Like in any other year, K-pop in 2021 can’t be defined by a single sound or message. Soloists and groups continued pushing the bounds of genre within Korean pop music as they experimented with influences from rock to Latin, R&B to electropop. And looking back, it’s impossible to state which songs were objectively the best—as the K-pop industry continues to grow, there’s more than enough variety to cater to every individual taste.
如同往年，2021年的韩国流行文化不能由单一的声音或信息来定义。个人歌手和组合仍在探索更多的韩流音乐流派，他们尝试了从摇滚到拉丁、R&B到电子流行的不同种类。回顾过去，不可能客观来判断哪些歌曲是最好的--随着韩流文化行业的不断发展，已有足够多的派别来满足每个人的口味。
But if there was one theme that emerged more than others in the lyrics of this year’s top releases, it was a shared reflection on the passage of time, the formation of memories and holding onto hope through it all. It’s only fitting, as so many aspects of our lives remained on pause in 2021 as the pandemic continued to bring more uncertainty. Many of the year’s standout K-pop releases offer comfort and catharsis, as feelings of normalcy give way to fear and questioning and then back again.
但在今年的热门歌曲的歌词中，出现了一个主题，那就是对时间流逝、回忆塑造、以及坚守希望的共同思考。这很合适，因为大流行病继续带来更多不确定性，使2021年我们生活的许多方面仍然处于暂停在状态。这一年许多杰出的韩流作品提供了安慰和宣泄，平常心让位于恐惧和质疑之后，又重新归位。
Let's take a look at the best 10 K-Pop songs of 2021.(In no particular order.)
让我们来看看2021年10佳韩语流行歌曲吧（排列顺序非评分顺序）
“Cinema” CIX(98)
Cinema is a movie-themed love song of CIX. Bright synth notes kick in as the five-member group launches into a metaphor likening a romance to a film, beginning with the opening credits: “The names are engraved side by side”. The cinematic imagery continues, as the artists sing of believing in “the frame called ‘us’” to chasing dreams together in “a screen called ‘tomorrow.’” A vivid serenade that thrums with pizzazz, “Cinema” has the enduring quality of the timeless classics to which CIX compares this courtship.
CIX（拥有五位成员的男团）的回归新歌“Cinema”是一首以电影为主题的情歌。当明亮的合成器音符流转而出，这个五人的团体进入了暗喻构筑起的世界，罗曼蒂克的场景就像一帧一帧的电影，片头的字幕这样写道：“就连名字也要并排镌刻在一起”。电影般的图像呈现方式仍在继续，艺人们唱着：相信“名为'我们'的那帧影像”，在"一个唤作'明天'的银幕"中一起追逐梦想。“Cinema”似是一支小夜曲，生动宛转，乐音轻叩间，魅力四射，这首歌具有的永恒经典作品的持久品质，CIX将追求爱情的题材与之相比。
“Love So Sweet” Cherry Bullet(106)
If “Love So Sweet” were part of a full course meal, it would be the refreshing pre-dessert that cleanses the palate. Featuring a softly whistled tune in the hook and whispered hushes throughout, the song is light and subdued as Cherry Bullet asks for the romance at its center to be kept a secret. “Love So Sweet” ramps up in the bridge as the group reveals that things are not as sugary as they appear: “One-sided love/ makes me feel bittersweet,” Jiwon sings, before Bora belts a climactic note that seems to unleash the lovesick emotions hidden far too long.
如果把Love So Sweet比作一顿正餐的一部分，那其会是一道清新的餐前甜点，可以（让你）稍换口味。这首歌的特点是在副歌中轻柔的口哨声，以及贯穿整首歌的呢喃轻语。这首歌轻快而柔和，因为Cherry Bullet要求对其中的浪漫也就是核心保密。Love So Sweet在过渡段渐强，这时这个组合揭示了事情并不像表面上那样美好：“单恋/让我感到苦乐参半，” 智媛唱道，然后紫萝飙出了一个高音，似乎释放了隐藏太久的相思情绪。
译注：bridge指在第二段副歌结束之后，在第三段副歌开始之前的那一段过渡性的音乐内容
“Fever” ENHYPEN(83)
Though ENHYPEN released two gripping title tracks in “Drunk-Dazed” and “Tamed-Dashed” this year, it’s the B-side “Fever” from EP Border: Carnival that proves most arresting. “Fever” leaves a scorching trail, as ENHYPEN describes their bodies burning up from passion. The breathy delivery of the vocals and the exasperated sighs let out throughout the track help signal the rising temperatures, while the instrumentation’s palpitating thumps emulate a fervent heart’s beating.
