Kpop: Top 20 first quarter 2014

It is time for this years first top 20, and as always I am, honestly, surprised at the number of candidates. I had the leave out quite a number of candidates I wouldn't have thought would miss the Top 20. And yes, I prefer female to male artists in kpop. ;-)

Honorable mention goes to Gain for being as sexually liberated as always in her "Fxxk U" and "Truth & Dare", and to Bebop for their glorious boxing in "I'm the best".

20. Puer Kim - Manyo Maash. This gothic piece from the rookie is suggestive and dark, and I love it.

19. Neon Bunny -It's You. The excellent indie singer/songwriter is back.

18. M ft Eric - Taxi. Funky and fun.

17. Stay Foolish - Kiss Kiss. More mature charm than usual in kpop.

16. Ladies Code - So Wonderful. Again the theme is dolls and again they have their distinct staccato rhythm.

15. Sunmi - Full Moon

14. Stellar - Marionette. No one can dispute that they sold their song with explicit sexuality using styling that one could indeed deem sub-par, but it was also really a good kpop song.

13. Lip Service - Yum Yum Yum. Attitude and a refrain that sticks like gum in my head.

12. Rumble Fish - The Virulent Song. A dramatic song sung with passion.

11. Scarlet - Do Better. Simple but effective song and video.

10. Orange Caramel - Catanella

9. Dal Shabet - B. B. B. This is a song that I feel very split about. On the one hand it is flawed from the chanted "Big Baby Baby" that disturbs a little, one the other hand it has a number of delicious twists and sounds and it is really like the perfect song that got messed up by to many ideas. Still a must on this list.

8. Park Ji Yoon - Beep. The video is just pure retro gold, and PJY is flawlessly stylish again.

7. AoA - Miniskirt. After initial sceptisism, "Oh, a zipper gimmick", but it and the song is done so well.

6. Brown Eyed Soul - Pass Me By. Nostalgic R&B

5. Mamamoo ft K.Will - Peppermint Chocolate. Perfect R&B with the support of K.Will for these debutants.

4. Son Heun Su - Go and come back. Fabolous disco & humor from this comedian.

3. 2 Song Place - Age-Height. Yes, a comedian takes the number three spot, but this is just so fun and engaging. You must read the subtitles!

2. Girl's Day - Something. I was almost 100% sure this would be number one or two this quarter already when it came out at the start of January, and I am still not quite sure it shouldn't be number one. It is a fantastic piece of suggestive music and the video is perfect too.

1. SNSD/Girl's Generation - Mr Mr. I had a hard time deciding on number one but something about the classicness of Mr Mr made me choose Girl's Generation. It's a kind of iconic sound compared with Girl's Day who are somehow the new (sexy) but untested.

Kpop: Park Yi Joon - Beep

Park Ji Yoon.....aaaaw....she is just so great! And her Mystic89 label is rising in my regards quicker than a rocketship... The new trend in kpop to release double videos seems to be one to continue as she just released "Inner Sense". Both showcases Park's natural stylishness and just class, but while Inner Space was understated beauty and introspection, Beep is a flirt with 70s flamboyant fashion and video quality like an old VHS cassette. And its still even more classy.

• Park Ji Yoon - Beep

Kpop: Park Ji Yoon - Inner Space (나의 뇌구조)

In my opinion maybe the most beautiful singer of kpop, 32 year old Park Ji Yoon, treats us with a look into her "Inner Space" in her latest video, filled with memorabilia both expected and strange.

• Park Ji Yoon - Inner Space (나의 뇌구조)

Kpop: Park Ji Yoon - Mr Lee (미스터리)

Park Ji Yoon is in my eyes the most classically beautiful Korean I know. She has a understated both clear beauty with the face of a godess. Yes, I am not kidding, that is just obvious I think. Add to that music that is playful, sensual and a twinkle of dark and you got yourself something luxurious for both ears and eyes.

• Park Ji Yoon - Mr. Lee (미스터리)