[Misc] The Late Report: September 2020

Another Late Report, yay! Hope you weren't used to the August edition and the extra credit there, because this month has slimmed down considerably and is more in line with other previous installments. Wonder what is in September's grab bag of goodies.

Presidential BTS

Really seems like BTS are doing some groundbreaking worth every month or so. Granted I haven't really listened to any of their recent music, but still. To get a letter from the president is pretty rad - doesn't matter if you follow, love, or hate them. They really are on another level by this point, and not even the worldwide pandemic has been able to slow them down in any capacity. Scary shit.

Choa - Girls Like You

Amidst all the depressing news revolving AOA (and the rest of the world), it's nice to have some good show up. Choa has been out of the spotlight for a while now and I'm glad she is back. Her voice is delightfully refreshing and this Maroon 5 cover does a great job of that. This should be a slow but steady return to at least singing in the public sphere for her. Welcome back, Choa.

[Bonus] The Late Report: January 2020

Whoops. Sometimes you just forget things. And I forgot about December's Late Report. Thus we'll have a super mega awesome combined deluxe version for this month (even though it'll mostly be for news from January regardless). These will also come out at the end of the month instead of the start of the following month, so this edition makes its debut on the final day.

Younha - Winter Flower

Alluded to in my review of "Dark Cloud," "Winter Flower" is a sensational track that features the brilliance of Younha's powerful voice with an electrifying instrumental and RM's appearance. Obviously he's a little busy as of late so he wasn't able to join her in this performance. No idea who BX is but he did a solid job stepping in for RM here. His voice is too nasally for my ears on a first listen but he keeps pace with the original, so props. I like this song so much that I'm trying to learn it on the piano. This will be the first time in almost a decade since I've touched a piano ha, should be a fun challenge.

BTS - Black Swan

Speaking of, here's BTS performing on the Late Late Show with James Corden. Considering that I did not look at any of the "Black Swan" releases of any form, I didn't know what to expect. The first thing I noticed was that this is very much modern BTS with the dancing and style of the song. Not surprising since this formula has been relatively untouched since their meteoric rise. The second thing I noticed was that they weren't wearing shoes. That couldn't have been easy. Shoutouts to the show and all because the whole setup was phenomenal: stage, scenery, lighting, etc. It's a great teaser for their upcoming album, that's for sure.

Red Velvet - Psycho (Remix) (feat. Nicki Minaj)

Kpop remixers really out here trying to add Nicki Minaj to every song. When it's this well-done, can you complain? No, you can't. Given that she has collaborated with BTS before, you could show this to someone new and they'd probably think this was legit. Okay given Nicki's lyrics probably not but you get the point haha. Since we've yet to see the rumored English version of "Psycho," a remix like this will have to do for now.

[Bonus] Best Of The 2010's

Back in early 2016 I made a post highlighting the best picks of the first five years of the decade. And of course there was the timeline post, too. But now with the 2010's behind us, it's time to see which of the top songs of each year would come out on top in a battle of the best. To make things simple, each year brings one candidate to the table. I contemplated giving some of the runner-ups a chance (because there have been some damn good #2 picks over the years) but that wouldn't be fair to all the songs who claimed the gold medal. This was arguably the hardest song ranking piece I've ever had to write. Let's see how the stars of the 2010's match up against each other.

#10. Ailee - Heaven (2012)

Make no mistake, the fact that "Heaven" is a debut track making a top 10 such as this is impressive. Plus, it's the only debut track to have accomplished such a feat. Some debuts have been good, but never this good. "Heaven" is a sublime power ballad that showcases Ailee's technique, power, and range all in one song. Ailee's powerful vocals have always been the center of attention for obvious reasons and her career started off on quite the introduction.

#9. 2NE1 - Ugly (2011)

The only knock I really have on "Ugly" in the context of the rest of these songs is that it's decidedly safe in most respects. Don't get me wrong it's still an emphatic dance number. I also love the lyrics and message that this song delivers, but some of the traditional YG mannerisms show up - in particular the chant-esque bridge - which by themselves are not bad, but fail to stand out compared to others here.

