K-pop Songs That Deserved to Blow Up

In the world of K-pop, it’s rare for a song to completely flop. If you’re a fan of a certain group already, you’re probably enamored enough by them that you’ll enjoy whatever music they put out. If you’re an even truer fan, you’ll stream a song that may not suit your taste anyways to show your unending support.

Some songs, though, are so likable that they transcend fandoms. They top the K-pop charts. Everyone adds them to their playlist. The songs take over your TikTok FYP for weeks at a time. 

What propels these songs to the top? Who’s to say? Maybe there were genius management teams behind them. Or perhaps they were promoted really widely. Maybe the songs were just irresistibly innovative or catchy. 

Regardless of the circumstances it takes for a song to be successful, here are some songs that had the perfect recipes to be big hits, but still didn’t get the hype they deserved. 

TNX’s “Love or Die”

This six-member group from P Nation has potential to be a well-known, and dually well-loved, 4th gen boy group.  They have the ability to pull off various concepts, from confident and edgy (their debut “Way Up”) to 90’s retro (Kick it 4 Now). 

However, it’s their second mini-album’s title track, “Love or Die,” that I believe deserved more recognition. The group opted for a punk rock inspired sound with lyrics about coming to terms with rejection from someone they loved. While this is not a new concept in K-pop, they executed it to a tee with their powerful singing, dancing, and dejected facial expressions. 

The visuals in their music video give off even more of an angsty teenager vibe, as you can see them running around in a typical school setting. But the real edge to the video is added with scenes in a dark warehouse and some abandoned plane scenery. 

As we’ve all probably seen with Ditto by New Jeans, school concepts draw on a feeling of nostalgia that people love. Enhypen went with a similar concept too in their “Tamed-Dashed” music video. I see TNX’s “Love or Die” as a fusion of Enhypen’s more angsty vampiric themes and their youthful boy themes. Since “Love or Die” contained these concepts that usually go over really well in the K-pop industry, K-pop fans should have acknowledged it as a certified banger. 

Billlie’s “BYOB”

You know a song’s good when both the Korean and English versions hit the same. And by that I mean they’re equally catchy and both fun to sing along with. We all saw Cupid by Fifty Fifty take over the world, and that’s because the English version was just as amazing as the Korean one. 

“BYOB,” or “Bring Your Own Best Friend” is similar in this regard. WIth its vibey melodic hook and synth instrumentals, both versions are simple and sweet. The meaning of the song, too, offers a unique perspective on growing up, which a lot of teens may find relatable. It’s about friends inviting their significant others to hang out, but from the singer’s POV, she’d rather spend quality time with her close friends, minus all that distraction. 

I think this song could get as viral as “Cupid” did on TikTok. With its first verse in English being as punchy as “Well, to be honest I think he's not that attractive. It's getting boring, can we choose another topic?” I can just picture people belting the song with their friends. 

&Team’s “Firework”

&Team is a J-pop group under Hybe, much like Enhypen or TXT are K-pop groups under the same company. That being said, they’ve amassed a sizable fandom already. What non-fans may not know, though, is that “Firework” deserves to be the love song of the summer.

The song tells a love story set in summer when the group finds “you” (the listener). Does it give cringe “Y/N” fanfic vibes? Maybe a little, but the comparison of the singers emotions to a firework that’s hard to contain makes for a high energy song that’s very cathartic to listen to. 

I think it’s the juxtaposition of emotions that makes it so spectacular. On the one hand, the aspect of being in love is conveyed through a fast paced and upbeat sound. On the other hand, the far-off echoes of the background vocals, plus the 80’s-esque synth wave instrumental, make for a nostalgic, slightly sad second layer of emotion (perhaps the love was fleeting).

This song is the full package. Even the music video is shot beautifully. It has vivid color grading with lots of aesthetic summery backdrops, such as the beach. There’s running around and dancing involved, too, which I find fun. More people outside of &Team’s fandom need to be aware of its existence!

TripleS’s “Generation”

Anyone who hasn’t heard “Generation” is missing out on a Gen Z anthem. It’s about a girl from the current generation who cannot put her phone down wherever she goes. 

Stereotypical much? Yeah, but this song is so addictive that you can overlook the meaning. I’m serious— the chorus won’t leave your head once you’ve heard it. 

Both the song and music video give off carefree youthful vibes, and the group overall has an effortlessly stylish image and sound. 

The choreography, too, is simple and fun. The main dance move resembles a TikTok dance, hence the reason I think this song could’ve become an app-wide trend. 

There’s definitely a rebellious element to this song, as shown in the music video when the girls go against what they’re told is proper behavior. The overly judgmental reactions of the adults make you want to root for the girls as well. 

Hwang Min Hyun’s “Hidden Side”

Min Hyun, a former member of the boy group N’uest, served nothing short of sophistication in his first solo music video “Hidden Side.”

The suit he wears, the sudden disppearing, the card trick he does… It’s all very suave with a hint of James Bond vibes. Not to mention the classic black and white color palette of most everything in the video. 

The song has groovy instrumental, which makes it a great dance song. Min Hyun’s vocals also take the song to a more polished level because they pair well with the more elegant house sound that Nu'est pulled off so well.

The simple fact is that not many people know about this song. Lots of people have come to know Min Hyun from his role in the “My Lovely Liar” k-drama, and not from his music anyways. That needs to change because he’s a talented performer and singer. 

Now that you’ve read my spiel on five songs that I think deserved more hype, I hope you check them out. Comment down below any songs that you think are criminally underrated.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for part 2!