8 Favourite Songs That Made Me Happy This Year

Before I launched this blog and became a full-time blogger, I used to run a travel blog dedicated to music.

While I may not go to concerts as often nor travel through the lens of a music lover (right now it’s impossible to do either unless it’s a virtual event), music still plays a huge part in my life.

During this pandemic, I discovered and learned to love a new genre of music: Korean Pop or Kpop as it’s widely called.

My first foray with Kpop was when I began watching Korean Dramas–namely Goblin–back in 2017.

Back then, I only listened to a few songs from the drama’s official soundtrack sporadically.

I was still heavily into indie pop and rock, so Kpop didn’t really stick until this year. I rediscovered Kpop the same way I first came across it but only became a huge fan when I found a Kpop group to love.

This year my music taste saw a drastic change from listening to alternative, pop rock, indie to only Kpop for months at a time.

Kpop became my comfort and escape this year, so do not be surprised that all the songs in this list are Kpop songs.

Here are my favorite songs that made me smile during this tough year.

Crazy, Sexy, Cool – ASTRO

I’m starting off this list with the first song that made me an avid Kpop fan and also turned me into Astro’s fan. I’d love to be able to watch a concert of theirs when it’s safe to travel to South Korea and watch concerts again.

The song is super catchy.

And though I may not understand 95% of the lyrics, I can’t help but sing along in another language.

This is also the song that got me back into dancing. I decided to learn the choreography for fun and to get back into exercising.

RELATED: How to See 18 Places in 5 Days in South Korea

Dynamite – BTS

This one comes as no surprise as this song is one of the most popular Kpop songs that has taken over the world.

I’ve always been drawn to songs with 80s elements.

And I appreciate how this song is in English, which makes it easier to sing along to and memorise.

Running – Gaho

One of the Kdramas I enjoyed and followed weekly was Start Up. The story is about entrepreneurship, youth and romance. This is one of the songs that kept playing throughout the series and it gives me a feeling of hope.

Get Myself With You – S.O.U.L.

S.O.U.L. is actually a fictional Kpop group created for the series Top Management. Though the group is fictional, I love the song deemed as their comeback hit in the tv show because it’s just so freaking catchy. And yes, in case you are wondering, Cha Eun Woo of Astro starred in this tv series as a Kpop idol & actor. It’s a case of when fiction mimics reality.

Knock – ASTRO

This is my second most streamed song of the year. It’s another catchy song with amazing choreography that is on my list of dance steps to learn. It’s also Astro’s latest comeback song for their last mini album entitled Gateway.

Future – Red Velvet

Listening to this song gives me goosebumps. To me, it’s an ode to a hopeful future. And while the song’s theme is more of youthful love, I’d like to think of it as a serenade to one’s dreams and choosing a future you love because you’re following your dream. It’s also part of the soundtrack of the Kdrama, Start Up. I really should write a blog post dedicated to Start Up just like this roundup of lessons from Itaewon Class.

Start – Gaho

Start is my feel good anthem that makes me feel like I’m on top of the world and can achieve my dreams. I got chills while watching the scene in Itaewon Class where the three main leads ran in the streets of Itaewon.

Read: Business Lessons You Can Learn From Itaewon Class

We Still (Be With You) – ASTRO

Last on this list is a song released on the last day of this year.

We Still was originally released as part of Astro’s Gateway mini-album earlier in the year.

As a special gift to fans, they released a new version.

We Still is one of the many songs Astro has created for their fans to comfort them and show their love.

One of my favorite things about being an Astro fan is that you can really feel Astro’s authenticity be it through their music or videos.

They shine bright with the love they give and the positivity they spread.

That’s it for my favourite songs of 2020. What are your favorite songs or songs you found comfort in?