There are few things I enjoy more than a great summertime song. They’re bright, they’re exciting, and they remind me of my favorite time of the year.

There’s no telling what this summer in K-pop will bring, but over the next few weeks I’ll be flashing back each day, showcasing a highlight from past summers. The rules are simple: I fire up my carefully compiled “K-pop summer” playlist, hit ‘shuffle,’ and if the song that pops up hasn’t already been featured on the site, it gets a post and mini-review of its own.

So, get ready for a summer of K-pop on The Bias List!

(View all the Summer of K-pop songs here)

<< Song 26 >>

100% – U Beauty (2014)

U Beauty (니가 예쁘다) was one half of a summer-specific single album, and you may be hearing about its excellent b-side as part of this feature later on. I love special seasonal releases like this, especially when the music is so good. U Beauty’s splashy synth-and-brass instrumental hits the spot, generating pure upbeat joy. 100% were always an idol group with especially good vocals, and that blend is harnessed for the track’s explosive chorus. It’s a deceptively simple pop song, but its charms quickly sneak up on you.