#8. IU - Blueming (2019)

The trouble with writing a list like this so soon after 2019 ended is there hasn't been enough time for the newest song to simmer in the ol' library you know? Because while "Blueming" is brilliant, it loses out against other tracks simply because it came out the latest. Still, IU's switch of styles provides a relaxing and soothing listen. No doubt after a couple years we will look back upon its legacy like some of the other songs here but for now it'll nestle itself at 8th place.

[Bonus] 2019 Kpop Awards

The coveted 2019 Kpop Awards are here, and actually in December no less. Just in time I say! The previous two years' awards were posted in January which should have been illegal. But hey we're almost at a new year, so new-ish me. These are always fun to write looking back on the year as a whole, and the narratives from other years makes for a fun clash. Here are the nine magnificent awards and their glorious, resplendent recipients. This may or may not be split into two parts.

Best Girl Group: Red Velvet

This was a competitive year between the usual top three dogs: Twice, Red Velvet, and Mamamoo. Each of them have taken home this title once in the last three years, and now Red Velvet are the first to grab their second award of this name. Mamamoo have been the most active, and Twice likely have the best numbers, but Red Velvet were not far behind in many of these aspects throughout the year. We don't speak of their first showing in 2019 but "Umpah Umpah" was a good summer jam while "Psycho" made plenty of good impressions with such a late release. Ultimately I believe that Red Velvet is most deserving by remaining the most consistent girl group showing marked improvements with each subsequent song.

Best Boy Group: BTS

Death, taxes, and BTS winning the Best Boy Group award. They've fully monopolized this category since the series debut in 2015 and until their military service fractures their production it doesn't seem like they'll stop. Their achievements, statistics, and legacy are overwhelming at this point considering all of the impact they've had (both the good and bad). Compound this with the fact that other groups of this generation simply cannot match BTS' output at an individual or group level and it's easy to see why they've had a iron grip on this award. Also worth noting is that they were unparalleled in the meme department as well. From "Seoul Town Road" to "Chicken Noodle Soup," BTS were firing on all meme cylinders.

[Bonus] Best Of 2019

Last year, the Best Of 2018 post was released Christmas Eve on which I worked. This year's Best Of 20XX will be released on Christmas Day. Can you guess if I worked yesterday? Hope you said yes because I'm drowning myself in alcohol over the next few days. These are my picks for the top tracks in 2019. Remember, it's just an opinion bro.

#10. Taeyeon - Blue

Starting off with a B-side? You goddamn right I am. Taeyeon has made more progress to her career this year, but none better than this somber and soothing ballad. Don't get me wrong, "Four Seasons" and "Spark" are both excellent additions and showed yet more of her brilliant versatility. Combined with her Japanese release "Voice," they make for a fine 2019 trilogy. However, the simple beauty of "Blue" rises above the rest. It definitely feels weird to have a B-side on the Best Of 20XX series but hey it's been done before. Hell, I'd argue that it's kinda surprising that none of her title tracks were better, though that may be because of her high standards.

#9. Mamamoo - Gleam

Mamamoo have had a year of ups and downs. Activity and popularity-wise they have been rolling, but between "gogobebe" and "Hip" nothing has really knocked my socks off. Then I remembered that they released "Gleam" which was more a promotional CF of sorts kinda like "Woo Hoo" was for some Samsung phone. The fact that it's an ad for (sun)glasses makes it better. It's the most polished Mamamoo track despite "Hip" being solid thanks to its simplistic nature. Shoutouts to the bowling alley dance floor. First a B-side and then a promotional song, what a weird start to this year's best.

[Bonus] The Late Report: April 2019

May might as well be Power Rankings month but that doesn't mean April didn't have some goodies. With reviews becoming shorter and sparser, here's a look at some highlights from last month.

Baby Soul - A Piece Of The Moon

Lovelyz have underrated vocalists. Baby Soul was one of three members with music before joining the group, and this was her first release since being part of Lovelyz. "A Piece Of The Moon" carries her beautiful voice and sounds like it was taken straight out of a romantic drama's OST list. My inner singer will always be a sucker for pure vocals and Baby Soul delivers here.

[Bonus] Boy Group Power Rankings: Spring 2019

Holy shit Boy Group Power Rankings?! This year truly is a year of surprises. And this case, good ones. As someone that always paid way more attention to the girl group landscape, but hey there are interesting things going on over on this side. I doubt this will become a recurring series - at least not for a while - but it's fun to draft these and y'all know how much I love power rankings of any kind. Speaking of...I'm really slacking on the Girl Group Vocalist Power Ranking that I've had foundation work for since half a year ago. Promise I'll get that out soon.

