The 3rd generation of K-Pop, ranging from 2012 through 2017, has some of the most influential artists in the industry. So let’s put them in a save one drop one showdown.
For these generation showdowns, I am pitting each group’s debut track against each other. If a debut track couldn’t be used, I went with an early song in their discography. I also tried pairing groups based on similar concepts or musicality. Don’t forget to place your own votes for which songs to save in the polls!
Like Ooh-Ahh by Twice vs. Whistle by Blackpink
I am going into this with as little bias as possible since those familiar with the blog know how I feel toward a certain YG girl group. But I have to admit that I prefer Whistle over Like Ooh-Ahh. Twice’s debut track has definitely aged and I don’t think it is nearly as strong as some of their comebacks. So I am saving Whistle, but I prefer Twice as a group by far.
MAMA by EXO vs. Girls Girls Girls by Got7
I have to be honest and say I don’t like either of these songs. I really don’t like the chorus of Girls Girls Girls, but as an overall song in comparison to Mama, I do like it more. So GOT7 gets the save this round.
No More Dream by BTS vs. Adore U by Seventeen
I have to save BTS. My bias towards them is honestly too strong and if we didn’t have No More Dream, we wouldn’t have the rest of their discography. Sorry Seventeen. I do like your music but against BTS is a losing battle.
Trespass by Monsta X vs. My Type by iKON
I wasn’t expecting these to have such different vibes. Trespass is definitely more my preferred style and of the two, is the song I’d listen to again. So I am saving Monsta X.
Mr-Ambiguous by MAMAMOO vs. Happiness by Red Velvet
Happiness is generally what I prefer to listen to so I will save that. Mr-Ambiguous is too retro for me personally and I find it a little boring to listen to.
Hide & Seek by ASTRO vs. Gorilla by Pentagon
They are both good songs. I personally prefer Gorilla and would more likely listen to it again over Hide & Seek, so I’m saving Pentagon.
Knock by KNK vs. ECHO by Seven O’Clock
Two great groups that deserved more. Since I have to only save one, I am going with Echo by Seven O’Clock. I really like this song and have for a long time, so I couldn’t drop it.
So Dangerous by UP10TION vs. Fanfare by SF9
I like both, but there was something about So Dangerous that just caught my attention and got quickly added to my master playlist. So UP10TION is saved.
Cupid by Oh My Girl vs I don’t like your Girlfriend by Weki Meki
I like both songs, but I did get bored listening to Cupid after a while and don’t really have any desire to listen to it again. So Weki Meki wins the save.
The 7th Sense by NCT vs. I’m Fine by Victon
The 7th Sense is one of the most interesting debut songs in K-Pop in my opinion. It is hard to beat, and I’m Fine doesn’t manage to do it. So NCT is saved this round.
ON/OFF by ONF vs. CACTUS by A.C.E
I really like both of these songs, so choosing one is actually hard. I am inclined to save Cactus since I find it a bit more interesting and different.
Glass Bead by GFriend vs Pepe by CLC
I’m admittedly not a fan of songs in either style, but out of the two, the one I would listen to again is Pepe. So CLC is saved.
DamDaDi by Golden Child vs Boy by The Boyz
I like both songs and would listen to both again, so choosing one is hard. Boy is generally more my style, but DamDaDi is just so fun. Of the two songs, the one I am more likely to listen to multiple times is Boy, so I am saving The Boyz.
Which 3rd gen artist is your favorite? Let me know with a comment!
Doing my typical ignoring of the male groups…..
Twice v Blackpink: I’ve never liked Whistle. Dunno why. Like Ooh Ah isn’t my favorite Twice song by a long shot, but I’m happy to listen to it from time to time while I actively avoid Whistle, so…… Twice gets the nod for me. If you’d picked Boombayah instead of Whistle as BP’s debut, well…. I love Boombayah and BP would have totally gotten my vote in that case, however.
Mamamoo v Red Velvet: Don’t really care much either way. I’ve only ever heard this Mamamoo song in their Killing Voice medley before today and found it fine but not terribly exciting. I’ve never heard this Red Velvet tune before. It was more upbeat and didn’t have all the odd breaks in the video so I liked that, but on the other hand Mamamoo’s singing was simply so much better, so I’m actually kinda torn on this one. Since I have to pick one, I’ll give it to Red Velvet as the winner of the coin toss.
Oh My Girl vs Weki Meki: I’ve not heard either of these songs before tonight. Cupid was… fine, I suppose. The “sing-shouted” chorus didn’t help it though, and I can see why you’d get bored when listening to it. IDLYG seemed to have that “it factor” that sounded more appealing to me, right from the get-go, so I’ll go with Weki Meki on this one, despite it being a song that I don’t think I’ll ever listen to again either.
Gfriend v CLC: Glass Bead is fine, the harmonies in the chorus are excellent, but nothing about this makes me want to hear it a 2nd time. Pepe started strong and has that “it factor” that means I wouldn’t be sorry to hear it again, though by about the 1:30 mark I was starting to feel that it was getting to be a bit repetitive and considered turning it off. It was still good enough I listened through to the end, and of the 2 I’ll give it the nod.