)

Concept: sexy

Impact: the return of Brave Girls is a feel-good story for 2020, with videos of Korean soldiers loving their old performances going viral Rollin'" topped the charts after a video of Korean soldiers loving their old performance went viral.

"Move" - Taemin (2017)

Concept: sexy

Impact: Taemin, the maknae (youngest member) of SHINee, became a solo star with this sexy, restrained track and its hypnotic choreography.

"DDU-DU DDU-DU" - BLACKPINK (2018)

Concept: girl crush

Impact: BLACKPINK became the first K-pop group to reach 1 billion YouTube views with this comeback, though, This is thanks to the video's stunning visuals and the members' unbreakable confidence.

"Feel Special" - TWICE (2019)

Concept: elegant

Impact: with this uplifting track and empowering message, TWICE, "the girl group of the nation," has been a Billboard and several Korean charts, showing that music can mature and still win the hearts of fans.

"HIP" - MAMAMOO (2019)

Concept: girl crush/retro

Impact "HIP" is a departure from MAMAMOO's retro image and the group's first #1 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart

"Butterfly" - LOONA (2019)

Concept: elegant/confident

Impact: this dream-pop, self-empowering track has very impressive girl group choreography.

"Wannabe" - ITZY (2020)

Concept: teen crush/confidence

Impact: ITZY is the epitome of "teen crush," a bright form of girl crush that combines playfulness and confidence. The group's biggest hit, "Wannabe" took social media by storm with its "shoulder dance" choreography.

"God's Menu" - Stray Kids (2020)

Concept: dark

Impact: This intense track propelled Stray Kids from rising stars to industry powerhouses, thanks to its powerful EDM drop and member performances.

"LA

"LA DI DA" - EVERGLOW (2020)

Concept: retro/teen crush

Impact: While many tracks are inspired by the 80s, "LA DI DA" brings the retro sound into the future and EVERGLOW dispelled the haters in a badass way.