Tourists watch the sun rise at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Sunday, a few days ahead of the start of 2026. YonhapAs the clock resets on New Year’s Day, many K-pop listeners follow a small but familiar ritual: choosing the first song they will play in the New Year. It is a habit rooted in the idea that music can help shape the emotional tone of what comes next.Every year, K-pop fans usually treat their opening track as a kind of soft launch for the year ahead. Some reach for comfort, others for confidence or motivation, but the impulse is the same: Start the year on the right note.Over time, this has turned certain K-pop tracks into annual fixtures. While most of these were not written to become New Year’s anthems, they do share something more lasting — themes of renewal, self-belief and forward motion. With 2026 arriving at a moment that feels both uncertain and full of possibility, that first choice matters more than usual. Below are some of the songs fans return to as they step into a new year, spanning different eras, genres and moods.’As You Wish,’ WJSNReleased in 2019, WJSN’s “As You Wish” has become a familiar presence on New Year’s Day playlists among K-pop fans. Built on a mid-tempo dance-pop sound with light synths, the song focuses on the idea of wishes coming true. Its chant-like chorus has helped turn the track into a kind of ritual for listeners, many of whom return to it each New Year’s eve to welcome the year. The song’s steady reappearance on streaming charts every January reflects how it has taken on a seasonal meaning that goes beyond its original release.Lisa of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK in the music video for her solo track “MONEY” / Courtesy of YG Entertainment ‘MONEY,’ Lisa (BLACKPINK)Released in 2021 as a B-side from Lisa’s solo debut album, “MONEY” is one of the rare K-pop tracks that addresses wealth and financial ambition without metaphor. A hip-hop track with hard-hitting bass lines, the song talks explicitly about money and the desire to become even more wealthy, framing financial success as both motivation and reward. Its unapologetic lyrics and Lisa’s confident rap delivery have made it a popular New Year’s pick among listeners who associate the start of the year with concrete goals, particularly those tied to income and upward mobility. ‘I WANT,’ IVEReleased in 2023 as a prerelease track tied to beverage brand Pepsi’s global campaign, IVE’s “I WANT” pairs youthful, familiar pop melodies with a simple message about having fun in life. Sonically upbeat and lyrically direct, the song emphasizes momentum without too much pressure. Rather than pushing ambition or achievement, it encourages listeners to relax and look ahead with curiosity, framing desire as something playful.That easygoing approach has made “I WANT” a fitting New Year’s pick for fans who prefer to start the year without stress, embracing 2026 with excitement rather than rigid resolutions.’Shopper,’ IUOn the other hand, “Shopper,” released in 2024 as part of IU’s album “The Winning,” takes a very different approach, framing the start of something new around ambition and desire.Built on sleek pop beats, the song mainly explores unapologetic desire for something bigger in life. Its recurring line, “Greed is free,” emphasizes the track’s message — wanting more, aiming higher and acknowledging personal desire as an honest driving force. As a New Year’s pick, “Shopper” resonates with listeners who see the first day of the year not as a moment to scale back expectations, but as permission to pursue something even better than what they already have.K-pop boy band BTS in the music video for the group’s 2020 track, “Life Goes On” / Courtesy of BigHit Music’Life Goes On,’ BTSFor unfortunate souls who experienced a restless or emotionally draining 2025, BTS’ “Life Goes On” offers a quieter, humbler way to step into the new year.Released in late 2020 as the lead single from BTS’ album “BE,” the song blends pop and hip-hop with understated production. Rather than promising a dramatic reset, it acknowledges disruption while emphasizing continuity, suggesting that moving forward does not always require change. The message resonates particularly at the start of the year, especially for listeners carrying fatigue from the months before, making “Life Goes On” a quieter expression of gratitude.
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