K-Pop music is everywhere today. You might hear a K-Pop song on the radio during your commute to work, in the soundtrack for a new movie, or as an audio on TikTok. Whether you realize that what you're hearing is K-Pop often depends on the language, but many K-Pop soloists and groups have dipped their toes into the Western market by promoting fully English songs among their Korean tracks.

As someone who had a fan on Twitter throughout my teenage years, I was witness to thousands of fancams of idols I couldn't name underneath every viral post I saw. I also giving up on voting for my favorite artists (5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction) once I saw that they were up against BTS. It took until college before I finally gave in. I lived with three roommates, who were all huge K-Pop fans throughout middle and high school.

Our junior year quickly became defined by nights sitting on the couch, each of them presenting me with K-Pop music videos and songs to educate me on a genre I'd stayed away from for so long. After just a couple nights of this, I was hooked. TOMORROW X TOGETHER's "Blue Hour" and NCT U's "Make A Wish (Birthday Song)" were the first K-Pop songs to appear on my Spotify Wrapped in 2021. Now, K-Pop is easily my most listened-to genre, filling my last three Spotify Wrapped playlists to no one's surprise.

Below are 10 songs that either pulled me into K-Pop nearly four years ago or songs that I strongly believe would pull me in today, each showcasing different aspects of the genre. They're in a loose order, leading to the most easily approachable songs in the second half of the list. Best of luck on your K-Pop journey or on your quest to get your friends and family into K-Pop!

10 Russian Roulette

Red Velvet (Active 2014 - Present)

Red Velvet are one of the most essential K-Pop girl groups that everyone should try listening to at least once. "Russian Roulette" presents all the quirky, bright aspects of the genre in less than four minutes, adding a special Red Velvet flair that you'll notice while diving into their other music. Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri's voices are sugary sweet, each having a distinct tone that will make them easily distinguishable from one another for a first-time listener.

Like most of this group's music videos, "Russian Roulette" presents a hilariously dark visual of the song where a clip of one member attempting to push a piano down the stairs to hit two other cuts to a bright clip of all of them dancing happily. If you or whoever you hope to get into K-Pop wants something different while also receiving incredible music, look no further than this five-member girl group.

9 Walk

NCT 127 (Active 2016 - Present)

NCT 127 isn't a group that's often recommended for beginner K-Pop fans, but I can't help but present the best boy group song of 2024 to anyone hoping to get into the genre. "Walk" sees the group step away from their more experimental sound in controversial songs like "Sticker" and "Simon Says" to lean into a hip-hop style that suits each member perfectly.

Any fan of hip-hop or a good beat in general will see the appeal of this song, and anyone with the smallest amount of dance experience is sure to be hypnotized by the synchronization and footwork found in the performance video. While it may not be the best introduction to NCT 127's wider discography, particularly their title tracks, I believe that "Walk" shows off the ' vocals, rapping skills, and dancing abilities perfectly in one of the most effortlessly cool songs that's come out recently.

8 FEVER

ENHYPEN (Active 2020 - Present)

ENHYPEN were the K-Pop group that reeled me in for good. They were the first group where I took the time to learn every member's name and choose a bias (AKA your favorite member). It was a performance of "Not For Sale," a B-side from their 2021 mini-album BORDER : CARNIVAL, that sold me, but another track from this album is one that I used to pull my sister into the K-Pop world with me.

The seductive choreography paired with the group's heavenly vocals make for an addictive combination that has surely lured thousands of people into K-Pop already.

"FEVER" falls into the category of songs by boy groups that beg a girl to stay with them or describe how badly they want someone in shimmering, poetic language. Think "No Control" by One Direction. The seductive choreography paired with the group's heavenly vocals make for an addictive combination that has surely lured thousands of people into K-Pop already. There's not a bad place to start with ENHYPEN, so be prepared to dive head first into a near-flawless discography.

7 Selfish Waltz

ATEEZ (Active 2019 - Present)

Any ATEEZ fans might be surprised that I chose this over any of their flashier title tracks, but after my first listen, "Selfish Waltz" quickly became one of my favorite songs beyond just K-Pop. ATEEZ does a lot of things well, like bringing 110% to every performance and adding the right amount of power to their title tracks before they feel too overwhelming. Another thing they do right is synth-pop. They don't do it often, but when they do, you'd believe that was their usual style.

"Selfish Waltz" gives like Wooyoung and Yunho the spotlight their voices deserve, with Wooyoung giving the performance of a lifetime in every chorus. Mingi and Hongjoong's raps are perfectly delivered, and every masterful second of this song builds and builds until it crashes down with Jongho holding out that final chorus like his life depends on it. Once you've processed this song, which could take weeks, feel free to move on to its synth-pop sisters, "Take Me Home" and "Cyberpunk," and more underrated ATEEZ songs, too.

