As the new decade rolls in, it’s impossible not to feel nostalgic about past K-Pop releases that have shaped the last 10 years. We often find ourselves surprised when we realize how much time has passed since our favorite songs were first released. While it seems like only yesterday, some of these iconic tracks actually celebrate their 10th anniversary this year.
For a song to stand the test of time and remain well-loved throughout the years is an incredible feat, especially in a genre as dynamic as K-Pop. This list celebrates the tracks that spearheaded the 2010s and achieved timeless status in the process, evident in how they are still enjoyed to this day by old and new fans alike.
In order of release date, here are 10 K-Pop songs that turn a decade old in 2020 handpicked by The Seoul Story that will take you on a trip down memory lane — and make you feel a lot older than you already do. 😉
Can’t Let You Go, Even If I Die (죽어도 못보내) – 2AM
Release Date: 23 January 2010
Kicking off this list is a powerful and somber ballad from a quartet of the best vocalists in K-Pop, 2AM. This heart-wrenching song about the difficulties of moving on from a breakup is nothing short of relatable. Its relatability catapulted the track to the top of the charts at the time and made it one of the best-selling singles of 2010. It also gave 2AM well-deserved wins at major year-end award shows such as Best Group Vocal Performance at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMAs), Song of the Year at the Melon Music Awards (MMAs), and the Daesang for Digital Releasing at the Golden Disk Awards (GDAs).
Oh! – Girls’ Generation
Release Date: 26 January 2010
No introduction is needed for Girls’ Generation as they have cemented themselves as one of the most legendary girl groups in K-Pop. ‘Oh!’ and its iconic cheerleader concept remains one of the most recognizable Girls’ Generation eras to this day, and there’s no doubt that it is among the gems in the group’s illustrious discography as it topped various digital music charts within minutes of release. ‘Oh!’ was the lead single for the group’s 2nd studio album of the same name, which won the Daesang for Full-Length Album at the 2010 GDAs. In the same year, Girls’ Generation was named Artist of the Year at both the MMAs and the Seoul Music Awards (SMAs).
NU 예삐오 (NU ABO) – f(x)
Release Date: 04 May 2010
Known for their distinct experimental style and sound, f(x) is definitely among the groups that pushed the boundaries of K-Pop. Their discography is filled with eclectic hits and ‘NU 예삐오 (NU ABO)’ is no exception as it went on to become a number-one single on the Gaon Chart. No other K-Pop girl group pulled off electropop as excellently as f(x) did, and perhaps it isn’t wrong to say that the group is a genre on their own.
‘미인아 (Bonamana)’ – Super Junior
Release Date: 11 May 2010
Another group that needs no introduction is Super Junior, having immortalized themselves as one of the most decorated K-Pop groups of all time. ‘미인아 (Bonamana)’ swept various music charts and went on to become one of the best-selling singles of the year with its addictive beat and entrancing choreography, staying true to Super Junior’s streak of delivering one critically successful release after the other. It also earned them several nominations at the 2010 MAMAs, namely Album of the Year, Best Male Group, and Best Dance Performance for a Male Group.
Bad Girl, Good Girl – miss A
Release Date: 30 June 2010
No other song quite defined the summer of 2010 better than miss A’s debut single, ‘Bad Girl, Good Girl’. Its catchiness from start to finish paired with an impressive and alluring choreography proved to be the perfect combination for commercial success. The song topped charts and won miss A various awards such as Best Dance Performance for a Female Group and Best New Female Artist at the 2010 MAMAs. The single also nabbed Song of the Year, a remarkable accomplishment considering that Miss A debuted only earlier that year.
Lucifer – SHINee
Release Date: 20 July 2010
With the release of ‘Ring Ding Dong’ just the year before, SHINee faced the tall order of replicating the single’s success as it seemed nearly impossible for them to top it. And then they came back eight months later with ‘Lucifer’ — a track surely reminiscent of its predecessor but with more flair and an even snappier choreography, which earned them a nomination for Best Dance Performance for a Male Group at the 2010 MAMAs. ‘Lucifer’ not only ascended to the top of various physical and digital sales charts domestically but also charted on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales for a whopping 57 weeks. 8 years after its release, ‘Lucifer’ was also featured in an episode of a popular FOX TV series with the same title.
I’ll Be There – Taeyang
Release Date: 19 August 2010
Taeyang flawlessly fused electropop with an R&B sound in ‘I’ll Be There’, a single he recorded for the international release of his first studio album <Solar>. Its music video featured visual aesthetics straight out of Halloween, a clear nod to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. The song also gave Taeyang a handful of nominations at major year-end award shows and secured him the award for Best Male Solo Artist at the 2010 MAMAs.
Can’t Nobody – 2NE1
Release Date: 12 September 2010
Nobody held 2NE1 down as they dominated the second half of 2010 with their first studio album <To Anyone>, featuring ‘Can’t Nobody’ as one of its three title tracks. The empowering anthem and the album it’s featured in went on to achieve both commercial and critical success, adding on several more awards and to the iconic girl group’s already long list of accolades including two Album of the Year trophies from the MAMAs and the MMAs.
I’m A Loner (외톨이야) – CNBLUE
Release Date: 27 September 2010
So many groups and artists debut every year and 2010 was no different — yet CNBLUE managed to stand out among their peers with ‘I’m A Loner (외톨이야)’ from their debut mini-album <Bluetory>, a melodic punk-rock track that talks about an inevitable breakup between two people drifting apart. While full-fledged bands are quite rare in K-Pop, CNBLUE had little to no difficulty breaking into the scene usually dominated by idol groups as they clinched three Rookie of the Year distinctions at the 2010 MAMAs, MMAs, and SMAs, respectively.
I’ll Be Back – 2PM
Release Date: 11 October 2010
2PM caps off our list clad in fierce, heavy eyeliner and futuristic outfits in ‘I’ll Be Back’, the lead single from their fourth mini-album <Still 02:00PM>. The pop dance track showcases the iconic running man move as its point dance in the choreography. ‘I’ll Be Back’ unexpectedly debuted at the 13th spot of Billboard’s World Album Chart even though it wasn’t promoted in the U.S. and won 2PM accolades domestically as well such as Best Dance Performance for a Male Group and Best Male Group at the 2010 MAMAs.
It was incredibly difficult to narrow this list down to 10 songs when 2010 was filled with so many exceptional releases and debuts that kicked off the past decade into high gear. If your favorite 2010 releases didn’t make it to our list, do share them with us and everyone else by leaving comments below! 🙂
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