These 12 K-Pop Albums are Considered Legendary With No Bad Songs, According to Korean Netizens
Korean netizens decided which K-Pop idol they consider legendary, to the point where there are no bad songs and that if they played it, no song would be skipped. Did your favorite album make it to the list? Check it out now!
1. f(x) - "Pink Tape"
"Pink Tape" was released in 2013 and is f(x)'s second studio album. The album was an instant success, peaking at number on multiple music charts both domestically and internationally, including the Billboard's World Albums and Gaon charts.
Furthermore, this album was the only K-pop album to be featured in Fuse's "41 Best Albums of 2013" and was named by Billboard to be one of the "Greatest K-pop Albums of the 2010s". The lead track, "Rum Pum Pum Pum," ranked at no. 59 on Billboard's "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time".
2. BTS - "Love Yourself: Answer"
"Love Yourself: Answer" was released in 2018. The album debuted in number one in numerous countries and became BTS's second chart-topping album in the US. It became the first Korean album to be gold certified in the United States. The album sold 60,000 copies in the United Kingdom, which made BTS the first Asian artist to be certified silver there.
It re-entered the Billboard 200 charts in late 2019 and stayed there for 52 weeks, making the album the first and currently the only K-Pop album to remain on the Billboard main album for a whole year.
3. EXO - "XOXO"
"XOXO" is the first studio album of EXO and was released in 2013. The song had two versions: "Kiss", the Korean version, and "Hug", the Chinese version.
This album even won the "Album of the Year" title at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) and sold over 1 million copies, which makes it one of the best-selling albums in Korea. The lead single, "Growl," peaked at number three on the Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100.
4. BLACKPINK - "SQUARE UP"
"SQUARE UP" is the first Korean EP by the group and was released in 2018. When it was released, it debuted at the top of the Gaon Album Charts and sold roughly 179,000 copies within the first fifteen days of its release. The EP also debuted on the US Billboard 200 ranking No. 40, which made it BLACKPINK's second highest-selling album in a Western market.
It was also the second highest-charting album to date by a girl group in K-Pop.
5. IU - "CHAT-SHIRE"
"CHAT-SHIRE' is IU's fifth EP and was released in 2015. It is one of her first original works, the first being "Modern Times" in 2013.
The album ranked at number five on the Billboard "Top 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015" and was described as a song that everyone should listen to upon release. It is also considered one of IU's most personal music, showing off her maturity as an artist and her willingness to experiment with her music.
6. GFriend - "SNOWFLAKE"
"SNOWFLAKE" was released in 2016 and is the group's third EP. The album debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Charts. The lead single off the album, "Rough", was a commercial success, scoring GFriend numerous first wins (including their very first win). The song had topped the Gaon Digital Charts and sold more than one million digital downloads.
Upon the EPs debut, it peaked at number 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
7. NCT 127 - "Neo Zone"
"Neo Zone" was released in 2020 and is the group's second Korean studio album. Upon the album's debut, "Neo Zone" was praised for portraying NCT 127 at their best and for constantly experimenting with their music.
It is their fifth album to top the Gaon Album Charts and earned the group their first top-five entry on the Billboard 200 chart. Thanks to the album, the group became a million sellers as of May 2020.
8. NCT Dream - "We Young"
"We Young" was released in 2017 and is the first EP from the group. The song was praised for its refreshing summer concept, with the lyrics revolving around the theme of young love and other problems teens face.
Their main title track, "We Young," was released in two versions - Korean and Mandarin.
9. N.Flying - "HOW ARE YOU?"
"HOW ARE YOU?" was released in 2018 and is the group's fourth mini album. The album came following Hweeseung's addition to the group following his appearance on "Produce 101 Season 2".
The album came prior to their breakthrough and is often considered underrated to newbie fans and K-Pop stans. Though it doesn't have many accolades to its name, netizens praised the album and its musicality.
10. Red Velvet - "Perfect Velvet"
"Perfect Velvet" was released in 2017 and is the group's second studio album. The album was praised for exploring the group's more mature styles and was praised for breaking stereotypes among South Korean idols.
The album debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart and topped the Billboard World Album Chart. It was also selected as one of the albums on Billboard's "Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s".
11. BTOB - "THIS IS US"
"THIS US" is BTOB's 11th mini album and was released in 2018. Prior to the album's release, the released "This Feeling", a sentimental summer song composed by Jung Ilhoon and co-written by Lee Minhyk, Peniel, an Jung Ilhoon. With the mentioned song, BTOB made their debut on the Billboard Social 51 Chart, peaking at number 21.
12. NU'EST - "Canvas"
"Canvas" is the fifth mini album by NU'EST and was released in 2016, prior to members Minhyun, Baekho, JR, and Ren participating on "Produce 101 Season 2".
The EP debuted at number 3 on the Gaon Weekly Music Chart and number 12 on the Gaon Social Chart. Despite seeing poor initial album sales, "Canvas" re-entered the charts following NU'EST's appearance on "Produce 101 Season 2" and charted at #54. The album had peaked at #12 on the US Billboard World Albums Charts.
