MUSIC TO MY (Y)EAR • 2024 » The Novel Hermit

Did I listen to anything outside of Kpop? Not at all. (No Western music in sight. I wouldn’t have it any other way.)

Here are the albums I listened to. (It is in order of when I listened to them, and the links go to Spotify.)

SF9 \| Sequence

SF9 에스에프나인 is a South Korean boy band formed by FNC Entertainment in 2016. Sequence is their thirteenth extended play album.

I’m not really a boy group kind of gal, but there are two exceptions: Seventeen and SF9.

With SF9, I just naturally gravitate towards that type of ~runway-esque music that is in their titles songs. Also, there’s something so addictive about the instrumentals used in their music.

My Fave Songs: Bibora, Strings, Superconductor

NMIXX \| Fe304: Break

NMIXX 엔믹스 is a South Korean girl group from a sub-level of JYP Entertainment in 2022, well known for their chaotic noise. Fe3O4: Break is the second extended play album released in January.

Don’t we all sometimes want our music to be a little chaotic? That is NMIXX. It’s a good type of chaotic. They have songs that you think it’ll sound one way, but the drop is different than expected. It just makes sense when you listen to it. It keeps ya on your toes.

My Fave Songs: Dash, Passionfruit, Run for Roses, Sonar (Breaker)

WOODZ \| Behind

WOODZ 우즈 is a South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer rose to fame as a main rapper in the South Korean-Chinese boy band Uniq.

Hello lovely slow sleepy music.

If you know me, you know I looooove songs that can easily lull me to sleep or just slow dance to. That is Woodz. It’s just so lovely and sensual.

My Fave Songs: Behind, Different

WENDY (Red Velvet) \| Wish You Hell

Wish You Hell is the second EP album of Wendy (from girl group Red Velvet 레드벨벳 formed by S.M. Entertainment).

I support every and all members of Red Velvet, so it’s not surprising that I fell head over heels in love with Wendy’s second EP.

That woman can belllllllltttt. She showcases her vocals beautifully through these different genres of music. In Wendy, we trust! And she always delivers!

My Fave Songs: Wish You Hell, Better Judgment, Vermilion, His Car Isn’t Yours

DAY6 \| Fourever

DAY6 데이식스 is a South Korean pop rock band under the label JYP Entertainment since 2015. Fourever is their eighth extended play album released in March 2024.

Not a lot of Kpop idol groups play their own instruments, but DAY6? Actual band.

If you’re into rock bands, DAY6 is definitely one to check out.

My Fave Songs: Happy, Welcome to the Show, Sad Ending, didn’t know, Power of Love

I.M (Monsta X) \| Off the Beat

I.M (아이엠) is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper under Sony Music Entertainment Korea, and a member of MONSTA X. Off the Beat is his third extended play album.

This man had such a hold on me in 2024.

Off the Beat was so seductive and moody. It’s his voice; it lures you into this sense of warmth. And you couple that with the way the instrumentals weave with his voice? Absolute magic.

I highly recommend Off the Beat if you want a deliciously moody yet sensual album.

My Fave Songs: Lure, XO, Skyline, nbdy, MMI

I.M (Monsta X) \| Duality

I.M (아이엠) is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper under Sony Music Entertainment Korea, and a member of MONSTA X. Duality is his debut extended play album.

When I became obsessed with I.M’s Off the Beat album, I started listening to his previous solo albums, and it was the best decision I made.

The Duality album has a lot more angst than his future albums, and it’s so good. I.M has a particular voice that makes his songs so seductive.

My Fave Songs: God Damn, Burn, Happy to Die, 시 든 꽃 flower-ed

Various Artists \| Queen of Tears OST

Queen of Tears OST (눈물의 여왕 OST) is the original soundtrack for the tvN drama Queen of Tears. It features BSS, 10cm, Heize, Crush, Isaac Hong, Paul Kim, Kim Na Young, So Soo Bin, Choi Yuree, dori, Kim Tae Rae, Kim Soo Hyun, and other various artists.

What a wonderful original soundtrack. A great group of singers for this TV show. It says something that despite how sad some of the songs sound, I can’t help but smile at the hopefulness that exudes.

But alas, I can never listen to this album again (considering the shitty main actor).

My Fave Songs: The Reasons of My Smiles, Love You With All My Heart, Tell Me It’s Not A Dream, Hold Me Back, Fallin’, Can’t Get Over You

SEVENTEEN \| 17 Is Right Here

Seventeen 세븐틴 is a South Korean boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015. 17 Is Right Here is their “Best of” album.

Seventeen never fails to impress me.

Like—what do you mean their single Maestro uses the beat of samples some of their previous hits? Woozi is a genius.

My Fave Songs: LALALI, Maestro

Various Artists \| Lovely Runner OST

Lovely Runner OST (선재 업고 튀어 OST) is the original soundtrack for the tvN television drama Lovely Runner. It features Eclipse, N.Flying, Minnie of (G)I-DLE, Umji of VIVIZ, Jongho of ATEEZ, Ha Sung Woon and other various artists.

Ya’ll, this is one of the best Korean drama and OST that I’ve ever watched/listened in my entire life.

The amount of times I played the songs and tried belting them have been countless. It just takes me back to those beautiful scenes in the drama—both cheerful and heartwrenching. It knocks me out.

I love that this album is split in two—one sung by the fictional Kpop idol band Eclipse (all songs sung by actor Byeon Wooseok) and the other by IRL Korean artists.

