There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” features, I can average their ratings into one mega-score and place them in a pantheon alongside other acts.
As always, this feature has some rules of its own. I’m including any “Song Review” ratings as part of this graph, including Japanese releases and collaborations with one other artist. I’m not including Buried Treasures or solo/sub-unit releases. For the ratings themselves, I’m using the most current number on this blog, so if a song was part of a “Risers and Fallers” or “Legendary Songs Inauguration” post, that’s the rating you’ll see displayed here. That means there will still be a few ratings here and there I find slightly inaccurate, but it’ll mostly reflect my up-to-date feelings.
Finally, these scores are completely subjective. Feel free to agree, disagree and argue (that’s part of the fun!), but know that this chart reflects the opinion of only one person (me).
Check out IKON’s placement on the ULTIMATE ARTIST RANKING page!
IKON: A Career In Song Ratings
The Breakdown
Highest Rated Songs
Lowest Rated Songs
Imperial Phases
My Type -> What’s Wrong? (2015)
B-Day -> Killing Me (2017-2018)
Dive -> U (2020-2023)
Slump Phases
None
Rating Average: 8.26
Overall Trendline:
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
they have more 9s than I expected…
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dude is that dracula on ur pfp 😭
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it’s Nosferatu… He’s essentially a disguised version of Dracula himself. I’m surprised you don’t recognize him… the 1922 film is considered a landmark of german expressionism and horror cinema 🙂
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unrelated, have you listened to nmixx’s ep yet? what do you think?
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Some songs are so iconic (or iKonic), that they’re an automatic 10. “Love Scenario” is such a song for me. Love it or hate it, it doesn’t care: it’s in the pantheon of K-pop greats.
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I remember that I didn’t used to like Love Scenario… but over time I came to appreciate the melody of the song more; it’s something unique to it, it’s truly unparalleled.
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Oh, they have way more songs than I expected in the 9s
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Very appropriate that But You was playing as I opened this post. For some reason I have difficulty actually associating their songs with them, but as a result every so often I get to remember how good their discography is!
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Like others, when I first heard Love Scenario I felt quite indifferent about it, but it grows on you. The sing-along chorus with the piano and the bouncy rhythm makes it feel really fresh and different from most K-pop songs. Bobby and B.I’s verses, along with the occasional cowbell, add extra charm to the song as well.
Another single I really love, but I know many don’t, haha, is Bling Bling. Its fun and catchy. I love Bobby’s aggressive hip-hop style in this song and in Rhythm Ta, paired with B.I’s distinctively light yet slightly raspy tone. They really pull off that casual, unserious rap style well, and the hip-hop energy just feels great—at least to me, anyway.
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Love Scenario is one of the songs that got me into K-pop. This is one of my favorite K-pop songs of all time.
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love scenario has always been one of those songs everyone seems to love but i’ve never been able to get around to, maybe it’s the trap beats or slightly plodding melody, but yeah i never got the hype towards the song
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just listened to it again, i’d probably rate it about a 7.75-8, who knows maybe it’ll never leave my head and i’ll be forced to submit
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Love Scenario is iconic for sure…I overplayed it though and I barely listen to it anymore. BUT YOU on the other is the one that make me nostalgic about them. I don’t like ALL of their songs, but the ones I like, I LOVE (But You, I’m Ok, Killing Me, Goodbye Road, Don’t Forget, Best Friend, Why Why Why, U, among others!
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