My Favourite Titles by Underrated Groups

from KPOP MONTHLY - Summer 2022 Edition

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There are a lot of really amazing K-Pop groups and songs out there, some of which are easier to discover than others. It can seem really overwhelming to ﬁnd songs that suit your taste in the thousands of songs out there. So, I’ve created this list of some of my favourite songs by underrated groups. Underrated is a title often given to groups with great potential, but have smaller audiences and are harder to ﬁnd. I think underrated is a really subjective title to give a group so the groups on this list are who I personally think are underrated. Keep in mind, I prefer the cooler and sexier concepts over cute concepts. So, if you prefer cute concepts. this list may not be as helpful to you. However, most of these groups do have cute concept songs, so I’ll leave a title of one at the end of each explanation!

CIX - MOVIE STAR

I could go on and on about CIX for days. Ever since hearing Movie Star, I have been fully committed to them. They have a ﬂawless discography and they keep returning with a new and unique sound. I think they are really different from other fourth generation groups as they stand out with songs that sound like a perfect blend of third and fourth generation k-pop. They never fail to impress me with their amazing music and they always return with a different concept. Their whole career is worth checking out! The concept of Movie Star is that cool, slick, vogue-like aesthetic that is really clean and sexy. Movie Star is simply the song that introduced me to them and I still listen to it three years later. One of CIX’s cute concept songs is Cinema, which is just as amazing as Movie Star!

SF9 - Tear Drop

SF9 has been around since 2016 and have continuously released amazing songs. Since hearing Now or Never and RPM, I couldn’t understand why SF9 was not more popular. Firstly, they are kings of the sexy concept and pull it off so well while still ﬁnding a way to make it different every time. They also never fail to release unique songs. I’ve selected Tear Drop as it is one of my favourite SF9 songs and it really solidiﬁed my belief in their greatness. This is one of my most listened to songs of 2021 and I was instantly addicted to it. Other amazing SF9 songs include Believer, Enough and Trauma. If you’re looking for a cuter concept, SF9 just released Scream which channels a cuter side of the members.

Golden Child - Wannabe

Since watching ATEEN with Bomin, I have kept my eye on Golden Child. That same year I was introduced to them, they released this incredible song. I can’t get over how amazing it is and every time I listen to it, I still end up blown away by its perfection. It’s so catchy, addictive and has a really modern sound. It also follows in line with my favourite clean and sexy concept which just ties it all together perfectly. Following Wannabe, Golden Child continued on to release some more great songs such as One (Lucid Dream) and Ra Pam Pam, all of which are worth checking out. Golden Child is also really famous for their cute concepts, some of them including: Pump It Up, Genie and even their debut, Da Dam Di.

OnlyOneOf - savanna

OnlyOneOf really got heads turning with libidO last year, which was the song that introduced me to them in the ﬁrst place. I was interested in their music and decided to look through their catalog of songs. This is how I found “savanna” which is one of their debut tracks. “Savanna” is such a unique, sexy and r&b inﬂuenced debut which is rare for a fourth generation group. After hearing this song, I became engrossed in their music really quickly. Overall, OnlyOneOf is another group that really stands out amongst others purely off their music. Since their debut, they have released so many other songs that suit this same sexy style such as “angel” and “sage.”

TAN - Du Du Du

As soon as I heard this song I was in love. It is an anti-drop so I may be a bit biased, but this is such an amazing debut song. Both the English and Korean versions are both just amazing and it was a really strong way to start off their career. Sometimes, groups debut with an amazing song, but fail to live up it with the songs that follow. However, TAN is not like this at all. Since Du Du Du, TAN have made two comebacks with Louder and Walking On The Moon both of which are just as amazing as their debut. However, they were formed on a competition show and they only have a temporary contract. Despite this, I’m sure they still have a lot of amazing music still in store.

