Billboard names KiiiKiii's '404 (New Era)' top K-pop song
Billboard's midyear K-pop list placed KiiiKiii at No. 1, followed by Hearts2Hearts, AKMU, CORTIS and NMIXX.
Billboard released 'The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2026 So Far', a midyear review of the K-pop scene. Billboard said on the 15th, local time, that the No. 1 song for the first half of the year was '404(New Era)' by KiiiKiii, a rookie girl group under Starship Entertainment.
'404(New Era)' is a deep-house track that turns the internet error code '404' into a declaration of entering a new era. Billboard said the song delivered 'a sharp message telling digital natives to put down their smartphones and face reality' and said KiiiKiii was leading 'a musical revolution in K-pop with a bold performance full of conviction despite being in its 1st year since debut'. LDN Noise from the United Kingdom and Omega Sapien of Balming Tiger were among the contributors.
No. 2 went to 'RUDE!' by Hearts2Hearts, a rookie girl group under SM Entertainment. Billboard described it as a track that places Generation Z's candid and confident attitude over a refined house beat, saying 'the distinct personalities of the eight members fit together organically to form a firm symmetry'.
No. 3 was 'Paradise of Rumors' by AKMU. The song removes bright sound elements and brings in a country shuffle rhythm to deliver private and restrained comfort, with Lee Chan-hyuk writing the song and Lee Su-hyun singing it in a whisper-like manner. Billboard called it 'the quietest song on this list' and a chapter showing 'the biggest musical shift in AKMU's career'.
No. 4 was 'REDRED' by CORTIS. Billboard said the BigHit Music group brought back early-2010s electro-pop sounds while combining them with the texture of heavy hip-hop bass. The song contains a green-flag message about leaping toward a dream beyond the 'red flag' of other people's gaze.
No. 5 was 'Crescendo' by NMIXX, a girl group under JYP Entertainment. Billboard said the song moved away from the group's existing maximalist style and showed maturity by building pressure through empty space and restraint. Member Lily took part in the lyrics, and the six members' precise vocal lines were assessed as creating a technical yet romantic mood inside an arrangement like a vacuum.
Billboard said the list covered megahits with global chart results as well as songs from indie, R&B, rock and folk across Korean popular music. In its overall assessment of the first half of the year, Billboard cited BTS's 'ARIRANG' project, the return of BLACKPINK and other global acts, and new artists opening a new era, saying K-pop is not defined only by large groups and continues to expand its spectrum and inclusiveness.
A sharp message telling digital natives to put down their smartphones and face reality
The distinct personalities of the eight members fit together organically to form a firm symmetry
The quietest song on this list
Related articles
Koo Chang-mo returns with album after 37 years
Koo Chang-mo said Songolmae's recent tour gave him the energy to release 'Memory & Future,' his first solo album in 37 years.
hathaw9y traces love on second album 'Lovers'
The Busan-based 3-piece band says 'Lovers' reflects freer choices, 70~80s gear and a view of love tied to responsibility.
Park Se-mi and Kim So-yu form a semi-trot duo
The comedian and the trot singer released the semi-trot single 'What Can't I Do?' on July 6 after becoming close through look-alike stage appearances.
Im Seong-geun apologizes over Paju restaurant opening
The Culinary Class Wars 2 chef said he would reorganize service after his new restaurant in Paju ran out of ingredients around 12:15 p.m.
