[Writer’s Picks] The A to Z Of K-Pop B-Sides (Part II)

Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones — always focused on sound, stage and substance.

In part one of this Writer’s Pick, we shared B-sides from some artists that some of you may or may not have known. Today we’re back again to share the last half of our list of amazing K-pop B-sides we think everybody should know.

For this last part, we’ve included some tracks by artists who can be described as chameleons. They have dabbled in various genres and audiences speak very highly of their ability to showcase skill and charisma no matter the concept. Again, some songs you may be familiar with and others may be totally new, but we hope you proceed with an open mind:

N

• Nevertheless [the Billage of Perception: Chapter Three EP 2024]
• Billlie

We’re starting off our final part with one of the top contenders for best stage presence. The name Billlie has essentially become synonymous with the idea of a great performance. Main dancer Tsuki’s viral GingaMingaYo (the strange world) fan cam (with over x million views) certainly played a part in drawing in a large part of their audience, and the other six members’ talents is definitely why many fans become longtime Be’lllieve (Billlie fans). Nevertheless is the final B-side of the Billage of Perception: Chapter Three EP. The neosoul track really rounds out the EP, capturing the essence of the fear of being perceived as well as living fully in the knowledge that regardless of how you are perceived, your life is your own to live.

O

• One Step Closer [Fantastic, 2019]
• BerryGood

This group remains one of K-pop’s most discussed when it comes to memorable vocal performances. BerryGood’s ‘Angel’ is consistently added to fan and critics’ lists as a perfect example of the breathtaking results of years of training that idols go through. One Step Closer appears on the Fantastic EP, the group’s final release as a group of five members, with Taeha announcing her leave from the group not too long after its release. Group dynamics aside, this song is a preppy dance track that highlights the excitement of falling love where every member shines. Released at a time when K-pop was rapidly transforming and companies presented more groups with girl crush concepts, BerryGood continued to give fans music that told the story of the girl next door and her everyday adventures. While they may no longer be active, their discography is one worth frequently revisiting.

P

• PIPE DOWN [S, 5th Single, 2025]
• STAYC

STAYC girls really shut down the stage when they showcased their music show performances when they introduced fans to the B-side of their fifth single, Pipe Down. Since their debut, STAYC has never shied away from putting all of their effort into showcasing their versatility. PIPE DOWN is a testament to the longstanding relationship between the group and producer Rado. Every track produced for the group by him accounts for Sieun’s powerful voice, Yoon’s resonance, ISA’s refreshing tone and the strengths of each member to shine through. As we’ve seen STAYC grow in the industry, it has become crystal clear that the members deserve to be proud of the sound they’ve created for themselves. They can record in any style but everyone knows that when you hear STAYC girls, it’s going down.

Q

• Queen [Step Like, 1st Mini-Album, 2024]
• We;Na

We;Na is a group that while their fanbase in Korea is steadily growing, their Japanese audience has shown, throughout the group’s promotions of their debut Japanese EP, WE;NA World, that they are definitely a large force in the fandom. Whether fans choose to listen to the Japanese version or the Korean version, Queen by WE;NA is undoubtedly one of the freshest, most exciting songs to come out of K-Pop Summer releases in recent years. While the song is technically its own single, released in 2023, the group added the song as a B-side to their first mini-album, Step Like. The group has shown their versatility through multiple covers, notably Red Flavor by Red Velvet, as well as sub-unit songs showcasing the charms of each member in a different shade. The quartet has also showcased their skills and dedication to growth as a group through a cover of K-Pop Demon Hunters. If anyone is looking for groups to listen to similar to ALICE/ELRIS, or even WJSN Chocome, this is definitely the group for you.

R

• Ruddy [Love Adventure, 2nd Single Album, 2019]
• Cherry Bullet

On the other side of BerryGood’s steps to love, we get Cherry Bullet’s Ruddy. Released in 2019, this song is the perfect vehicle to carry members Bora and Haeyoon’s fuller voices. The track follows a young person’s internal monologue when they finally start to feel the effects of having a crush. Hot cheeks whenever you see them, not knowing what to say or how to approach them, and in the end, it may just end up being a fleeting, one-sided love. The timid nature of the lyrics is not at all what one would think given the up-tempo feel-good vibe to the instrumental of the song. While their more powerful tracks like Hands Up are major fan favourites, Cherry Bullet always shines their brightest when they do lighter tracks.

S

• Sorry So Sorry [Us in the Summer EP, 2024]
• cignature

Known mainly for their iconic debut with Nunu Nana, cignature is a group that kept people’s interest piqued until the very end. From releasing music that can almost be described as campy, to the tried and true summer bops, the group never shied away from experimenting with sound. Sorry So Sorry is a break up song without the heartache, only clean cut honesty, no resentment, and a catchy chorus. Us in the Summer was cignature’s highest performing album until it was followed up by their final group release Sweetie but Saltie. While both EP’s have four tracks on them, their B-sides are quite distinct. Sorry So Sorry is a song that says ‘I’m sorry for leaving but I’d rather be alone than be unhappy’. 

T

• Trick or Trigg [Steal Heart EP 2024]
• Primrose

With the title track Steal Heart and iconic pre-release Feel It, one would think that PRIMROSE showed had already showed the audience the best of the album with this comeback. However, Trick or Trigg brings listeners in who are fans of a more sultry sound. PRIMROSE is no stranger to concept changes but this song specifically is almost what we’d imagine to be on a playlist titled “PRIMROSE After Dark”. This is a song that deserves to be featured on action video games for its reminiscence to movies like Charlie’s Angels. Trick or Trigg definitely highlights a more grown up sound for the group but more importantly gives them even more room to show off their lower vocal registers. For people who love groups like PIXY and AOA, this song will definitely throw you back to some of their greatest releases.

