K-Pop Songs: Must-Have Tracks of the 21st Century

Rolling Stone has released its impressive list of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century so far, which includes four K-pop songs from BTS, BLACKPINK, Girls’ Generation, and NewJeans, alongside global icons and chart-toppers. What makes these tracks stand out? Why did they beat thousands of others? Let’s explore the beats, emotions, and moments that earned these K-pop songs a spot in Rolling Stone’s list of the Greatest Songs of the 21st Century so far.

Why These 4 K‑Pop Anthems Made Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century (So Far)

Rolling Stone just unveiled its list of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century (so far), and four K‑pop tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with global icons: BTS, BLACKPINK, Girls’ Generation, and NewJeans. Why these songs? Because they didn’t just rack up streams—they shifted culture, emotion, and expectations.

K‑pop isn’t just a genre; it’s a movement. These four tracks opened doors, crossed borders, and left marks that still echo. Some made us dance, some made us cry, all proved that K‑pop has something to say—and the world is listening.

Let’s break down what made each one unforgettable.

BTS — Spring Day (2017) | No. 37
A quiet song with a colossal heart. Spring Day begins in a hush—gentle guitar, airy harmonies—then blooms into a soaring chorus that holds grief and hope at once. Its lyrics wait through winter for the promise of spring; “I wish to end this winter,” RM sings, and the line lands like a hand on your shoulder.
Rolling Stone praised how it turns personal sorrow into a communal anthem. Listeners have long connected its ache to collective mourning, and the track’s staying power in charts and hearts speaks for itself. It’s proof that pop can be poetic—and that language is no barrier when emotion is this true.

BLACKPINK — Ddu‑Du Ddu‑Du (2018) | No. 142
A four-minute takeover. From the first snap of trap snares to glitchy, diamond-cut synths, Ddu‑Du Ddu‑Du is all bite and polish. Each member hits with distinct attitude—razor raps, glossy vocals, don’t‑blink visuals—and the onomatopoeic hook fires like a signature.
Rolling Stone called it the sound of an “insurgency,” and it felt exactly like that: not following trends, but grabbing the wheel. It smashed records and expectations, announcing that a Korean girl group could dominate the global stage—loudly, stylishly, unapologetically.

Girls’ Generation — Gee (2009) | No. 170
The blueprint of bright‑pop joy. Before TikTok dances and global stan slang, there was Gee—sugary synths, snappy drums, and a chorus that sticks like sunshine. Its bubbly “aegyo” charm wasn’t a gimmick; it was a statement that joy itself can be iconic.
The lyrics flutter with first‑love butterflies, and the song’s impact was seismic. Gee helped crown Girls’ Generation as Korea’s “Nation’s Girl Group” and set a template many followed. Not every classic needs heavy themes; sometimes cultural legacy sounds like pure, confident happiness.

NewJeans — Hype Boy (2022) | No. 206
Feather‑light, endlessly replayable. Hype Boy threads early‑2000s R&B glow through crisp, modern production—lo‑fi touches, clean lines, vocals that feel whispered and close. It’s a love song and a vibe, youthful without trying too hard.
What sets it apart is the honesty of its energy: unforced, daydream‑sweet, instantly danceable. Rolling Stone even joked that it was so catchy it had the entire Korean military dancing on TikTok. Hype Boy didn’t just trend; it refreshed the sound of K‑pop for a new generation.

The bigger picture
Together, these songs map K‑pop’s global journey: catharsis that transcends language, audacious world‑building, the pure thrill of pop, and a future‑facing minimalism that still hits the heart. Different eras, different emotions—one movement.

Your turn
Which K‑pop track do you think deserves a spot—or the crown—on Rolling Stone’s list? Drop your pick in the comments.

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The post Here’s Why These 4 K‑Pop Songs Earned a Spot on Rolling Stone’s List of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far appeared first on KPOPPOST.

K-Pop Songs Make Rolling Stone’s List of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far

4 K-pop songs land on the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far by Rolling Stone. (L-R) Top: BTS, BLACKPINK. Bottom: Girls’ Generation, NewJeans. | Multiple sources.

