K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.”
Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature.
In this feature, I’ll be putting on my A&R hat and taking a listen to five randomly-selected K-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini review for each, including a Bias List rating, and rank them from least to most favorite. The winner will join a special Bias List B-side playlist. Think of it like my own little agency, hand-selecting songs I’d like to pitch to my nonexistent artists!
You can check out all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides here!
Son Dam Bi – Even If It’s the Second Time (2009)
Son Dam Bi had a pretty good thing going with her 80s-nodding synthpop largely produced by Brave Brothers. In fact, she’s one of those artists who were massive in her time yet largely goes unremembered now (at least by international fans. I think she’s far more known in Korea). This b-side glistens with the retro sparkle you’d want from an 80s pastiche. At nearly four minutes, it feels like an epic by today’s standards. This runtime allows for plenty of instrumental space that envelops the simple melodies with plenty of texture. I just want to dive into the song and swim around for a bit.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
8.5
LOONA – OOPS! (2020)
LOONA were really ahead of their time when it comes to musical trends, and I suspect that’s one of the many reasons they have such a devoted fanbase. The muted palettes of their songs never appealed to me as strongly, even if I can appreciate what the producers were going for. OOPS! is heavy on the sing-talk and chanted affirmations, which is another approach I tend to struggle with. I dig some of the synth brass, but the percussion is a bit brittle and the hooks just don’t do much for me.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7
fromis_9 – My Night Routine (2023)
There are songs like this on most idol albums. It’s a chance to bring the tempo down and focus on vibes or (preferably) vocals. My Night Routine is what I would call “music to study to.” In other words, it’s designed as pleasant atmosphere to soundtrack any moment you’d like to calm your mind. Your night routine, maybe? As such, I view it as a functional track. It serves a purpose, but I rarely listen to pop music with this purpose in mind so it’s kind of lost on me.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7
MAP6 – Closer (2017)
Oh wow, this is a blast from the past! MAP6 barely released any music, making it a small triumph that one of their few b-sides actually came up on shuffle for this future. The song skirts the line between third and fourth generation tropes. The chorus has a very Beast/Highlight-esque melody while the verses are more fitful and focused on attitude. I certainly prefer the former, but both approaches struggle to congeal into a satisfying whole.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7.25
Twice – Do It Again (2015)
It’s funny… I remember disliking most of Twice’s debut album when it first came out. Looking back after so many years as a dominant force in K-pop, it’s a little strange to hear these formative tracks. I’m not a huge fan of the singing style on this and some of the electronic samples are less-than-pleasant, but now that I know where the group was headed I can laugh off a track like this as fun, unserious growing pains. It’s still not something I’m likely to return to often, but it’s got a bit of groove to it.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7.25
Fifth: fromis_9 – My Night Routine
Fourth: LOONA – OOPS!
Third: Twice – Do It Again
Second: MAP6 – Closer
First: Son Dam Bi – Even If It’s the Second Time
Congratulations to Son Dam Bi’s Even If It’s the Second Time – the seventy-first winner of my Battle of the B-sides!
Readers, what do you think? Did you discover any hidden gems? Leave your own ranking in the comments!