Looking Back: The Best K-Pop Songs of 2015 Pt. 2

This is the last part to the short series that I started last time of the best K-pop songs. There are probably lots of stuff that I missed, but once again, this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list.

When I first heard this song, I wasn’t that enthralled with it as it was performed in a medley with a bunch of their other more eye-catching songs. But over time, I’ve grown to love it. It’s hard not to get goosebumps when Woohyun performs the climactic high note in the bridge.

Wasn’t the original title “Call Me Daddy”? I remember reading that somewhere, and now I always hear that when listening to this song. Whatever. This song is so catchy and memorable, and as always, Kyungsoo sounds amazing.

I’ll be honest, this song took me a long time to understand, but when it clicked, it really did. My favourite part is the pre-chorus when Gayoon cuts through the energy to deliver some anime-esque lines with her gorgeous vocals.

This actually is one of their Japanese songs, but I had to include it here. I first heard this song when it auto-played while I was trying to study for my inorganic chem midterm, so I always think about crystal lattices when I hear this. I love the way Sunggyu and Woohyun take turns singing the chorus!

I need to talk about the music video. Nobody does camp concepts like Red Velvet did, and their iconic red outfits are so cool to see. The song is outright strange in its own right, but somehow, they really made it work.

A perfect theatrical masterpiece. This song features a megawatt chorus that is complete with one of the best instrumentals of all time. Also, special shout-out to the music video, that is equal parts enticing and creepy.

I love GFRIEND so much, and I miss them so much. Their early work is so precious to me, and Glass Bead, as their debut song, even more so. Anthemic, pure but powerful, and with a hint of melancholy, this song truly is something special.

The rooftop dance video will never get old. Though the instrumental is quite repetitive, this song never wears me out and continues to be a burst of energy even years after I first heard it. It’s still the number one hype song.

Twice is such a massive force now and it is easy to see that energy in their debut song. This song is fun and off-kilter, but it features all the members already starting to demonstrate who they’re each going to grow into.

This was the song that got me into SHINee, and for that I’m eternally grateful. Though it is ten years old now, it still sounds fresh and hasn’t aged a day. Featuring lyrics from Jonghyun, and a timeless house beat, it recalls the summer of 2015 but can also soundtrack the fall of 2025.

I can’t believe this was their last title track. I will say that this album was one of the finest ones ever made, and this song, though excellent, pales compared to the B-sides. However, this song still sounds effortlessly trendy and has held up very well through the years.