Rules
- 1 song per artist per list
- No set rankings (order is generally good to best)
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"458" - CIX
Music video (English subs available)
Music show performance
Full cam view of music show performance
Bae Jinyoung individual fancam
CIX is another group I got into pretty recently in 2021. I really liked their title track "Wave" that year, and I was surprised how different their next comeback with "458" was! "Wave" was a bright, upbeat song perfect for the summer, while "458" has more trendy and sultry vibe.
I remember the first time I listened to this song, I was immediately intrigued by the synths as well as the piano. Only a few piano chords are utilized, but they leave a strong impression on the instrumental. The vocals are quite nice in the verses, but I'm partial to the pre-choruses because I love Yonghee's vocals (and yes he's my bias lol). I really like the vocal melodies in the chorus. They're catchy and match up well with the instrumental.
I have to admit, the Ferrari mention feels a little random, but the whole concept is racing themed, so it is what it is I guess. Also, I believe the song is called 458 because that's one of Ferrari's car models. By the way, for Korean promotions, they replaced "Ferrari" with "misery" in the chorus because brand names cannot be mentioned on broadcasts (unless it's the name of the brand putting on the broadcast). Honestly, I kind of prefer the edited lyric haha.
Other than the chorus, I think the post chorus before the rap verse is also a major highlight. It's short, but the instrumental reaches a nice peak there and the dance break is really cool too. The rap verse is the only part of the song that I'm indifferent about. The rap itself is fine, though it could also be better. My main issue is that the transition from the rap verse into the bridge feels a bit awkward.
I also really the choreo for this song. There are a lot of memorable fast-paced and sharp moves throughout this choreo. The choruses, second verse, and post-chorus are my favorite parts! Also, I've linked a Bae Jinyoung fancam because I'm obsessed with the way he executes this choreo. He's really good at popping and has good body control. Also, he generates effortless power and knows when (and when not) to use it. His charisma really sells this song and choreo as well!
"REQUIEM" - CRAXY
Music video (English subs available)
(Note: Some parts are covered with a blue haze to "censor" Karin's hair, which was called out for cultural appropriation. Their company did not have extra footage to replace those parts, or money/time to re-film, so this was their solution)
Music show performance (the clear and stable live vocals!)
Full cam view of music show performance
CRAXY's "Who Am I" mini album is such a strong album from beginning to end and features double title tracks "Undercover" and "REQUIEM". "REQUIEM" happened to suit my personal taste a lot more, and I loved every detail regarding this title track. It's a dark electronic song that features strong rap, vocals, and performance. I love how every single member shines in this song and how their stage presence and charisma really stand out as well.
The dark, epic atmosphere of "REQUIEM" drew me in from the intro the very first time I listened to this track. I'm pretty picky about rap in k-pop songs, but I was pleasantly surprised by the rap in this song. All the rap flows well, isn't cringey, and highlights each of their rap tones. I've always liked CRAXY's vocals, and the vocals on "REQUIEM" are powerful and bewitching. Honestly, it's hard for me to mention highlights, because I genuinely love the entire song, so please just give it a listen and you'll know what I mean lol.
What I can break down more is the amazing choreo, which was created by team percent. They're a newer choreographer team in the k-pop realm, but they've made a number of great choreos for CRAXY. I want to start off by pointing out that the additional dancers really add a lot to the this choreo and are a big part of why it's so epic.
The choreo opens with Swan standing on the dancers' legs as the other members and dancers dance around her, which immediately commands your attention. I also love ChaeY's first part immediately following Swan's. Her charisma really comes out here and I love how she's dragged by the dancers, but her vocals are still so stable. Hyejin's choreo in the first verse is really cool too. One of my favorite moments is the "mirror" choreo done by Karin and Swan at the end of the first and second verses. I love when they reach towards one another with a shaking hand in the first verse and then bring a shaking hand toward their throats in the second verse.
The chorus choreo is powerful and striking, and the additional dancers make it even cooler. The formations during the bridge are really cool, especially during Swan's parts. I also like that Hyejin gets a small dance solo at the start of the final chorus; they utilized her as a lead dancer really well there. The final chorus also has slightly different choreo, which is also really interesting and cool!
