Best K-Pop Songs of January 2025: IVE, ONEUS, Whee In, BSS and More

January started 2025 strong in ushering in a new era of K-pop excellence.

Curated with an ear for chart-toppers and boundary-pushing newcomers, The Crossover will bring the ultimate monthly roadmap to the genre to spotlight the diversity and creativity defining the growing Korean-pop landscape today.

Leading the charge is this month’s cover star IVE and their explosive single “Rebel Heart” (co-written by Eurovision veterans Thomas Gustafsson and Jimmy Jansson) that immediately asserts its presence alongside BSS’ pulsating “CBZ (Prime time)” and (G)I-DLE member MINNIE’s introspective English single “HER.” Fresh faces like KickFlip with their first track “Umm Great” and rising stars BOYNEXTDOOR’s charming winter track “IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU” exemplify the new generation of talent ready to shape the genre. Meanwhile, ballads such as Whee In of MAMAMOO’s “Aftertaste” and the raw emotionality of KCM’s “To the person called ‘Me’” offer a softer, contemplative side to the mix.

The rising Korean rock scene gets representation with 90 project’s “Another Way,” as do cinematic Korean drama soundtrack moments via must-know R&B wunderkind Paul Blanco and his track “Test Me” from the soundtrack for Love Scout that airs on SBS in Korea, or Netflix and Viki in other territories. Don’t miss the crossover collaborations like BLACKPINK’s JENNIE enlisting Dominic Fike for “Love Hangover” and Odetari teamed up with ATEEZ leader Hongjoong to spotlight the sigilkore microgenre that fuses trap and hyperpop.

For journalist and editor friends, save this guide for spotting early standouts and crafting your midyear and year-end best lists.

Listen to the Best K-Pop Songs of January below and subscribers can access playlists made for via Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL and YouTube Music below.

Best K-Pop Songs of January 2025 Playlist:

1. IVE, “Rebel Heart”

2. ONEUS, “IKUK”

3. BB GIRLS, “LOVE 2”

4. hanhee, “MAYO!”

5. I’MIN & SCENE, “Digital Love”

6. BSS, “CBZ (Prime time)

7. ONEW, “Winner”

8. Whee In, “Aftertaste”

9. Brody & Jenna Suhl, “Why”

10. JENNIE & Dominic Fike, “Love Hangover”

11. GFRIEND, “Season of Memories”

12. GOT7, “SMOOTH”

13. MINNIE, “HER”

14. KickFlip, “Umm Great”

15. BOYNEXTDOOR, “IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU”

16. SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan & Omoinotake, “Better Half”

17. 90 project, “Another Way”

18. ONEUS, “W”

19. BSS, “Love Song”

20. KCM, “To the person called ‘Me’”

21. CREZL, “Faded Letter”

22. Paul Blanco, "Test me (From 'Love Scout' : Original Soundtrack)

23. KINO, “Skyfall”

24. Odetari, “SMB (With Hongjoong of ATEEZ)”

25. Junny & Vedo, “Lonely Lover (Produced by Pink Sweat$)”

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