This year very well may have been K-pop's most exciting and full in the scene's post-"Gangnam Style" era. Nearly all its beloved acts -- both new and veteran -- came swinging to grab the public attention with striking releases that included experimental collaborations, curveball genre explorations and heartfelt concoctions. The result was what may be the industry's most creatively satisfying year of all time.
As Billboard has since 2012, we now present the 20 best K-pop songs of the year.