The debut song "Lock Down" of the group EPEX was named the "Best K-pop Song of the Year" by the U.S. Billboard.

Billboard, a U.S. music media outlet, released 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 (25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021: Critics' Picks) on its official website on December 17th (local time). Among them, 'Lock Down' of EPEX was selected and attracted the attention of global fans.

Billboard said, "This year's extraordinary rookie EPEX delivered an appropriate hymn for another year restricting isolation with his debut song 'Lock Down.' Before the chorus, I talk about the anxiety of colleagues and generations caused by the pandemic with a rap called Get up, back up, mask up, lockdown, and share how I don't want them to fall victim to the life of blind consumerism and influential pursuit, he said. "If this is what the young boy band is discussing about the first single."