Compiling this playlist has been a truly fascinating journey. It became clear while selecting tracks that 2005 was a pivotal year, especially for the heartfelt K-Pop ballads that resonate so deeply. The sheer volume of exceptional songs from this year necessitated expanding our usual Top 50 list to a Top 100. This extensive curation, spanning two months, was a labor of love, albeit with its challenges.
Just as we were set to unveil this list, we encountered a setback: fourteen songs were unexpectedly removed from streaming platforms within a single week. A frantic search ensued to recover them, but unfortunately, two remain elusive. However, this unexpected detour led to a fortunate rediscovery. Exploring deeper into the music of 2005 to replace the missing tracks, we unearthed three additional gems that further enriched the playlist.
In retrospect, 2005 stands out as a golden year for classic K-Pop, at least in my experience creating these retrospective lists. This exploration has only amplified my anticipation for delving into the music of 2004 and earlier.
As a reminder, due to licensing variations, Spotify may not host every track. Therefore, we highly recommend checking the accompanying YouTube playlist to experience the complete collection. Furthermore, some videos may be sourced from unofficial channels or later live performances to ensure the playlist remains as comprehensive and high-quality as possible.
Don’t forget to stay updated with our “Best Of 2024” playlists, which compile our monthly selections and will be available shortly. For a taste of our previous year’s selections, and to explore even more fantastic music, visit our Intro To K-Pop page for access to last year’s playlists, previous Top 100 lists, and other musical discoveries. Lastly, we invite you to join our Discord community, where you can get early access to monthly playlists and engage in discussions about K-Pop and various other topics with fellow enthusiasts and myself.
