The Best K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop Releases of March 2021

A ranking of the top twenty artists with the most buzz-worthy new music videos, singles, and/or albums!

#20: Unknöwn Kun, “Bubblegum” 
​This song may sound like an average bubblegum pop song at first listen, but behind the cute cover image and upbeat sound is a story about lost youth. The lyrics take the form of a dialogue between a boy who wants to know how to be just as successful as a grown man and a grown man whose biggest dream is for the boy to never grow up like him. “Bubblegum” proves that making a pop earworm and conveying deep meaning through music are not mutually exclusive. In less than four minutes, Unknöwn Kun manages to pack ruminations on adulthood, the cynicism that seems to grow with age, and the wistfulness that accompanies a loss of one’s inner child all into the same cute and colorful packaging.

#19: IU, LILAC 
Some comebacks are a joy for bringing more of the sounds and concepts fans have come to expect and love from an artist, and other comebacks stand out for their variety and unexpected features. With LILAC, IU manages to have both types of comebacks simultaneously. IU’s latest album is full of her classic pop sound, but the corresponding videos allow her to wear many hats. From a cocky gambler to an overwhelmed idol to an adventurous spirit who is welcoming spring with open arms, IU plays a variety of characters that allow each song that has a visual companion to stand out as fresh and memorable. 

#18: ROSÉ, R 
While many artists take time to hone their signature sound when going solo, ROSÉ comes across as being born ready. ROSÉ from BLACKPINK is nowhere in sight as ROSÉ the soloist embraces the chance to tell her stories. Accompanied by low-key guitars, ROSÉ sings contemplatively about seeing joy in staying humble on “On The Ground” and sorrowfully about the abrupt end to a relationship on “Gone.” If these two tracks are any indication, ROSÉ is destined for immense future solo success and is more than ready to shine in her own right. 

#17: Weeekly, We Play 
Weeekly's infectious energy has stood out from that of other rookie groups since their debut and continues to do so unwaveringly. In the “After School'' music video, Weeekly invites viewers to come hang out with them in a fun, colorful space. This group possesses a “cool girl” image while simultaneously maintaining a warm and friendly nature, making their bouncy pop songs all the more sweet and their music videos all the more enjoyable.

#16: KIMSEJEONG, I’m 
KIMSEJEONG’s first solo music video, “Warning,” is as charming as it gets. A playful piano soundtracks her adventures in a pastel home in the clouds, where she reminds herself to focus on living in the moment and to not let false alarms in her head take chances to form happy memories away from her. The song shares an eternally relevant piece of advice in a catchy and optimistic way, a vibe felt throughout the other songs on her mini-album as well.

#15: SUPER JUNIOR, The Renaissance 
After several postponements, SUPER JUNIOR’s tenth album is here and proves itself to have been worth the wait. The songs are unmistakably pop but stay exciting through unexpected twists and turns. The party starts with a bang on the first track, “SUPER,” and it never stops. In a wholesome twist, the party that SUPER JUNIOR sings about is one that promotes social distancing and connecting with friends virtually. The PSA in this album is portrayed not as nagging, but rather as an invitation to join even the most famous faces in doing one’s part to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Renaissance is set to become a time capsule for a year about seeking silver linings, proving that, just like their “House Party,” their pop culture relevance never ends.

#14: lol, “blaze” 
From rap verses to techno sounds to a suspenseful, quickening pre-chorus, “blaze” includes all the best traits a pop song can have. “blaze” is well-made, primed to become a fan-favorite track at live shows, and proof of why the members of lol are ones to watch.

#13: sEODo, “DAVID” 
In an excellent follow-up to “Night Sea,” sEODo’s vocals steal the show. His voice alone takes music in unexpected directions and leaves listeners hooked and wanting more. Further solidifying his irreplaceability is the “DAVID” music video, which mixes a unique aesthetic with a curious plot.

#12: RAIN, PIECES by RAIN 
In PIECES by RAIN, RAIN contains multitudes. From the power ballad “Aurora” to the chill, R&B-influenced “MAGNETIC” to the fast-paced “WHY DON’T WE,” RAIN proves his longevity in the music industry is well-deserved. There is no definitive type of vocal delivery, performance style, or instrumental that RAIN excels while working with compared to the others. He continues to masterfully weave between musical paths in a metaphorical dance as exciting as his literal ones. After all these years, RAIN still exudes an “I’m just getting started” energy.

#11: PENTAGON, LOVE or TAKE 
Pink suits, a semi-acapella intro, and a singalong-ready chorus are just some of the many things that make “DO or NOT” both a fantastic release and one no group could pull off quite like PENTAGON. PENTAGON has a playful flair all their own, making this comeback a treat for long-time fans. However, they also show organic growth on this new album; they have altered their music to be a bit more guitar-driven, but not at the expense of their trademark, charismatic sound. 

#10: WOODZ, SET 
“FEEL LIKE” is an improved version of “Trigger,” and building off of that sound is a greatly appreciated move that allows WOODZ to embrace his strong suits on SET: instrumentals that strike the right balance of neither too busy nor too boring and a vocal delivery that conveys nonchalance in an ironically humorous way.