Let's talk methodology: it's really difficult haha. Because where do I even begin? Roster, talent, discography, statistics, history, legacy, etc. It's all a foggy blend and there's no real marker of when I should begin considering - too recent and the veteran groups lose out, too far back and the nostalgia goggles kick in. It's harder since there's no previous list to reference. I don't even remember how I determined placings for the first iteration of Girl Group Power Rankings. Looks like I'll have to rely on feel and adjust accordingly. Don't expect as detailed descriptions compared to the female counterpart list.

#10. Infinite
Honestly this spot makes you feel like a loser no matter what. With the complicated formula to determine who is "better," I settled with Infinite here over GOT7. Their rosters are actually pretty similar with both housing some unsung heroes in the vocals department. Choreography is their strength while rapping their weakness. But Infinite not only has seniority, but a better resume overall. "Bad" and "Back" are a pair of tracks that best anything in GOT7's library.

[Bonus] 2018 Kpop Awards

Another year, another edition of the prestigious Kpop Awards. There's a slate of nine exciting awards that will be handed out to this year's very best. Who will take home the wonderful prizes? Who will have to wait until next time? Let's find out with the 2018 Kpop Awards.

Best Girl Group: Mamamoo

After the battles between Red Velvet and Twice (sorry Black Pink), Mamamoo come out on top of the girl group ladder. To call 2018 "the year of Mamamoo" is an understatement. Whatever you wanted from them, you got. Group comeback? How about the diverse tastes of "Starry Knight," "Egotistic," and "Wind Flower." Solo efforts? Solar continued to release soft ballads while Moonbyul and Wheein had strong debuts with "Selfish" and "Easy." Even though I predict they'll slow down a bit in 2019, their incredible 2018 campaign lands them as the best girl group of the year.

Best Boy Group: BTS

Goodness, BTS have won this award for four consecutive years. From this series' inception in 2015, no other boy group has been as dominant and as consistent as BTS. This was another year full of production from the squad. The R&B-infused "Fake Love" started their year while "Idol" was full of psychedelic elements in both song and video. So trippy in fact that there was a version with Nicki Minaj guesting. Individual stages were also plentiful, just check out the end of the year performances for proof. Huh, they're finishing up another album? Are we sure these dudes are human?

[Misc] BTS Power Ranking

There's a first time for everything. Member ranks have always been on girl groups since I follow them more, but like I said in Thought Corner gender equality is happening. I nearly started the boy group series with Super Junior, one of the earliest groups in my Kpop discoveries but I'll save that for another time.

#7. Jin
Jin is so awkward. So fucking awkward. And it's not like one specific thing about him either. His voice, facial expressions, character...all of it is weird. I'm not even hating. The common trope is that there's always a member that's the outlier or odd one out. In the case of BTS that's been Jin more often than not. Sorry brother, maybe next time.

#6. Jimin
BTS aren't exactly known for their vocals, no matter how delusional you might be. Jimin is the lead vocalist after Jungkook but both are average on their best day. On almost any other boy group they'd be relegated to nothing in terms of lines. His voice isn't bad but the strain he exerts is not too flattering. Or maybe I simply dislike his higher tones. Take your pick, but I'll leave mine here.

[Review] BTS - Fake Love (Blitz)

It has been over a year since I've reviewed BTS. Let's do something out of character and start by talking about the MV of "Fake Love." How far BTS has come. Compare this video (and song) to their debut and it's two different universes. How could the 2013 BTS afford all those Snickers?! Jokes aside, the quality is certainly top-notch here. Unfortunately the outfits are not. The only reasonably dressed member is Suga and it's not even close. Like, surely they had better outfits than these? Whatever the plot is supposed to be - if there's even one at all - is impossible to decipher so I'll pass on that. The song itself appears to be a mixture of "DNA" and "Blood Sweat & Tears" with smooth R&B tones and a strong dance theme (especially during the chorus). Problem is it doesn't fully commit to one or the other and is left awkwardly in the middle. Both styles do flow in and out of each other quite well, so that's a positive. The rap parts were extremely underwhelming (disappointing even) and despite Suga's best efforts I'd give the rapping a generous C+ grade. And truth be told the rest of the song doesn't stray far from that. Don't let the final score deceive you, "Fake Love" is actually quite forgettable and the only reason the points are so high is because of the MV production. There's always next time, and with BTS that will probably be in two months.

