2024 was another year filled with amazing K-Pop releases. Out of the countless new albums that came our way this year, here are the favorites that the allkpop staff loved the most!

Paul: Epik High - 'PUMP'

'PUMP' brings me a wave of nostalgia to my younger days when I first listened to Epik High over 20 years ago. This mixtape takes them back to their roots with head-nodding hip-hop beats mixed with the always clever wordplay from Tablo and Mithra Jin. I hope Epik High can continue to release great music for the next 20 years.

Susan-Han: PLAVE - 'Asterum : 134-1'

It feels a little like I'm returning to K-Pop's roots when I listen to this album. The 6 songs on the album are somewhat simple, but so representative of how K-Pop "plays" with different music genres (afro, pop rock, hip-hop, ballad, etc) while piling on top fun, experimental visuals and odd, imaginative storylines. My favorite song is "Watch Me Woo!" with Eunho's attention-grabbing rap verse in the climax. As someone who has been there every moment when K-Pop did something unfamiliar and was criticized for being "abnormal", I'm seated for what PLAVE will bring to K-Pop in 2025.

KatL903: Moon Byul - 'Starlit of Muse'

Though most people know her as the rapper of MAMAMOO, Moon Byul shows her vocal skills and versatility in her first full album ‘Starlit of Muse.’ This album has a wide range of songs, from upbeat and fun tracks to dance to like ‘Think About’ and ‘TOUCHIN&MOVIN,’ to heartfelt ballads like ‘Without’ and ‘After Sunset,’ and everything in between. This album is a complete experience.

Demian09: G-Dragon - 'HOME SWEET HOME'

"HOME SWEET HOME" by G-Dragon isn't technically "an album" but it's hands down my favorite release of 2024. I wanted to put another song for "my favorite song" so I had to include G-Dragon here. Released on November 22nd, this album felt like a long-awaited gift. G-Dragon’s artistry and his ability to connect with listeners shine through every track. As someone who’s been a BigBang fan for years, listening to this "single release" was like revisiting cherished memories. The title song, HOME SWEET HOME, carries such a heartfelt message, reminding fans that no matter how much time passes, G-Dragon remains a constant presence in their lives.

ean1994: Jaehyun - 'J'

Forgive me, it's not until now that I recently found out about NCT. Now SM artists are always praised for their vocals, but Jaehyun really surprised me with the vast array of vocals he was able to display through this album. The fact that he didn't just stick with one genre but really displayed his artistry in multiple ways you have to appreciate his work in music. It's a shame we didn't get more of his musical talent in the form of solo projects more often.

JanieReign: NCT WISH - 'Steady'

When it comes to sweet, experimental, and high-quality B-side tracks, SM has always been my holy grail for discovering hidden gems—not just for the year, but for a lifetime. It’s been a while since I truly indulged in that kind of album-listening experience. I’m speaking from the nostalgic days of SHINee and f(x), along with Girls' Generation, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and many others. But even in this new era of SM’s 3.0, the latest and final NCT unit, composed of talented international members, has proven to be the rightful heirs to SM’s tradition of producing exceptional B-sides. Their single "Dunk Shot" and title track "Steady" showcase solid, rhythmic dance-pop sounds. However, beyond those, the standout B-sides "Supercute" and "ON & ON" shine brightly. My personal favorite, though, is "Skate"—a perfect blend of youthful innocence and bittersweet emotions, beautifully conveyed through both its lyrics and music. This album captures the essence of NCT WISH—their energy, the vibrance of this youthful era, and a distinct "boyish dream" vibe in their discography. It may not last forever, but for me, this album will remain timeless. Other honorable mentions include: the high-energy, high-teen concept of rookie group 8TURN’s 3rd mini album 'STUNNING,' the refreshing direction of ZEROBASEONE’s 4th mini album 'Cinema Paradise,' and the mature evolution found in P1HARMONY’s 7th mini album 'Sad Song.' Trust me—each of these albums deserves a full listen from start to finish.

Sofia Sayson: NCT Doyoung - 'YOUTH'

Doyoung's ‘YOUTH’ is an album filled with feel-good tracks. Listening to it feels like you're being told about your youth—even going through such a journey yourself. It just brings a lot of nostalgia, transporting you to a world that gives off anime vibes. Doyoung's voice here is angelic, elevating the already-heavenly-sounding songs to another level; he's not just singing, he's storytelling. The transition between songs is delivered seamlessly. You wouldn't even guess which song is the title track, as they all possess the qualities of one. ‘YOUTH’ is an album you'd want to listen to at a Doyoung concert, live.

MaiaD: RM - 'Right Place Wrong Person'

'RPWP' by RM stands as one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2024, transcending genres and redefining what a musical experience can be. The album delivers an out-of-the-box listening journey, weaving poetic lyricism with innovative soundscapes that push boundaries. Each track explores new creative territories, offering a blend of introspection and artistry that resonates deeply. It is a masterpiece that solidifies RM’s place as a visionary in modern music.

