Part 2: Songs You Should Have Listened to in 2014 (But Probably Didn’t)

[theemii.livejournal.com]

These days, the average, popular K-pop video reaches 3 to 5 million views within the first few months. For the heavy-hitters of K-pop like BIGBANG, Super Junior, and Girls’ Generation, the views quickly reach 10 million views on their official channels. While some of the songs on this list are from popular artists, their videos didn’t do very well in terms of MV views. Other songs on the list didn’t even reach 100,000 views. Choosing a mixture of both well-known and lesser-known artists, we tried to listen to your opinions while putting together part 2 of “Songs You Should Have Listened to in 2014 (But Probably Didn’t).”

1. TEEN TOP – I’m Sorry

Video: TeenzOnTop

Even when taking the recent release date into consideration, this song by TEEN TOP has a lot less MV views compared to the rest of their songs. Despite having less than 700,000 views on their official channel though, it is one of my favorite songs by TEEN TOP. With a great tune, easy lyrics and a laid-back SoCal vibe, I love singing along with this song as I’m driving.

2. 15& – Shy Ma Boy

Video: jypentertainment

Who needs expensive music videos, fancy choreography, outrageous outfits and a heavy production sound? Evidently, not 15& because their voices make this song shine in a really special way! One of the up and coming vocal groups in K-pop, these girls don’t need cutesy aegyo tactics to make them stand out- they just sing and you listen!

3. UNIQ- Falling in Love

Video: 1theK (원더케이)

I haven’t been this excited about a rookie group in a long time! This song has a quality from the classic days of K-pop that I love. With solid vocals on the verse and chorus and great rap skills as well, I feel like this song would be really well-known by now if it had been recorded by an established boy band. This song makes me really look forward to UNIQ’s future.

4. J-Min - Hoo

Video: SMTOWN

This incredibly talented singer is virtually unknown for an artist in SM Entertainment. The company tends to make Japanese activities the focus of her career, while letting her sing primarily in OST’s in Korea. The purity of her voice really shines on ballads, which makes it perfect for this song. Also noteworthy is her 2014 pop-rock song “Shine,” which comes off her 1st mini-album in Korea.

5. Kim Hyung Jun ft. Baby J – Better

Video: SWAVE E&T

If you have been in K-pop for a while, chances are that SS501 is the group that first introduced you to the K-pop genre. Although the group is currently on hiatus, the members have continued singing as solo artists. This song is low-key with a sexy beat, keeping the vocals by SS501′s maknae the main focus. In addition to the vocals however, can we get a moment of silence for how ageless and beautiful Kim Hyung Jun looks in this MV?

6. LU:KUS – So Into You

Video: 1theK (원더케이)

This song and MV have all the things I love about K-pop- a group of really cute and talented guys, a catchy, electro beat, powerful dance moves, visually-pleasing costumes, a solid verse and a chorus that gets into your head for days. Enough said. Now, go watch this video!

7. 4TEN- Tornado

Video: CJENMMUSIC Official

At first, this song may make you think of every other girls group out there in the world of K-pop. However, I was totally in love with it by the time the 1st chorus finished. It has a heavy pop sound that makes me think of Katy Perry‘s song, “Fireworks.” The strength of the rapper really gives it that K-pop vibe though and assures me it’s still from the genre we all know and love.

8. Crush- Sofa

Video: 1theK (원더케이)

I actually had another one of Crush’s songs picked out for this list, but a reader brought this one to my attention. It has a great mix of pop and R&B, showing off the vocals and letting the purity of the melody take center-stage. It’s a perfect song to listen to at night and evokes a sensual, city vibe.

9. Hyorin and Joo Young ft. Iron – Erase

Video: starshipTV

While this song wasn’t a flop by any means, the MV views can’t begin to compare with the views in 2014 for Hyorin’s group, SISTAR. Hands down, this is my favorite song on the list and never gets old. The mix of Hyorin and Joo Young’s voices are really pleasing, while the song is both sensual and sad.

10. BTS- Danger Mo-Blue-Mix ft. THANH

Video: ibighit

If you are not a big BTS fan, chances are that you haven’t heard this soulful remix of their hit song “Danger.” While the original has over 8 million views, this slower remix has only slightly over 900,000. While it can’t compare to the original in many ways, it has it’s own simmering, sexy vibe that lets the melody really shine. As the song progresses, it just gets better and lets the anger of the lyrics really pop.

11. Song Ji Eun- Twenty-Five

Video: 1theK (원더케이)

While watching this video, I didn’t realize that Song Ji Eun was Jieun from the group Secret. All I knew was that she was incredibly pretty and an amazing artist as well. This song shows off both her singing and rap skills and gives us a catchy, girl-power song that would be great to listen to in the car.

12. JUNGGIGO ft. Beenzino – Want

Video: 1theK (원더케이)

If I were asked how to describe this song, I would say the style lies somewhere between Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake. With a definite Western vibe that is both cool and catchy, this is one of my favorite songs on the list. The rap feature by Beenzino still gives it a K-pop feel, while the song still remains fresh and different.