Word Count: 247

[Misc] Thought Corner: Kpop Hopes In 2018

Y'all know me I'm a sucker for series and continuity on my blog and in general. Here's some hopes and dreams I have for the Kpop industry in the year 2018. Like last year, they range across the spectrum - from realistic to borderline impossible. But before those meaningful thoughts hit the page, let's check back up on last year and see what happened with my 2017 hopes.

[Bonus] 2017 Kpop Awards

Welcome to the 2017 Kpop Awards post...in 2018. Unfortunately I've been sick for more days this new year than healthy, and thus the delayed release. This is a consolidated form of the awards, which will have eight prestigious awards and their magnificent recipients. Some of these might be obvious, and some others might surprise you. Let's see who the champions are this year.

Best Girl Group: Red Velvet

Two girl groups clearly dominated the competition in 2017. So why Red Velvet over Twice? For starters, even though Twice had better numbers on the charts, Red Velvet wasn't unrealistically far behind. More importantly, while both groups had a rigorous promotion schedule, Red Velvet simply had better music on the whole. I consider their worst release this year ("Rookie") stronger than Twice's best release ("Heart Shaker"). Then you have "Red Flavor" and "Peek-A-Boo," which were both stellar dance tracks that succeeded their previous flagship title of "Ice Cream Cake." They also brought back a little of their velvet side with Station releases, but hopefully their next comeback will be something along the lines of "One Of These Nights."

Best Boy Group: BTS

Surprise surprise, BTS is the boy group to beat. They had yet another efficient showing: four more solid tracks to add to their library. "DNA," "Spring Day," and "Not Today" were all different flavors of the BTS recipe: the refreshing pseudo-R&B track, the slower sentimental piece, and the tough dance juggernaut. Then you had the "Mic Drop" remix with hilarious English yet it was a damn good remix. Well done Steve Aoki. Perhaps most important out of BTS' 2017 is their early adventures in the American market. Appearances on shows like Jimmy Fallon and Ellen are no joke. I'm not saying they'll crush it in the U.S. should they embark on such a journey, but it's definitely a good starting point.

[Bonus] Best Of BTS

Unlike Twice, I have no qualms writing about BTS as the premier boy group in Kpop. They have the resume, roster, talent, and work ethic to back all of it up. Time for a Best Of, then! As it turns out I've only written one other Best Of for a group (9MUSES) since the 7th season - let's try and get more of these on a somewhat consistent basis. For BTS, I'm only going to consider their vast number of title tracks. While this will leave out heavy contenders like "Whalien 52" and "Born Singer," it'll even the playing field because I haven't dived into many of their B-sides.

7. We Are Bulletproof Pt.2

Bear with me on this one. Many people laughed at or dismissed BTS' debut material but there's a few reasons this track stands out. First, as always, the choreography is sweet and this was really the first song to emphasize the whole guns and shooting business. Second, it acts as a reminder to the image that BTS had back in their early days. Finally, Rap Monster's verse is disgustingly good (and was accompanied by the usual crowd). It is quite confusing how this was called part two though when part one didn't exist.

6. War Of Hormone

Despite the cringey title and cringier lyrics, the song itself is quite good and quite addicting. The instrumental is infectious and in hindsight a deviation from the trend of future BTS songs. "War Of Hormone" is highlighted by the casual yet entertaining choreography (and maybe even the style of the music video) along with V's growl during the chorus. The bridge is lackluster and the high note by Jungkook isn't as pretty as it could be, but in the grand scheme of things this is a solid piece.

[Bonus] 2016 Kpop Awards: Part II

Best Vocalist: Sandeul

Enough with the inequality. Boy group members deserve some love, too. Otherwise I'd have dropped Taeyeon here and called it a day. Anyway, I don't think there's a boy group vocalist that's as incredible as Sandeul. He and B1A4 are sort of mired in mediocrity as far as I know but he has deservedly gained attention for his talents over the years. Appearances on singing shows increased his popularity and his OST offers grew. And in 2016 we finally saw him get a solo debut with "Stay As You Are," which further illustrated his vocal abilities.

