NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, (G)I-DLE, And NCT DOJAEJUNG Make NME’s “The 50 Best Songs Of 2023” List

Dec 6, 2023

Several Korean songs made NME’s year-end list of “The 50 Best Songs of 2023”!

With the year soon winding to a close, the British publication has published its annual roundup of its picks for the 50 best songs of the year, which spans a variety of genres.

NCT DOJAEJUNG’s unit debut track “Perfume” made the list at No. 45. Rhian Daly wrote, “K-pop’s NCT collective might be more readily associated with an experimental, all-but-the-kitchen-sink sound but, on ‘Perfume,’ sub-unit DOJAEJUNG went down a far smoother route. Composed of the three of the group’s strongest singers, Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo, the trio shared a tale of pure devotion over electro-tinged R&B grooves.”

The next K-pop song on the list was (G)IDLE’s smash hit “Queencard” at No. 35. Praising the song’s lyrics, Daly wrote, “If there was one song this year that should have been on the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack, it was ‘Queencard.’ On the surface, it was a silly, frivolous mood-lifter that found (G)I-DLE complimenting themselves and ‘twerking on the runway.’ If you dug deeper, though, you unearthed a celebration of self-empowerment that celebrated other women and delivered a tongue-in-cheek and powerful new affirmation to repeat in the mirror.”

LE SSERAFIM’s viral B-side “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife” ranked No. 32, with Jenessa Williams writing, “Loosely inspired by the defiant folklore of three badass women, ‘Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife’ is the sound of a girl group throwing caution to the wind, and challenging cultural taboos via pulsing, futuristic EDM. Sleek and brash in equal measure, it also boasts one of the best pop lyrics of the year; ‘I’m a mess/mess/mess/in distress/but we’re still the best dressed.’”

Finally, the highest-ranking K-pop song on this year’s list was NewJeans’ “Super Shy,” which took No. 2. Williams wrote, “With a near flawless run of singles (and iconic dance routines) to their name, picking a favourite NewJeans song of 2023 is akin to picking a favourite superhero… Nonetheless, there’s a strong argument that Jersey Club-inspired ‘Super Shy’ is the most immediate of the bunch, a bouncy, longing look at a crush which feels light as air… Equal parts confident and self-effacing, it’s the perfect encapsulation of their sweet female attitude, making two and a half minutes feel like the giddiest pop ride of your life.”

Congratulations to all the artists that made the list!

What were your favorite songs of 2023?

cr: Soompi