A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
I may never have heard this OST had a reader not mentioned it in the comments section of last week’s K-pop round-up. OSTs can be hit or miss and I don’t always give them a listen, especially when coming from a group like Lucy who are quite prolific in this area. However, new track Halley is my favorite kind of Lucy banger. To me, their best album is still 2021’s Gatcha, which experimented with a more synth-focused sound. And judging by the highlight medley of their upcoming album (out next week), I think Halley is going to eclipse those tracks as well.
I tend to love rock music with an electronic edge, particularly when that comes in the form of shimmering, crystalline synth. Halley opens with a cascade of electronic bliss that forms the backbone for much of the track. It’s the sound of soaring through space with a colorful Lisa Frank aesthetic (if that makes sense). Better yet, the song’s melodies remind me strongly of classic Sweetune. Something about their construction feels uniquely Korean and they make the perfect conduit for Sangyeop’s rich vocals. This is easily the strongest the band have sounded in some time.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Nick since you love rock music with an electronic edge, what do you think about this song? The vocal melody is subdued but the instrumental is exactly that
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Haha it takes me right back to some of the music I used to listen to in the 90s!
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yeah it is old, and nostalgic
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This brings me back as well. Back when the Import Section at Tower Records was cool and dangerous and expensive, I acquired Indochine “Le Baiser” CD somehow, somewhy. Proceeded to wear it out. I mean, I was just so cool, in my own mind.
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Le baiser is such a great album, and yes I can see the similarities! I looove punishment park. And thank you for reminding me of this I’m gonna listen to it again
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ooh i love this as well! mind if u could give me some more greek pop recommendations?
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Some OST’s are just the bomb. There is a whole other shop of songwriters who churn these out, and the structures and motifs are the same but somehow they just don’t seem to be songcamped like mainstream kpop is these days. Just solid songs, some better than others, and some actually pretty gosh darn good.
Yes, the best Lucy have sounded in a while. (No violin?) I looked it up, and apparently Lucy have done a ton of OST’s = 4-5 each year every year. Good for them. It probably keeps them fed.
On a related note, some of my favorite Kim Sung Kyu’s ever have been OST’s, both called “Beautiful” though very different, the first with my other hot honey Nam Woo Hyun.
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can you please review EJAE’s first single “In Another World”? She’s the singer from Kpop demon hunters…plz🙏
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wow
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I love the song and the vocal performance, but I feel like the vocals could’ve used more layers. It reminds me of that one 4ten song where the synth instrumental kinda drowned out a well delivered topline
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what rating would you give WANNABE by itzy?
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Wrote a review way back when. It’s fallen a bit since then though, so probably mid-to-upper 8’s.
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why did it fall for you? I’m asking this because personally I hated it at first, but then it rose to be mid 9’s for me lol
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It benefited from being released on the heels of two singles I really loved from them, but I haven’t returned to it much since then.
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Thanks for answering my questions! have a good day! (also, 9 reviews yesterday. wow.)
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also, what about Dalla Dalla by itzy? despite your initial 8.5 rating, it landed on number 7 of your top kpop songs in 2019.
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Yeah, that’s an easy 9. Maybe higher.
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