Generally, it’s enjoyable to make a journey again in time and immerse your self in a particular Okay-pop yr. Much like my Battle of the B-sides, this characteristic sees me shuffling an enormous playlist of songs from a sure period, selecting out six at random and sharing my ideas about every. All songs are eligible: Title tracks, b-sides, Japanese tracks from Okay-pop acts. The one standards is that they should have been launched of their goal yr.
Immediately, we’re travelling again to 2015.
Listed here are the six opponents:
BoA – Hiya
Boys Republic – Hiya
Ladies’ Technology (SNSD) – Bump It
Halo – Sleepless
HIGH4 – D.O.A (Useless Or Alive)
SHINee – Love Sick
Who will rank first??
6. BoA – Hiya
2015 was a really robust yr for many returning acts, however I wasn’t as bought on BoA’s large comeback album. She co-wrote every thing herself, which was an awesome creative leap. Total, the album could be very stable however doesn’t signify the most effective of her sprawling discography in my view. Hiya is a delicate mid-tempo that leads us into the finale of the observe checklist. It’s a really fairly piece of music and he or she sounds nice on it, however this sort of observe is way more about sentiment than thrilling songcraft. Oh nicely, each album wants a lighters-in-the-air second like this, I suppose.
Ranking: 7.5
5. Ladies’ Technology (SNSD) – Bump It
2015 was a giant yr for SNSD, bringing the group again collectively for a really profitable album. I keep in mind Social gathering (and to a lesser extent, Lion Coronary heart) being a bit divisive once they got here out, however each songs sound so enjoyable right now. The album was host to numerous robust b-sides, together with Bump It. The observe is a bit generic in locations and will do with a a lot stronger hook, however the ladies promote it and the thumping beat injects loads of angle. It’s certainly one of my least-listened-to songs on the album, so I sort of want a distinct one had popped up on my shuffle button to provide them a greater likelihood on this rating!
Ranking: 8
4. SHINee – Love Sick
Love Sick is a b-side from SHINee’s Odd/Married To The Music album. I keep in mind not being thrilled with the album on first hear, which appears extremely loopy with hindsight. Nonetheless, we have now to do not forget that this was the follow-up to the unimaginable Misconceptions sequence and their equally unbelievable All people EP of 2013, so my expectations had been ridiculously excessive. With 2025 ears, this track is an absolute delight. It’s a bit extra mid-tempo than my favourite SHINee songs are usually, however the insistent bounce and unimaginable vocal manufacturing steal the present. The bridge injects an additional rhythmic push that reappears as a standout finale. As with most every thing this group has launched, Love Sick has fully stood the take a look at of time.
Ranking: 8.5
3. Halo – Sleepless
Halo had a handful of nice hits, even when the group by no means made it large. They had been early on the brand new jack swing revival, harnessing potent grooves that buttressed sugary pop melodies. Their brilliant, assured vocals are the right vessel for this fashion of music, effortlessly grooving over the sunshine funk. Sleepless was not a single, however it’s positively robust sufficient to be one. The refrain feels like classic Teen High however the track’s most foundational influences come from a long time earlier. It’s good to listen to a track whose idea is just good vitality and nice melodies.
Ranking: 8.5
2. HIGH4 – D.O.A (Useless Or Alive)
HIGH4 had been most identified for a spring-time hit, however this killer fall single stands as their crowning achievement. From its sharp synth accents to the icy vocals to the startling melodic builds, the track pulses with such character. It’s directly pensive, mysterious and ferocious. Moderately than funnel all of its bombast into anticipated choruses, the manufacturing spreads its mini climaxes in surprising locations. This causes the observe to really feel each unpredictable and regularly absorbing. All of it builds to a whopper of a finale, bringing every thing collectively because the beat intensifies.
Ranking: 9
1. Boys Republic – Hiya
Boys Republic actually have an unimpeachable discography. They didn’t have to launch as many classics as they did, however I’m very glad they saved their high quality stage excessive. The summer time of 2015 was a stellar one for breezy mid-tempos. Okay-pop acts don’t typically promote ballad-like comebacks, however a track like Hiya showcases simply how efficient the strategy may be. I’ve spent a lot of 2025 ragging on what I name “beigepop,” and from a purely goal stage I suppose you possibly can classify Hiya‘s general sound as “beige.” EXCEPT… and it is a large “besides”… its melodies are extremely potent. There’s no foolish sing-talk, no flat repetition. The tune simply climbs and swirls and crystallizes into among the most stunning turns of its yr. I cherished this single again then and proceed to adore it right now.
Ranking: 9
