Underrated KPop Songs of Q3 2024
Here are 13 amazing songs you might have missed in Kpop over the last three months
Quarter 3 of 2024 was a biiiiig quarter for Kpop releases. We had major solo debuts, we had huge comebacks, we had summer bops galore. In the midst of all of this exciting new music, you may have missed some of these underrated gems. And now that I’ve been doing this for 9 months, you might start to notice some repeat offenders!
High by Seori
Seori is an icon in the alternative Kpop space. You might recognize some of her more famous singles like Lovers in the Night and her voice from her feature on TXT’s 0x1=Lovesong (I Know I Love You). Her voice is very recognizable and magical, and this song is a great showcase for her sound.
Mood for Love by Sanchez
Vibes are HIGH in this song. Sanchez is a New Zealand - Korean rapper and R&B vocalist who was previously a member of the hip hop boy band Phantom but has now been promoting a an independent artist. His voice is entrancing.
Wait by Hyolyn
Hyolyn was a member of 2nd gen girl group Sistar, but she is now a soloist under her own self-founded label. This is such a summer song, deeply influenced by the Afropop (in this case Afrobeats) trend currently sweeping Kpop and the joyful music video just screams summer.
Icy on My Neck by Bebe Yana
Bebe Yana was a member of girl group EvoL and is now a solo artist. This song is made for the club girlies and I love it!
Summer Rain by AFOTS
Ah I love this song too. The cymbals on the chorus literally sound like rain and the general vibe of the song is so soothing and refreshing. Here comes the shock: this is a virtual group created by the company SCON with funding from SM. Yes, virtual as in - not real people. Check out their recently published YouTube content! In combination with SM’s recent debut of virtual idol Naevis, I think I am going to have to dive into the world of virtual idols soon.
Love Attack by RESCENE
I gave RESCENE an honorable mention in my best debuts of Q2, but they came back this quarter with a shockingly strong first comeback. Listen to this song, check out the music video, and tell me it isn’t one of the Kpoppiest songs to Kpop this year. I love it.
Shining You by Sam Kim
I turn to Sam King, the reigning King of OSTs for my OST pick of the quarter. This is from the Kdrama Cinderella at 2 AM which looks super cute. This song is giving angst and sweetness, and if that is the vibe of the drama than I definitely want to watch!
Marmalade by SBGB
You may remember from last quarter’s underrated songs that I love SBGB! This sweet little song is the perfect end of summer mood.
N/A by The Solutions
Perhaps aligned with the resurgence of 90s/00s nostalgia, Indie pop-rock is having a little moment in the Korean music scene! You may remember my mention of MGFF last quarter, and this quarter we have The Solutions!
Who’s gonna love you by Beaver
Yeah I love this song. It’s uptempo electronic R&B and it’s suuuuuch a vibe. It’s also very very underappreciated. Check out the music video.
Flat Coke (feat. Lee Young Ji) by pH-1
Young Ji has been having quite the moment in Kpop for the last year. She is charming, funny, and talented. Her feature on this track by Korean-American rapper pH-1 (not to be confused with P1-Harmony!) is laid back and fun over a stripped back beat.
Satellite by Gyubin
Gyubin!! She debuted earlier this year at age 17 and over the last couple of years she has earned a reputation as a super rookie who is an ace in all areas and collaborated with artists like Wonstein. This song is a great showcase for her powerful vocals - her biggest inspiration is of course IU and you can definitely hear that.
In the end we’re just by Youha
Pleeeeease tell me Avril Lavigne angry girl pop punk is coming back. This song is SO good it’s giving me Avril meets Camp Rock Demi Lovato and it’s just pretty great. Youha was a YG trainee for 9 years (!), so she is super well trained and super polished and gorgeous. She should be bigger than she is!
There you have my list! What songs have you been listening to this quarter that I haven’t mentioned yet?