The genre of K-pop is vast and all-encompassing; to find a song that fits your personal preference is an easy feat. However, with many of the well-known K-Pop singers and groups dominating the market with each release, it is no surprise how the lesser known groups have a hard time getting their songs to even be heard. As their songs continually fail to capture their audience’s attention, these lesser known K-pop groups fade further into obscurity, and eventually have no choice but to disband.

One such group that was on the verge of disbandment is Brave Girls. Their 2017 single Rollin’ however proved to be a sleeper hit. After a viral compilation video made its way around the web, Rollin’ made an uncharted rise to the top of the charts. This resulted in a career rejuvenation of sorts as they finally broke through and amassed recognition from Korean and worldwide audiences, 10 years into their careers.

In light of Brave Girls’ unforeseeable and commendable rise to stardom, here are five songs that you may have missed during their initial release, but deserve a second shot at success.

Tonight by SPICA

Release Date: August 28 2013

Tonight is a feet-thumping, feel good anthem that is indicative of SPICA’s multi-talented vocal prowess. All members show off their distinctive vocal colours yet somehow meld together in perfect harmony. SPICA is renowned for being a vocally strong group, often compared to powerhouse groups like MAMAMOO and BTOB, yet they have not found mainstream success.

Although the group has officially disbanded, a possible reunion could happen in the future as teased by the members. While waiting for that reunion, you can check out KEEMBO, a duo consisting of SPICA’s two main vocalists Kim Boa and Kim Bohyung. While listening to their songs, you can’t help but think about the wasted potential of SPICA.

Someone Like You by Dalshabet

Release Date: January 5 2016

When it comes to funky ’80s synth pop beats, it is easy to recognise it as a trend that has slowly made a resurgence, with recent K-pop songs like EVERGLOW’s LA DI DA and GFRIEND’s MAGO being clear examples.

It is easy to overlook this gem that Dalshabet released way back in 2016. Someone Like You is a powerfully upbeat song that draws from a place of electronic pop nostalgia, making any listener instantly want to groove. With its seemingly fun and pop beat, its lyrics are a sharp contrast with the chorus — “I hope you meet someone just like you, someone so conceited and selfish like you“, supplementing an additional layer of complexity to this energetic jam.

This song was produced by Brave Brothers, the same people behind Brave Girls’s Rollin’! Although Dalshabet has not been promoting as of late, you can check out the group’s maknae DALsooobin’s 2021 comeback, Sign.

Hwi Hwi by LABOUM

Release Date: April 27 2017

An energetic upbeat song that is bound to lift the spirits of listeners, LABOUM’s Hwi Hwi playfully incorporates whistling throughout the track, not only as a catchy hook but as a metaphor for kissing since the position of the lips when one whistles is akin to kissing.

This song led LABOUM to their first music show win, even beating out IU’s Palette, yet the group stayed relatively unknown in the public eye as they went on to participate in The Unit, an idol rebooting programme in hopes to find new success (a programme that Brave Girls’ members participated in as well). For a song that won over the likes of IU, Hwi Hwi and Laboum definitely have huge potential to break into the mainstream. 

Woo Woo (우우) by DIA

Release Date: August 9 2018

Woo Woo’s refreshing and addictive melody is the perfect song to remind you of summer. With easy-to-follow lyrics like “Woo woo woo baby woo baby baby“, one listen is all it takes for this earworm of a hook to stick in your brain.

This song is the epitome of a summer breeze as the laidback repetition of the instrumentals is sure to remind you of the days spent chilling by the beach and enjoying the sea breeze. DIA even managed to clinch their first ever music show win with Woo Woo, but just like LABOUM, they were unable to find longevity with their first win, with their recent releases unable to match their previous song’s success. But without a doubt, this song is a total summer bop!

Girls (어린애) by NATURE

Release Date: June 17 2020

NATURE’s 2020 comeback saw a shift into a darker, more mature sound for the group. Their title track Girls has a hauntingly mysterious undertone that surprisingly works well with its electro-pop beat. It has an alluringly addictive quality that enchants its listeners and leaves them in a sort of trance. This song has a bewitching, enticing trait that is reminiscent of the myth of Sirens, where sailors are lured into shipwreck through song. Even with the song’s dark and mysterious vibe, Girls is really a sweet love song about a girl’s innocence in the face of love as the chorus repeats – “I’m a little kid in front of love“.

Of course, there are many other K-pop songs that are criminally underrated. It was extremely harrowing to limit this list to just five songs. If you have any songs that didn’t make the list, feel free to share your underrated gems with us!

Written by: Joed
Image by: Winnie