Best Rapper: Zico

Speaking of gender equality on my blog... I don't think I'll ever write Rapper Power Rankings for boy group members, but if I did, there's one name that would be the undisputed champion: Zico. His style and charisma flow deep in Block B's music, not to mention the individual contributions he makes to the composition and lyrics of songs. He's also one of the most prolific group soloists, too. This year was another excellent harvest for the young man, with songs like "I Am You, You Are Me" and "Bermuda Triangle" giving him solace whenever Block B ends, he will be extremely comfortable pursuing the solo path.

[Bonus] 2016 Kpop Awards: Part I

Welcome to the 2016 Kpop Awards! The exciting and prestigious event that dates all the way back to 2015. Most of the ideas have previously been used during the awards from last year, but I made sure to throw in a few new ones, too. The various categories will be related to group popularity and success, but I'm also invested in their consistency and potential heading into the new year. There are roughly 15 awards to look at so let's not waste anymore time. I originally didn't want to split the post into two parts but I'd rather have more manageable sections than one giant wall of text.

Best Girl Group: Twice

No more games, no more denial. Twice towered above the competition this year. Whether you're looking for the insanely popular "Cheer Up," or the Halloween-themed "TT," Twice did a perfect job solidifying their status at the top of the girl group ladder in 2016. Both songs were a massive upgrade to the disjointed feel of "Like Ooh-Ahh," and they have established staples between their catchy choreography and beautiful bridges. With such a large roster, they have personalities and appearances of a wide variety, which helps attract fans of all kinds. If anything, they should work on getting more variety starts in 2017. Other groups certainly were successful this year, but none of them have exploded quite like Twice did this year.

Best Boy Group: BTS

Hmm, what a familiar feeling. BTS won this award last year, and it may not come as a surprise to see them take it again. There's simply no other group with the efficiency and work ethic of BTS. They debuted in 2013, and have averaged 3.5 title tracks a year. That number only includes Korean releases, by the way. That is insane. Anyway, 2016 saw songs like "Fire," "Save Me," and "Blood, Sweat, & Tears" enjoy considerable success. Along with the "Wings" album, Suga also had solo work (despite the unfortunate usage of a stage name for his stage name). With Big Bang departing for military service, the difference between BTS and rival boy groups seem worlds apart.

[Bonus] Best Of 2016 (#8-#1)

#8. Big Bang - Last Dance
Big Bang's final hurrah came in the form of "Last Dance" and "Fxxk It." The latter was briefly mentioned in the recap piece, but the former is really the song worth talking about. Somber vocals from each member really set the tone for the song (and the year, to be honest). And then T.O.P started singing and it was beautiful. If nothing else, 2016 has proven that rappers deserve singing lines too! T.O.P and Yubin have made a statement with their voices. Also live performances of "Last Dance" are...interesting. Big Bang will leave us for military service on a good note in an illustrious career.

#7. Twice - Cheer Up
Only one girl group can claim to be the hottest in 2016. Twice dominated Youtube, hearts, and charts with "Cheer Up" and even their most stout critics were silenced by the success of "Cheer Up." This was a group finding their form: between the vocal leadership of Nayeon and Jihyo, the shared rap between Chaeyoung and Dahyun, and pretty bridges and aesthetics, this song (combined with "TT" later) cemented Twice's position as the best girl group of the year (oops, spoilers for the Kpop Awards). Throw in a fun choreography and dance break and this was Twice firing on all cylinders.

[Bonus] Best Of B-Sides: Part I

Sometimes, the title track is poorly chosen, or is simply a bad song. Thankfully, there are other songs around to help it out. These posts will highlight some of my favorite songs off albums that weren't title tracks. B-sides are often difficult to compile if only because nobody has all the time in the world to scour every album and every tracklist. However I have my fair share of albums in my library, so this should be an easy task. The songs themselves won't be ranked, mostly because these posts will be recurring - as they essentially give me an outlet to write on any given day even if I'm stuck on a review or can't get ideas flowing.