尽管今年ENHYPEN发布了Drunk-Dazed和Tamed-Dashed两首扣人心弦的曲目，但证明最吸引人的还是迷你专辑Border: Carnival 的B面Fever。Fever留下了灼热的痕迹，正如ENHYPEN描述他们的身体因激情而燃烧。呼吸般的人声和音轨上急促的叹息声释放出温度上升的信号，而仪器的砰砰声模拟着强烈的心脏跳动。
“After School” WEEEKLY(77)
To listen to WEEEKLY’s “After School” is to be injected with a dopamine boost. The sunny melodies, fast-paced tempo and lyrics about eagerly anticipating the freedom that comes with the end of class all serve to create this euphoric anthem. As the beats accelerate toward the spirited chorus, you can’t help but want to line up at the door to join the dance at full throttle when the school bell rings.
听WEEEKLY的 "After School "就像被注射了多巴胺。阳光明媚的旋律、欢快的节奏和关于热切期待下课后的自由的歌词，谱写了这首令人振奋的歌曲。当节拍加速进入激情澎湃的副歌时，你会情不自禁地想在门口排队，在学校铃声响起时，奋不顾身的加入热舞。
“Advice” Taemin(116)
Just days before he enlisted for military service, Taemin dropped a song that will hold his fans over until he can return to performing. They would be hard-pressed to tire of the haunting yet enchanting piano melody that opens “Advice” with flair then propels the track to its emphatic final note. Topped with the SHINee vocalist’s dulcet voice and spurred on by urgent trap beats, this R&B song is a warning to those who criticize the veteran performer. “The more you try to trap me, I’ll go off the rails,” Taemin taunts in the chorus. “Advice” is sure to have staying power in the years after.
就在李泰民应征入伍的前几天，他发了一首新歌，这首歌能留住他的粉丝直至其重返舞台。萦绕心头又迷人的钢琴旋律让人难以听厌，并以此作为这首新歌Advice的开头。伴随着SHINee悦耳的嗓音和急促的trap节拍为灵感，这首R&B歌曲向那些批评这位资深表演者的人发出了警告。李泰民在合唱团中嘲讽道：“你越想陷害我，我就会越轨。“Advice将在随后几年里依旧拥有持久的影响力。
译注：trap是一种嘻哈音乐风格，于90年代早期在美国南部形成，是一种炫酷、街头、随性的嘻哈音乐。
“Pirate” Everglow(109)
By now,Everglow, the regular champions of the girl crush concept have accumulated a handful of anthems brandishing self-empowerment in their arsenal. “Pirate,” a rousing number with lines like, “Girls all over the world, dance tonight/ and we could be anything,” is the latest addition to this catalog. The track sets itself apart by turning the standard song structure on its head, with a jumbled order of its pre-chorus, chorus and refrain. Structural technicalities aside, one thing is certain: The six artists are ready to face whatever wave may hit them on their newly boarded ship—and we’re invited to join the crew.
到现在为止，Everglow（别称：阁楼，楼帝），作为GC概念（酷飒风格）女团的常胜将军，在她们的曲库中已经积累了一部分关于鼓舞自立自强的精神的主打歌。"Pirate"是一首充满活力与激情的歌曲，台词有如“世界各地的女孩，今晚就跳起舞吧/我们的未来无可限量"，这首新单成为歌曲目录中的最新收录曲。这首歌之所以区别于他者是因在在创作时改变了标准结构，打乱了副歌的前导句和副歌的顺序。撇开结构上的技术细节不谈，有一件事是肯定的：六位艺人已经准备好面对她们扬帆远航时可能遭遇的任何风浪——当然，屏幕前的我们也会应邀加入远航的队伍。
“Feel Like” Woodz（72）
Bright and silvery, Woodz’s voice is endlessly appealing on its own. But in “Feel Like,” a flourishing guitar tune serves almost like a second voice in a duet, delivering a sonic one-two punch. Co-written by Woodz, “Feel Like” is a sultry track about the irresistible pull between two lovers. The artist’s singing is as magnetic as the force of attraction described in the lyrics.
