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 WAYV’s placement on the ULTIMATE ARTIST RANKING page!
WAYV: A Career In Song Ratings
The Breakdown
Highest Rated Songs
Take Off, Love Talk, Turn Back Time, On My Youth
Lowest Rated Songs
Imperial Phases
Dream Launch -> Turn Back Time (2019-2020)
Kick Back -> Give Me That (2021-2024)
Slump Phases
None
Rating Average: 8.13
Overall Trendline:
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
NCT’s most underutilized/underrated/underappreciated yet most sonically consistent and solid unit. Their earlier works (especially Turn Back Time) has such solid 2nd or early 3rd gen anthemic vibes to them. They did wavered a bit after 2023 (iirc, that’s when they changed centers), but there’s no denying how impeccable their pre-2024 works were.
With that being said, my average would be around the same. Turn Back Time is a 9 though for me, oh do I love that album
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And since it seems like you are doing C-pop or K-pop adjacent acts now, does that mean we’re gonna get one on Lay too? I’d love to see THAT tbh
https://tenor.com/en-IN/view/byuntear-cachorro-sorrindo-dog-smiling-gif-27642513
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Bleh, stupid thing didn’t properly show the gif but it’s that one where a dog is smiling
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Their switch from Neo Center to Prism Center happened post-Wish debut; it’s due to Neo Center being over-capacity (cue the irony of the current contract renewals). imo, OMY was more of a transition song than a Brand New Sound (like GMT), since they since incorporated their pre-OMY sonics in the background at least (by the suggestion of Kun)
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The Eternal White mini is so good.
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The Eternal White mini is where they found their sound. FYI, the boys claim that their ‘sound’ isn’t pre-OMY theatrics, rather it’s the Love Talk/Action Figure/etc sound, which is why they take pride with that mini album.
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That’s good to hear! I really hope they keep developing within that.
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They’re scheduled to release this quarter & I am with you, hoping for them to play with that sound.
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