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.

During the late-00s/early-10s, there was a style of K-pop that didn’t sound like anything else in the world. It took advantage of the sound of the Korean language to craft a highly rhythmic, staccato approach popularized by SM groups (and producer Yoo Young-Jin!) but spread to various agencies. These songs weren’t just Western pop that happened to be performed by Korean artists. They felt unique and specific.

I hear flashes of that on n.SSign’s new b-side Beautiful Monster and it makes me so happy. For me, this is easily the best K-pop song released so far this year (not that it has much competition) and clears title track Funky Like Me with ease. The instrumental is fascinating, fusing electro loops with off-kilter percussion that ebbs and flows with plenty of drama. The melodies echo hook songs of K-pop’s golden age as both the singing and rap opt for phrasing that isn’t simply a copy-and-paste of current trends. There’s a terrifying moment after the first chorus where it sounds as if we’re about to collapse into some awful trap breakdown (I could do without this, tbh) but the song is smarter than that. It keeps its energy chugging along until we hit a thrilling finale.

I need some new 2026 rookie to make this sound their entire personality. How exciting and refreshing would that be?

Grade: B+