Typically, it’s enjoyable to make a journey again in time and immerse your self in a particular Ok-pop yr. Just 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 Ok-pop acts. The one standards is that they should have been launched of their goal yr.
In the present day, 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 all the pieces herself, which was an incredible inventive leap. General, the album could be very strong however doesn’t signify the most effective of her sprawling discography for my part. Hiya is a delicate mid-tempo that leads us into the finale of the monitor record. It’s a really fairly piece of music and he or she sounds nice on it, however this type of monitor is way more about sentiment than thrilling songcraft. Oh effectively, each album wants a lighters-in-the-air second like this, I suppose.
Score: 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 after they got here out, however each songs sound so enjoyable at the moment. The album was host to plenty of robust b-sides, together with Bump It. The monitor is a bit generic in locations and will do with a a lot stronger hook, however the women promote it and the thumping beat injects loads of perspective. It’s one in all my least-listened-to songs on the album, so I sort of want a unique one had popped up on my shuffle button to offer them a greater likelihood on this rating!
Score: 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. Nevertheless, we have now to do not forget that this was the follow-up to the unimaginable Misconceptions sequence and their equally unbelievable Everyone EP of 2013, so my expectations have been ridiculously excessive. With 2025 ears, this tune is an absolute delight. It’s a bit extra mid-tempo than my favourite SHINee songs are typically, 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 all the pieces this group has launched, Love Sick has fully stood the check of time.
Score: 8.5
3. Halo – Sleepless
Halo had a handful of nice hits, even when the group by no means made it large. They have been early on the brand new jack swing revival, harnessing potent grooves that buttressed sugary pop melodies. Their brilliant, assured vocals are the proper vessel for this model of music, effortlessly grooving over the sunshine funk. Sleepless was not a single, however it’s positively robust sufficient to be one. The refrain seems like classic Teen High however the tune’s most foundational influences come from many years earlier. It’s good to listen to a tune whose idea is just good vitality and nice melodies.
Score: 8.5
2. HIGH4 – D.O.A (Useless Or Alive)
HIGH4 have been most recognized 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 tune pulses with such character. It’s directly pensive, mysterious and ferocious. Fairly than funnel all of its bombast into anticipated choruses, the manufacturing spreads its mini climaxes in surprising locations. This causes the monitor to really feel each unpredictable and frequently absorbing. All of it builds to a whopper of a finale, bringing all the pieces collectively because the beat intensifies.
Score: 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 degree excessive. The summer time of 2015 was a stellar one for breezy mid-tempos. Ok-pop acts don’t usually promote ballad-like comebacks, however a tune 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 degree I suppose you would classify Hiya‘s general sound as “beige.” EXCEPT… and this can be 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 a few of the most stunning turns of its yr. I liked this single again then and proceed to adore it at the moment.
Score: 9
