The list contains names from both rookie groups and more established ones in the industry, showcasing a diverse set of aesthetics.
The “2022 K-POP RADAR Conference” by Space Oddity recently took place to discuss topics related to K-pop and had a look-back on its development. The conference picked out top 10 albums having the most unique and best designs of 2022, selected by top industry experts in regards to album design and worldview planning. The result was announced by Kim Yoon-ha, professor at Hongik University, Na Gun, general director of the 2023 Gwangju Design Biennale, and Choi Myung-hwan, editor-in-chief of the monthly “Design”.
The released picks presented under list “2022 K-POP 10 PICKS” includes (in random order):
– “NewJeans” – NewJeans
– “Feel My Rhythm” – Red Velvet
– “LOVE DIVE” – IVE
– “Savage” – aespa
– “BEATBOX” – NCT Dream
– “FEARLESS” – LE SSERAFIM
– “Gasoline” – Key
– “Needle & Bubble” – NU’EST
– “Grown Ass Kid” – ZICO
– “Chronograph” – VICTON
NU’EST‘s “Needle & Bubble” received rave reviews as the 10th anniversary album of NU’EST while New Jeans‘ debut album “New Jeans” was praised for its well-roundedness.
Red Velvet‘s “Feel My Rhythm” drew attention as it was evaluated as “an album that understands the needs of fans,” LE SSERAFIM’s “FEARLESS” for a “fearless confidence from strong logo play”, and VICTON’s “Chronograph” as “an album that opened the horizon of K-pop Mining Out consumption.”
IVE’s “LOVE DIVE” won favor with bold typography and color play, while aespa‘s “Savage” was loved for “sensibly refined graphics” that conveyed the group’s identity. Experts also added that NCT DREAM‘s “BEATBOX” was “the essence of a repackage album featuring artist customization,” Zico‘s “Grown Ass Kid” as “an album that shows Zico’s power as an artist,” and Key‘s “Gasoline” as “a masterpiece that reveals the artist’s tenacity toward retro and high quality.”
Fans responded positively to the selected albums and expressed their want to own the albums themselves based on their graphics and color choice.
Last year’s winners of “Album Design of the Year” were ONF and SHINee’s albums. Fans and the K-pop community are looking out for who will take over the crown.
Source: daum
