K-Pop Flashback: Top Songs And Artist From August 2013

IST Entertainment / Mnet / YMC Entertainment

K-Pop has become a worldwide phenomenon, reaching all nations and countries. Created together with the fans that support them, K-Pop has developed its very own culture. As the fourth generation continues to dominate, we see groups like Stray Kids, IVE, and NewJeans dominating the charts for weeks at a time. They, among many others, are recognizable names within the K-Pop industry, representing the distinct qualities of what makes the current generation unique.

Although their success is clear for everyone to see, we cannot forget that the genre as a whole has seen a large number of successful artists pass through its doors. K-Pop has a storied history that would take weeks to properly sort through and cover. But here at Kpopmap, we're taking it one month at a time with our series, K-Pop Flashback.

Through this series, we open the gates of nostalgia at the end of every month and take a look at a specific time in K-Pop. We aim to look back no less than 7 years, the average contract length of your typical idol group. Our goals are to both reminisce and introduce newer K-Pop fans to older groups and trends that dominated the market all those years ago.

As the month of August comes to a close, let's travel back to the year 2013. Meet the artists and songs that dominated the charts down below!

Melon Chart

Circle Chart

It seems only yesterday that these songs just released and now they've become a decade old. Looking across both Circle Chart and Melon Chart, there are both similarities and differences between the two in terms of artists and order. The K-Pop groups that topped the charts included EXO, f(x), Apink, and Crayon Pop. Then we see soloists Ailee and Bumkey, along with rapper San E round out the list.

Top Songs Of August 2013

f(x) - 'Rum Pum Pum Pum'

Appearing on both charts is f(x)'s 'Rum Pum Pum Pum'. The girl group has always been loved for their experimental music style, pushing the boundaries of the K-Pop scene ever forward. For many older fans, 'Rum Pum Pum Pum' brings on feelings of warm nostalgia. And even today, 'Rum Pum Pum Pum' continues to remain on playlists everywhere.

Crayon Pop - 'Bar Bar Bar'

'Bar Bar Bar' was a viral success that took Korea by storm. No one could ever forget the group's iconic helmets and how they made millions jump up and down for hours at a time. It wasn't your typical K-Pop track, however, it maintained a firm hold on the public despite that.

Apink - 'NoNoNo'

You cannot talk about Apink without mentioning 'NoNoNo'. The song provided a burst of energy with just one listen, cementing Apink as a top tier girl group that's loved by the nation. Then, with its easy to follow choreography, it had the entire nation grooving in and out of their seat. The song's vibrant cheerfulness and uplifting message continues to be a happy pill to listeners even today.

EXO - 'Growl'

'Growl' is but one of EXO's many incredible hits that took the world by storm in 2013. It's choreography is iconic and continues to be covered by idols even today. It's also appeared on a number of competition programs, proving to be a must know song for trainees who hope to enter into the music industry. This just shows the track's legendary nature and long lasting stamp on K-Pop as a whole.

San E - 'Story Of Someone I Know'

San E's 'Story Of Someone I Know' touched the hearts of thousands with its sweet lyrics. Even the music video made you wish for a heart fluttering romance that would never end. While the song has turned a decade old, the themes of romance continue to hold true, making it relevant even until today.

Bumkey - 'Attraction'

Appearing within the top five of Circle Chart is Bumkey's 'Attraction'. It's a smooth R&B track that automatically gets you grooving in your seat. All the while, you're thinking about your attraction to that someone special and not being able to hide it anymore.

Ailee - 'U & I'

Even in 2013, the fact still remained that Ailee was an explosive vocalist that completely owned the stage. While this still holds true today, 'U & I' was a spellbinding track that made everyone look in her direction. One listen certainly isn't enough to appreciate the beauty that is 'U & I'.