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There’s been no shortage of excellent K-pop albums in 2022 and Billboard wants to know which full-length has helped define your year.
Though BTS remained on hiatus as the seven members prepare to start their mandatory service in the South Korean military, both RM and J-Hope delivered solo albums to keep ARMY happy. J-Hope’s Jack in the Box came first with its vintage hip-hop sound, colorful cover art by KAWS and concept inspired by Pandora’s Box.
Five months later, RM dropped Indigo, complete with a star-studded guest roster that included Erykah Badu (“Yun”), Anderson .Paak (“Still Life”), Tablo (“All Day”) and more.
BLACKPINK also came raring back with their full-length sophomore effort Born Pink while TOMORROW X TOGETHER dropped Minisode 2: Thursday’s Child and SEVENTEEN repackaged their fourth album, 2022’s Face the Sun, as Sector 17 with new tracks like “Cheers (SVT Leaders)” and “_World.”
As far as solo albums go, Lee Chanhyuk dreamed up Error, a concept album telling the story of someone who’s fallen into a coma and Heize enlisted the likes of Monsta X’s I.M, (G)I-DLE’s Minnie and Giriboy for Undo, her first album in more than three years.
HIGHLIGHT reintroduced themselves with Daydream — their first full-length since changing their name from Beast back in 2017. Lim Young Woong delivered on his potential after winning the 2020 Korean singing competition Mr. Trot with his genre-hopping debut Im Hero. And NewJeans established themselves as one of the genre’s most exciting new girl groups with their self-titled debut.
Vote for your favorite K-pop album of the year below!
While 2022 was undoubtedly the year BTS shocked the world with their announcements of moving onto a “Chapter Two” and planning their individual military enlistments, there’s still a massive amount of records, achievements and moments that demonstrate why BTS are superstars without precedent in the global music industry.
While the K-pop superstars have been breaking chart and attendance records for years, 2022 saw new triumphs from the septet. From never-before-achieved feats with the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry to breaking box-office and concert-gross records (not to mention hanging out in the Oval Office), 2022 was literally one for the history books.
Even as the group announced plans to look forward to a new chapter in their career and embark on solo releases, BTS continued to achieve greatness as a septet and as individuals. RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, V and Jung Kook all had major moments to celebrate. From four members making their debuts on the Hot 100 to internationally recognized festival and collaboration moments, the guys were thriving on a global scale.
While 2023 will certainly look different in terms of how BTS operates—and dominates—within the music industry, there’s no denying that this past year was huge for the guys. We already know that solo music, collaborations, documentaries, TV specials, commemorative stamps and more are on the way for next year. But before we look forward to all that, let’s reminiscence and celebrate the band’s 22 most significant achievements from 2022 below.
In the year of twenty-double-two, there were a lot of artists who doubled up in the studio. Collaborations on songs — and, in one case, an entire album — offered up twice the star power on the radio, charts and streaming services this year, especially where hip-hop, pop and Latin music were concerned.
In some cases, collabs in 2022 saw two titans of the same genre teaming up together. There was Bad Bunny with Rauw Alejandro, Drake with Jack Harlow. There was Rauw Alejandro, again, with Shakira, and Drake, again, with 21 Savage. And then there was pop royalty of different decades unifying for one epic remix. (Props to Elton John and Britney Spears.)
In other cases, some of the year’s notable collabs featured two artists from different styles coming together for one amazing track. Dua Lipa brought her dance-pop flair to Megan Thee Stallion‘s rap prowess on the latter’s “Sweetest Pie” from August album Traumazine, and Charlie Puth had one of K-pop’s biggest stars, BTS‘ Jung Kook, join him on his single “Left and Right.”
“With everything that it takes to make hits, to be able to share those moments with other artists is just beautiful,” Future, one of this year’s biggest serial collaborators, previously told Billboard about his projects with artists such as Drake, Gunna and Young Thug. “Just being able to get there in the studio, gel with other artists well and be able to come up with songs is special.”
Keep reading to see Billboard‘s roundup of some 2022’s biggest collaborations below — and hey, maybe even grab a friend to read it with you.
Happy almost new year, ARMY! With just days left to go before 2023’s arrival, BTS‘ V shared the photoshoot sketch video for his concept photo folio, “Me Myself and V, ‘Veautiful Days,’” on Friday (Dec. 30) and revealed the visual’s inspirations.
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The photo folio concept film arrived on Dec. 7, and showcased V donning some of the classy hallmarks of yesteryear in a vintage themed video. His interests in the cinematic short included him gazing through telescopes, riding a bicycle through the countryside and spending time with and riding majestic horses.
“One of my favorite concepts is classic so I wanted to express that,” the singer shared in the new behind-the-scenes video. “I just wanted to do a shoot in this kind of concept so I had everything set up to match the theme.”