K-pop isn’t just a genre, it’s a movement. These four songs didn’t just climb charts. They opened doors, crossed borders, and touched many hearts.

Each song defines a different moment in K-pop’s journey to the global stage. Some made us dance. Others made us cry. But all of them proved K-pop has something meaningful to say.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes these songs unforgettable.

K-pop Greatest Songs That Made Global History

“Spring Day” by BTS: A Ballad That Became a Healing Anthem

If you’ve ever felt stuck in winter, try to hear the 2017 song from BTS, “Spring Day.” This ballad quickly became more than just a song. It’s a message of hope, grief, and healing.

The lyrics speak of waiting through pain and loss. Rolling Stone described it as turning personal grief into a powerful anthem. Many fans linked it to the 2014 Sewol Ferry tragedy because it conveys such raw emotion. When RM sings, “I wish to end this winter,” it hits deep.

The music starts softly. Then it grows into something big—just like the feelings we carry. The production uses simple guitar chords, layered vocals, and soaring choruses. It’s not flashy. It’s honest.

Rolling Stone placed it at No. 37, the highest K-pop ranking on the list. Why? Because it shows that pop can be poetic. That music in another language can still speak your truth. “Spring Day” serves as a poignant reminder. Even in loss, spring comes.

“Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” by BLACKPINK: K-pop’s Global Power Play

Ready to feel unstoppable?

BLACKPINK’s 2018 hit “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” is all about power, style, and showing the world who’s the boss.

From the first beat, the song grabs you. Trap snares twist with glitchy synths. The sound is fierce and futuristic.

Each member of BLACKPINK brings her own flavor—rap, vocals, visuals. The song’s title comes from an onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of shooting. It’s bold, playful, and unforgettable.

Rolling Stone called it the sound of an “insurgency.” That’s no small word. It means BLACKPINK wasn’t just making music. They were leading a movement.

When the song dropped, K-pop was pushing hard into Western markets. This track said, “We’re not following. We’re taking over.”

Ranked at No. 142, it stands as a turning point. “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” didn’t just break YouTube records. It broke expectations. And it showed that a girl group from Korea could own the global stage—with no apologies.

“Gee” by Girls’ Generation: The Birth of a K-pop Era

Think back to 2009. Before BTS. Before TikTok. There was “Gee.”

This song by Girls’ Generation (SNSD) gained widespread popularity across Asia. It’s fun, bubbly, and super catchy.

Rolling Stone called it a “hopped-up earworm” full of bright synths and snare drums. It’s cute—on purpose. In Korea, this style is known as aegyo. And no one did it better.

The song’s lyrics talk about first love and butterflies in your stomach. It’s light. But don’t be fooled—its impact was huge. Girls’ Generation became Korea’s “Nation’s Girl Group” thanks to it. “Gee” wasn’t just a hit. It became the model for dozens of girl groups to follow.

Rolling Stone placed it at No. 170. That shows respect. It’s not about deep sadness or fancy beats. It’s about joy. Pure, colorful, confident pleasure. And in a world that sometimes feels heavy, that joy matters more than ever.

“Hype Boy” by NewJeans: A Viral Hit with Bittersweet Timing

NewJeans may be on hiatus now, but their music still echoes. Their hit “Hype Boy,” released in 2022, made waves fast. Rolling Stone ranked it No. 206—and for good reason.

The song seamlessly blends fresh and retro elements in a way that feels just right. Lo-fi beats meet early-2000s R&B vibes. The production is light, crisp, and clean. The vocals are soft but full of feeling.

Here’s what makes it special: real youth energy. Member Hanni, only 17 at that time, co-write the lyrics. It’s a love song, but it’s also a mood. Rolling Stone even joked that it was so addictive that it made the entire Korean military dance on TikTok.

Now that NewJeans is on an indefinite break, “Hype Boy” feels even more poignant. It reminds us of what they gave us in such a short time: fun, freshness, and a new direction for K-pop. And when they come back—if they do—this song will still be waiting.

Which K-pop Song Do You Think Deserves the Crown?