U

• Unf/air [DALL, 2024]
• ARTMS

The re-debut of former LOONA members did not disappoint in any way. Virtual Angel, the lead track off the album, was arguably one of the most popular songs of 2024. The five members of ARTMS come together in Unf/air to deliver a coy early 2000s inspired song about the asymmetry of what love feels like when it’s unrequited. Similar to cignature’s Sorry So Sorry, Unf/air gives the air of trying to be as non-chalant in conveying deep feelings as possible. The track is very reminiscent of sounds we hear from pop icon PinkPantheress. For lovers of dance-pop and a little bit of fun yearning, this is the perfect song to make your edits to. 

V

• Vermilion [Wish You Hell, 2nd Mini Album, 2024]
• Wendy

In this jaw-dropping B-side, Red Velvet’s Wendy makes it known once again why she is considered one of K-Pop’s most well-rounded artists. Vermilion is a pop ballad that sounds heavily influenced by the sounds of Jazmine Sullivan, especially the bridge. Wendy has a way of playing with the colour of her voice in a way that makes a picture come alive, paired with the intense lyrics of this explosive song, Wendy leaves nothing left to desire by the end of Wish You Hell. She phrases her love confession in a way that conveys the passion behind her words. The slow, intentional hits of the snare and drum draw the listener in, making them feel each step that Wendy takes with her love, turning all her rainbow colours vermilion.

W

• Woah [Into the Cosmos EP1st, 2020]
• Rakiyah

While this track is sung entirely in English, Rakiyah is an artist who has crossed genres, languages, and has even found a way to use her history as an aerospace engineering student with her love for music. Woah is a song from her first EP “Into the Cosmos” and its title track Like You (너처럼), which is how many fans of K-pop and RnB came to find her music. Rakiyah’s charm and versatility in her artistry shine through in her voice as well. With a warm tone that sounds like honey, this adult RnB track is definitely one for slow nights in. Rakiyah is not afraid to experiment with genre, and her journey through the world translates in the way her lyrics are so descriptive and evoke such strong feelings. Whether she’s singing in English or Korean, Rakiyah is definitely an artist that should be on the radar of K-RnB and all music lovers. 

X

• X (The Journey Was No Joke) [1st Studio Album, 2021]
• CHUNG HA

CHUNG HA is an artist that almost needs no introduction. Blowing up onto the scene with her performances that landed her in the MNET project group I.O.I, CHUNG HA has kept evolving. Known as one of K-Pop’s dance queens. Now known mainly for her vogue-inspired choreography, X presents a more sombre side to CHUNG HA. The track follows a lover who is disappointed by being let down and left by her partner when she needed them the most. As CHUNG HA recounts the feeling of loss, she turns it around and reminds the lover that she is strong and capable of living life on her own terms. In the same way that CHUNG HA has consistently come back from turbulent times to grace the stage with her talents time and time again, her final message to this person is just as strong as she is: “You should’ve loved me at my worst. Now you just watch me on your TV screen”

Y

• Yah Ho (BADTITUDE) [Overstep, 1st Single Album, 2024]
• BADVILLAIN

This hip-hop track from the company juniors of VIVIZ was one for the books. While “Yah ho” is a cheeky Korean way of catching someone’s attention, or expressing glee, the song also gives off the same high energy as the famous “Shabooya Roll Call” that many cheer squads and spirit teams use to introduce their teams, and the individual members. Each member of the group has their moment to shine, with rappers Emma and Chloe Young coming in with particularly attention-grabbing verses. The vocalists weren’t to be outdone, however, showcasing their ability to mould their voices to suit any beat. BADVILLAIN is a group who not only shines as some of the best dancers in K-Pop, but also claims their spot in the ranks of “monster rookies” with their musicality too. 

Z

• ‘ZzZz’ (심심해) [reality in black, 2nd Korean Full Album, 2021]
• MAMAMOO

While it’s been a few years since we heard from MAMAMOO as a full group, their discography remains one of the fullest, most diverse catalogues amongst girl groups. MAMAMOO’s vocal abilities, and their rumored allergy to lipsyncing, has kept MOOMOOS (their fans) in their corner from their debut to the blossoming careers of each member as a soloist. It’s no secret that Moonbyul, as well as the rest of the group, have lyrical talents that fill their songs with meaning. However, MAMAMOO is also known to be unabashedly playful with their music too. ZzZz is one of those songs where the four members show that they really are just young women trying to grow up, find thrilling new experiences and find people to spend time with who enjoy their presence. The song holds a slightly more sentimental value to both the team and fans as it was released in November in 2019 before the global pandemic. As listeners were forced into isolation for the sake of everyone’s safety, the lyrics became almost a desperate plea for people to be able to meet and enjoy music together in venues where everyone’s energy resonates.

And that is it! Thank you for reading this far. While it was great sharing these tracks, it was also definitely a challenge at times to only pick one song for each letter with the amount of amazing music out there.

We hope you enjoyed this two-part read and maybe even found a new artist to look at. Far too often it’s easy to miss out on a great musical experience just out of hesitation to delve into an entire project. We sincerely hope that sharing some of our favourites has given you a stepping stone towards diversifying your grasp on South Korea’s vast music industry.

Should we try a boy-group list next? Let us know in the comments.