Woodz的声音明亮而清脆，清唱就已经魅力无穷了。但在 "Feel Like "中，一个流行的吉他声就像二重奏中的二声部，与他的声线完美配合，连续夹击观众的心脏。由Woodz共同创作的 "Feel Like "是一首关于两个恋人之间不可抗拒的吸引力的性感歌曲。这位艺人的歌声就像歌词中描述的吸引力一样具有磁性。
“ASAP” STAYC（99）
For a song about urging a soulmate one has not yet met to appear as soon as possible, “ASAP” is markedly laid-back. But the slower tempo by no means results in a lack of energy. Rather, the hook forged by synth notes resonant of video game beeps and a pulsating syncopated rhythm anchor this bouncy track that propels the listener to sway side-to-side. The members’ distinct vocal colors also make this song uniquely theirs, from the introductory verses by deep-voiced member J to the chorus opened by Sieun’s more high-pitched, feathery tone.
对于一首催促一个尚未见面的灵魂伴侣尽快出现的歌曲来说，ASAP显然是慢而令人舒服的。但是较慢的节奏绝不会导致能量不足。更确切地说，由合成器打造的副歌记录了电子游戏的蜂鸣声和跳动的切分音节奏，让听者（禁不住）左右摇摆。成员们独特的声乐色彩也使这首歌成为他们的特别之作，从嗓音低沉的成员J的开场诗到朴莳恩更高又轻软的音调开始的合唱。
“Rock With You” SEVENTEEN（99）
When SEVENTEEN commits to a concept, the group does so whole-heartedly. This time, the image in question is the rock aesthetic. Inspired by a visual of flames and motorcycles, member Woozi contributed to composing “Rock With You,” which features an electrifying guitar riff, a propelling rhythm and an all-around galvanizing energy. One section that gets the blood pumping more than any other is the second half of the chorus, in which the low-toned voices of rappers singing “baby hold on” are woven together with vocalists’ light falsettos in a dynamic contrast of vocal timbres.
当SEVENTEEN（别名：小十七，赛文婷）致力于一个概念时，该小组会全心全意地进行打造。这一次，所讨论的形象是摇滚美学。受到火焰和摩托车视觉效果的启发，成员Woozi为创作"Rock With You"做出了贡献，该歌曲以激动人心的吉他即兴演奏，不断推进的节奏和全方位的能量刺激为特色。副歌的后半部分最能让人热血沸腾，其中rap担当（负责说唱部分）唱着"baby hold on"的低沉嗓音与vocal担当（负责歌曲部分）的清亮的假声交织在一起，形成了音色的变化与对比。
“Savage” aespa（113）
You don’t have to understand Kwangya, the fictional universe in which aespa’s virtual counterparts reside, to be fully immersed in “Savage.” While its lyrics are dedicated to the four members syncing with their digital avatars to launch an attack in this imagined land, the explosive track can be thoroughly enjoyed with minimal knowledge of the SM Culture Universe. The song’s ferocity is evident from its first line, as Winter scoffs, “Oh my gosh/ Don’t you know I’m a savage?” Then, over trap beats and discordant instrumentation, aespa delivers punchy rap verses spelling out why they’re a threat.
你不必理解SM为Aespa（别称：吒儿，艾斯帕）打造的旷野概念，Aespa的成员对应的四位AI成员(æ)所在的虚构宇宙，就可以完全沉浸在"Savage"这首歌中。虽然它的歌词是为四名成员量身打造，她们与自己的数字化身（AI）同步，在这片幻想中的土地上发动攻势。其实，这人们即使对SM文化宇宙知之甚少，也可以尽情享受这爆炸性的曲目。这首歌凶猛激烈的特性从第一句歌词就很明显了，因为成员之一的Winter带着嘲讽意味地唱道：“哦，我的天哪/难道你不知道我是个充满野性的女孩吗？”然后，通过trap beats（说唱音乐的概念：beat是伴奏，trap就是808鼓再加其它管弦乐伴奏，通过词句动作的重复构成的具有中毒性和煽动性的旋律）和不和谐的乐器伴奏，Aespa展现了冲击力十足的说唱词句，阐明了她们是具有威胁性和攻击性的存在。
原文链接：
https://time.com/6126709/best-kpop-2021/
文案 | 王瑞菁 姚汤嘉 金灵依 赵梦赟
排版 | 王凯璐