V shared that he felt completely safe with the horses while shooting the concept film. The BTS member detailed his experiences with horses and revealed he “learned horseback riding four years ago.” In between scenes of filming with the horses, V added, “I remember enough of [horseback riding] — I learned up until the canter. Was it New Zealand? I rode horses there and it’s the first time since then. My thighs are going to be so sore.”
V’s forthcoming book of photos will be released in the U.S. in the coming months. Global fans were able to purchase the book on Dec. 23, but stateside fans will need to wait for the set — which includes a series of photocards, posters, stickers and the photobook itself — to arrive on Feb. 20.
Watch V go behind the scenes of his photo folio in the video above.
She’s sliving! Paris Hilton surprised her fans on Friday (Dec. 30) by releasing a 2022 update on her now iconic single “Stars Are Blind.”
Titled “Stars Are Blind (Paris’ Version),” the updated recording — which features new vocals and production — is available exclusively on Amazon Music. “This song has always meant so much to me, it felt right to close out 2022 with a refreshed version. And seeing my face lighting up Times Square is so special,” the heiress shared on Instagram about the song.
“Thank you to everyone who has always supported my music career. I literally have the best fans on the planet and have loved seeing all of your posts about the new song,” she continued before making a promise. “P.S. More new music to come in the new year,” she concluded with a winky face and the hashtag #NewYearNewP.
Originally released as the lead single off her cult favorite 2006 album Paris, the reggae-tinged bop soared to the top of the Dance Club Songs chart and remains Hilton’s sole entry on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 18. The LP also included fan-favorite singles such as “Turn It Up,” “Screwed” and “Nothing in This World.”
In recent years, “Stars Are Blind” has been covered by Kim Petras and was also included in 2020’s Promising Young Woman starring Carey Mulligan. Meanwhile, Hilton’s music career has turned from pop to dance music as she’s gained a reputation as an internationally renowned DJ.
Check out “Stars Are Blind (Paris’ Version)” and see her announcement below.
The K-pop industry is heavily focused on one single per release. Whether it’s an EP, LP, deluxe version, greatest hits or anything in between, K-pop artists tend to define releases by one central song. But thanks to how listeners now curate their own playlists and soundtrack stellar social-media moments with music, the single is not necessarily the only song on a release to get attention.
In addition to K-pop having more worldwide eyes than ever, today’s listening habits demand more material from artists and more quality material on par with the singles already getting expensive investments and heavy promotional pushes.
Luckily, these 25 artists below not only delivered on their title tracks and singles but created bodies of work that deserve further exploration beyond the glossy music videos. From TVXQ!‘s Max Changmin, BTS‘ J-Hope, and Red Velvet‘s Seulgi letting listeners into new parts of their minds with their solo efforts, to AKMU’s Lee Chahyuk adopting a whole new character with his concept album Error, plus RM creating a musical museum to honor his twenties on Indigo, there was a lot to dig into this year. Meanwhile, unexpected viral sensations came from B-sides by (G)I-DLE, TREASURE and ENHYPEN, proving that these artists packed their records with songs and messages to connect even further with fans.
From satisfyingly short EPs to the more in-depth full-length albums, each of these releases stood out thanks to the artists reaching for something beyond a quick hit single. Read on for Billboard‘s staff picks for the best K-pop albums of the year.
Lizzo, aka Melissa Jefferson, really is the people’s pop star. This year, during the annual slow-moving, awkward gap of time between Christmas and New Year’s, she’s been filling the space by doing what so many others have been doing: Filming TikToks with family.
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The “About Damn Time” singer’s latest video on the platform, posted Thursday (Dec. 29), featured her two siblings — her older sister Vanessa and brother Mikey. The three Jeffersons took part in a trend for “trios,” each dancing along to a different song that fits each individual’s role in the group the best.
Lizzo went first, squaring up to the camera while dancing to Rico Nasty’s brash, rage-filled track, “Smack A Bitch.” The 34-year-old described herself as “the baby” of the family and “moms bank,” and wrote that she moved out at 18, was a “starving artist” and “disappeared for a while.”
In the next shot, the “Truth Hurts” artist hugs Mikey as Bruno Mars’ soft, happy-go-lucky song “Count on Me” plays. According to Lizzo’s description, he’s the middle child who is “moms bff” and “makes us meditate,” meanwhile Vanessa, who afterward dances to a parody of the Caillou theme song, is the “oldest but shortest sib” and “cries if the wind blows.”
“This sound was made for us 🥰” Lizzo captioned the TikTok.
A couple days prior, the Yitty founder had shared a TikTok with her mom, Shari Johnson-Jefferson. The two recreated a viral “turning my mom into me” trend started in recent weeks by users who show how their mom looks ordinarily, then shows how she looks in their own clothing.
