#12. Davichi - Turtle (NEW)
Original: Davichi - Be Warmed
Davichi's original two tracks have been dropped and replaced by the lovely "Turtle." I consider "Turtle" the medium between "Be Warmed" and "Because I'm Missing You Today." It possesses the lighthearted feel of the latter while still maintaining an intensity in the powerful vocals of the former. Sure there's no Verbal Jint appearance but he's already a bonus to begin with. The vocal work between Minkyung and Haeri is divine in "Turtle," and has over the years risen to be my 2nd favorite Davichi track (behind "Don't Say Goodbye," naturally).
#11. Gaeko - Rhythm Is Life (NEW)
Original: JeA - Days & Nights
In the first list, Dynamic Duo was the sole male representation. This time around, only Gaeko returns (though there is another male artist later). Like I mentioned in Best Of 2012 Revisited, Korean hip-hop didn't fly onto the radar until 2013, and this was one of the pioneering tracks. Gaeko's "Rhythm Is Life" is a straight masterpiece in terms of the execution of lyrics. His delivery is pretty close to flawless and the replay value is through the roof. Gaeko and Dynamic Duo helped pave the way for other hip-hop artists to join my library.
#10. Sistar - Give It To Me (-3)
Original: Younha - The Reason We Broke Up
Whereas "Alone" was underrated, "Give It To Me" was overrated. Sure, the elements in "Alone" were amplified like speed, pace of dance, length of rap, but that doesn't always make something better. The song still very solid and still good enough to be within the top 10, but calling it better than "Alone" was an overstatement. Regardless, this was a stepping stone for Dasom and her development, even if that would end up being delayed a few years with the following releases like "Touch My Body" that failed to live up to expectations of one "Loving U."
#9. Soyu & Mad Clown - Stupid In Love (NEW)
Original: Davichi - Because I'm Missing You Today
The competition for this slot was fierce. I wanted J-Min's "Heart Theatre," but it's a Japanese release and I don't put non-Korean releases. I also wanted miss A's "Hush," but the overall simplicity of the song couldn't really compete, even if it is miss A's best track. So then we turn to the next best thing: "Stupid In Love." Mad Clown's rapping was intense and Soyu's vocals delicately beautiful. This song laid the foundation for Soyu's future as a competitive collaborative name, and Mad Clown's emergence into mainstream discussions.
#8. Hyorin - One Way Love (NEW)
Original: Dynamic Duo - Hot Wings
We got a whole lot of Sistar this time around. Rounding out the group's 2013 trilogy is Hyorin's solo debut. While the fact that "One Way Love" could've been a Sistar song is uninspiring, what is worth applauding is Hyorin's performance in every aspect of the field. The choreography is difficult and taxing, the surprise rap was pulled off excellently, and her singing and visuals are on point (as always). "One Way Love" is so good because it takes what works for Sistar, then throws everything in a 3-minute highlight reel displaying Hyorin's finesse: singing, dancing, and rapping. How incredible is that?
#7. Younha - Not There (-2)
Original: Sistar - Give It To Me
Younha has not failed to make the list every year since I started these, and even though "The Reason We Broke Up" would slide just outside, "Not There" remains. The slightly unorthodox style that we don't see from Younha is what gives this song that unique flavor. The instruments are used to excellent effect as per usual from many of Younha's work, and her voice is both serene and bold. Ignoring the other version of the song, the acoustic nature of "Not There" keeps the track from aging and that's significant.
#6. IU - Friday (NEW)
Original: EXO - Baby Don't Cry
Speaking of unorthodox, "Red Shoes" by IU was an eccentric fairytale spin, but what really made waves was the track from the repackaged album "Friday." This duet with Yijeong of History was bundled with an innocent aura that allows for "Friday" to be a fantastic listen on every day of the week, every month of the year. There's not much else that needs to be said. IU has been for the most part quite consistent throughout the years, and "Friday" would be her at her best in 2013.
#5. EXO - Growl (NEW)
Original: Younha - Not There
The most complete song in EXO's discography has been "Growl," and it's really not all that close. While I originally passed it up for the stellar "Baby Don't Cry" ballad, these revisions only factor in feature music AKA those with music videos and thus "Baby Don't Cry" will have to be vacated. If you wanted an energetic dance track with personality and sharp vocals (thank you based Chen), then "Growl" truly set the stage. Even though we had already seen a glimpse of what they could do with this style in "History," it was "Growl" that set EXO ablaze, and spinning into international fame.
#4. Ailee - U&I (-1)
Original: Girl's Day - Expectation
Ailee and Girl's Day will flip places in this version, for a few reasons. For starters, Ailee's song isn't as memorable, as it's not her flagship song (unlike for Girl's Day). Her vocals carry the usual explosive nature, but nothing really stands out ("Heaven" had more impact, and "Don't Touch Me" worked on her lower register). Perhaps the most compelling argument is that while "U&I" is indeed quite well-rounded, it's not really something that sold you on Ailee. Both past and future title tracks did way more for her than this one did, but we're basically grasping at straws, trying to downplay one "slightly-less-than-amazing" track in a career that has time and time again delivered.
#3. Girl's Day - Expectation (+1)
Original: Ailee - U&I
"Expectation" is the magnum opus of Girl's Day, and kickstarted their run in 2013 which lasted until the summer of the next year (or fall, if you include "I Miss You"). Simple catchy lyrics, iconic dance moves, and smouldering gazes helped the group achieve great heights. The addictive quality of the vocals and the memorable overalls dance catapulted this song in the upper echeons early and those same reasons give it staying power. The rap left much to be desired out of Yura, but it was so short it hardly had any time to injure the song.
#2. SPICA - Tonight (--)
Original: SPICA - Tonight
Man, remember when SPICA actually released music? Good times. "Tonight" doesn't care about your mood: it starts playing, and you start dancing. The energy and adrenaline rush can't be ignored, no doubt thanks to the explosive vocals provided by Bohyung and company. Looking back, this really was one of the best songs that summer, further translating to being one the best songs of the year. Here's hoping that a supposed July comeback can revitalize this group, and bring back some of the high-quality material they're capable of showing.
#1. 9MUSES - Wild (--)
Original: 9MUSES - Wild
You will have noticed that the top 4 songs have remain unchanged, only a minor switch between #3 and #4. That's because to this day, I think these 4 songs together are unparalleled in their quality and production, though last year did come close. "Wild" is the leader of that pack, and with good reason. The song is nearly perfect: dynamic vocals are present from start to finish, an instrumental that was as electrifying as it was supportive, choreography with fierce and sexy elements, and the rapping was untouchable. No matter what happens to different variants of 9MUSES down the line, they can always look back and be very, very proud of the masterpiece that is "Wild."
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