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Order your copy of the books on Amazon! Korean pop, or K-pop, has swept the world with its technicolor music videos, ultra-talented artists, and catchy songs. Although it has many aspects, such as boy groups like Stray Kids, soloists, and a mix of ballads and dance music, girl groups have made their mark, shaped the genre, and brought it to international recognition.
Let’s travel back in time and reminisce about the Korean girl group songs that rocked South Korea and beyond.
1. “Gee” by Girls’ Generation (2009)
First on the list is this bubblegum track by Girls’ Generation. This song shot the nine-piece group (at the time) to immense fame upon its release in 2009. Its colorful music video, infectious melody, and the “Gee gee gee gee baby baby” hook made “Gee” one of the group’s most beloved and recognizable songs and probably in K-pop history.
2. “I Am the Best” by 2NE1 (2011)
This song opens with a thumping electro beat and repeated chanting of the song’s title in Korean. From the first second down to the last, 2NE1’s signature song is an iconic track of its own, keeping the hype with every beat. “I Am the Best” combines hip-hop and electronic elements with powerful beats and bold lyrics about being the best. CL, Bom, Dara, and Minzy take turns showing their bravado throughout the song.
3. “Bad Girl Good Girl” by miss A (2010)
The song boasts a confident persona and conveys the message of challenging judgments people make about women. The lyrics juxtapose the idea of being perceived as a “bad girl” when one should be a “good girl.” The girls of miss A deliver lyrics that scream independence, self-worth, and assurance of one’s own identity in a song that expertly blends pop and dance. Its infectious beat established miss A as a force among their peers during their heydays.
4. “Nobody” by Wonder Girls (2008)
When it dropped in 2008, this song catapulted Wonder Girls to international fame. The retro-inspired track has a memorable dance routine, melodic tunes, and lyrics about not wanting any other man besides the one they love. Even now, “Nobody” is a nostalgic song for K-pop fans.
5. “Catallena” by Orange Caramel (2014)
“Catallena” is a quirky K-pop song with a humorous and playful concept. The 2014 track has a disco-inspired tune and a visually striking music video. The members are dressed in different types of sushi and seafood. Lyrically, the song is about a charming yet unattainable woman.
The group is a subunit of the girl group After School, which brought the hits “Bang!” and “Because of You.”
6. “Abra Cadabra” by Brown Eyed Girls (2009)
“Abra Cadabra” is known for three things: snappy electropop beat, unique choreography, and provocative lyrics. It strays from the usual cute image of a K-pop girl group. The dark and sultry theme of control and empowerment in relationships and the hip-swaying dance step are game-changers in K-pop’s musical and lyrical direction. The song established Brown Eyed Girls as versatile artists and solidified their status as a renowned K-pop group.
7. “Cheer Up” by TWICE (2016)
Following the heels of their debut song, “Like Ooh Ahh,” TWICE’s “Cheer Up” brought fame to the nine-member K-pop girl group. The song’s catchphrase, “Shy, shy, shy,” makes it easy to identify it even without playing it.
While “Cheer Up” is one of TWICE’s cute concepts and signature styles, their subsequent releases, like “Feel Special,” retain the bubblegum melodies but are now layered with heavy synths and a thumping beat.
8. “Red Flavor” by Red Velvet (2017)
This song has all the makings of a summer anthem—an earworm melody, an upbeat tempo, and a brightly colored music video. “Red Flavor” blends different sounds. The members deliver high notes and fresh lyrics about falling in love during the summertime.
The song’s popularity guaranteed Red Velvet’s reputation as one of the most sonically diverse K-pop idols of our time. Some of their notable releases after Red Flavor include Bad Boy and Peek-A-Boo.
Fun Fact: Caesar & Loui, the Swedish producers of Red Flavor, once pitched the song to British girl band Little Mix with the title “Dance With Nobody.”
9. “DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BLACKPINK (2018)
BLACKPINK made a splash in the international music scene with the powerful “DDU-DU DDU-DU” back in 2018. The song is part of their first extended play, SQUARE UP. Abbreviated as D4 by fans, the song is a unique mix of pop, electronic, and hip-hop elements. The fierce lyrics convey self-assurance, strength, and dismissal of what haters say. This song became BLACKPINK’s signature track and the start of their world domination.
Fun Fact: The track’s title imitates a gunshot sound.
Final Words
Korean girl groups continue to deliver memorable songs that shape their pop music landscape. From catchy melodies to braggadocious lyrics, each song is in a league of its own. As the newer groups continue to innovate their sound and agencies make their own group, these songs may become a standard of what a K-pop song really is.
K-pop songs can help you learn Korean a little bit when you play them as background music or listen to them in between activities. But the best ways to learn Korean are through immersing yourself in everyday language and signing up for an online class. For the latter, you need to look for an online Korean course platform and make sure they offer comprehensive Korean language classes. Some platforms have schedules you can fit with yours so that you can learn Korean at your own pace.