Kpop Yearbook 2023: Jungkook’s Boundary-Breaking, SEVENTEEN’s All Hits, and More

huyendoFebruary 9, 2024Last Updated: February 9, 2024

4 minutes read

Consequence’s Kpop Yearbook has rolled out some noteworthy rankings.

As the year wraps up, music magazines and pages are in full swing with polls on standout songs/artists. Kpop in 2023 takes the spotlight as the most talked-about, with a potent impact on the entertainment scene. Billboard, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NME, etc., drop their year-end top lists. Just recently, Consequencebrings in a fresh approach – a Kpop Yearbook loaded with seriously remarkable rankings.

Jungkook gets crowned as the “boundary breaker of the year”

Rather than sticking to the standard hit rankings, Consequence’s Kpop Yearbook 2023 spices things up with 20 seriously impressive categories. Jungkook’s solo releases throughout the year keep smashing records left and right. “Seven” hits 1 billion streams on Spotify, claiming the fastest spot in history, and debuting at No.1 on Hot 100.

Jungkook makes history as the first solo Kpop artist with three songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 (“Seven,” “3D,” “Standing Next to You”). The “Golden” album racks up 200 thousand units in first-week sales in the U.S., hitting #2 on the Billboard 200. With these international accolades, Consequence tags Jungkook as the “Boundary Breaker of the Year.”

“You can’t deny Jungkook’s global influence. BTS member reaches new personal peaks with the solo album ‘Golden,’ promoting worldwide with appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show, headlining Global Citizen 2023, and a surprise stage at Times Square, pulling in nearly 300,000 viewers for the live broadcast… While BTS spent over a decade breaking boundaries as a group, Jungkook seizes the opportunity with his own torch in his own way.”

SEVENTEEN is the “all-hit” group, and BSS brings the “positive energy”

SEVENTEEN is the “million-selling boy group,” breaking records left and right in 2023. Two comebacks with the mini albums “FML” and “Seventeenth Heaven” set the music charts on fire.

Consequence hands over the title of “All Hits, No Skips” to SEVENTEEN. “The 13-member crew debuted in 2015, but surprisingly, thei strength continues to rise… 2023 marks two major projects: the 10th and 11th mini albums, ‘FML’ and ‘Seventeenth Heaven,’ directed primarily by composer and producer Woozi, proving that SEVENTEEN’s music has a special spreading power.

The earth-shaking energy of Super (the title track of FML) is different from the bright atmosphere and festival vibes of God of Music (the title track of Seventeenth Heaven), but both provide a clear sense of connection.”

In addition, SEVENTEEN’s subunit BSS is recognized for spreading positive energy. The hit “Fighting” becomes a go-to for those dealing with work pressure, thanks to its cheerful melody and uplifting vibes from the trio. Dominating the charts and setting dance trends, BSS is highlighted by Consequence in the category “Biggest Energy Boost.”

In the past year, the lively competition between the top 4 fourth-generation girl groups – NewJeans, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and aespa – is impossible to ignore. All four feature prominently in various impressive categories of Consequence’s top 20. It’s clear that all four groups have hit success and increased their influence in the past year.

NewJeans makes a dazzling comeback with a series of hits like “Ditto – OMG” and the E.P “Get Up,” creating a stir in the music industry. IVE leads the digital music trend with two albums, “I’ve IVE” and “I’ve MINE.” LE SSERAFIM expresses a spirit of connection and inspiration through “Unforgiven – Perfect Night.” Meanwhile, aespa continues to conquer new milestones.

The top 4 girl groups evenly share the influence, with Consequence acknowledging them in various categories: Favorite Earworm – NewJeans “OMG”; Favorite Team Dynamic – LE SSERAFIM; Biggest Swing – IVE “Baddie”; Innovators Of The Year – aespa.

BLACKPINK leaves empty-handed against TWICE, Red Velvet.

In their seventh year of their career, despite not releasing new music, BLACKPINK pockets the title of the “largest-scale world tour by a female group of all time” after completing “Born Pink.” The tour attracts over 2.1 million followers, generating nearly 300 million dollars for 66 performances. However, in many year-end charts, BLACKPINK remains somewhat “missing.” Additionally, Jisoo’s solo performance is scarcely mentioned in the music magazine summaries of 2023.

For the “Favorite Touring Group” category, Consequence chooses TWICE with their tour “Ready to Be.” “TWICE throws a grand pink feast, and anyone who attends seems to have had a memorable time. The 9 girls have dedicated themselves entirely on stage during the world tour ‘Ready to Be,’ through 45 performances.”

Red Velvet earns the title of “Icon of the Year.”

As a rare 3rd-generation girl group featured in Consequence’s Kpop Yearbook 2023, Red Velvet is even hailed as the “Icon of the Year.” Despite being somewhat overshadowed in achievements in recent years by new-generation girl groups, the quality of Red Velvet’s music is consistently praised by industry experts. Consequence predicts that Red Velvet will “firmly secure the iconic status” after their third full album, “Chill Kill.”