I definitely didn’t want to do this because the music was trash ass buttcheeks this year and I hate KPOP more than I’ve ever hated anything else in the world. Of course we know that EXO is the exception, and I know you’re probably thinking “what about Blackpink?” and it’s like nope! They’re on a timeout too. I am not ready to forgive them for Shit This Love just yet. I actually listened to a lot more Mandopop this year than I did Kpop so it was very hard to pick only five. In the same breath, I decided to cut down the KPOP picks to just five because it was way easier to come up with five verses ten. So anyways! Let’s get to it.
PS- I kinda regretted not doing a monthly round-up from July onwards cause I had to then go look at what songs were released/groups debuted and if I liked any of them. Also, for the OSTs, even if the song was not released this year, if the drama was then it is valid-house rules.
CHINA
A Bop Is A Bop! No Matter The Language – Top 5 Mandopop Releases
5th: Who’s Next? – ØZI
4th: Rainbow – VaVa
3rd: Hat Trick – Lexie Liu
2nd: Pretend – Yo Lee, Becky Yeung & George Wu
Top Release: Without You – OSN
Is What I’m Watching Good Or Am I Blinded By The Music? – Top 5 Chinese OST Releases
5th: I Want to be The Only One In Your Eyes (我想成为你眼中的唯) – Gai Yujia
4th: Water From the Heaven (水从天上来) – Zhang Bichen & Zheng Yunlong
3rd: A Far Journey (路之遥) – Ding Ding
2nd: Juvenile In White (白衣少年) – Xu Shi Yin
Top Release: Never Let You Go – Sa Ji
JAPAN
Listening To Echos – Top 5 Japanese Versions of Korean Songs
5th: Monsta X – Shoot out
4th: Twice – What Is Love?
3rd: Momoland – I’m So Hot
2nd: Winner – Ah Yeah
Top Release: Dreamcatcher – Deja Vu
According to Knetz, Japan Is Irrelevant – Top 5 Original Jpop Releases from Korean Artists
5th: IZ*ONE – Suki to Iwasetai
4th: TWICE – Fake & True
3rd: Taeyeon – Voice
2nd: Seventeen – Happy Ending
Top Release: Dreamcatcher – Breaking Out
Hey! We Exist! – Top 5 Japanese Releases From Non-Kpop Artists
5th: iri – Wonderland
4th: MACO – Time Limit
3rd: BananaLemon – #Slaysian
2nd: Miliyah Kato – Sayonara (feat SKY-HI)
Top Release: RIRI – luv luv (feat Junoflo)
KOREA
Do Men Deserve Rights? Be Honest. MALES
Let’s Get This Bread – Top 5 Title Tracks
5th: Blue Flame – Astro
4th: Wonderland – Ateez
3rd: Miroh – Stray Kidz
2nd: Under Cover – A.C.E
Top Release: Obsession – EXO
You Are Second Best To No One – Top 5 Bsides
5th: Play Hard – SF9
4th: Mola – Winner
3rd: Utopia – ATEEZ
2nd: Maybe I – CIX
Top Release: Groove – EXO
Standing On Your Own – Top 5 Releases From Solo Artists
5th: Like Me – pH-1
4th: That’s Okay – D.O.
3rd: Nappa – Crush
2nd: Human – Zico
Top Release: Hate Everything – Golden
You’re My Best Man – Top 5 Bsides From Solo Artists
5th: Love Words – Chen
4th: Ibiza – Crush
3rd: Hug Me – Crucial Star
2nd: Broken Record – Golden
Top Release: Psycho – Baekhyun
No Skips Allowed! – Top 5 Mini/Full Albums
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE
Women In Charge – Top 5 Title Tracks
5th: Piri – Dreamcatcher
4th: The Fifth Season – Oh My Girl
3rd: Fancy – TWICE
2nd: Psycho – Red Velvet
Top Release: %% (Eung Eung) – Apink
Aint No Regular Side Chick – Top 5 Bsides
5th: I Need U – CLC
4th: Vogue – Oh My Girl
3rd: Sorry – AOA
2nd: Love Foolish – TWICE
Top Release: Silent Night – Dreamcatcher
Independent Woman – Top 5 Releases From Solo Artists
5th: Butter Chicken – Oohyo
4th: Gotta Go – Chungha
3rd: Four Seasons – Taeyeon
2nd: Love Me – Punch
Top Release: Katchup – Dalsoobin
You’re My Maid Of Honor – Top 5 Bsides From Solo Artists
5th: Paper Moon – Kim Jiyeon
4th: Square – Yerin Baek
3rd: The Visitor – IU
2nd: Dispatch – Heize
Top Release: Blue – Taeyeon
No Skips Allowed! – Top 5 Mini/Full Albums
BONUS
Rookie Spotlight – Soloists (Re)Debuts
5th: Don’t Make Me Laugh – Oh Hayoung
4th: Face – Woosung
3rd: Twit – Hwasa
2nd: Goblin – Sulli
Top Release: UN Village – Baekhyun
Rookie Spotlight – Groups
5th: Valkyrie – Oneus
4th: Dalla Dalla – ITZY
3rd: Breathe – AB6IX
2nd: Movie Star – CIX
Top Release: Bon Bon Chocolat – EVERGLOW
Duo/Subunits/Collabs
5th: Wet The Bed – Sik-K x Coogie
4th: What A Life – EXO-SC
3rd: Stars Over Me – BOL4
2nd: How Can I Love The Heartbreak – AKMU
Top Release: Who Do You Love? – Monsta X ft French Montana
The Show Is Over But The Music Lives On – Top 5 OSTs
5th: Maybe – Lee Hae Rin
4th: Pray – Klang
3rd: Abyss – Suran x Coogie
2nd: We All Lie – Ha Jin
Top Release: Done For Me – Punch
So there you have it! I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for us musically! xx
Unbothered Unnies 
First I want to commend you on your voluminous collection of Asian videos. Second, if I was understading you correctly, there is nothing I detest more than Asian groups trying to sound like East and West coast rappers from the USA. Having lived in China and Japan, and being the beneficiary of their absolutely beautiful music that blends their traditional instruments with their incredible vocal ranges. I couldn’t listen to all of your videos, but I enjoyed: “Water From The Heaven,” “A Far Journey,” and “Never Let You Go.”
As for the Japanese JPOP, I have to admit I am a huge fan of their style because they seem to consistently churn out videos that are filled with a bunch of happy cuties that put a smile on my face every time.
Thanks for your thoughtful review of the Asian music scene.
Thank you for reading! I think there’s so much more mandopop that I haven’t been able to listen to due to regulations but I won’t stop trying. I am anticipating being able to immerse myself more later.
If you haven’t done so already, you owe it to yourself to visit some of those countries. The people treat you like a celebrity, the food is fantastic, and China, especially, is far from the oppressive dictatorship with egregious human rights atrocities that it is portrayed as. Enjoy your listening, and keep on posting what you can my friend.