The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs – #20~#11

[The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs]

Introduction
#100 – #91
#90 – #81
#80 – #71
#70 – #61
#60 – #51
#50 – #41
#40 – #31
#30 – #21
#20 – #11
#10 – #1

20. 2NE1 – Ugly

From 2NE1 2nd Mini Album (2011)
Label: YG Entertainment
Composition/Writing/Arrangement: Teddy; additional composition by Lydia Paek
Links: music video, live

Catharsis, validation, freedom. “Ugly” is an anthem for all of these things. Starring a narrator (presumably) with body image and self-esteem issues, 2NE1’s best song to date attempts to give voice to an underrepresented group of people and poke at an unhealthy culture. The cynic might say “marketing ploy”, but the end result is pretty effective. The effort is helped along by an explosive full-band arrangement and racing refrain with a satisfying payoff. It’d be the best dance song of 2011 (and I actually picked it as such at the time), if it weren’t for one upcoming track.

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The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs – #30~#21

[The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs]

Introduction
#100 – #91
#90 – #81
#80 – #71
#70 – #61
#60 – #51
#50 – #41
#40 – #31
#30 – #21
#20 – #11
#10 – #1

30. Koyote – 디스코왕 (King of Disco)

From King of Disco (2004)
Label: Trifecta
Composition/Writing/Arrangement: Joo Young-hoon
Links: music video, audio, live

You rely on Koyote to deliver one thing: danceable jams. “King of Disco” is maybe their most danceable tune ever, lacking the minor chords and overpowered techno beats that characterize a lot of their work but instead filled with the titular disco embellishments and an easy singalong melody. Lee Soo-young (deservedly) won all the awards that year, but the runner-up was no slouch at all.

The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs – #50~#41

[The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs]

Introduction
#100 – #91
#90 – #81
#80 – #71
#70 – #61
#60 – #51
#50 – #41
#40 – #31
#30 – #21
#20 – #11
#10 – #1

50. GD & TOP – 뻑이가요 (Knock Out)

From GD&TOP (2010)
Label: YG Entertainment
Composition/Writing/Arrangement: G-Dragon, TOP; additional composition by Diplo
Links: music video, audio, live

Critical opinion of G-Dragon really did an about-face between the days of Heartbreaker and One of a Kind, and a big turning point was this album out of left field. “Knock Out” is remembered for its chewy series of hooks (both sonically and lyrically), and for good reason – the kind of careless swagger exhibited here is not made overnight. TOP is entirely in his element here as a charismatic rapper as opposed to a technical one. “Knock Out” has a solid claim to the title of best idol hip-hop song.

The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs – #70~#61

[The K-Pop 100: Idol Group Songs]

Introduction
#100 – #91
#90 – #81
#80 – #71
#70 – #61
#60 – #51
#50 – #41
#40 – #31
#30 – #21
#20 – #11
#10 – #1

70. Cleo – Ready For Love

From Ready For Love (2000)
Label: Ho Entertainment
Composition/Arrangement: Kim Dong-young
Writing: Kim Tae-yoon
Links: music video, live

The melody has a bit of that 90s Korean ballad feel – like Star In My Heart stuff. The techno accompaniment that kicks in soon washes that away, but the song remains impossibly cheery. While I don’t think Cleo ever really got out of FIN.K.L.’s shadow, this one moment was fully their own.

Top 100 (Korean) Songs of the Decade: #100~91

Previous entry (Intro):

https://jdbae.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/top-100-korean-songs-of-the-decade-kickoff/

(Before you get started: just for clarification, the first thing, coming before the dash in each entry title, is the artist name. The second thing, after the dash, is the title. If either the artist or the title is in Korean, I provided the translation and/or transliteration in parentheses.)

100. BoA – My Name
Album: My Name
Release: 6-11-2004

Pop icon BoA was already Korea’s national sweetheart at the time of My Name‘s release in 2004. What changed after that release? She became Korea’s national all-grown-up sweetheart. The eighteen-year-old’s transition into a mature artist did happen overnight with the unapologetically seductive lead title “My Name”. All the elements are there–the sleek, urban background track letting on more than a little hint of techno, the kinetic euphony of string and electronica, the boldly provocative lyrics. It’s left up to BoA to make a song out of it, and she delivers with the effortlessness of a star worth every bit of her hype.