With over 2,300 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the brand new “Random Shuffle Review” feature.

The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets the full Bias List treatment!

Year Released: 2011

Though they’re no longer releasing music as a group, Secret were a force to be reckoned with during the early 2010’s. Their discography went through several distinct phases, moving between sugary, badass and sexy concepts with ease. Shy Boy is the first in their series of retro singles, calling back to 60’s doo-wop with a definite k-pop energy. Whether you enjoy the song or not will depend entirely on your tolerance level for the cutesy side of the girl group aesthetic.

I’m generally okay with cutesy, but Shy Boy tests the limits. Its opening moments are a barrage of cloying cheerfulness. Thankfully, the song quickly dials this down. We don’t often hear k-pop acts attempting 60’s influences, and Shy Boy scores points for its dedication to the concept. The swinging verses are especially effective, with hints of harmony and a bright, percussive drive. The chorus is pure cheese, culminating in an addictive “doo bop” refrain that will either enthrall or annoy depending on your mood. As the song moves toward its climax, we begin to hear hints of the powerful vocals that defined earlier Secret hits like Madonna and Magic. It’s certainly not one of the group’s strongest singles, but undoubtedly one of their catchiest.

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