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Everyone had a rough year as a result of Covid-19. Many people have turned to music in these uncertain times and as a result, K-pop gained massive popularity. As many musicians postponed their 2020 debuts owing to the pandemic, there has been a continuous trickle of K-pop albums from established and new performers in 2021. You will see from the list below that there was no distinct sound, style, or theme for 2021. These K-pop groups continued to push the boundaries of genre within K-pop.
With K-pop music causing such a stir, what die-hard fan wouldn’t want to get their hands on official K-pop records and merchandise? To make things easier for you, here are the ten best K-pop albums of 2021, as well as a list of the best K-pop stores online where you can buy high-quality K-pop merchandise.
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Top 10 K-Pop Albums 2022
1.
TXT - The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE
“The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE” the newest album by TXT takes top place on our selection of the greatest K-pop Albums of 2021. It is their second studio album, which is a mash-up of many genres such as pop-punk, electronic pop, and pop-rock. TXT introduced something fresh to K-pop and is constantly seeking ways to reinvent itself.
This album has a youthful element to it: it seems dramatic, but it also possesses the strength to get back up after falling. The melodies and words in these compositions are driven by angst, yet it somehow makes you feel alive. “The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE” creates accessible pop that appeals to individuals all tastes while maintaining its uniqueness.
2.
TWICE - Formula of Love: O+T=<3
TWICE’s sixth studio album is titled Formula of Love: O+T=<3. The album establishes TWICE as one of the best female K-pop groups, alongside BLACKPINK. Those that enjoy dancing will enjoy what this CD has to offer. This album’s tunes range from dance-pop to disco. The CD also includes fresh voice arrangements through its components (1,3,2, Hello, and Push&Pull).
Formula of Love: O+T=<3 joins More & More (2020) and Eyes Wide Open (2020) in elevating TWICE’s pop star status. Songs like “Espresso” and “1,3,2” might have fit on any prior TWICE album, yet they benefit from TWICE’s maturity. With each return, their vocals improve. They can handle a melodramatic ballad, as “Cactus” demonstrates. “Last Waltz” is the album’s most entertaining and inventive tune in terms of songwriting.
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3.
SHINee - Don't Call Me/Atlantis
SHINee has been lost from the public eye due to military enlistments. However, the Princes of K-pop came back and better than ever in 2021 with Don’t Call Me, their seventh studio album, and they’re sticking to their R&B/hip-hop/pop formula! Atlantis is the band’s repackaged version of Don’t Call Me, and it elevates the album to new heights.
4.
Aespa - Savage
One of the biggest surprises of 2021 was aespas album “Savage”. It is aespa’s debut mini-album, and it combines dance-pop, hyper-pop, and electropop. They are the most forward-thinking K-pop group since their music is linked with their digital avatars in their imaginary/virtual realm. Yes, you read it correctly: AI avatars account for 4/8 of the members. Nonetheless, Savage is a solid post-club album that will go down in history as one of the most fascinating K-pop compositions of 2021.
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5.
EXO - Don't Fight the Feeling
Don’t Fight the Feeling, EXO’s seventh album arrives two years after Obsession. The return of Lay, D.O., and Xiumin, and is what makes this record unique. When EXO revealed their new “special album”, the K-pop community was brought to its knees. This is considered a special album owing to military enlistments, there is a minimal prospect of a comeback record.
Thankfully, “Don’t Fight the Feeling” brought back the hopefulness and energy that many craved. The title single, titled after the EP, is infectiously joyful and an unmistakable love letter to EXO’s devoted fan base, EXO-L.
6.
NCT 127 - Sticker/Favorite
Their previous hit album “Sticker” has been repackaged as “Favorite” by NCT 127 and has become the new favorite of all K-pop lovers. It adds three more songs to Sticker’s already impressive tracklist. NCT 127 is the most inventive NCT subgroup, continually pushing the boundaries. Favorite has both hard-hitting raps and wonderful ballads so it’s a must-listen!
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7.
Seventeen - Attacca
SEVENTEEN’s Attacca is their ninth mini-album. It’s high-octane and has a lot of pop-punk rock, making for an intriguing new approach. Their hip-hop/R&B side is also included on the B side, which should please Seventeen lovers.
8.
D.O. - Empathy
D.O., EXO’s tender-hearted vocalist made his solo debut with his album Empathy is the acoustic-pop-R&B fantasy that the world needed after 2020’s Covid-19 horror. D.O.’s voice has always been rich but in songs like “It’s Love” and “I’m Fine”, he’s able to portray passion with each syllable.