CRAXY also sang live for most of their music show performances for this song, which was so impressive to me because they were so stable despite the tiring choreo! I also really loved the outfits and general styling this era! Some of the color combos for some of the outfits were a bit odd though.
In certain aspects, it's easy to tell that CRAXY comes from a small, new company, but they have strong concepts and execute them well. I believe this girl group should be on every k-pop fan's radar, and I hope 2023 is their break out year! Their next comeback will be next week on March 23!
Other nominee(s): "Poison Rose"
"Up!" - Kep1er
Music video (English subs available)
Music show performance (these outfits are so cute!)
Full cam view of music show performance
I kept going back and forth between "WA DA DA" and "Up!" for this list, but I chose "Up!" in the end because I think it's the better song overall. I enjoy the highlights in "WA DA DA" more, but the transitions and in-between moments are better in "Up!". "We Fresh" would have been in the mix too if the song hadn't tried to do too much. Honestly, I really wish "We Fresh" had turned out better, because it's a great rock inspired title track, and I would have been more than happy to have it on this list.
Anyways, "Up!" is such a great summery pop song with infectious energy. I found the vocal and rap melodies throughout the song so catchy. This title track has a slightly different song structure than most k-pop singles since it doesn't have a true pre-chorus (unless you consider the single lyric "here we go" a pre-chorus). I think it makes the song a little more interesting actually and works well in this song. The chorus, post-chorus, bridge, and dance break are the highlights in my opinion.
The choreo is also very energetic and fun! It mixes fun, feminine, and hip moves together perfectly to match the vibe of the song. "Up!" also has one of my favorite dance breaks from Kep1er! The instrumental really picks up a nice groove there and continues the great energy into the final chorus. Out of all of Kep1er's 2022 title tracks, I found "Up!" to be the most cohesive and focused, while still conveying the fun but also cool energy of the group perfectly!
Other nominee(s): "WA DA DA"
"SHUT DOWN" - CLASS:y
Music video (English subs available)
Music show performance
it's Live performance with live band
Dance practice with live vocals (full cam view)
For someone that doesn't like survival shows, I sure have quite a few groups made through said shows in the "top 10" of this list (Kep1er, CLASS:Y, and one on the next and final part of this list). CLASS:y is one of the lesser known survival show groups from 2022, but I also think they're one of the most talented. I was so impressed by their debut with "Shut Down" and how polished they all seemed despite being quite young.
"SHUT DOWN" is an energetic dance pop song driven by strong percussion beats. I really like the intro of this title track, particularly the synth sample that's used. I don't really know how to explain it, it's just interesting and pleasing to listen to for me somehow. The chorus is definitely the highlight and I've always found it so catchy and fun, even if it is a bit repetitive.
I will say, the one thing I could do without is the repetitive shouting sample that's in the chorus. The shouting is too far forward in the mix in my opinion, and I wish the producers had just gone with a percussion beat instead. Maybe it could have worked for me if it was more in the background of the mix.
The choreo for "SHUT DOWN", made by Auspicious, is also quite good and CLASS:y executes it so cleanly and sharply! From the top, the intro is really cool and attention-grabbing. Auspicious comes up with some really interesting group formations and transitions for their choreos, and this title track is no exception. Hyeju's solo in the second verse and the final chorus choreo are some of my other favorite moments in this song.
For the videos, I linked their it's Live appearance because you can appreciate their vocal tones more in this video, not to mention the band arrangement is pretty cool. For the full cam view, I actually went with one of their dance practice videos. Most groups don't sing live in the dance practices that are shared online, but CLASS:y did in this dance practice! I actually wish more groups would share these kinds of dance practices!
"BEAUTIFUL MONSTER" - STAYC
"SHUT DOWN" is an energetic dance pop song driven by strong percussion beats. I really like the intro of this title track, particularly the synth sample that's used. I don't really know how to explain it, it's just interesting and pleasing to listen to for me somehow. The chorus is definitely the highlight and I've always found it so catchy and fun, even if it is a bit repetitive.
