K-pop’s 2020 highlights, from BTS’ No 1 hits to Blackpink’s album, Lisa’s dance and the Any Song challenge
- It’s been a difficult year, but K-pop has gone from strength to strength, releasing new content and breaking records
- Here are some of our favourite moments and memes, from K-pop’s biggest names to its rising stars
While 2020 had more downs than ups, K-pop kept many around the world entertained with some memorable moments. This year saw South Korean pop stars release addictive hits, go viral for their killer legs, and make history.
Here’s a look back at some of this year’s biggest K-pop moments, memes, and trends.
Blackpink was in everyone’s area
Zico & Rain go TikTok viral
If you spent a lot of time on TikTok this year, you probably had at least one chance encounter with Any Song by Zico or Gang by Rain. The Any Song challenge started the year off with Zico going viral in January and having a major hit on his hands.
Meanwhile, Rain’s Gang was released in 2017 and it being turned into a hilarious meme saw the singer-actor – who was one of Korea’s top artists for much of the 2000s and is still a popular entertainer – get a major hit on his hand that was spread across the internet and remade throughout the year.
No 1, No 1 and No 1
SuperM kick off online concert season
Trot shines
If you were unfamiliar with South Korea’s old-school pop music genre known as trot at the start of 2020, that may have changed by now. Idol groups and hip-hop artists have dominated in South Korea for the past few years, but trot enjoyed a resurgence this year in Seoul, and resulted in many trot releases and artists gaining a lot of love.
“Did It work?”
BTS get their first, long overdue, Grammy nod
After years of making history, 2020 has been a stand-out year for BTS. The group rose to the highest heights in the Western music world, with three number ones and a Grammy nomination. The group’s single Dynamite was nominated by the Recording Academy as one of the best pop performances by a group or duo.
Dance moves reached new heights
Oh My Girl were Nonstop-able
This girl group has always put out immensely listenable pop songs, but in 2020, the world caught up with what their fans have been saying for years. Their two songs, Nonstop and Dolphin, became major hits throughout South Korea and beyond.
Twice premiered Cry For Me at Mama
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