ty stephen 💗💗💗 and fwiw i have so much affection for the relationship @multiplebirds.bsky.social has formed with earthbound, it's been so special to watch him experience such a beloved franchise

1) "PUPPET SHOW" - XG
Something ~feels~ cutting edge when you're watching XG do their thing. They're intimidatingly honed in the use of their talents. I held my breath when I first caught this MV and didn't exhale until the bridge. Absolutely stunning visuals and direction, as I've come to expect.

2) "Social Path" - Stray Kids feat. LiSA
My angst kings have returned! SKZ originally caught me years ago, deep in my feels, and I've loved watching their climb but suddenly getting a release that actually talks about how hard they worked and how much they've lost? UGH MY HEART.

3) "Queencard" - (G)-IDLE
My glittery, shiny 00s McBling affirmation anthem. You're right, Soyeon. I AM twerking on the runway. My boobs and booty ARE hot. "Queencard" is a love letter to girlhood and is so dynamically shot and choreographed. Also, Shuhua SHINES here, look at her!

4) "MOONLIGHT SUNRISE" - TWICE
Hilarious that I can commend KARD earlier in this list for being horny on main but TWICE had me clutching my pearls and clapping my hands over this one. It's so forward, so blunt! Catchy, gorgeous, and I love the soft, romantic textures of fur, lace, and ruffles.

5) "SHALALA" - TAEYONG
I think every group has one member that best encompasses their concept. Taeyong already has my heart and soul in NCT as a quintessential example of the unexpected idol, but this solo outing for him is SO him, SO Neo in Neo City Technology. He literally hacks God's computer???

6) "OMG" - NewJeans
We started 2023 so strongly! "OMG" still best displays a cute trend in NWJNS videos, where quaintly downbeat concepts pair with upbeat choreography that result in these refreshing & melancholic watches. Also, Hanni thinks she's Siri and is dressed as Steve Jobs ADORABLE

7) "Fast Forward" - JEON SOMI
I have to admit I haven't had a powerful club anthem stuck in my head this badly since Chungha's "Stay Tonight" AND I recognize one or two dancers from that video here, understandably still slaying. Somi dominates this simple concept, and I love watching her grow.

8) "MACARENA" - BLITZERS
I feel like kpop goes through boy group phases and girl group phases. We're in a major girl group phase, but this smaller group PROVED they have the presence and charisma to sell a wacky concept. What's this MV even about? I only have vague ideas, but I missed silly kpop.

9) "ICKY" - KARD
Some groups are flirty and some groups are ~nasty~. Leave it to my co-ed powerhouses to run around the literal backrooms as a metaphor for being so lost in your gross, sticky, inside thoughts that you don't know which way is up anymore.

10) "Love Lee" - AKMU
Chill, cute, campy. The Lee siblings play a couple cupids that are struggling when Chanhyuk himself comes into their work queue. Robbing the heart bank is adorably hilarious, and love-of-my-life Suhyun gets her own love interest in the end OH MY HEART

taking out the tracks i have NO recollection of listening to but are still here ((and in my top 5?!)) this is my ~adjusted~ top 5. case 143 PERSISTED despite coming out october 2022 and puppet show SOARED for coming out at the end of september 2023, one month before counting ends 💗💗💗

peak listening for twice came with their concert this summer 💗

peak listening for fall out boy came with the release of so much (for) stardust ❤️

i moved down 1% and listened less 💔 but stray kids are still my #1 ❤️

"ms. froo can we store these in here? it's for intro to business; we traded up from paperclips." 💰/10 tears, they also won for Best Trade

"gimme the ukelele, you strum it like a FOB" 10/10 tears WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEANNNNNN