K-pop Albums Rank for all time. South Korean idol music is more widely available than at any other point in history, as K-pop has grown as a global player in the global music scene. Music in the K-pop scene becomes even more of a focus for idol singers as they strive to stay competitive in an ultra-fast-paced market, thanks to the increased international attention. While that kind of pressure can’t be fun for the performers, it does tend to result in a lot of high-quality music for fans to appreciate.
K-pop releases often follow a similar pattern: artists will make their debut with a single or a mini album, which is a tiny album with a single and anywhere from two to five album tracks. Idols will finally release the sought complete album, which is fundamentally not that different from a mini, but now fans have a lot more songs to listen to from their favorites.
Unfortunately, not all K-pop albums are equal, and some fail to endure the test of time. Don’t worry; we’ve compiled a list of 5 key K-pop albums to assist both new and seasoned fans in discovering some of the genre’s best songs. Here are the top five K-Pop albums of all time.
5. Twice’s ‘Eyes Wide Open’ K-pop Albums
Twice has progressed significantly since their 2015 debut, “Like Ooh-Ahh.” While the sisters are best recognized for their joyful, bubbly sound, they’ve experimented with a wide range of sounds over the years. Eyes Wide Open, his sophomore album, is a good example of his diversity. From the ’80s-inspired, synth-pop title tune, “I Can’t Stop Me,” to the retro disco-infused “Up No More,” the female group succeeds at experimenting with new sounds.
As the girls gain industry experience, Eyes Wide Open manages to merge the brilliant early Twice sound with a new degree of maturity and refinement. The 2020 album exemplifies the nine-member group’s development over their seven years as idols, and it is still on our playlists on a regular basis.
“Hell in Heaven,” “Say Something” are two standout tracks.
4. ‘The Perfection of Red Velvet’ Red Velvet’s K-pop Albums
Red Velvet boasts one of the most well-crafted discographies in the K-pop business, making it impossible to single out a single album as the finest. Even with that enviable dilemma, certain music will stand out even more, and we can certainly make a case for The Perfect Red Velvet, the repackaged edition of their second full-length album.
The Perfect Red Velvet represents the five-member girl group’s “velvet” side, which is more mature and elegant, but there are also notes of the girls’ “red” notion, which is bright, youthful, and cheerful. Perfect Velvet is nearly a perfect album, but the extra three tracks (particularly the single, “Bad Boy”) raise an already excellent album to something genuinely exceptional.
“Kingdom Come,” “Look” are standout tracks.
3. ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Being Young Forever’ by BTS
BTS’ name has become synonymous with K-pop in the West at this point, although some of the group’s best music dates back before their big break. Don’t get us wrong: when BTS released The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever in 2016, they were still performing well. The ambitious album is a compilation of the majority of Beautiful Moment Parts 1 and 2, along with three new tracks and remixes.
BTS was renowned for its aggressive style before embarking on this trilogy, but with this, they shifted to a more ethereal, rock-infused dance pop sound. There are elements of that prior aggression—for example, the smash “Dope”—but other tracks, such as “I Need U” and “Run,” are more subdued. Among other great records, the two-disc CD is one of the best by the seven-member group.
‘Butterfly,’ ‘House of Cards’ are standout tracks.
2. f(x)’s ‘Pink Tape’ K-pop Albums
There isn’t much to say about f(x)’s second complete album Pink Tape that hasn’t already been mentioned by fans and critics alike as one of the best K-pop albums ever. Despite not having produced any albums since the great 4 Walls, f(x)’s music still sounds fresh and forward-thinking as SM Entertainment’s experimental girl group—debuting as a contrast to enormously popular labelmate Girls’ Generation. This quality can be found on all of the group’s albums, but especially on Pink Tape. The album was released in the summer of 2013, but it sounds like it might have been released yesterday.
“Signal,” “Shadow” are two standout tracks.
1. Wonder Girls’ ‘Reboot’ K-pop Albums
If you can only listen to one album from this list, make it this one. By 2015, the Wonder Girls had all but vanished from the K-pop world, as member changes and an extended sabbatical had slowed their meteoric rise to the nation’s girl group. All of that was quickly forgotten when the group’s most recent incarnation returned three years after their final single with one of the best K-pop albums of all time.
Reboot is 43 minutes of nonstop ’80s-inspired musical joy. Even more astounding, the girls have writing credits on all of their songs except the hit, the gloriously nostalgic “I Feel You,” and have rebranded as a genuine band, with each member playing a different instrument.
“Rewind,” “One Black Night” are standout tracks.
