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 H.O.T’s placement on the ULTIMATE ARTIST RANKING page!
H.O.T: A Career In Song Ratings
The Breakdown
Highest Rated Songs
Lowest Rated Songs
Imperial Phases
Hope -> Git It Up (1998-1999)
Slump Phases
None
Rating Average: 8.44
Overall Trendline:
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
i’m not an old kpop fan so I have a few questions, like is this the first ever kpop group to exist? if so, what’s the first ever girl group to start?
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I mean, it depends on how you define “K-pop group,” but they were the first to debut under what’s now become the K-pop idol system. That would make S.E.S the first modern female K-pop group, though there were of course many female performers before them.
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oh, S.E.S.! I love that group 🙂
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Prior to them were Seo Taiji and Boys; one of the members then founded YG Entertainment.
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May I know why you gave H.O.T’s “Candy” a much higher rating (9.5) than NCT Dream’s version of it (8)? Is it because of the production? Perhaps the rap parts? A 1.5 point difference in rating is quite stark after all.
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I mean… it’s the original and a classic of the industry. The cover has so much less scruffy charm imo. Feels corporatized.
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It might be a tough question to you Nick, but would there be possibly, if any, ever, a covered song from a newer group that have a higher rating from you compare to the original classic?
As for me, Dream Come True from aespa (9.5/10) win my heart more compare to the original S.E.S. (8.5/10). I like it due to it have a better, modern & polished production – since I’m, well, those that say ‘m the Gen Z person.
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He did (in)famously give a 10 to this, lol: https://thebiaslist.com/2022/01/30/buried-treasure-the-rampage-jump-van-halen-cover/
(But not to put words in his mouth, I think he’d probably give a 10 to the original version as well.)
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Oh my God… I’ll always find that haircut funny. In the photo Nick posted, it looks like a mismatched lineup of four Sanjis from One Piece and a Kyo from The King of Fighters trying to put together a boy band in 2003 💀 Even so, it’s undeniable that they were one of the pioneers of K-pop
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Nick, are you thinking of continuing the 1st gen series? I’m curious to know what you would rate TG’s ‘Love Tonight’ (I love its chorus)
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solid score for the kpop og bg!
also Nick, what do you think of Taemin’s new single Permission? I loved it at coachella but I feel like the studio version compresses his vocals too much
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