Top 5 Best K-Pop Songs of 2018 and What They Actually Mean

Jenny is a twenty-something-year-old who loves writing novels, poems and articles about her experiences in life.

K-pop is dominating the world's airwaves. Almost every country has been introduced to their music. We simply have no choice but to love them. However, because most of its lyrics are in Korean, most of us don't understand the meanings behind these amazing songs. That is why I've listed five chart-topping K-pop songs from 2018 and explained what they are actually about.

Top 5 Best K-Pop Songs of 2018

1. "IDOL" by BTS
2. ""뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)" by BLACKPINK
3. "Fake Love" by BTS
4. "Egotistic" by MAMAMOO
5. "Dance The Night Away" by TWICE

1. "IDOL" by BTS

Artist: BTS / Bangtan Sonyeondan

Members: J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga, V

Released: 2018

Album: Love Yourself: Answer

Genres: K-pop, EDM

BTS is taking the world by storm! Originating from South Korea, this boy band made waves internationally and finally made appearances in the U.S. music scene this year. They are not just the biggest musical group from Korea, but they are also record-breaking. Their song "IDOL" is now the most viewed music video online (in just 24 hours).

Despite being famous across the globe, the group seems to keep their hearts in the right place. This is obvious in their lyrics. "IDOL" is about loving and staying true to themselves amidst all the chaos and grandeur that fame may bring to their lives. It is nice to hear that they don't let other people label them and sway them to be someone they are not. This group will definitely be on top of their game for a long time, so long as they live up to their words.

You can call me artist

You can call me idol

or any other

something you come up with

I don't care. I'm proud of it

I'm free. No more irony

For I was always myself

— BTS (IDOL) [Music Video English Translation]

2. "Ddu-du Ddu-du" by Blackpink

Artist: BLACKPINK

Members: Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé

Released: 2018

Album: Square Up

Genre: K-pop, Future trap

BLACKPINK is probably the hottest South Korean girl group today. This group consists of four insanely talented young ladies who grew up from different parts of the world. This group broke the record for the most-viewed Korean music video within 24 hours of its release on YouTube. Their song "DDU-DU DDU-DU" also had the most first-day views for any video in 2018. It peaked at number one in four countries.

This song is about being more than what meets the eye. It is based on their image and how people perceived them to be. They may seem to be really nice and sweet, but they are also tough and edgy. The lines in the song express how they are not the goody-two-shoes that they may look like. The song may not one hundred percent reflect their personalities in real life, but it showcases how girls can also be savage!

I may look sweet, but I don't act like it

my slender figure hides twice the volume

I give it to them straight

Don't care what people think

Black to the Pink

We're pretty and savage

— BLACKPINK [‘뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)] [Music Video English Translation]

3. "Fake Love" by BTS

Artist: BTS / Bangtan Sonyeondan

Members: J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga, V

Released: 2018

Album: Love Yourself: Tear

Genres: K-pop, Emo rap, Rap rock

"Fake Love" has peaked at number 10 on the "US Billboard Hot 100." It also peaked at number one in various charts across four countries, including South Korea and the United States.

This song is about being tired of that kind of love where you tend to lose yourself. It is about pretending to be okay just for that someone you love. When, in reality, you are the opposite. It expresses the struggle to change and be better, while, at the same time, losing your identity in the process. It teaches us that even if we might love a person so bad, lying to ourselves will not cause us to be happier. If your partner causing you to feel the need to alter your true self for the relationship, it will just feel like a "fake love."

For you, I could pretend

like I was happy when I was sad

For you, I could pretend

like I was strong when I was hurt

I wish love was perfect as love itself

I wish all my weaknesses could be hidden

I grew a flower that can’t be bloomed

in a dream that can’t come true

— BTS (Fake Love) [Music Video English Translation]

4. "Egotistic" by Mamamoo

Artist: MAMAMOO

Members: Hwasa, Moonbyul, Solar, Wheein

Released: 2018

Album: Red Moon

Genres: K-pop, Latin pop

Mamamoo are known for their versatility. They've maneuvered from pop, retro, jazz, to R&B concepts. Consisting of four talented South Korean girls, Mamamoo released their seventh and most recent extended play "Red Moon" in 2018. "Egotistic" is one of the songs in this EP, carrying a fresh and different sound compared to their previous songs. This song has a bit of a Latin vibe and their sultry and soulful voices definitely bring justice to this song.

