Building off my “Most Epic Days in K-pop” feature, I thought I’d spotlight some of the most epic weeks in K-pop history.
K-pop is a Monday through Friday affair (at least in my time zone), with some weeks stuffed to the brim with releases. But, not all include multiple 9+ rated songs. This feature will take you through some of these blockbuster weeks, day by day.
Epic Days: July 14, 2014 // June 22, 2015
March 5-9, 2012
TUESDAY: Bigbang – Fantastic Baby
After a lull on Monday, the week kicked off with the debut of Fantastic Baby‘s music video. The song had been revealed a few days prior as part of the group’s album Alive, but in true YG fashion the guys promoted several title tracks. Following the more subdued sounds of Bad Boy and Blue, Fantastic Baby knocked down the door with electropop fury. It’s an undisputed K-pop classic.
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 10 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 10 |
TUESDAY: C-Real – Joma Joma
You may not know the name C-Real (or as I like to think of them: “cereal”), but this underrated girl group released some solid material. During this period, K-pop was still flirting with a 60’s retro trend. Joma Joma adheres to this soundscape, throwing a catchy melody over the top. It’s cute without being saccharine, and the harmonized chorus sounds great.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
WEDNESDAY: Nine Muses – Ticket
This being 2012, you know Sweetune had something to say! Nine Muses released their long-awaited mini album after several digital singles. Ticket fused everything together in an irresistible package, led by its swirling chorus and layered vocal. Surf guitar rounds out the arrangement, crafting an earworm for the ages. Their imperial phase was well on its way!
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 10 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 10 |
THURSDAY: EXO – History
Well, this is one of my favorite K-pop songs of all-time. Is there anything left to say about how fantastic it is? History preceded the impending debut of EXO and was performed by the group’s “K” and “M” units, back when SM was still riding high on the whole “super powers from EXO planet” concept. The song is an immortal banger, and hints at an incredible career to come.
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 10 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 10 |
OTHER RELEASES
B1A4’s This Time Is Over, which was pre-released ahead of the album the following week:
LEDapple’s Sadness, which would later be promoted with a music video (March 26):
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I never thought I’d hear someone bring up C-Real again! I was a big fan of theirs at the time, but they unfortunately just got totally lost in the girl group boom of 2011.
This week truly was epic, the release of Alive and looming EXO debut made 2012 feel SO exciting!
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Ticket is one of MANY title tracks that should have catapulted 9 Muses into stardom or even just ONE show win, alas
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BIGBANG🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
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I had never heard of C-real before. That song is really cute! The dance is also unique and stylish.
Also, wow, fantastic baby. Yassss, classic.
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TOP’s verse on Fantastic Baby is so good. The cadence of the rap is so strong, it blurs the line between rap and singing and chanted to a poetic perfection.
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Hello. I heard talking about TOP’s verse on Fantastic Baby (aka the moment that singlehandedly got me into Kpop) so I’m here.
…unfortunately I have nothing to say. It may be the best verse he has ever done (but prove me wrong). It’s just fantastic…. baby. Ha.
I will say though that I really miss high intensity, well-timed cadence verses like that. Kpop rap breaks sometimes sound a little lackluster and predictable instead of the energy-builder they could be.
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I’ve extolled every group you’ve listed here with the exception of C-REAL, but that changes today. While “Joma Joma” is the track that made this list, it was “No No No No No”* from “Round 1” (2011), their first EP, that endeared me to the group. This was back when “cutesy” was in full swing for girl groups. There was enough personality in that song to hook me in.
“Sorry But I” (2012) was released as a single two months after “Joma Joma” released on the “Love Diary” EP, and while I’m not a huge ballad-y fan, I loved seeing the girls get a chance to show off their singing chops.
C-REAL hasn’t released anything since 2012. In 2013, their agency stated the girls were on indefinite hiatus as they returned to school so they have never been officially declared as disbanded, but.. ..umm.. ..yeah.
* Fun Tidbit: The MV for “No No No No No” featured Cheon Dung from MBLAQ.
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