BTS - Butterfly

Perhaps the hottest boy group right now is BTS. And while they're often known for their insane choreography and in-your-face energy, they have some really great stuff on the slower side of the spectrum. "Butterfly" is a classic example and both the singers and rappers restrain themselves wonderfully. Despite the mass amount of falsetto, it's a rare instance where it works given the pace of the song. BTS shows that you don't need excellent vocalists to have excellent ballads.

Younha - Realize After Breakup (feat. Kim Bumsoo)

As mentioned previously, Younha has seen her fair share of strong collaborations. This was a top-end ballad of 2009, and the names alone reveal why. Contrasting Kim Bumsoo's sharp voice is Younha's more clear and rounded one. They combine for wonderful harmonies throughout the song and easily make this piece a karaoke classic. Neither singer overpowers the other, which is a quality I really love seeing in duets (even if it's rather uncommon). Impressive singing from start to finish, what more could you ask for?

[Bonus] Best Of 2014 Revisited

Continuing the revisited series, we stop at a shy two years back in 2014. This was one of the more diverse years and I expect a handful of new entries to join the fun. Writing these redos have been fun and I may go in reverse after doing the 2015 set, although I'll probably only write 2011 and 2010 because my memory doesn't go much further back. At some point, I even plan for a "Best Of 2010-2015" and basically pit the top 5 of each year against each other to see which songs come out on top.

#12. INFINITE - Back (--)
Original: INFINITE - Back
Zero changes here. Infinite's "Back" was a reliable release with all the trademarks of the group in tow. Solid vocal showing from Sunggyu and Woohyun, and a dance performance that lives up to the Infinite name. In terms of the individual categories they all did well and came together well, too. There were some boy group songs competing for this spot (namely Block B's "Her") but at the end of the day the consistency of Infinite's track record proved stronger.

#11. Lovelyz - Goodnight Like Yesterday (NEW)
Original: Wheesung - Night & Day
Lovelyz kicks off five consecutive new entries to the 2014 list. Most of the songs that were replaced were ones that didn't have staying power, whether through the songs not being as good as initially interpreted, novelty wearing off, or a combination of those and other factors. "Goodnight Like Yesterday" is a premier ballad and helps out Jieun in that genre's representation. Soft soothing voices led by Kei make this a lullaby for the ages. The best part? "Destiny" showed that this wasn't a one-trick-wonder either, this style could be their bread and butter if they wanted.

[Review] BTS - Save Me

"Save Me" is an appropriate title, as I'm saved from having to review "Fire" by opting for this song instead. I've praised BTS for being extremely consistent in their tracks since debut, but "Fire" was unfortunately lackluster. It's not that I wouldn't want to review a bad or less proficient song, but I'm just not feeling the negativity at the moment. So with "Save Me," we still get to review a BTS song while escaping the sadzone a little. This time around, it's yet another take on the BTS formula that is continuing to push this group higher and higher.

The song structure in "Save Me" is setup in a way that balances out the song. The singing has roughly a third of the runtime, the rapping has about a third, and the dance break has about a third. Well honestly the vocals take up more than that, obviously, but everything flows together without any awkward jumps. No one in this group is a standout vocals-wise, but they always seem to make ends meet. Jungkook and Jimin keep spearheading the group with their lighter voices, but V is really the member worth talking about. His voice is rich and unique, putting him in a special class of voices alongside iKON's Junhoe, Girls' Generation's Sunny, etc.: they aren't super talented, but when they're utilized properly their voice really makes takes the cake (yeah I just wrote that). It's worth noting V sounds his best in a lower range though ("War Of Hormone"). On another note, it's nice to see Jin getting some love. He's usually been relegated to scrapping by for lines, an unfortunate attribute shared by group fillers, but he teams up with V to provide a good buildup into the chorus.

[Bonus] 2015 Kpop Awards: Part I

Welcome to part 1 of the 2015 Kpop Awards. Another year, another new piece of writing that should be a refreshing and revitalizing take on my Kpop exploration. Part of me is rather devastated after the football game I watched earlier this afternoon but I will soldier on. In part 1 we'll look at overall groups and singers, while part 2 will be more about the music and music videos themselves. So these awards are more accomplishment oriented, but again, I don't really pay attention to (or care) about how well they sell. That's basically the only factor I "ignore," so to speak. Anyway here we go.