I will say, the one thing I could do without is the repetitive shouting sample that's in the chorus. The shouting is too far forward in the mix in my opinion, and I wish the producers had just gone with a percussion beat instead. Maybe it could have worked for me if it was more in the background of the mix.
The choreo for "SHUT DOWN", made by Auspicious, is also quite good and CLASS:y executes it so cleanly and sharply! From the top, the intro is really cool and attention-grabbing. Auspicious comes up with some really interesting group formations and transitions for their choreos, and this title track is no exception. Hyeju's solo in the second verse and the final chorus choreo are some of my other favorite moments in this song.
For the videos, I linked their it's Live appearance because you can appreciate their vocal tones more in this video, not to mention the band arrangement is pretty cool. For the full cam view, I actually went with one of their dance practice videos. Most groups don't sing live in the dance practices that are shared online, but CLASS:y did in this dance practice! I actually wish more groups would share these kinds of dance practices!
"BEAUTIFUL MONSTER" - STAYC
Music video (English subs available)
Music show performance (live vocals 💖)
Full cam view of music show performance
STAYC were on my 2021 title tracks list with "STEREOTYPE" and I ranked them even higher this year! "STEREOTYPE" is still my favorite title track of theirs, but both their 2022 title tracks were really good as well! It was hard to not choose "RUN2U", but I went with "BEAUTIFUL MONSTER" because I think it should've gotten way more love and attention than it did. By STAYC's standards, this was one of their worst performing title tracks, and I just don't understand it at all.
"BEAUTIFUL MONSTER" is arguably the most "bubblegum pop" STAYC has gone (prior to this year's "Teddy Bear" that is), but the beautiful, stable vocals that this group is known for are still front and center! One interesting thing of note is that there isn't any rap in this title track. J usually gets at least one rap verse, but instead she got to show off her lovely singing voice in this song!
The synths in the intro are really nice and appeal to me personally. I really like that J opens this song and how she is immediately followed by Isa. Their voices contrast nicely and are just a lovely way to open the song. I like the synth that sounds almost like a woodwind instrument that pops up during the pre-chorus as well as the acoustic guitar! It's interesting that the producers went with a more brass like synth as support for the chorus, but somehow it works. The chorus is so catchy and quite high-pitched, so I was really impressed that Yoon and Sieun were so stable when they sang live!
The guitar returns again in the bridge, and the bridge is lovely because it sets up the beginning of the final chorus perfectly. Instead of going bigger and higher right at the start of the final chorus, the majority of the instrumental is dropped for the first part instead, and J's lovely lower pitch vocals pierce through the sudden emptiness. This part gives me chills every time, and I really do love how J's vocals got to shine on this track. The second half of the final chorus provides the high notes and energy that was expected.
My one complaint with "BEAUTIFUL MONSTER" is that it's too short. It's exactly three minutes long, and the song feels like it ends too abruptly. An outro definitely would have been nice, and there was plenty of time to put one in. Also, this does feel like more of a late summer track, but it released in July. It would've been perfect as a late August or September release, but that's just me nitpicking lol.
STAYC may not have the most difficult choreo, but they always have great point choreo and they're always satisfying to watch. La Chica did a really good job with this choreo. For instance, the formation they make right before they say their catchphrase in the intro is really cool. The point choreo in the chorus where they cross their hands above their heads and make their fingers look like claws to represent a monster is so unique and memorable! The formation right before the "love is ooh-hoo" lines is also really cool and mimics the look of a monster as well! They actually do two different formations in the first chorus and second chorus for this part.
There is something very sentimental about "BEAUTIFUL MONSTER", especially in the instrumental, which is probably a big part of why I like it so much. This is one of the reasons I love "STEREOTYPE" a ton as well. I'm so sad "BEAUTIFUL MONSTER" didn't get more love from fans and general listeners, but hopefully I can give it a little more attention by putting it on my top 20 list and blogging about it!
Other nominee(s): "RUN2U"
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