And of course, Shari wasn’t going to model anything but her daughter’s own clothing line for the video. Lizzo dressed her mom up in a red Yitty onesie, Yitty slides and complementary red lipstick.
“Yung gravy 👀👀👀” she captioned the TikTok, shouting out the “Betty (Get Money)” rapper who famously loves dating moms — and actually ended up commenting “ayoooo” on the post.
See Lizzo’s TikToks with her mom, sister and brother below.
Taylor Swift’s “22” completely changed how people think about its title number. Even the White House isn’t immune to the 33-year-old pop star’s contagiously catchy melody — at least, that’s what the executive branch’s official year-end review, posted Thursday (Dec. 29), would suggest.
Written by domestic policy advisor Susan Rice and published on the White House’s website, the report summed up several of the Biden-Harris administration’s major accomplishments in 2022. But first, it began with the best, most obvious word-lyric association.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling ‘22,” Rice wrote, referencing the lyric from the chorus of “22.” She also posted the quote on Twitter.
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling ‘22. The past year undoubtedly brought its share of daunting challenges, but 2022 also yielded remarkable progress for the American people. 🧵— Susan Rice (@AmbRice46) December 29, 2022
Rice went on to cite President Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress’ progressive strides in gun-control policy, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act — which Swift would most definitely approve of in particular, as she emotionally spoke about her personal stake in the act in Netflix’s Miss Americana — and many more as notable achievements made by the White House in the past 12 months.
“The past year undoubtedly brought its share of daunting challenges — from Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine, to devastating hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and fires in the West, to stubbornly high inflation around the globe,” Rice wrote. “Yet, 2022 also yielded remarkable progress for the American people.”
The love between the current administration and Swift goes both ways. During Biden’s campaign in 2020, the “All Too Well” singer publicly endorsed him and even baked cookies declaring her support for his presidency. Biden later thanked her for her advocacy, and quoted one of her other lyrics on Instagram.
“Election Day is right around the corner — are you ready for it?” he wrote, referencing Swift’s Reputation single “…Ready For It?”
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a new cover song by Adam Lambert!
On Friday (Dec. 30), Lambert shared his latest in a new string of covers with “Holding Out for a Hero,” his rendition of Bonnie Tyler‘s 1984 hit. For his version, Lambert brings the tempo down from its frenetic original pace, and replaces the iconic, chunky piano chords with a syncopated, sinister bass and guitar section that permeates the track. When it comes to his voice, though, the singer keeps the pure glam-rock sound alive with his signature growl as a choir joins him for the chorus.
The new cover comes as Lambert preps his next album, High Drama, for release in the new year. The LP will consist entirely of covers, two of which the star has already shared with the world (his renditions of Noël Coward’s “Mad About the Boy” and Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World,” respectively). High Drama will see Lambert taking on a few other classic singles — such as Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” and Ann Peeble’s “I Can’t Stand the Rain” — while also taking on some contemporary favorites including Billie Eilish’s “Getting Older” and Sia’s “Chandelier.”
“Holding Out for a Hero,” along with being a quintessential song of the ’80s, remains as one of Tyler’s biggest chart hits in her career. While “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “It’s a Heartache” both landed in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 1 and No. 3, respectively), “Hero” stands as her only other top 40 hit to date, reaching its peak of No. 34 in April 1984.
High Drama will be released on Feb. 24. Check out Lambert’s rollicking new cover of “Holding Out for a Hero” above.
Naomi Ackie and Nafessa Williams stopped by Elle on Wednesday (Dec. 28) to play a round of Song Association filled with Whitney Houston tracks.
Naturally, as the stars of the new biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody managed to fit plenty of Houston hits into their game using the words saving (“Saving All My Love For You”), broken (“Where Do Broken Hearts Go”), okay (“It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”), woman (“I’m Every Woman”), man (“All the Man That I Need”) and tonight (“I’m Your Baby Tonight”).
However, the two actors also ventured outside the late icon’s extensive discography to belt out tracks like “In the Heat of the Night” by Ray Charles, Adele’s “One and Only,” “Who Wants to Live Forever” by Queen and “So Good” by Destiny’s Child. Ultimately, they went 13 for 15, matching previous scores set by Chloe x Halle, Evan Rachel Wood and Daniel Radcliffe and Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp.
In the film, which is currently playing in theaters nationwide, Ackie portrays Houston throughout the nineties, including her performance of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl and being forced to defend her music for not being “Black enough.” Williams, meanwhile, plays her longtime friend and assistant Robyn Crawford.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody also stars Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis, Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown, Tamara Tunnie as Cissy Houston, Clarke Peters as Whitney’s father John Houston and Bria Danielle Singleton as Bobbi Kristina Brown.
Watch Ackie and Williams sing and dance their way through a Whitney-inspired Song Association below.