My Fave Songs: Sudden Shower, You & I, Run Run, No Fate | Like A Dream, A Day, I Think I Did, Spring Snow, Please Don’t Leave Anywhere, Star

EPIK HIGH \| Pump

Epik High (Hangul: 에픽하이) is a South Korean alternative hip hop group from Seoul, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. Pump is their first mixtape.

Yo, Epik High is out with another album. Thank god!

My Fave Songs: ANTI HERO, I Was Happy, Late Checkout, OK GOOD

D.O. \| Blossom

D.O. (aka Do Kyung-soo 도경수) is a South Korean singer and actor, who’s also a member of the SM Entertainment boy group EXO. 성장 is D.O’s third EP released under his newly established agency Company SooSoo.

A new favorite!

I’ve been a fan of his acting, but it wasn’t until this album that I fell hard for that beautiful voice. This album has such a refreshing upbeatness to it that makes me smile. It’s hard not to belt to these songs.

My Fave Songs: Mars, Popcorn, Goodnight, About Time, Simple Joys

JEONGHAN x WONWOO \| This Man

JEONGHAN x WONWOO (from Seventeen) is a duo formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2024.

This is a duo I didn’t think we’d see singing together—what a blessing.

The way Jeonghan and Wonwoo’s voice compliment each other so well. Love.

My Fave Songs: Last Night, Leftover

RED VELVET \| Cosmic

Red Velvet 레드벨벳 is a South Korean girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment. Cosmic is their seventh EP.

Pure magic. That’s the only way I can describe Red Velvet and their new EP, Cosmic.

There’s something so fairytale-like about their music, especially this album. It instills a vibe of dreaminess that I don’t ever want to wake up from. Let these sirens lull me into the depths of the sea—I’ll be okay with that.

My Fave Songs: Cosmic, Sunflower, Last Drop, Bubble, Night Drive

AESPA \| Armageddon

æspa is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment formed in 2020. Armageddon is their first full length album.

New queens of my heart!

You’re gonna feel like a superhero when you listen to Armageddon. Also, you’re gonna feel so cool. All the songs in this album (especially their singles) are so addictive.

My Fave Songs: Supernova, Armageddon, Set the Tone, Prologue, BAHAMA

CHUU \| Strawberry Rush

Chuu 츄 is a South Korean singer, who’s a former member of the girl group LOONA. Strawberry Rush is her second EP.

The “pew pew” got me. I’m glad for it because Strawberry Rush reintroduced me to Chuu. (I knew her from LOONA, but wasn’t a ~listen to the entire album fan.)

It’s a very sweet album. Highly recommend.

My Fave Songs: Strawberry Rush, Lucid Dream, Honeybee, Strawberry, Chocolate

DREAMCATCHER \| VirtuouS

Dreamcatcher 드림캐쳐 is a South Korean girl group formed by Happy Face Entertainment, known for the rock style in their music. VillainS is their tenth mini album.

My K-pop rock girlies!

Just press play and you’ll be inspired to bring down an establishment. It’s that good.

My Fave Songs: Justice, STOMP, Fireflies

SEVENTEEN \| Spill the Feels

Seventeen 세븐틴 is a South Korean boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015. Spill the Fells is their thirteenth EP.

I gotta be honest—not my favorite album at all. It’s mid at best.

I still listened to this album, but not as much as older songs by Seventeen. It’s very much catering to the Western audience, and I don’t care for that.

My Fave Songs: Rain, Water, Candy

KISS OF LIFE \| Lose Yourself

Kiss of Life is a South Korean girl group by S2 Entertainment in 2023. Lose Yourself is their third EP.

Kiss of Life is a breath of fresh air—and I say because their music is reminiscent of like early 2000s Western girl groups. It’s nostalgic.

My Fave Songs: Igloo, Get Loud, Back to Me, R.E.M., Too Many Alex

EPIK HIGH \| Michelin Cypher

Epik High (Hangul: 에픽하이) is a South Korean alternative hip hop group from Seoul, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz.

More Epik High this year? Gimme.

My Fave Songs: Michelin Cypher, Group Chat Freestyle

AESPA \| Whiplash

æspa is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment formed in 2020. Whiplash is their fifth EP album released in October 2024.

Another hit album for aespa!!

Very much runway vibes, which I love. Definitely an album I recommend to everybody.

My Fave Songs: Whiplash, Fights, Not Feelings, Flowers, Kill It

IRENE \| Like A Flower

Irene (from Red Velvet) debuts as a solo singer with her first EP ever—Like A Flower.

Ahhh, finalllllllly getting a solo Irene album!

It’s like listening to a flower bloom—it’s so beautiful. Irene does so well for her debut.

My Fave Songs: Like A Flower, Summer Rain, Calling Me Back, Strawberry Silhouette, Winter Wish

VARIOUS ARTISTS \| Love Your Enemy OST

Love Your Enemy OST (사랑은 외나무다리에서 OST) is the original soundtrack for the tvN television drama. It features artists like 10 CM, Lee Mujin, Yeji (Itzy), and other various artists.

Of course I’d enjoy this album because Love Your Enemy is a childhood enemies to lovers to enemies story. This is perfect to listen to as you drift off and daydream.

My Fave Songs: Day After Day, Lilac, Summer, Be in Love, Think about you, Step Step