I usually contemplate myself a reasonably optimistic, optimistic individual and really need this weblog to be an area that focuses on the nice, however 2026 has been a uniquely difficult yr in the case of Okay-pop releases. I can’t keep in mind a yr the place I wrote as many damaging critiques, so I’m going to strive one thing just a little totally different and do a mid-year round-up of my least favourite Okay-pop songs. I do know some readers will in all probability hate this and others will find it irresistible, however it’s a little bit of a one-off both approach. Take into account this a purge earlier than we (hopefully) transfer on to brighter skies throughout 2026’s second half!
What are your ideas, readers? Depart your individual picks within the feedback!
10. NAZE – Individuals Speak
The worst form of toothless whitebread pop melody. (full assessment)
9. Everglow – Code
Additional proof that their company has no concept what to do with them. (full assessment)
8. Katseye – Pinky Up
I completely despise the refrain. (full assessment)
7. AHOF – Sugar Excessive
It’s not that that is the worst track I’ve ever heard. The verses are literally okay. It’s that it comes from a gaggle who has made spectacular music up so far and Sugar Excessive represents companies’ worst instincts to saddle their acts with “onerous” hip-hop singles even when it doesn’t match their idea. However yeah, that refrain is horrendous. (full assessment)
6. CORTIS – Acai
The truth that they’ll provide you with one thing nearly as good as REDRED makes a track like Acai much more unforgivable. There’s simply no excuse for this crap. (full assessment)
5. Queenz Eye – Y2K
Can this lastly put the nail within the coffin of the Y2K development? It’s a lame novelty monitor full of lamer references. And someway, it sounds nothing like precise Y2K music. (full assessment)
4. BTS – 2.0
Yeah, even legends of the sport aren’t proof against a spot on this countdown. The sheer monotony of two.0 makes my eyes glaze over. It’s like a flat line that goes nowhere. (full assessment)
3. Younger Posse – Visa
Noise air pollution. I like its confrontational vitality however that is actually painful to hearken to. (full assessment)
2. VVS – BOTTLE$
You would possibly as nicely simply place VVS’s whole discography on this record. I’m nonetheless satisfied they’re some kind of deliberate parody act. How else do you clarify a track like this? (full assessment)
1. LE SSERAFIM x ILLIT x Katseye – Iconic By Mistake
This represents the whole lot I hate about Okay-pop proper now: bratty “clapbacks” at haters, chanted, non-melodic catchphrase songs, pointless braggadocio and a horrible misuse of the performers on the core of the monitor. You’ll be able to’t inform me an business behemoth like HYBE couldn’t discover higher materials for 3 of Okay-pop’s prime lady teams? (full assessment)