Best Girl Group: Girls' Generation

This was an important year for SNSD. Their status as the pinnacle girl group was under threat when Jessica was ousted from the group last fall. Girls' Generation was quiet early in 2015's first half, with "Catch Me If You Can" as the only release. But "Party" signaled the group's return with the 5th studio album "Lion Heart." The album was impressive in how it boasted versatility with varying types of songs. S.M had a very good year in terms of studio albums and SNSD was no exception. After that, Taeyeon finally had her solo debut which was also pretty excellent. "I" was a masterpiece and the other ballads on the mini were exquisite. They wrapped up the year with Christmas songs with the TTS subunit and while not my cup of tea, was still work put in.

Among the other girl groups at the very top, Girls' Generation was both the most active throughout the year and the most successful with their music. Girl's Day (reigning #1 on the Power Rankings) only promoted a mediocre song in "Ring My Bell," likewise with Sistar and "Shake It." AOA's "Heart Attack" album was good, but definitely outmatched by the styles of "Lion Heart." Plus Choa's "Flame" was only a rendition (though a beautiful one). Finally, A-Pink is kinda just A-Pink. They're still good and definitely showed that this year, just not as much as SNSD, who also needed to make a statement with Jessica gone.

Best Boy Group: BTS

Consistency is key. And as far as aspiring groups go, perhaps none have been as consistent as BTS in the title track scheme of things. Rarely did a BTS title track disappoint, and this trend would continue in 2015. "I Need U," "Dope," and "Run" are an excellent trio of songs for the group this year, even though I consider "Run" the weakest of the group by far (sounds too much like a 2nd version of "I Need U"), the aggressively powerful choreography of the former songs make up for that. Outside of groupwork, Rap Monster also dropped the "RM" mixtape and joined in with MFBTY for "Buckubucku," not just one of the year's strongest rap showings, but any rap songs period. Simply put, another busy yet productive year for the boys.

The rise of BTS is not only credit to the group for releasing strong song after song, but also the faltering of rival groups. EXO was really the only group in their debut class that was active enough to challenge them, and while I do think "Call Me Baby" and "Love Me Right" trump the BTS trio in 2015, they cannot make that claim for previous years. Plus you can always make fun of them for losing members. Veteran groups like 2PM and Super Junior did below average and average, respectively, keeping releases scarce. Big Bang is still the king of boy groups, don't get me wrong. "Made" only pushed that sentiment higher and higher, but this isn't a best of all time, just best of this year. And BTS have the work ethic to take that title.

Best Soloist: BoA

Admittedly, I didn't discover too much on the soloist front this year, but it's difficult to imagine that any of them would have as impressive and balanced an album as BoA did. Seriosuly, the tracklist for "Kiss My Lips" is basically perfection. Not a single song is out of place, and the features in Gaeko and Eddy Kim were used very well. Like Girls' Generation's album, the roster on "Kiss My Lips" is equally diverse. "Who Are You" and "Kiss My Lips" made for a good 1-2 promotional punch, but she has the excellent "Blah" and "Green Light" to fall back on, as well as my favourite track on the album "Shattered." I wish Younha could have contested, but with just 3 tracks to her name this year, she couldn't put much of a fight. 15 years into her career, and BoA is going as strong as ever.

Best Rookie Group: GFriend

Alright. A-Pink isn't really my favourite group. Cute music can only go so far with me, so at first glance GFriend taking this award is a little odd. Most seem to point to GFriend's professionalism and all that, but honestly everyone is expected to be professional. Otherwise they'd be called out. GFriend is the best new debut because they are more "complete" than other new groups. "Glass Bead" and "Me Gustas Tu" have a distinct vocal and dance advantage. We've seen very few groups try and show off their vocals (like high notes) and Yuju makes the highlight reel for both songs. It's easy to sound bad while doing cute concepts and GFriend doesn't, so props. The choreography is energetic and definitely on the more difficult and taxing side of the spectrum.

Most of the other girl group debuts just can't match GFriend's level of product. All the other cute concepts made me cringe too much. I know full well I am neglecting plenty of boy groups, but to be honest none of their debut tracks ever gave me a thought to coming back to them. Monsta X's "Trespass" was decent but that's about it. Seveteen and iKON also fell flat with their debuts. GFriend had good title tracks, a strong effort, and Yerin is a variety master. It's a bright future for this group.