With over 2,600 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 “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: 2007
Before NCT, there was Super Junior. That might sound odd, given the two groups’ contrasting sound, but Super Junior were first conceived as the kind of rotational, unit-friendly act that NCT is now. SM Entertainment didn’t quite know how to handle this back in the 2000’s, which led the group to more-or-less settle on the configuration they have today. But during those first few years of existence, there were no less than five sub-units under the Super Junior umbrella — some including members who weren’t even part of the core group.
Unlike NCT, these sub-units came with drastically different sounds. Super Junior-T was probably the wackiest of the bunch. Not only did they perform trot music, but they specialized in the kind of energetic, over-the-top trot that is probably better suited for noraebangs than everyday listening. Rokkugo (로꾸거!!!) is their first (and only) Korean single, and a pretty sizable hit in its day. It’s an aggressive little beast, hitting you over the head with its incessant, shout-sung hook until you’re forced to surrender.
The track is played for laughs, as the members adopt the goofiest delivery they can muster over an instrumental that repeats the same blaring synth loop over and over. I’m sure it’s fun at parties and a blast at concerts, but a little of this goes a long way. Rokkugo‘s hyper beat and chant-heavy structure echo the kind of sound a meme group like Norazo is finding success with today, but this was released before “meme” was really a thing. Ultimately, It’s little more than a curiosity within the mammoth, mostly-strong Super Junior discography.
On a related note, I will die if an NCT unit ever comes out with a song like this. NCTrot, anyone?
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This song is a gift, a gift!
Suju play it at all their Super Shows, and you can imagine how much they camp it up. You can also imagine how much energy it pumps into the crowd. Suju are the kings of fan service for us ahjummas.
As a song to listen to, I am going to abstain from grading. I dont listen to it outside of concerts. It would be like grading “in the navy” by the village people.
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I mean, SS6 for example. They are all dressed in drag as Elsa, just because, with Let it Go playing, and then they all bust into a rendition of Rokkugo, as one does, dressed as Elsa’s. Only Suju does that.
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