Jia-Lin: POW - 'Boyfriend'

While it's released a little later to the second half of this year, POW's 'Boyfriend' is definitely my favorite K-Pop album of 2024. The title track heavily samples Avril Lavigne's hit song "Boyfriend," giving it a fresh perspective. Filled with amazing B-sides of varied genres, this is a no-skip album. I especially love the B-side track "I" – a dreamy, sentimental, fun, and bubbly song all at the same time.

Minsoo-Kim: Nerd Connection - 'And Yet, We Still'

Now recognized as one of Korea’s leading bands, Nerd Connection’s album, released this past summer, is shining even brighter as the year-end approaches. For those enduring a politically chilling winter, Nerd Connection’s steady and warm vocals in ‘And yet, We still’ offer the strength to keep moving forward.

hjang: Newjeans - 'Supernatural'

Since NewJeans didn't release an album in 2024, I chose one of their singles. This is the song that I most often reached for this past year. It features a fun melody, and it's another song that is easy to listen to.

A-Nish: RM - 'Right Place Wrong Person'

The album combined various genres and was a perfect blend of happy, groovy and retrospective tunes. Songs like ‘LOST!’, ‘Domodachi’ and ‘Credit Roll’ showcased his versatility. I was absolutely blown away by the song ‘Come Back To Me’, especially its 6-minute-long version and the continuous chanting of YOU ARE MY PAIN DIVINE DIVINE…The album truly showed that Namjoon can go bold and experiment with his music.

Rika-Go: DAY6 - 'FOUREVER'

DAY6 has absolutely owned 2024, and I’ve been so impressed by their music this year. 'FOUREVER' is undoubtedly my favorite album of 2024. From the smash hit "HAPPY’ to the beautiful title track "Welcome to the Show," the album is a stunning showcase of the band's growth, musical maturity, and emotional depth, and I can't get enough of it.

KG: TXT - 'minisode 3: TOMORROW'

TOMORROW X TOGETHER have solidified a top-tier spot in K-pop and they prove they deserve this status with the EP 'minisode 3: TOMORROW.' It features their signature storytelling of youth. Highlights include "The Killa (I Belong to You)" and the gritty but wonderful single "Deja Vu." I hope they continue to pump out good music.

Ari: IU - 'The Winning'

IU continues to shine, even 16 years into her incredible career. Her latest release proves once again why she's a beloved icon, seamlessly blending dance-pop energy with heartfelt ballads. Every track on this album is a standout, "Love Wins All," "Holssi," "Shh," "I Stan U," and "Shopper" are all wonderful songs. It's a masterpiece and easily my favorite album of 2024!

ReneeT: Rose - 'rosie'

Nothing is better than a debut album that leaves you wanting for more, anticipating for what comes next, and ‘rosie’ by Rosé does exactly that. It is by no means perfect, but it encapsulates one of the best transitions into solo endeavors for a K-Pop idol. Starting out at YG Entertainment with BLACKPINK, the new-and-improved Rosé is determined to carve out her own path by starting from the ground up. She sought out music producers and booked recording sessions independently, coming to terms with what she really wants to bring to the table, before finally signing with Atlantic Records. Bold and relentless, she did not utter a word of her hard work until everything was ready, shocking everyone with the announcement of a self-penned twelve-track album and the sudden drop of the mega-hit “APT.” She converted her emotional turmoil into creative expression, with all twelve songs exuding intimacy and vulnerability, while also demonstrating her ability to tackle diverse genres. ‘rosie’ is filled with catchy hits and emotional gut punches, but more importantly, with artistic grit and passion, Rosé managed to find a voice to blossom in an increasingly saturated industry. Let’s hope this is the first of many albums to come.

Alec06: aespa - 'Armageddon'

aespa’s first full album, Armageddon, includes the pre-released track Supernova, featuring a captivating minimal sound and a catchy top line, as well as the title track Armageddon, characterized by its trendy production and a rough yet restrained tone. The album spans a variety of genres, from energetic hip-hop to bright and cheerful dance tracks, rhythmic modern pop, and heartfelt ballads, offering a diverse listening experience that highlights aespa’s distinct musical color. Through this release, aespa has once again solidified its position as an unrivaled force in the music scene with its powerful and unique sound and visuals.

Sophie-HA: IU - 'The Winning'

This album marks IU's first release since her EP 'Pieces' was released in 2021, and it fully lives up to the expectations of one of South Korea's top soloists. IU did not fail to impress as one of the most talented artists. This album is packed with different genres that show the artistry of IU and her unique musical color. Every track on this EP is captivating, making it impossible to grow tired of listening. IU consistently brings fresh innovative sounds to each new album that shows her musical talent.

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