BTS' V, Jungkook to NewJeans, TWICE: 8 K-pop tracks that earned a spot on Rolling Stone's Top 100 songs of 2023

In 2023, a plethora of iconic songs made their mark, even earning spots on the prestigious US charts. Rolling Stone's recent unveiling of the "100 Best Songs of 2023" highlighted the year's musical brilliance. Among these, eight K-pop songs have left an indelible imprint, solidifying their place among global hits. 

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Let's delve into their positions on the list and explore the themes that resonated to create a lasting impact.

At 6: NewJeans - Super Shy

Rising swiftly to fame, the girl group formed under ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels, has achieved remarkable success and has taken the 6th spot on Rolling Stone's list. Securing the No. 2 position on the Billboard Global chart, the Korean group, consisting of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, has captivated audiences with their impeccable synchronized choreography, which skillfully incorporates Seventies disco-style waacking.

At 47: SEVENTEEN - Super

The 13-member group, comprising S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino, formed under Pledis Entertainment, another subsidiary of HYBE Labels, saw their song "Super" securing the 47th spot on the list. The track draws inspiration from the Monkey King, a mythological character from "Journey to the West," a classic Chinese novel. Notably, on July 11, the music video surpassed 100 million views on YouTube.

At 55: TWICE - Moonlight Sunrise

The nine-member girl group, featuring Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, formed by JYP Entertainment, made an impact with their song "Moonlight Sunrise," securing the 55th position on this list. This track, the group's second English-language single, drew inspiration from the moonlit ambience during their performance at Banc of California Stadium. Notably, the song peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200 and reached number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100.

At 58: V - Rainy Days

During their ongoing hiatus for mandatory military service, each of the seven BTS members – Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – has embarked on individual solo projects. Kim Taehyung, known as V, delved into his profound love for R&B, soul, and jazz with his solo album "Layover." Displaying his old-school credentials, V's track "Rainy Days" reached impressive positions, peaking at 16 on the Billboard Global 200 and securing the 4th spot on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart.

At 67: Jisoo - Flower

Crafted by YG Entertainment, the quartet of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa from BLACKPINK have individually explored solo ventures. Jisoo, the latest to unveil a solo track, came out with "Flower" which had a Latin-tinged melody and Caribbean-inspired percussion. The song achieved significant success, reaching the second position on the Billboard Global 200, marking Jisoo's first top-ten hit on the chart.

At 75: FIFTY FIFTY - Cupid

Founded by Attrakt, the four-member group Fifty Fifty experienced a surge in popularity with their track "Cupid," which quickly became a sensation on Reel and TikTok. The song, a delightful blend of happy and melancholic vibes, gained significant attention. Despite the initial success, Fifty Fifty faced challenges, leading to a short-lived tenure as three out of its four members were released from the group by Attrakt in October. Presently, Keena remains, while Saena, Aran, and Sio had their contracts terminated. Despite the setbacks, the track reached the Top 20 of the Hot 100.

At 95: aespa - Spicy

Formed by SM Entertainment, this quartet, composed of Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, ventured into new sonic territory with the lead single from their third EP, "My World — The Third Mini Album," and met with resounding success. The track, characterized by potent vocals, gritty synths, resonant bass, and impactful drum buildups, propelled the group into the realm of universal pop excitement, reminiscent of early 2000s pop à la Britney Spears. Achieving significant milestones, the song reached number 70 on the Billboard Global 200 and secured the 42nd position on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

At 99: Jungkook - Seven

BigHit Music's biggest group BTS' JungKook's collaboration with Latto, titled "Seven," has emerged as a ubiquitous chart-topper, resonating with audiences worldwide. Jungkook's adept use of well-placed falsetto runs added a layer of passion to the song, capturing the affection of fans globally. The single made a significant impact, entering music charts in more than fifty territories and securing top positions in countries such as India, Latvia, Malaysia, and Singapore. It made an impressive debut by claiming the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and the Global 200, marking the first chart-topping achievement for both Jungkook and Latto.