BLACKPINK’s Jennie, BTS, And KATSEYE Make Billboard’s “The 50 Best Songs Of 2026 So Far” List
Key takeaways
Quick summary- 1The staff at Billboard have released their picks for the 50 best songs of the year thus far!On June 24 local time, Billboard published its midyear roundup of “…
The staff at Billboard have released their picks for the 50 best songs of the year thus far!
On June 24 local time, Billboard published its midyear roundup of “The 50 Best Songs of 2026 So Far,” ˙which spans a variety of genres.
BLACKPINK
’s Jennie and Tame Impala’s collab remix of “Dracula” made the list at No. 14, with Lyndsey Havens writing, “It’s not often that a remix eclipses an original, but that’s exactly what happened here—thanks in large part to Jennie’s cohesive contribution. On ‘Dracula (Remix),’ the pop star doesn’t drop in for a verse [or] two, she’s embedded throughout, making her whispered presence a quiet, creeping force that creates a more intimate, conversational tone than Kevin Parker solo—especially with lyrical tweaks like ‘My friends are saying, “Shut up, Jennie, just get in the car”’ (instead of ‘Shut up, Kevin’) and later asking, ‘Hey Kevin, what’s up?’ As such, Jennie hopping on the track helped lure fans of the original and new listeners alike to crave another bite.”
Meanwhile, BTS
’s “SWIM” took No. 25 on the midyear list. Kristen Wisneski wrote, “‘SWIM,’ the lead from ‘ARIRANG,’ BTS
’s first studio album of new material since 2020, blends a melodic, mid-tempo alternative-pop sound in contrast to the upbeat songs the group usually releases. The song’s metaphor, combined with the lyric ‘I just wanna dive,’ allows the septet to reflect on taking a chance, embracing the unknown, and diving into something new while acknowledging that they’re ready for more. This sense of readiness for what lies ahead, together with the smooth synth-driven sound, created an atmosphere of calmness and reflection throughout the track, and helped make it smooth sailing for the group’s journey back to the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100.”
Finally, KATSEYE
’s “PINKY UP” made the list at No. 45, with Kristen Wisneski describing the single as “just one piece of the vision behind the group’s new musical era.” She went on, “With the group putting its ‘PINKY UP’ as a symbolic response to the imminent apocalypse (‘One day, soon, the world’s gonna end/I’m gonna make out with my new bestest friends’), they make the best of end times and spend their final days on cloud nine. With an upbeat melody and highly danceable rhythm, the song continues to strike a chord with fans, both on their playlists and throughout KATSEYE
’s festival run this summer.”
Congratulations to Jennie, BTS
, and KATSEYE
!
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BLACKPINK is one of the most influential K-pop girl groups in the world, known for their powerful performances, global chart success, and distinctive blend of pop, hip-hop, EDM, and rap. Formed by YG Entertainment, the group consists of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Since their debut in 2016, BLACKPINK has achieved numerous milestones, including record-breaking music videos, sold-out world tours, and collaborations with internationally recognized artists. With a dedicated global fanbase known as BLINK, BLACKPINK continues to shape the modern K-pop industry through their music, fashion influence, and worldwide cultural impact. The group has earned recognition for hit songs such as “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” “How You Like That,” “Pink Venom,” and “Shut Down,” while establishing themselves as one of the most successful and recognizable Korean music acts of all time.
BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, meaningful lyrics, and strong connection with fans, BTS has become one of the most successful and influential music groups in the world. Their music explores themes such as youth, self-discovery, mental health, love, and personal growth, helping them build a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY. Since their debut, BTS has achieved record-breaking success across the global music industry with hit songs such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Spring Day,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Fake Love.” The group has earned numerous awards, topped charts in multiple countries, sold millions of albums, and helped introduce K-pop to a broader international audience. Through their artistry, cultural impact, and worldwide influence, BTS continues to inspire fans and shape the future of global pop music.
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