13. Boys Republic- Dress Up

Video: Boys Republic Official

While Boys Republic tends to get lost among the many boy bands of K-pop, this song is fresh and fun! With an ubpeat and catchy melody, the song shows us that the group is able to hold their own against more popular boy bands. The video also features a really cute story of the guys hanging out and having fun with an unpopular girl, then helping her with a makeover to avoid being made fun of by others.

14. Wheesung – NIGHT AND DAY

Video: kt music

Wheesung is a name a lot of people know, but it’s hard for them to name one of his songs. Another underrated talent, this song shows us why he should be appreciated. It starts off with a softer vibe but gets stronger in the chorus, showing us the contrast of night and day to reinforce the lyrics.

15. SPICA- Ghost

Video: 1theK (원더케이)

If you read articles I write, you have probably noticed the fact that I like SPICA and think they are one of the most underrated groups in K-pop. “Ghost” is one of their most beautiful songs, telling how our past loves can haunt us. Their voices get stronger as the song progresses, bringing out the hurt and emotion of the lyrics.




Source: Soompi 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Comments

[hyemint.livejournal.com]

i'm pleased to see shy ma boy on here, but i'd be okay going the entire year without ever listening to the rest of the list.

[sub-divided.livejournal.com]

LMAO, my thoughts exactly!

[twinedays.livejournal.com]

i feel like nell and park hyo shin shld be on these list somewhere....

[burningleaf.livejournal.com]

green nocturne makes me both angry and emo at the same time so....

[twinedays.livejournal.com]

i liked 4 times around the sun tho. can't get over how pretty the mv is.

[burningleaf.livejournal.com]

i loved dear genovese off the album, above the rest. the lyrics, makes you think 18357368173189 times, esp tying in aspects of a fangirl.

but yes. the mv, so pretty. the imagery... i remember crying but not understanding why when i first watched it.

[twinedays.livejournal.com]

YES! Dear Genovese energizes me and makes me hold on a little longer when I'm feeling blue and discouraged.

i got so pissed with my friends when they couldnt appreciate the mv when i was going gaga over it.

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

i STILL feel like clazziqaui dropped some bomb ass music that flew completely under the radar.

madly is my JAM.

[nana-the-dwarf.livejournal.com]

Unf, their last album was awesome.
I particularly loved Come On and Go With Me, Madly and By Your Side in that specific order.

[quore.livejournal.com]

this list is confusing me

did the author really base the list off yt views or its just an excuse to post their fave songs of 2014

[dickslikejesus.livejournal.com]

These lists I really feel don't apply to Omona very much since most of these songs got super talked about here.

[setsuna16.livejournal.com]

J-Min is my Pop-Rock Princess!!

All hail.

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

SPICA and Sunny Hill are CRIMINALLY underrated. It hurts me :/

[nana-the-dwarf.livejournal.com]

Imagine if SPICA had been given at least half the promotions that Mamamoo gets...

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

DON'T GET ME STARTED DX

[nana-the-dwarf.livejournal.com]

MUTINY I SAY!

Although I must admit that SunnyHill's music hasn't been to my taste ever since Janghyun left.

[rightclick5ave.livejournal.com]

WA Ent is doing everything right with Mamamoo and I wish B2M would take pointers from them :( my baby queens are set for stardom ♥

[woohyun.livejournal.com]

i need a 15& comeback with a title song that isn't like sugar....

[adenar.livejournal.com]

not today & not tomorrow would've been such a good title track for them imo

[girltragedy.livejournal.com]

Not Today, Not Tomorrow is so much better than Sugar. What were they thinking? :(

[woohyun.livejournal.com]

or Rain & Cry! i love this song so much ;;;;;;;

tbh JYP should stop giving them poppy dance-y music as title songs

[hyungmoney.livejournal.com]

Falling in Love was so fucking horrible tho lmao

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

15& – Shy Ma Boy

they are really talented

[boxcuttergirl.livejournal.com]

so many of my favorite nugus are on here god bless

[ah0000.livejournal.com]

SM is seriously wasting J Min's talent by not promoting her in Korea. All of her OSTs are amazing. I can never get enough of her OST for TTBY tbh lol

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

"If you have been in K-pop for a while, chances are that SS501 is the group that first introduced you to the K-pop genre."

yes lol

happy to see j-min and wheesung on the list! pretty age 25 has been growing on me, though don't look at me like that is one of my favourite songs of 2014. and a+ for speed in the honorable mentions. i love delilah too, and amazing bad lady.

unlike the first list, there are way more songs on here i haven't listened to...

[scheisse.livejournal.com]

Teen Top was one of the first groups I got into and they were so good back then. Now they're boring a hell with these slow-ass songs.

[p-jae.livejournal.com]

Supa Luv was one of my favourite songs of 2011 & they had some real jams back in the day. I guess they have to be ~mature~ now. Snore.

[dot-rose.livejournal.com]

Well, there are more songs here that I haven't listened to, but it's more of songs I avoided out of disinterest rather than because I didn't know they exist or lack of promotion for that song.
I don't think the selection criteria should be solely based on Youtube Views and the popularity of the group but it's a good start :)

[setsuna16.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed more of the songs in this post than I did in the first post.

I'm totally going to find some to put on my MP3 player right now.