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9.
Stray Kids - No Easy
Stray Kids’ latest full-length album is a rebuttal to people who claim the group’s music is too loud. The group is recognized for hard-hitting rap lines and bombastic electronic production. No Easy is a twist on the word “noisy”, and it’s evident that the eight-piece ensemble has no intention of turning down the volume.
10.
ONEUS - Blood Moon
Blood Moon combines traditional Korean music known as “Gugak” with EDM and rap, and the result is simply amazing.
“Luna”, the second song of the album is less raw in its use of traditional music; however, its production is what makes it so intriguing. It combines trap music and synthpop beats with ’80s pop reverbs, Gugak strings, and flutes.
The combination of “Into: Window” and “Luna” is one of the most beautiful things to happen in K-pop this year.
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Top 10 K-Pop Merch Stores 2022
Now that you’ve read about the 10 top K-pop albums, let’s move on to the top ten online merchandise stores where you can find some of the best high-quality products!
1.
Kpopshop
Due to its huge assortment of items and low costs, Kpopshop is one of the most well-known names among K-pop merch websites. Kpopshop sells K-pop merchandise from practically every well-known artist and group. While they have more merchandise for more popular groups (such as BTS and Blackpink), they also sell albums for numerous smaller groups and soloists.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Kpopshop?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Kpopshop too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
2.
Cokodive
Cokodive is a K-pop store that sells merchandise for almost every group or solo singer. This store offers both official and unauthorized merchandise!
Furthermore, the best part is that the prices are quite affordable – they are not the lowest on the list, but they are far from the most expensive. Even better, they have an excellent internet reputation, and evaluations on both their website and third-party sites reveal a lot of satisfied clients.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Cokodive?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Cokodive too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
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3.
Daebak Company
Daebak Company has everything Korea-related, whether it’s K-pop stuff or Korean beauty items. Daebak is also well known for its Korean subscription boxes, which include the K-goods, K-snack boxes, and K-jewelry.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Daebak?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Daebak too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
4.
YesAsia
Without YesAsia, this list would be incomplete. YesAsia items are slightly more expensive, but this is primarily to cover shipping costs since shipping from YesAsia is usually free.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on YesAsia?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through YesAsia too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
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5.
KPopTown
Kpoptown, sells a wide range of Korean things such as K-pop merch, character goods, clothes, accessories, lenses, K-beauty items, and, Korean food. The tiny CDs that they sell could be of interest to many of you. Gaon and Hanteo have accredited this shop. Bands like BTS, Blackpink, EXO, Mamamoo, Stray Kids, NCT 127, Wanna One, and others have released products. If you’re in search of official merchandise, you must check this store.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on KPopTown?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through KPopTown too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
6.
Ktown4u
Ktown4u frequently has official K-pop items that are not accessible in any other K-pop online store. Their prices are decent, although not lower than those of other retailers. Ktown4u sells not just K-pop merchandise, but also fashion, star collectibles, apparel, Korean snacks, and Korean beauty items.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Ktown4u?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Ktown4u too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
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7.
Kpopmart
Kpopmart is a fantastic and well-known site for purchasing K-pop stuff. Their shipment is rather quick; the shipping charge is determined by the weight of your box and the delivery option you select at the time of purchase.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Kpopmart?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Kpopmart too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
8.
Mwave
Although they don’t have a large range of items at Mwave and don’t feature many bands, this online store is unique in that it sells autographed albums and CDs.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Mwave?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Mwave too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
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9.
Catchopcd
This is the place to go if you’re on a budget and want to buy some non-official K-pop merchandise. The product selection on Catchopcd is limited, making it ideal for those on a tight budget.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on Catchopcd?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through Catchopcd too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
10.
SM Global Shop
SM Global Shop is a fantastic online store for all of your K-pop merchandise. There’s something for everyone. Lightsticks, collaboration products like the BTS x FILA collab, high-quality posters, OST album CDs, and more are all available as official merchandise on this website.
Q. Having trouble placing orders on SM Global Shop?
A. Request our “We Buy & Ship” service to have our own on-site personal shopper buy the item(s) for you on your behalf.
Q. Found international shipping through SM Global Shop too expensive?
A. Request our “You Buy, We Ship” service to have Delivered Korea ship your products to your doorstep at an affordable price.
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