K-pop is littered with acts who – for one reason or another – didn’t get the full spotlight they deserved. I’ve spent plenty of time ranking and reviewed the industry’s biggest artists, but these underrated acts should never be forgotten.
This feature will take a look at disbanded groups and rank/rate their entire singles run, placing them in the pantheon of K-pop history.
Next up is C-Clown!
Career timeline: 2012-2015
Overall sound: Started as melodic yearning, ended as party hip-hop.
5. Solo (2012)
This has nothing to do with the song itself, but I think you all need to see the hilarious description on YouTube:
“Summer of 2012, the arrival of new idols like a comet. The shining CROWN dreamed of by six young CLOWNS!!”
Ah… 2012! This has all the musical hallmarks you’d expect from the era, but it’s a bit forgettable.
Rating: 7.75
4. Far Away… Young Love (2012)
I won’t paste it again, but the YouTube description for this track is also hilarious. The song itself is slightly more reserved than the group’s debut. It sounds like it would be right at home on a Beast album.
Rating: 8.25
3. Shaking Heart (2013)
This is where I really started to notice the group. Produced by Rado (one half of Black Eyed Pilseung), the track has a satisfying swing and an elevated vocal spotlight that’s stood the test of time.
Rating: 8.25
2. Let’s Love (2014)
The group’s final title track is also one of their strongest singles. In fact, they’re the rare group who just got better and better with each song they released. This has such a classic K-pop sound and the production’s quite crazy in places.
Rating: 8.5
1. Justice (2014)
The official upload of this mv seems to have been taken down, which is a shame because it’s my favorite release from the guys. They’re borrowing from B.A.P’s heavy rock stomp to great success. I love the sense of accelerating drama – especially in the pre-chorus. And, this is the rare case where a beat drop chorus actually works because it’s FUN.
Far away ~ young love is my most listened-to C-Clown song. I have it in a Brave Brothers-esque playlist alongside Teen Top’s ‘To You’, DMTN ‘ER’ and SPEED ‘Paint the love of heart”. I also have some Duble Sidekick productions like JJCC’s ‘Bing Bing Bing’. It itches my RnB pop spot.
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I was hearing a lot of SPEED in some of these as well. SPEED is usually only known now for one thing: the giant back flip. Also lesser known for Zico’s older brother. But they were pretty good while they lasted.
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Is it Flashback Tuesday? Because as I worked backwards from bottom to top, I felt the time travel machine work back in time. I could place the sound within the triannual gestalts going on, thinking of similar sounds I was listening to back when.
I feel lucky to have lived through the 80’s first time through, and throud 2nd 3rd gen kpop the first time through. The kid these days are suffering.
Props to the stylist who found matching sneakers for that last one.
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wow these are actually so good I am adding to my playlist!! Thank you Nick for the recommendations
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Ooo where DPR Ian started. I’ve been meaning to check out this group for a while.
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and TAN’s Jaejun!
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For now it’s In A Minute’s Jaejun though
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“July, C-CLOWN debuted with a crown on their heads, with better music. They are coming back with their second mini album. They are full with attractiveness that cannot be found on regular K-POP idols. Unlike other idols, they showed their new album filled with melodic songs. With nice rhythm and beat with the nicely flowing vocal, their song will be able to draw another drama.” I love this
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It’s beautiful word salad!
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“Six young clowns” is so freaking funny 😂😂 petition to bring back clowns in kpop
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or should I say six young CLOWNS!!
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curious what you think of this song? https://youtu.be/61MUBevD2KM
it’s really solid girl group fare in my opinion, doesn’t reinvent the wheel but makes no missteps, and feels good the whole way through
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I love the old 1thek video descriptions lol. Also didn’t know DPR Ian was from this group!
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