15 best K-pop songs of all time

K-pop or Korean popular music is a type of music that originated in South Korea and is already recognized as part of South Korean culture. This style includes elements of classical pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock, jazz, gospel, reggae, electronic dance, folk, country, disco, and, of course, traditional Korean music.

The Singer's Room website reports, "The term 'K-pop' ('Keipap' in Korean) emerged in the international context in the early 2000s and is often used broadly to refer to any Korean music and artists associated with the entertainment industry.

K-pop idol culture originated in the 1990s when this music turned into a subculture that gathered huge fandoms among teenagers and young adults.

After the decline of the first wave, the second birth of K-pop began in 2003 with the groups TVXQ and BoA, which launched a new generation of "idols." They firmly "captured" the neighboring Japanese market and continued to popularize K-pop internationally. And the emergence of social media and South Korean TV shows created a cultural phenomenon known as the "Korean wave". Its strong influence can be observed today not only in East and Southeast Asia but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the entire Western world.

Since 2018, K-pop's influence has grown significantly. As of 2019, according to the Global Music Report 2019, Korean popular music was ranked 6th in the top 10 largest music markets in the world by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. In 2020, the K-pop market set a new record, with growth of 44.8%.

Here are the 15 most popular K-pop songs, according to Singer's Room:

1. "Gangnam Style" by PSY
2. "I Don't Care" by Apink
3. "Fantastic Baby" by BIGBANG
4. "Gee" by Girls' Generation
5. "Boy With Luv" by BTS
6. "Bboom Bboom" by MOMOLAND
7. "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" by BLACKPINK
8. "Growl" by EXO
9. "I Am The Best" by 2NE1
10. "Bang Bang Bang" by BIGBANG
11. "Shine" by Pentagon
12. "Cat & Dog" by TXT
13. "Love Scenario" by iKON
14. "Red Flavor" by Red Velvet
15. "TT" by TWICE