6 Replay

SHINee (Active 2008 - Present)

If you want to start your journey a little further back, let's rewind to 2008. As the only debut track on this list, SHINee's "Replay" deserves every second of attention. From the minute the instrumental kicks in, you're transported back to the early 2000s sound that newer groups have tried to replicate in the past few years of K-Pop. None of that could reach the level of charm that this song brings.

SHINee houses some of the most impressive vocalists in K-Pop, but late member Jonghyun grabs your attention from the moment he opens his mouth. You can't help but believe he means every word he says. Starting with a group like SHINee is perfect for watching how their music evolves as new generations are introduced into the genre. Despite it all, Jonghyun, Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin hold onto their crown as a boy group that influenced all who came after them. They also each have extensive solo catalogs to explore.

5 134340

BTS (Active 2013 - Present)

In a similar fashion to my ATEEZ pick, I decided to go with a more low-key BTS song for my initial recommendation. They're another group that everyone should at least acknowledge for the contributions they continue to make to the genre as a whole, both as BTS and in their seven separate solo careers. BTS' lengthy discography is filled with just about every sub-genre of music you can imagine, but with most of their still completing their mandatory military service until mid-June, you have plenty of time to get through all of it.

"134340" is a flute-driven track that allows any listener to understand the charm of BTS. From Jungkook's dreamy falsetto to Suga's rap that might just make you blush, it's a subtle invitation to explore their music. The album this song is off of, LOVE YOURSELF 轉 ‘Tear,’ is a perfect introductory album that is sure to have you wondering what took you so long to find them.

4 Flights, Not Feelings

aespa (Active 2020 - Present)

As we move nearer to the end of this list, we lean into more familiar sounds to any fan of music outside K-Pop. aespa's "Flights, Not Feelings" is a B-side off of their most recent mini-album featuring the hypnotizing title track, "Whiplash." Before diving into their more elaborate title tracks, though, take the time to appreciate the R&B sound that plenty of their B-sides have to offer.

It gives listeners a taste of the range many K-Pop groups have within their discographies.

This song in particular is one that I didn't fully come around to until recently. As I've gathered songs for this list, I believe "Flights, Not Feelings" is a perfect starter song for anyone thinking about getting into K-Pop. It gives listeners a taste of the range many K-Pop groups have within their discographies. Although most of their title tracks feature heavy instrumentals and grand production, they can strip them back when they need to. Plus, aespa is one of the biggest groups currently, so it won't hurt to try them out.

3 20

BOYNEXTDOOR (Active 2023 - Present)

BOYNEXTDOOR are one of the younger groups on this list, but that just means that you have less of a commitment to make when deciding if you should give their music a chance. They also just released their latest mini-album, No Genre, on May 13, so maybe this is fate. Maybe BOYNEXTDOOR is the group who's going to reel you into K-Pop for good, like ENHYPEN did for me. The six-member boy group is filled to the brim with talent thanks to their mentorship by ZICO of Block B at KOZ Entertainment.

By now, every member has participated in songwriting at least once, with Taesan and Jaehyun emerging as some of the fifth generation's most promising rappers. "20" encapsulates their concept perfectly through the heartbreaking authenticity in their voices as they sing about the anxiety that comes with leaving your teenage years behind. The rest of their music features the same youthful spirit in lighthearted, humorous songs as well as more touching, slower songs. Moral of the story: you won't regret getting into BOYNEXTDOOR.

2 Crazy Sexy Cool

ASTRO (Active 2016 - Present)

The moment I heard "Crazy Sexy Cool" by ASTRO, I knew I was done for. Granted, this was long after my descent into K-Pop and also after learning about member Moonbin's ing, but it still gives me the same feeling it did during that first listen. At the end of the day, it's just an incredibly sweet love song that takes my breath away with its beauty.

There are a lot of beautiful, even cheesy, love songs in K-Pop, but I guarantee starting with this one will set a high bar that will leave you no choice but to listen to every song ASTRO has ever released. Their vocals and raps leave no room for criticism. That, paired with a sweet music video where every member looks like they're having the time of their lives, is what always leads me down the road of learning more about a group, listening to their music, and inevitably watching their content beyond just music videos to gain a deeper appreciation.

1 Nobody Knows

KISS OF LIFE (Active 2023 - Present)

The other youngest group on this list is KISS OF LIFE, a four-member girl group that has already positioned themselves among the likes of i-dle for their unapologetic attitude within their music. "Nobody Knows" is a magnetic song that I would show anyone looking for music recommendations. Oftentimes, their B-sides get much bigger than their title tracks, especially on their first two mini-albums, and this was one such case.

'Nobody Knows' is a magnetic song that I would show anyone looking for music recommendations.

This song's music video alone feels like a feat for K-Pop. They touch on instances of bullying, harassment, and unwanted advances by men, all things that are incredibly prevalent in South Korea and beyond, allowing each woman to come out on top of each situation. The choreography sees them leaning into a more sultry style that feels refreshing among so many girl groups focused on Y2K or less mature concepts. I would easily show this music video and several of KISS OF LIFE's songs to someone eager to explore K-Pop.