Feature

K-Pop Risers & Fallers: January 2024

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Risers & FallersRather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post.

I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: a 0.5 shift here, a 0.25 shift there. But, it’s a fun way to keep track of how my feelings on songs have changed over time – as well as which tracks currently have momentum on my playlist.

And remember, just because a song is marked as a “faller” doesn’t mean I hate it! Falling from a “9” to an “8.75” is no shame. 9+ rated songs occupy a totally different playlist in my music library, so I’m pretty particular about what qualifies. It’s a high bar.

This month’s feature covers the period from November 21st to January 22nd.

RISERS

ITZY – Untouchable
Rating: 8.5 → 8.75

NMIXX – Dash *Biggest Riser*
Rating: 7.25 → 8.25

NMIXX – Soñar (Breaker)
Rating: 7.5 → 8

RIIZE – Love 119
Rating: 7.75 → 8.5

TWS – Plot Twist
Rating: 8.75 → 9

Waker – Atlantis
Rating: 8.5 → 8.75

FALLERS

(G)I-DLE – Wife
Rating: 7.5 → 7

Hui – Hmm Bop
Rating: 7.25 → 7

IVE – All Night (ft. Saweetie) *Biggest Faller*
Rating: 7.25 → 6.5

Jeong Sewoon – Quiz 
Rating: 7.25 → 6.75

Kim Jonghyeon – Motto 
Rating: 7.75 → 7.25

Lee Chanhyuk – 1 Trillion 
Rating: 8.5 → 8.25

Niel – Parting Path
Rating: 8.5 → 8

Nam Woohyun – Baby Baby
Rating: 8.75 → 8.5

32 thoughts on “K-Pop Risers & Fallers: January 2024”

  6. It’s nice to see NMIXX’s releases grow on you. I enjoyed their new album and I love seeing the appreciation it got. Although I wonder what’s holding Run for Roses back from being a “9+” rated song?

    January is surprisingly a strong month for music and I bet there’s going to be so many honorable mentions when the month recap gets posted next week.

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  10. I was actually expecting “Untouchable” to be in the “Fallers” section, because I remember you saying that you could grow tired of it quickly in your review for the song. Glad to see it grew on you even more, it’s my favorite comeback of the month so far!

    As for “Dash,” I’m still not getting the hype around it. The repetitive chorus ruins any enjoyment I had for the song. I wish “Run for Roses” was the title track, it actually fits the concept photos and trailer for their album very well.

    I thought IVE’s “All Night” was… okay. I also am not a fan of the vocal production on that song. There’s an AI cover of their “Dear Cupid” song for “Love Dive,” they should’ve just released that as their English debut.

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    • I agree with everything here

      Very happy to see itzy in the risers section bcs damn untouchable has some very loveable almost-funk type of bounciness to it – I can’t help but go in for at least a second listen

      The chorus of dash is still not providing me with any relief and when it finally gains momentum imo it cuts off. Good to see mixxpop being used properly though

      I ddon’t care for all night.

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  11. guess all night ties with 2ya2yao and cant you see me for the 2nd biggest faller on the blog, right behind oh my god (to my knowledge)

    btw, what is the biggest riser of all time since this blog was created (other than future perfect ofc)? and whats the biggest faller?

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      • Yeah, probably! Even though that was never in a “risers/fallers” post since it’s J-pop. A lot of the songs from years one and two of this blog have probably become big risers. I was still figuring out my ratings system then and rated almost everything lower. UP10TION’s Tonight also comes to mind, which I now consider a “10” and a summer classic.

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  13. I’ll be honest, this month I’ve only been listening to TWS, Aespa, Riize, and Fromis_9

    TWS’s debut song ‘plot twist’ is SO GOOD. I already loved it when it first came out but I can’t get enough of it.

    It was already a 9/10 for me but it’s going up to a 9.5/10

    Aespa’s remake of ‘Regret of the Times’ was also a song I really liked from the first listen. I also gave it a 9/10 but listening to it in the car really elevated the song.

    9 → 9.5 / 10

    Riize’s ‘Love 119’ didn’t really click with me on the first listen but it’s grown on me. The chanting is weirdly addicting and doesn’t sound bad at all.

    7.5 → 8 / 10

    I only recently discovered Fromis_9’s OST ‘Love Me Back’ but it’s such a fun song. Although it was released a few months ago, it’s been my most replayed song of January. The chorus is especially fantastic. 8.75/10

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  16. I got the impression that the writer of this article does not shy away from showing is utter dislike on self-produced idols or groups (a rarity in k-pop)

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  18. Apparently I missed the “Dash” event. 

    Listening again, yeah I would give it low 8’s. Its catchy. I love the old school hip hop beats. There are some clever things in there, the descending chromatic line, the slow down tempo popped in there briefly (around 1:50), the changeup break. 

    To me, it sounds a bit contrived and crafted. Trying too hard. There is only so many times I can listen to “Dash I wanna dash I wanna run it run it dash”. The refrain sounds like something ready made for a high school-level dance or cheerleader routine. The verses don’t quite match because they don’t keep that energy up. But mostly, I can picture my young niece doing a dance school routine, what the costumes would look like, what the set piece and combos and solo lines would look like. That to me is fine, a useful purpose, but it doesn’t make me want to go off and listen to the song outside of that context.

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