This song is about a person in a relationship who thinks only about themselves. It expresses how someone you love can be so selfish and you, who have made them your world, begin to start to get tired, realizing that you are better off without them. It just shows that even someone who loves you so much can leave you if you always want to have it your way and never consider your partner's feelings. It's such a great refreshing song for people who finally want to break free from toxic relationships.

You only think of yourself

Well, as if that's natural

I've been foolish enough to please you

That tortures me

Keeping me lonely till the end

— MAMAMOO (Egotistic) [Music Video English Translation]

5. "Dance The Night Away" by Twice

Artist: TWICE

Members: Chaeyoung, Dahyun, Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Mina, Momo, Nayeon, Sana, Tzuyu

Released: 2018

Album: Summer Nights

Genres: K-Pop, Pop

From being on a talent reality show called "Seventeen" back in 2015, "Twice" has definitely come a long way. They rose to fame in 2016 with their single "Cheer Up," which charted at number one. They now have many trending songs in South Korea and around the world. They are now one of the most successful girl groups of their generation.

"Dance The Night Away" is a refreshing track that can take you to your dream summer vacation. It is about having fun by the sea, dancing, and being carefree. It's the song to play at your beach parties because it can definitely awaken the fresh and sweet summer spirit.

You and me in the moonlight

on this festive night of shining stars

The moment we start dancing

to the sound of waves

This feeling is just so right

— TWICE (Dance the Night Away) [Music Video English Translation]

Which Is Your Fave?

The Ultimate BTS Quiz 2018

For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.

1. When did BTS has their debut?
   • 2012
   • 2013
   • 2014
2. What is BTS' first studio album?
   • Dark & Wild
   • 2 Cool 4 Skool
   • Love Yourself: Tear
3. Who is the famous international rapper that BTS collaborated with for their song "IDOL"?
   • Cardi B
   • Nicki Minaj
   • Eminem
4. Where did BTS has their first US Television performance?
   • The Late Late Show with James Corden
   • The Ellen DeGeneres Show
   • American Music Awards 2017
5. What does BTS fandom called?
   • ARMY
   • Believers
   • Battalion
6. Who is the youngest (International Age) BTS member?
   • Jungkook
   • Jimin
   • V
7. Who is the oldest (International Age) BTS member?
   • J-Hope
   • Jin
   • Rap Monster
8. When is Rap Monster's birthday?
   • 30th December, 1995
   • 12th September, 1994
   • 9th March, 1993
9. Where was J-Hope born?
   • Daegu
   • Busan
   • Gwangju
10. Who is the only BTS member born in 1993?
    • Suga
    • Jimin
    • Jin

Answer Key

1. 2013
2. Dark & Wild
3. Nicki Minaj
4. American Music Awards 2017
5. ARMY
6. Jungkook
7. Jin
8. 12th September, 1994
9. Gwangju
10. Suga

Interpreting Your Score

If you got between 0 and 3 correct answers: You are new to the fandom, aren't you? Don't worry. You still have time to catch up. BTS is here for the long run!

If you got between 4 and 6 correct answers: You're doing alright. Don't worry. You still have time to catch up. BTS is here for the long run!

If you got between 7 and 8 correct answers: Good job! A little bit more and you'll be a BTS expert!

If you got 9 correct answers: Whoah! You did amazing there! You sure are an ARMY!

If you got 10 correct answers: Amaaaazing! You did very well! You sure are an ARMY! BTS will be so proud.

Questions & Answers

Question: What is BTS?

Answer: "BTS," aka "Bangtan Sonyeondan," is a seven-member boyband from Korea. It is now one of the most well known Korean music groups in the world.

Question: Who is the youngest in BTS?

Answer: Jungkook is the youngest member of the K-pop group BTS. He's born on the 1st of December 1997.

© 2018 ThatWallflowerJen

Which K-Pop Song do you like best? Do you know other songs we can put on the list? Tell us below!

Army on June 23, 2020:

Mine is all

GOOGLE on December 11, 2019:

My favorite song in this list is DDUDUDU by blakcpink, but I also like "Let's dance the night away" BY TWICE.

Blackpink Jimina on December 29, 2018:

In my opinion bts Fake love is the best song.

Vimjoo on December 20, 2018:

Red velvet bad boy better than Blackpink ddududdudu