#9: FAKY, “99” 
 “99” is simply an irresistible J-pop tune. It includes sassy lyrics, a confident dance break, and a flirty request to “be the one to make it 100.” Simultaneously, “99” is a trumpet-backed, clap-along celebration. Confident and quirky, danceable and delightful, this release has it all. 

#8: BDC, The Intersection : Discovery 
A sense of hope and adventure envelopes this release, which complements the mood of BDC’s new music video perfectly. In “Moon Rider,” the boys have a fascination with the full moon that leads them on an exploration spanning several comebacks. Add synth-heavy, standout songs to soundtrack this ever-evolving storyline, and BDC maintains an engaging and commendable presence. To put it more briefly, catchy songs mixed with charming music videos are what BDC always delivers. 

#7: PURPLE KISS, INTO VIOLET 
Just like the kiss they sing about, PURPLE KISS makes a strong debut that will leave a mark on listeners and viewers. The “Ponzona” music video captivates with vampiress personas, allusions to dark magic, and a visual feast. While this video may draw comparisons to other K-pop girl groups who have a goth-adjacent aesthetic, this group manages to pull off the concept in their own unique way. “Ponzona” is riveting rather than derivative, and their B-sides are equally enchanting. Listeners will be hooked from the very beginning of INTO VIOLET, when a Billie Eilish-esque intro sets the stage for a dark and mysterious journey.

#6: MIRAE, Killa 
MIRAE really packs a punch with their explosive, high-speed debut. In addition to a sound that can best be described as EDM-influenced pop, this rookie group deserves attention for their cinematic “Killa” music video. “Killa” teases the unveiling of a sci-fi world and a potential disruption of the space-time continuum. Through this album and music video, MIRAE delivers a massive boost of energy and curiosity through a rollercoaster of sights and sounds.

#5: DPR IAN, Moodswings in This Order 
DPR IAN’s voice is notably distinct and is well-suited for his soft-rock-meets-indie-meets-R&B sound. It is obvious from the first listen and first watch that DPR IAN makes songs and music videos without caring about doing what is trendy or deemed “marketable.” He never ceases to embrace a dark aesthetic, creepy video plots, and a revisiting of personal, painful memories in his lyrics that are all one-of-a-kind. Through this album and its singles’ music videos, DPR IAN claims rightful ownership over a new, personal sub-genre that is the “something different” music lovers are seeking.

#4: BAEKHYUN, Bambi 
Although the release of BAEKHYUN’s final project before enlisting in the military is a bittersweet gift, it is a gift nonetheless. BAEKHYUN rightly lets his powerhouse vocals steal the show, taking average R&B songs to new heights. His voice never fails to turn the mediocre into magic. If his raw, emotional tone is not enough to leave listeners hooked, watching the music video for “Bambi,” in which he plays a mysterious and dapper train passenger, ought to do the trick.
 
#3: G-reyish, M 
To say G-reyish exceeds expectations on M would be an understatement. This newer girl group brings back the kind of “second generation” K-pop girl group vibes listeners did not realize they had been missing this much. Both in-your-face and fast-paced, “Breath;(Blood Night)” is what girl group fans want in a comeback and more. 

#2: WayV, Kick Back 
As all NCT subunits do, WayV packs so many combinations and layers of instrumentals, vocals, and ad-libs into each album that each comeback feels like receiving a present with layers of wrapping. NCT masterfully takes musical risks, daring to bring together sounds that shouldn’t work together and likely wouldn’t if they were attempted by other artists. WayV exemplifies this skill throughout “Kick Back,” with each song standing out on its own and not spoiling what to expect from the rest of the tracks. “Kick Back” mixes techno sounds with sounds of cymbals and plenty of opportunities to stomp and dance along. “Action Figure” pairs brass instruments with guitar riffs. “Horizon” lets a piano and strings take center stage, while an equally emotional “All For Love” focuses more on harmonies over instruments. Lastly, “Good Time” is a chill tune that lowers the pace of the album in a way that makes for a soft landing. In short, WayV thrives through their experimentation. 

#1: ATEEZ, ZERO : FEVER, Pt. 2 
Just when it seems impossible, ATEEZ manages to one-up themselves yet again. This is indisputably the best, highest quality ATEEZ album yet. ATEEZ experiments with everything from gospel influences to eighties synths to saxophone riffs, spanning across an eclectic collection of anthems. Ironically, having more confidence in their musical vision than ever has enabled ATEEZ to stray from that vision more than ever, and their risks pay off massively. This comeback is much more than a catchy album; it is a testament to how ATEEZ has learned to fearlessly chart their own path forward and are now ready to explode onto the global music scene.
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Click here for the podcast episode featuring further commentary on these picks and on some honorable mentions, click here for a playlist of the songs referenced here, click here for a playlist of the music videos discussed here, and click here to read about last month’s picks!