With over 5,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature.
The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets the full Bias List treatment!
Year Released: 2014
Back in the day, there were a few K-pop teams who were almost entirely produced by Sweetune. Infinite and Kara were the most notable, with others like Boyfriend and Rainbow also hitched themselves to the Sweetune train. Inevitably, these acts moved onto different producers, which was a huge test of their viability as a group. Not everyone was able to make this transition work, but both Infinite and Kara managed to churn out some classics as part of their post-Sweetune era.
To me, Kara’s Mamma Mia (맘마미아) is an undisputed classic. They moved from one super producer to another, this time enlisting the help of Duble Sidekick for a jolt of high energy dance pop. This was released at a time of change for the group, as new member Youngji joined after winning their series Kara Project. The song did well for the group, with its hypnotic chorus used often in variety series like Roommate.
As for the song itself? Wow. What a banger. This is the energy I’m missing in today’s girl group tracks. Highlighted by a blazing synth riff, Mamma Mia hits with such force. However, this force is channeled into a series of memorable (and fully sung!) melodies rather than shouty sing-talk. The song grows catchier and catchier as it goes, but each and every segment is designed to be an earworm. It’s just hook upon hook upon gorgeous melodic hook, propelled along by an unflagging beat that never gives you a second’s rest. Kara own the performance with their clear, polished vocals. The singing is straightforward and unaffected, in service of the song first and foremost. It’s not easy to live up to the many Sweetune classics in their discography, but Mamma Mia carves its well-deserved spot in K-pop’s all-time pantheon.
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 10 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 10 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
so fucking good and timeless. 2014 was cursed but it’s one of my favorite years in k-pop music-wise.
and I hope you could review more nugus from the early 2010s (yes this is me begging for you to review EVOL’s We Are A Bit Different, such an underrated bop)
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I’ve always loved this song, but I came back to it again and it ended up being in my top 10 most listened to songs this year. 😅 so glad to see it reviewed here! hoping new girl groups wrap back around to this high energy sound soon. the world needs another banger! 🙏
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izna doesn’t stand a chance against this song. Also, I’ve seen you review this in your most legendary weeks in K-Pop or something! It’s the perfect dance track.
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It’s a 7.75 for me. Not that exciting. Turn KARA back to 2011 however and then you’ve got a 10 from me with STEP! That whole album is top tier.
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I remember buying the STEP cd in Japan, one of my very first Kpop experiences!
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10/10 Legendary song
I’m so glad i got to experience this comeback as it happened
Everything here from the song to the dance to the mv is flawless
Not to be that kind of person but they really don’t make music like this today and it makes me sad
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One of the first Kpop songs I fell in love with!
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Unironically, one of my favorite Kpop songs EVER. I always come back to it and I’m not even a KARA fan.
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This is right up there with Infinite’s The Chaser and NCT 127’s Superhuman representing K-pop in peak form for me. Dramatic, urgent, frenetic, and full of confidence.
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that intro alone deserves a 10.
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This is def a jam, and it holds up to the test of time. I think the instrumental hooks are straight up fire, but I think they actually hold up the vocal hooks a bit. They are still good vocal hooks, but not up to legendary status. If comparing to Mamma Mia’s, they def deserve to be in ABBA league rather than Izna league ;p, it is still an amazing, timeless song.
8,10,10,9 = 9.25
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izna catching strays in the comments 😥 apples to oranges
this is one of the first kpop songs i ever heard so it has the nostalgia factor for me + being objectively good = 10/10 song for sure! possibly my favorite kara title, but it’s tough to pick just one
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it’s 7 to me. The production sounds so cheap, especially if we compare it to Pandora. Still a good song tho.
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