10 Badass k-pop songs by women that are also empowering

If you're looking for some empowering songs to add to your playlist, or you just want to broaden your horizons in the k-pop industry, these 10 kick-ass songs by female groups and soloists alike will not disappoint.

1. Wannabe - ITZY

Itzy debuted in 2019, and their latest comeback is all about self-confidence. The main theme of the song talks about being yourself, and not letting others tell you how to live. In the music video, the girls can be seen embracing who they are, and living their lives freely.

The song starts with Ryujin rapping, "The nagging, stop it I got this, whatever I be it's up to me". They don't want to listen to society's rules and expectations for their actions or their style. In the chorus, they say, "I don't wannabe somebody, just wanna be me," emphasizing how they don't want to disappear as just another face in the crowd, but rather they want to be themselves and stand out.

Perhaps my favorite part is when they say, "People love to talk about others, why do you care so much about others lives, hey I'm sorry but could you leave me alone, it's none of your business". Those lines speak for themselves, exemplifying just how badass the song is. Along with the amazing styling and attitude the girls bring to the stage, this song just makes you want to dance across a table or steal the spotlight in a crowd.

2. So What - Loona

I have been following Loona since their pre debut project, and their latest comeback has blown me away. Not only is it their first badass, girl crush concept, but the vocals and the instrumentals are amazing. I feel like I could listen to it on repeat for days.

The message of the song is to free yourself, and to have the strength to go your own way. Lines like, "get off the track," "trust your instinct, don't worry," "let's fly higher," and "burn yourself," really underscore the idea that you can overcome obstacles without the help of others, and that you don't need other people to define who you are.

The last line of the song, "I'm so bad," is overlaid by the word: free, in the music video. This conveys the message that letting others define or control you keeps you trapped from discovering your true potential. But living by your own rules and standards will let you grow.

This song really makes me want to stomp down the halls of my high school wearing combat boots and a leather jacket. It's perfect when you need to feel that "you do you" vibe. And, you know, when you want to set things on fire too.

3. Lalalay - Sunmi

Sunmi's comebacks are always iconic, and her release of LALALAY last August is no exception. It basically screams, "this is who I am, so take it or leave it." She is her own person, and she is confident in herself. That's why nothing anyone says or does to her will bring her down.

The actual meaning of the title in Korean refers to a punk kid who doesn't do their homework, but rather parties and sings. She refuses to live by society's rules, and instead goes her own way. "If I am, what are you gonna do about it?" She embraces who she is, even if she is defined negatively by society.

This song may not have a super kick-ass vibe, but it is definitely powerful, and has an amazing message directed to Sunmi's haters. In fact, quite a bit of people can't stand the way she calls them out for living their lives focused on superficial things, but does she care? If this song is anything to go by, the answer is no. And that's the kind of confidence everyone needs to live their lives by.

4. Hip - Mamamoo

Mamamoo have been around for a long time, but still lack the recognition they deserve, and this song truly showcases their opinions on the matter. Idols have certain beauty standards they are held to, like most other celebrities, and these four girls thought they might never succeed because of them.

This song retaliates against hateful comments directed to idols, such as critiques about their hair, bodies, or fashion. Their response is: so what? The media shouldn't get to decide what is or isn't appropriate for themselves, they should. Whether it's greasy hair, a stained shirt, or the food they're eating, only they should get to choose how they live their lives.

Everyone knows that pressure to conform to the ideals of others, even if they aren't your own. This song is the perfect reminder that you should live your own life, and that if others can't understand, then that's on them. Also did you know that the girls invited drag queens onto their music video? That's a win in my book.

5. Not That Type - Gugudan

This song is definitely my favorite of Gugudan's. I love the grunge aesthetic of the music video and the outfits, and in my opinion, it's criminally underrated.

Throughout the song, the girls talk about being unapologetically themselves. They're not afraid to break the stereotype that girls are expected to wait for guys to tell them how they feel. They say, "Sorry sorry sorry, I'm a bit bold and rash, I don't waste my time playing games".

If you've ever felt like people make assumptions about you, or like you feel pressured to conform to expectations, this is the perfect song to free yourself from them. You're not that type, and you're cool like that.

6. Snapping - Chungha

This song is definitely one of the best that Chungha has released. The styling of her outfits and hair is on point, and the editing of the music video is mesmerizing. The song itself has a powerful and calculating tone.

Chungha's comebacks are always very popular and widely received, and this one is no exception. One listen to it, and you will be snapping along to the chorus. While it isn't a very kick-ass song, the vocals are filled with attitude that give off a vibe that says "don't mess with me, I do what I want."

7. Scream - Dreamcatcher

When it comes to badass concepts, these girls are the actual queens. They debuted in 2017 with a nightmare concept surrounded by heavy metal instrumentals and killer vocals. Every single one of their title tracks, and many of their b-sides too, are dark, mysterious, and kick-ass.

In this song, the girls talk about the negativity surrounding online trolls and haters who spend their time spreading rumors and hateful comments. Gahyeon raps, "Tricks behind the mask, ridiculous freaks, the growing hatred gives birth to random targets". They are upset about the hate that people spread, seemingly at random, and for no reason. It's so awful that it makes them want to scream, but they push through and endure it anyways.

This song combines electronic dance music and rock to create a masterpiece. The fast-paced tempo will make you feel like you can endure anything.

8. Lip & Hip - HyunA

In both k-pop and the rest of the world, there is a double standard that allows men to be sexy without consequence. Yet when women are sexy, they are called sluts and whores, or demonized as villains and enchantresses.

However, when HyunA dropped this song in 2017, she tore down that standard, and embraced her sexiness in this song. She proved that women can be confident in their bodies, and that if men can grab their crotches, then she can shake her butt.

She says, "Sometimes, my walk gets sexy and confident, feels like I can do something today". This song is badass. It boosts your confidence and allows you to embrace your sexiness. You won't want to stop dancing to the catchy chorus and addicting vocals.

9. Bad Boy - Red Velvet

Red Velvet is known for their creepy concepts, and this song is definitely their most popular. The styling is, in my opinion, the best they've ever done. With the leather pants and fur coats, these girls look amazing in the music video and on the stage. They can be seen spray painting walls, holding up guns, setting things on fire, and tossing money into the air. This song is totally badass, and I'm here for it.

The vocals in the song are cool, yet dangerous and mysterious. The instrumentals are absolutely addicting, electric beats that are soft yet accentuate the girls' voices. This song is powerful, in case the red lipstick and black fishnets didn't clue you in.

10. NO - CLC

CLC have been getting more and more attention for their badass concepts and songs, and while all of them are amazing, this is their most popular. With amazing vocals, rapping, and dancing, this song really kicks expectations and stereotypes about beauty in the face.

The girls talk about the pressures other people place on them to look pretty. They are expected to do all these things, like wear high heels, or earrings, or act certain ways. But they disagree; girls don't need to do all of those things, because their own style is what makes them who they are.

Sorn sings, "This cold way of talking, it suits me well actually, I don't change myself for you". They refuse to conform with what other people believe will make them more beautiful. Yujin sings, "Innocent, sexy and cute, single words like that can't possibly express who I am". The girls aren't defined in such two-dimensional definitions, because they are complex individuals who create their own standard of beauty.

The song sends a wonderful message that only you have the power to decide where your beauty comes from, and that you don't need to listen to others to find it. It's a song you will never get tired of listening to, and it tells an important message that everyone needs to hear from time to time.