I typically contemplate myself a fairly optimistic, optimistic particular person and really need this weblog to be an area that focuses on the great, however 2026 has been a uniquely difficult yr in terms of Ok-pop releases. I can’t keep in mind a yr the place I wrote as many unfavorable evaluations, so I’m going to strive one thing a bit totally different and do a mid-year round-up of my least favourite Ok-pop songs. I do know some readers will in all probability hate this and others will find it irresistible, nevertheless it’s a little bit of a one-off both manner. Contemplate this a purge earlier than we (hopefully) transfer on to brighter skies throughout 2026’s second half!
What are your ideas, readers? Depart your personal picks within the feedback!
10. NAZE – Individuals Speak
The worst sort of toothless whitebread pop melody. (full evaluation)
9. Everglow – Code
Additional proof that their company has no concept what to do with them. (full evaluation)
8. Katseye – Pinky Up
I completely despise the refrain. (full evaluation)
7. AHOF – Sugar Excessive
It’s not that that is the worst music I’ve ever heard. The verses are literally okay. It’s that it comes from a gaggle who has made spectacular music up thus far and Sugar Excessive represents companies’ worst instincts to saddle their acts with “arduous” hip-hop singles even when it doesn’t match their idea. However yeah, that refrain is horrendous. (full evaluation)
6. CORTIS – Acai
The truth that they’ll give you one thing nearly as good as REDRED makes a music like Acai much more unforgivable. There’s simply no excuse for this crap. (full evaluation)
5. Queenz Eye – Y2K
Can this lastly put the nail within the coffin of the Y2K pattern? It’s a lame novelty observe full of lamer references. And one way or the other, it sounds nothing like precise Y2K music. (full evaluation)
4. BTS – 2.0
Yeah, even legends of the sport aren’t resistant to 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 evaluation)
3. Younger Posse – Visa
Noise air pollution. I like its confrontational vitality however that is actually painful to take heed to. (full evaluation)
2. VVS – BOTTLE$
You may as nicely simply place VVS’s complete discography on this checklist. I’m nonetheless satisfied they’re some type of deliberate parody act. How else do you clarify a music like this? (full evaluation)
1. LE SSERAFIM x ILLIT x Katseye – Iconic By Mistake
This represents every little thing I hate about Ok-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 observe. You may’t inform me an trade behemoth like HYBE couldn’t discover higher materials for 3 of Ok-pop’s high lady teams? (full evaluation)