The 12 Best K-Pop Albums Of 2022, According To American Entertainment News Website UPROXX

Do you agree with their choices?

With 2022 coming to a close, numerous entertainment and news companies are releasing “best of” lists for the K-Pop music released this past year. Among them is UPROXX, a “millennial focused digital media company, producing and distributing news/pop-culture content to nearly 50 million users”. With such a large audience, it’s interesting to see how the company views the K-Pop releases of 2022 and which came out on top. Here are, in no order, the 12 best K-Pop albums of 2022 according to UPROXX!

1. Born Pink by BLACKPINK

Born Pink, released on September 16, is BLACKPINK’s second full-length studio album with a total of eight tracks, including the title tracks “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down”. At this time, the album has sold around 2.56 million copies.

The YG Entertainment quartet shows off their duality with hard-hitting and bass-heavy tracks like “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down” and seamlessly counteract it with mellow and soft serves with “The Happiest Girl,” “Tally,” and Rosé’s solo “Hard To Love.” Dropping F-bombs and expressing the pain and gains of love throughout, YG Entertainment’s in-house producer Teddy and BLACKPINK deliver their signature sounds that BLINKs all over the world love.

— UPROXX

2. Gasoline by Key

Gasoline, released on August 30, is Key’s second full-length solo studio album with a total of eleven tracks, including the title track “Gasoline”. At this time, the album has sold around 132k copies.

Everything about this album and concept was perfectly packaged from album cover to song titles and lyrics. (Check out “VILLAIN,” “Burn,” “Guilty Pleasure,” and “Another Life.”) After being in the industry for over a decade, delivering perfection was always in his musical repertoire.

— UPROXX

3. YOUTH by Kihyun

Youth, released on October 24, is Kihyun’s first EP with a total of five tracks, including the title track “Youth”. At this time, the album has sold around 167k copies.

If you’re a K-Pop fan who went through the alternative/emo rock to K-Pop pipeline, then Kihyun’s album is something you want to listen to. MONSTA X’s power vocalist released his YOUTH solo EP that brought nothing but nostalgia. (In a good way, of course.)

— UPROXX

4. FEARLESS by LE SSERAFIM

FEARLESS, released on May 2, is LE SSERAFIM’s debut EP with a total of five tracks, including the title track “FEARLESS”. At this time, the album has sold around 416k copies.

From beginning to end, FEARLESS serves as a sonic introduction to LE SSERAFIM’s sophisticated pop tones and tenor. The EP oozes with confidence and roars with range in the form of bass-bumping pop tracks throughout, delivering a refreshing and mature take on K-Pop that suits everyone’s taste.

— UPROXX

5. IM NAYEON by Nayeon

IM NAYEON, released on June 24, is Nayeon’s debut EP with a total of seven tracks, including the title track “POP!”. At this time, the album has sold around 541k copies.

Her lead single “POP!” grabs inspiration from the sounds of second-generation bubblegum K-Pop, an era she was personally a fan of. Successfully navigating through seven years and some to release her debut EP, IM NAYEON has set the standard for what’s to come and what to look out for with future solo projects from TWICE.

— UPROXX

6. New Jeans by NewJeans

New Jeans, released on August 1, is NewJeans’ debut EP with a total of four tracks, including the title tracks “Attention”, “Hype Boy”, and “Cookie”. At this time, the album has sold around 680k copies.

Their songs and choreography were instantly loved by all, sung by all, and even covered by all. With a comeback gearing for the beginning of 2023, NewJeans has not only become K-Pop’s youngest ‘It’ girls but a promising new act that can spread K-Pop’s global presence.

— UPROXX

7. Reborn by PIXY

Reborn, released on June 15, is PIXY’s third EP with a total of seven tracks, including the title track “Villain”. At this time, the album has sold around 8.4k copies.

In a span of seven tracks, PIXY balances their signature dark pop aesthetics with more funk (“Natural”), rock (“Swan Song”) and even acoustic (“Greetings”) sounds. Although they may not be as big as the other artists on this list, PIXY’s music and concept are promising with a lore worth dissecting in each release.

— UPROXX

8. Sector 17 by SEVENTEEN

Sector 17, released on July 18, is SEVENTEEN’s repackaged version of their fourth studio album with a total of thirteen tracks, including the title track “_WORLD”. At this time, the album has sold around 1.70 million copies.

The repackaged version of their fourth studio album is like meeting an old friend, kicking it back, and having a good time. Songs like “_WORLD” and “Darl+ing” feel like the warm embrace when you first meet with their lighthearted melodies and lyrics, while “HOT” and “DON QUIXOTE” are the songs you listen to at a party, cracking a cold one while dancing.

— UPROXX

9. YOUNG-LUV.COM by STAYC

YOUNG-LUV.COM, released on February 21, is STAYC’s second EP with a total of six tracks, including the title track “RUN2U”. At this time, the album has sold around 247k copies.

On top of its lead single “RUN2U,” the six-track EP highlights STAYC’s ability to adapt to a blend of different genres K-Pop usually offers. Considering the group is housed under producer duo Black Eyed Pilseung, K-Pop’s top-producing hitmakers, YOUNG-LUV.COM does an exceptional job at showcasing every member’s talent whether it be singing, rapping, or even both.

— UPROXX

10. ODDINARY by Stray Kids

ODDINARY, released on March 18, is Stray Kids’ sixth EP with a total of seven tracks, including the title track “MANIAC”. At this time, the album has sold around 1.75 million copies.

If you were one of the lucky ones to attend the group’s sold-out Maniac Tour, you’d agree the choreography is sexually aggressive – especially for songs like “Venom“ and “Charmer.” Other than that, the sixth EP from Stray Kids showcases their range as two B-side tracks like the ‘90s hip-hop-inspired “Muddy Waters” and the rock ballad “Waiting For Us” are sung by two sub-units for the project.

— UPROXX

11. After LIKE by IVE

After LIKE, released on August 22, is IVE’s third single album with a total of two tracks, including the title track “After LIKE”. At this time, the album has sold around 1.61 million copies.

Sampling the instrumental hook to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” “After Like” is an instant one-stop shop for a K-Pop bop. The supporting single “My Satisfaction” highlights IVE’s fluidity to seep into dark and grungy pop, balancing the upbeat tempo from the track prior.

— UPROXX

12. CHESHIRE by ITZY

CHESHIRE, released on November 30, is ITZY’s sixth EP with a total of four tracks, including the title track “Cheshire”. At this time, the album has sold around 780k copies.

ITZY really has perfected the formula of what it takes to become a top-performing, versatile pop group. Releasing at the end of November, CHESHIRE highlights ITZY’s playful side in a four-track EP. The lead single “Cheshire” takes inspiration from Alice In Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat, a mischievous and mysterious character.

— UPROXX

Source: UPROXX