Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming service, has launched its annual Wrapped campaign, unveiling how more than 574 million people around the globe listened this year.
As part of the celebrations of the top artists and songs that formed the world’s soundtrack to 2023, Spotify is also putting the spotlight on K-Pop: the genre that has scaled the globe and proven that music, from anywhere in the world, can transcend language and cultural boundaries.
Here are the Global Top K-Pop Artists and Songs of 2023 Spotify Wrapped
On top of the list of Global Top K-Pop Artists of the Year is BTS, maintaining their stronghold from 2022. Following the group’s line-up of successful solo releases in 2023, five members of the septet are also rounding off the year by ranking among the top 20 most-streamed K-Pop Artists globally. This includes Jung Kook at #3, Jimin at #6, V at #11, Agust D (also known as SUGA) at #16 and j-hope at #20.
Also on the list of most-streamed K-Pop artists this year are global phenomenons who continue to hold the hearts of listeners. BLACKPINK (#2), TWICE (#7), SEVENTEEN (#8) and NCT DREAM
(#18) are amongst the top 20, alongside 4th-gen powerhouses that have proved they are forces to be reckoned with. This includes NewJeans (#4), Stray Kids (#5), TOMORROW X TOGETHER (#9) and LE SSERAFIM (#10), who rank in the top ten.
BTS, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans continue to dominate on the list of Global Top K-Pop Songs of the Year. Collectively, the three groups and some of the members of BLACKPINK and BTS swept up 17 of the top 20 spots for the most streamed K-Pop tracks.
The Top K-Pop Song of the Year goes to Jung Kook’s debut solo single, “Seven (feat. Latto)”, which made Spotify history by becoming the fastest song to hit one billion streams in just 108 days and join the Spotify Billions Club. His songs “Dreamers [Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack]” and 3D “(feat. Jack Harlow)” also charted on the top 20 list at #12 and #14 respectively.
Three of Jimin’s hits from his six-track album, FACE clinched spots on the list as well: “Like Crazy” (#3), “Set Me Free Pt. 2” (#15) and “Like Crazy (English Version)” (#17). With V’s “Love Me Again” (#16), and “Take Two” (#18) and “Dynamite” (#19) by BTS also amongst this year’s most-streamed K-Pop tracks, a total of nine of the top 20 spots were performed by the boys of BTS.
Another standout on the list of most-streamed K-Pop songs is “MONEY” (#7) by LISA of BLACKPINK , which also entered Spotify’s Billions Club this year and made LISA the first female K-Pop artist to reach the milestone. In addition to “FLOWER” (#8) by bandmate JISOO, “Shut Down” and “Pink Venom” by BLACKPINK also made it to the top 20 list at #9 and #11 respectively.
Following their remarkable rookie year, four of NewJeans’ hit songs ranked amongst the top 10. Claiming consecutive spots from #4 to #6 are “OMG”, ”Ditto” and “Super Shy” in the respective order, while “Hype Boy” comes in at #10. Completing the top 10 list is the viral hit “Cupid – Twin Ver.” by FIFTY FIFTY at #2.
Head to this playlist on Spotify to listen to our editor’s picks for the best K-Pop tracks of 2023, including the songs in this year’s top 20 list of Global K-Pop Top Songs: K-Pop ON! (온) Presents Best K-Pop Songs of 2023.
