The K-Pop yearbook 2023

As part of our Annual Report, we have put together the 2023 K-Pop Yearbook with praise for our favorite idols.. See what else we celebrated in music, film and television throughout the year by checking out our full report here.

Well class, another great year has come to an end.

2023 was filled with so many special moments: we ordered ETA, we slow danced, we got lost in the lights, and oh my goodness, did we sit back and relax, man, before we blew it up? From promising new talents like KISS OF LIFE and ZEROBASEONE making waves to established favorites like SEVENTEEN continuing to climb, these (metaphorical, internet-based) halls resonated with so much joy over the past 12 months. The engaging albums, eye-catching music videos, sharp choreography, and fun team dynamics that have become hallmarks of K-pop were on full display.

For that reason, I wanted to do something a little different than previous roundups to celebrate this year's impressive harvest. While recent annual reports have featured lists highlighting 10 K-pop acts that dominated their respective years, it felt too limiting in a difficult time like this. So instead, I put together 10 clues. and 10 acts for a superlative look at 2023, and I even had the chance to connect with most of the artists here to get their thoughts.

So, without further ado, enjoy the K-Pop Yearbook 2023.

(Editor's Note: You can also check out the exclusive TOMORROW

Innovators of the year
aespa

While the metaverse and AI have been hot topics for a few years now, it still seems like aespa was always at the forefront. The group has embraced elements of futurism in everything from their aesthetic to their sound since day one, and has established a distinctive audio-visual style that helps them stand out from a crowd of very talented artists. While many groups have experimented with AI, aespa took the concept far enough to create a metaverse character, known as Naevis, to bring it all home; It even appears in some of their songs. Hyperpop is not easy to achieve, but it has become this group's bread and butter.

“We believe that being 'innovative' means accepting new things without fear and constantly challenging ourselves,” the band shares via email. “We always strive to show our growth and new facets to the audience. It is gratifying to see that those who see us grow also appreciate our efforts.”