2025 has been an incredible year for K-pop, with artists delivering some of the most memorable tracks of the decade. Many artists broke records on major platforms like Spotify, Billboard, and regional Korean music charts. Solo artists also took center stage.
If you're looking for hits to play to close out the year, here are this year's top choices.
Jennie – "Like Jennie"
Jennie released "Like Jennie" on March 7, 2025, as the lead single from her debut album Ruby. The track mixes Brazilian funk and phonk influences with confident rap and vocal lines. It topped Korea's Circle Digital Chart and quickly passed 100 million YouTube views, becoming one of the most‑streamed K-pop songs of 2025.
Rosé & Bruno Mars – "Apt."
Rosé's collaboration with Bruno Mars on "Apt." became a global sensation and made K-pop history on the Grammy stage. Based on a Korean drinking game of the same name, the track was released in late 2024 but continued its momentum throughout 2025.
The song earned three Grammy nominations including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, making it the most-nominated song by any Korean or K-pop artist in Grammy history. Rosé also became the first K-pop artist to receive Grammy nominations for these major categories, and "Apt." won Song of the Year at the 2025 MAMA Awards.
ZEROBASEONE – "Iconik"
ZEROBASEONE's "Iconik" comes from their first full album Never Say Never and became one of their signature releases of 2025. The song drew attention for its high-concept performance and quickly accumulated tens of millions of views on video platforms. In fact, "Iconik" became one of the most-viewed K-pop songs of 2025, gaining an impressive 27 million views in a single week in September.
It helped keep the group at the center of fourth-generation boy group discussions as their initial contract period neared its end.
Stray Kids – "Ceremony"
Stray Kids released "Ceremony" in 2025 as part of their album Karma, blending EDM trap and baile funk. The track entered the US Billboard Hot 100 around the lower half of the chart and scored multiple wins on Korean music shows. The song became a top performer, reaching number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning multiple music show wins throughout late August and early September.
The futuristic sports-themed music video became iconic, and the song later appeared on their December release "Do It," which also performed exceptionally well on year-end charts.
NMIXX – "Know About Me"
NMIXX released "Know About Me" in March 2025 as the lead single from Fe3O4: Forward, their fourth mini-album. The song combines pop, R&B, and trip-hop elements, highlighting the group's strong vocals and harmonies. It earned multiple music show wins, including at least two trophies by the end of March 2025.
BLACKPINK – "Jump"
BLACKPINK made a massive comeback with "Jump" on July 11 after nearly three years of group hiatus. The song became their first release through a new distribution partnership with the Orchard.
"Jump" debuted at number one on the Billboard Global 200. It also spent six days at number one on Spotify's daily chart and became the fastest K-pop girl group song to reach 300 million streams, achieving this milestone in just 80 days.
LE SSERAFIM – "Hot"
LE SSERAFIM issued "Hot" as the title track of their 2025 EP of the same name. The song mixes pop, rock, and disco influences with lyrics about confidently pursuing what you want. An English version performed on high-profile stages, including US television, helped extend its global reach.
IVE – "Rebel Heart"
"Rebel Heart" was released in early February 2025 as part of IVE's album EMPATHY. The song achieved a real-time all-kill on Korean charts, meaning it ranked first across the major domestic platforms simultaneously. It continued IVE's streak of strong digital performance that began with earlier hits like "Baddie."
MEOVV – "Hands Up"
"Hands Up" by virtual/anime-inspired group MEOVV was highlighted by critics as a standout 2025 release. The track appeared on curated playlists and year‑end best‑song rankings that focused on K-pop's more experimental side. Its concept and sound helped it stand out in a crowded release calendar.
