Top 10 Most Underrated K-pop Songs of 2017 (Idol Edition)
2017 has come and gone before we knew it.
Continuing with the K-Pop Timeout Tradition (see 2016 Ver) of listing the Top 10 Most Underrated K-Pop Songs because all the other sites are just bothered with the Top 10 that pretty much everyone will have heard of/have fan wars over, below are our top 10 picks of songs that did not rank high but deserves your attention! Like last year we have a section for underrated non-idol tracks too, but this year we will make a separate post for Top 10 underrated non-idol tracks. A separate post will also be made for Top 10 underrated K-Drama OSTs.
Some of the artists have escaped the list in recent years to stardom (this year the escapees are LOONA and NU’EST) so hopefully it happens again!
This is in alphabetic order NOT order of awesomeness because all of them are awesome. Also, all MVs are linked in the song titles because Tumblr won’t let me share that many videos in one post.
APRIL “APRIL STORY”
With the successful debut and management of K.A.R.D, it seems like DSP Media is finally back on track and they have definitely been giving APRIL a lot stronger comebacks in 2017. The most underrated is perhaps their first banger of the year “APRIL STORY”, which should have propelled them to success instead of their slight increase in attention that was still not enough to help later comebacks like “MAYDAY” and “Take My Hand.” An amazing winter track with Disney-esque instrumentals and killer vocal performance, the song is further complemented by the music video, where the girls’ doll-like visuals sign in the magical dollhouse theme. If you love the dramatic sound of GFRIEND, the fantasy-infused tunes of LOVELYZ, and the Disney musical like pieces of early IU, “APRIL STORY” is the perfect combination for you!
B.I.G “1.2.3”
A comeback missing one member, because rapper Minpyo was sick, B.I.G still managed to carry “1.2.3” as four and slayed with this super powerful track. The song is a mix of the typical dance-pop we are familiar with in K-Pop with a lot of funk and RnB influences and highlights how Benji is one of the most underrated power vocals of K-Pop. The choreo and MV are also super fun and retro, complementing the already great track in many ways. If you are a fan of BLOCK B’s dramatic theatrics and MAMAMOO’s fun power vocals and need an energetic jam to get you started on a Monday or run miles in the gym, then B.I.G’s “1.2.3.” is the song for you.
Brave Girls “Rollin’”
Sadly still stuck on the underrated list, Brave Girls return with 5 members in another woefully unappreciated banger with “Rollin’”. Featuring the signature Brave Brother’s sexiness and addictive post-chorus instrumental, the song has everything needed in a classy sexy K-Pop track. The memorable chair choreo also furthers the mystery behind the song’s lack of success in South Korea. If like other Brave Brother’s produced female groups like SISTAR, T-ARA, and 4MINUTE, this song is your dance-pop fix!
ELRIS “Pow Pow”
While they only debuted this year and have time to grow, ELRIS and their song “Pow Pow” definitely deserves more attention, especially considering their 2017 rookie competitors being mainly popular girl groups with I.O.I members. This fun girl group track with a strong rock guitar riff blends in intro and dance break plus a catchy electronic chorus makes it one of the strongest girl group tracks of the year. If you are a fan of cutesy girl groups with an edge like TWICE and Oh My Girl, go check out ELRIS in “Pow Pow”!
N.Flying “The Real”
With a long hiatus and the addition of popular PRODUCE 101 member Yoo Hoesung, fans were uncertain of N.Flying’s comeback but the boys delivered with a super catchy track that will hopefully kick off an amazing Korean career for the boys. “The Real” shows all the best of N.Flying - a colorful blend of vocals and rap that only got amplified by Hoesung’s ridiculous vocal range. If you are a fan of other FNC bands like FT Island and CN Blue but also like the crazy fun pop tracks of BLOCK B and B.A.P, “The Real” is the song for you!
9MUSES “Love City”
With only 4 members left, 9MUSES continue to make us ask the question of “Why are they not super famous yet?” “Love City” continues to showcase the unique 9MUSES dance-pop sound and surpasses it with an addictive chorus that goes up the scales (musically and figuratively) and has that Janet Jackson-esque giggle to top it off. If you want a top class and smooth mature girl group banger like those of After School and SNSD during their prime, you better check this song out!
SNUPER “Back:Hug”
Hopefully “The Unit” will give these boys more attention because “Back:Hug” and pretty much all SNUPER tracks are bops. Produced by Sweetune, the masterminds behind early INFINITE tracks, “Back:Hug” continues with the signature Sweettune 80s synth melodies but with a 2017 twist - tropical house! The distorted tropical house sound adds an interesting layer to the already addictive track makes it insane how underrated this track is. If you like INFINITE and BOYFRIEND’s previous Sweettune produced tracks and like the tropical house stuff from K.A.R.D, you should give this song a listen!
SONAMOO “I (Knew It)”
Sonamoo is one of those groups with a crazy hype debut but through mismanagement, has started being forgotten. While Eujiin is hopefully going to change things as the center on “The Unit”, it would also help if more people listen to their newest track “I (Knew It)”. After TS Entertainment seemed to finally settle on a concept for the girls with “Friday Night”, the sultry and mature image continues with “I (Knew It)”, where the girls flaunt their sharp moves, killer rap and top vocals in this Latin-infused dance masterpiece. If you are a fan of SISTAR’s Latin-infused tracks and some of GAIN’s sexy solo stuff, you need to listen to “I (Knew It)”!
VAV “ABC (Middle of the Night)”
Another group that never stops with bops is VAV, and “ABC (Middle of the Night)” is easily one of the catchiest songs of the year with little to no attention given to it. Not only do the boys have a consistent sound, they also improve on it, with “ABC (Middle of the Night)” being the epitome of it. Addictive beat - check. Playful rap - check. Catchy chorus - check. Honestly, if you are on the cute and smooth boys train of ASTRO and early BOYFRIEND, you should really check out “ABC (Middle of the Night)”!
VICTON “Unbelievable”
Although they come from the same company as popular girl group A PINK, VICTON is still very underrated in South Korea. “Unbelievable” continues with their unique sound from debut - fun, colorful, and laid-back tracks that clearly highlight each member’s unique vocal color. The whistling in the chorus is also super catchy and will keep the song in your mind for days. If you like the feel good and fun sound of groups like SEVENTEEN and recent HIGHLIGHT (B2ST) stuff, “Unbelievable” is the track for you!
