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.
The other day, I had a realization that ZEROBASEONE’s TOP 5 is basically an EXO song, which actually made me enjoy it more. It had already been growing on me, but its classic K-pop execution is really quite addictive. The rest of the album is pretty predictable until we reach the big ol’ sonic confetti drop at its finale.
I love euphoric pop music. It gives me a rush that nothing else can deliver in the same way. That’s part of the reason I’m such a stickler for big, bombastic choruses. I’m not too interested in understated vibes, and a track like Zero To Hundred understands this. Its chorus takes no prisoners, amping up the volume and rallying off a series of instantly catchy hooks. The rapid-fire, staccato delivery that opens this refrain is so sticky and satisfying and I love how it precedes the big beat drop that goes on to fuel the rest of the hook. The producers even find a way to sneak in one of those triumphant tropical synth squiggles as an exclamation point between lines. This is the sound of a song dropping all pretension and simply delivering the pop goods. We need more of this in K-pop because it’s such a gratifying listen.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
Grade: A-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
this should have been the title track.
btw do u have any buried treasures/notable b-sides from ITZY’s new album?
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No buried treasures, but I like Yuna’s solo.
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oh okay, I’d assume it’s like an 8.25/8 then. thank you
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i also liked yuna’s solo. it’s so danceable and i love the instrumental solo, it made the track more memorable for me. it’s like an upgraded version of hyper dream 😁
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i really liked yuna’s solo too! it was such a surprise considering how generic her actual solo debut was, but the twinkling synths and cute hook really drew me in this time. chaeryeong is a close contender 🙂
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Why is the picture on top showing Younite? But yeah, this song is great, wish it was the title track, it would have made a pretty solid re-introduction to the guys.
8.75 just to be safe
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lol because I forgot to change it. It’s Friday and it’s early in the morning! haha
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it was love at first listen 🥰 i usually play it along with golcha’s knocking on my door. those two songs sound so good together
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They’re of a similar ilk!
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yes this is my song of the week and already predicting it to be my top song for my Spotify Wrapped, an instant 10 because I’m biased. the album is crazy good too. this, Exotic and Customize are my top 3. WAKEONE/their team really delivered across the board this comeback.
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Yeahhhh this is also my buried treasure, what’s not to like?? It’s been on repeat along with Top 5!
My other buried treasure from this week is Yeji’s solo “Pocket” from the new album. I love the fast rhythm guitar. And the unexpected melodies in the chorus
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this would also be my buried treasure!! as a zerose since debut, hearing the bittersweet chorus really made me feel so proud that they’re still going to continue strong despite the absence of the yuehua members… taerae and matthew sound incredibly good here too as well
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YES I said on your Top 5 post that this album sounds like an EXO album. It’s easy imagining what EXO could sound like on any song but I can hear it in Top 5 now.
Zero to Hundred is so fun.. it’s like classic bright ZB1 but infused with so much more energy and feels like watching fireworks. The fact this song is only 2:51 but it actually feels so full, lush, and well-developed. If you must make shorter songs, at least go for this. It also reminds me of NCT 127’s Fly Away with Me. Just the sheer feeling of flying through the sky.. yup. There’s also another song with the same vibe but I can’t think of it right now…
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