P1Harmony - Doom Du Doom

Just like that, another anti drop makes its way onto the list. I love anti drops and the drop in this song speciﬁcally is so satisfying. Not to mention, the song and choreography are both crazily catchy. This song has only recently been released, but I swear I’ve listened to it a hundred times already. It has a strong fourth generation sound while not going too overboard. Their live stages for this song were amazing and they are great performers. Overall, P1Harmony has always really stood out to me and I believe they have such great potential. They are a rookie group, but the members already have contributed to the production of their music. They are seriously worth looking out for.

1the9 - Spotlight

Yes, I know, 1THE9 has already disbanded, but I’m not here to talk about their disbandment. I’m here to tell you all about the great songs they released while they were a group. Spotlight is just one of the pieces of their amazing discography. I had a really difficult time choosing between Domino, Blah and this song However, in the end, I decided to stick with their debut track, Spotlight. This song is really special, I have yet to hear one like it. I’m not sure how to explain its exact genre, but it somewhat gives latin vibes. As I mentioned earlier, some other amazing 1the9 songs are Domino and Blah.

VICTON - Mayday

I was introduced to VICTON through X1 and I remember the exact day this song dropped. I saw it in my recommended and listened to it while I was in the kitchen. My jaw dropped and I couldn’t believe how amazing it was. It quickly became one of my favourite songs and everytime I listen to it, I still get goosebumps. It is powerful while still maintaining a strange sense of calmness. The members all showcase their variety of talents, from Hanse’s catchy rap to Seungwoo’s stunning vocals to the satisfying choreography. It is really worth a listen. If you’re looking for a cuter concept, check out their debut track, I’m Fine.

UP10TION

UP10TION was another group I was introduced to through X1. I’m not sure how exactly I stumbled across this song but it is insanely good. It has such an edgy sound and somehow blends in some rock/alternative aspects into third generation kpop. All the members get a chance to shine as it has both strong raps and vocals. It has both a modern sexy concept as well as a grunge concept, both of which perfectly ﬁt the song’s vibe perfectly. This is such a unique song and I think everyone should listen to it at least once.

BDC - Moon Walker

Seriously, no one talks about BDC. They only debuted two years ago and they have already released so much amazing music. Moon Walker is just one of their fantastic songs. The best part of this song has to be the drop following the vocals in the pre-chorus. This drop has such an unexpected and unique sound but it isn’t overwhelming at all. It actually sounds like a western EDM song. Overall, their main concept is space, more specially the moon. They have a lot of songs relating to this such as Shoot The Moon and Moon Rider. I really can’t explain how amazing their music is and it is really disappointing that more people don’t know them. So please, whenever you get a chance, check these guys out!

VERIVERY - Lay back

Lay Back is one of my favourite songs of all time and because of it, I have continued to look out for VERIVERY’s new releases. Lay Back really stood out to me as it is such a catchy and different song. The drop for the chorus is perfect and the mirror concept in the music video is so interesting and ties into their complex storyline. VERIVERY really came through with this song and I later found out that they have been continuously doing so since debut. VERIVERY’s debut, Ring Ring Ring is a cute concept song, so if that is more your style, go and check that one out!

NU’EST - Inside Out

I have so much to say about NU’EST. They were such an underrated group for their entire career and I’m really sad that they didn’t get the attention they deserved while they were a group. Inside Out was NU’EST’s 2021 release and it completely blew me away. Again, songs are great to me when they are unique and can easily stand out amongst others. Inside Out does exactly this. On top of being one of the most romantic songs I’ve ever heard, it is extremely catchy and practically graces the ears every single time. This is probably my favourite song of 2021 and everyone should take the time to listen to it at least once. If you’re looking for a cuter concept, go check out Love Me.

DKB - Rollercoaster

I remember there being a lot of hype around DKB’s debut of “Sorry Mama.” After that, I didn’t hear about them much despite their following singles being great. Then, Rollercoaster showed up in my recommended and I clicked on it curiously. I was addicted to this song for weeks. It is so calm and soothing even though it is about the rollercoaster of emotions that come with a broken relationship. It has a grungier concept and overall deﬁnitely suits the fall/winter season. Overall, DKB’s music is really vibey, I can’t describe it in any other way. Since Work Hard, DKB have really made this sound their own and it is so unique. For a cuter concept, check out Work Hard.