Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard!
Which month do you want to see next?
March 2011 Overall Thoughts
Despite the short turnaround time, my favorite March 2011 releases closely mirrored the highlights from January. We had two quick-as-lightning comebacks and repackages here, and neither disappointed. My number one pick just happens to be one of my favorite K-pop songs of all time. Number two (surprisingly) goes to a novelty song that’s more addictive and better executed than it had any right to be.
Speaking of groups often associated with novelty, I want to give a special shout-out to Orange Caramel’s Bangkok City, which would have easily rocketed into my top three during a weaker month. This song kicked off a particularly solid era in the group’s singles run that would continue through 2011 and onward. 4Minute also deserve props for book-ending the month with both a J-pop and K-pop release.
No big debuts this March, though U-Kiss returned with an overhauled line-up and a new sound. 0330 remains a great classic boy group track, and the guys would go on to follow it with even stronger material. ZE:A continued making up for the embarrassment that was 2010’s Mazeltov. They’d also move onto amazing things in the near future.
Honorable Mentions
Orange Caramel – Bangkok City (video)
U-Kiss – 0330 (video)
ZE:A – Here I Am (video)
4Minute – Heart To Heart (video)
Orange Caramel… /cries in a high-pitched ‘ittle baby voice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
(sniff, sniff). Okay, I’m better now. They deserved so much more. It’s a shame that they.. ..that they.. ..OH GOD HERE COMES THE TEARS AGAIN……
LikeLike
Oh Orange Caramel, we hardly knew ye, sniff sniff. waaaaahhhh
LikeLike
I have ZEA Here I am and Orange Caramel at 1 and 2 on my list.
Infinite threw in what we miss dearly these days: an old fashioned final chorus key change to bring it home.
Itaewon Freedom, number 2? heh, heh, now that is something I would do.
TVXQ – I hadn’t heard this song before. Its one hell of a slow jam song, isn’t it. Almost the very definition of slow jam.
One final note: there is a disconnect between your release date, the youtube video upload date (which could be a re-re-upload, after all), and the itunes release dates. This also happened for the Jan2011 and Feb2011 lists. I am presuming you are the most correct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, unfortunately it takes a bit of research to get the release dates exactly right. But rest assured, I do my research 😉
LikeLike
For me, Before U Go is the quintessential K-pop slow jam. The vocal performance gives me chills each and every time, even though I can feel the pain in Changmin’s straining.
LikeLike
These posts are fire. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike