Feature

The Most Epic Weeks in K-Pop: May 6-11, 2013

The Most Epic Weeks in K-Pop_ May 6-11, 2013Building off my “Most Epic Days in K-pop” feature, I thought I’d spotlight some of the most epic weeks in K-pop history.

K-pop is usually a Monday through Friday affair (at least in my time zone), with some weeks stuffed to the brim with releases. But, not all include multiple 9+ rated songs. This feature will take you through some of these blockbuster weeks, day by day.

Epic Days: July 14, 2014 // June 22, 2015


May 6-11, 2013


MONDAY: B1A4 – What’s Happening?


Oh, how I miss Jinyoung’s songwriting perspective in K-pop! What’s Happening is sheer perfection. Not a moment is wasted in this series of perfectly-realized hooks. It’s quirky and unique, but envelops you with its warm melodies and bright energy.

 Hooks 10
 Production 10
 Longevity 10
 Bias 10
 RATING 10

MONDAY: 2PM – Come Back When You Heart This Song


The first of two title tracks released this week, Come Back When You Heart This Song goes for the anthemic jugular with a soaring chorus and surging dance beat. Even so, the melody has the character of a great ballad, harnessing agency-head JYP’s signature style for a new era.

 Hooks 9
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 9
 RATING 9

MONDAY: Lee Hyori – Miss Korea


Lee Hyori’s big comeback album wouldn’t be released until later in the month, but she pre-released the beguiling Miss Korea to great success. The song takes her music in unexpected directions, delivering a bluesy swipe at beauty standards and unrealistic expectations.

 Hooks 8
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 8
 RATING 8.5

THURSDAY: Nine Muses – Wild


Nine Muses were still chugging along their Sweetune-fueled imperial phase with the incredible Wild. The song strikes a balance we rarely hear today: totally badass but completely melodic and performed with the perfect blend of fire and restraint. They don’t make ’em like this anymore!

 Hooks 10
 Production 10
 Longevity 10
 Bias 10
 RATING 10

THURSDAY: LC9 – Mama Beat (ft. Gain)


LC9’s career didn’t really go anywhere after this track, but Mama Beat is still an underrated classic. From its glitchy electronics to its furious beat drop, the song paints a picture of a time when K-pop producers weren’t afraid to experiment with unique sounds and textures.

 Hooks 8
 Production 9
 Longevity 9
 Bias 9
 RATING 8.75

THURSDAY: N-Sonic – Lie


N-Sonic are another underrated group, though their career bore more music than LC9’s. Lie is very much a product of its time, which is a good thing! The beat chugs along with a welcome intensity, powering exciting verses and an earworm chorus.

 Hooks 8
 Production 9
 Longevity 8
 Bias 9
 RATING 8.5

SATURDAY: 2PM – A.D.T.O.Y.


Come Back When You Hear This Song was a fantastic opening salvo, but A.D.T.O.Y. stands as my favorite 2PM title track. The melody is exquisite, the build and tension are palpable and the whole package feels unique and incredibly assured.

 Hooks 10
 Production 9
 Longevity 10
 Bias 9
 RATING 9.5

OTHER RELEASES

Ballad group 4men added a funky swing to their repertoire with Thank You:

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8 thoughts on “The Most Epic Weeks in K-Pop: May 6-11, 2013

  1. Wild is peak Sweetune! It’s probably my favorite song from them (Wild and News are like in the list of my favorite gg songs ever) and reminds me of Infinite hits like Be Mine or The Chaser. Glad to see Mama Beat get a good rating! One of the most underrated debuts but the song is actually good I miss those times

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  2. That 9 Muses song was one of my first forays into the “second” tier of k-pop after listening to 2NE1 and Bigbang after finding k-pop. The fluidity of form and musicianship were what made that song the best of theirs.

    Contemporarily, I’d probably say that 2PM’s A.D.T.O.Y. is the breathtaking song here. The falsettos in the second half are so transformative. I wish producers trusted that their male vocalists could slide into falsetto more often…

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  3. YES!!!! YES!!!!!! Wild by 9Muses grabbed me by the neck and told me, “You will ‘stan’ (or whatever the 2013 equivalent word would be, I don’t think stan was used yet) 9Muses for the rest of your life now”. I know Wild isn’t the #1 song among the fandom; I think most people gravitate towards News, Figaro, and Dolls, but there’s just something about it that’s cemented it as my top Kpop song of all time. I will never get tired of it. One of Sweetune’s best and it was with the group’s golden lineup (imo).

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