In 2021, the queens of K-Pop brought powerful, jaw-dropping performances, playing sinister games and showing who is in charge. Let’s take a look at some of the best B-sides released by K-Pop girl groups in 2021.

“Pose” - Red Velvet

“Pose” is an up-tempo dance-pop song by Red Velvet from their grand comeback album, Queendom. With an impressive, energetic bassline and fast-changing rhythmic drum, Red Velvet's vocals come to life in the exciting atmosphere created by the song. The lyrics are a cherry on top, as the group encourages listeners to not pay attention and do what they want to do.

“ICON” - TWICE

“ICON” is a Latin-pop, dance fusion song performed entirely in English. The song is one of the most popular B-sides from TWICE’s latest album Formula Of Love: O+T=<3 , which recently became the highest-rated K-Pop album on Metacritic. An empowerment anthem, “ICON” is quite an appropriate word to describe TWICE in 2021.

“I’ll Make You Cry” - aespa

Produced by IMLAY, “I’ll Make You Cry” opens with an ear-catching synth sound reminiscent of Beyoncé’s “Diva.” The synth sound builds up as the song progresses, making it a club-ready dance track with a sinister vibe. The lyrics find aespa being vengeful, promising a hard-hitting payback for the wounds they incurred by being betrayed by a trusted person.

“Sorry Not Sorry” - ITZY

“Sorry Not Sorry” is an explosive track from ITZY’s mini-album GUESS WHO, and it packs a punch. The girls perform as confident leaders who remain unapologetic in their signature attitude. The track was as popular as the title track and was promoted on music shows as well. Featuring an energizing electric guitar, the song was composed by JQ, the founder of the famous lyricist team, makeumine works. 

“Poison Love” - Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher is not only known for their out-of-the-box title tracks, mixing rock and metal sounds with pop music, but also for their diverse B-sides. “Poison Love” is a beautiful trance B-side that appears on the group’s January 2021 mini-album, [Dystopia: Road To Utopia]. With cathartic lyrics, the overall vibe of the song is nostalgic, reminiscent of early 2000s electronic music, and feels like a psychedelic night at the club.

“I Can’t Breathe” - GWSN

“I Can’t Breathe” is a rhythmic, dreamy dance song by GWSN. With a style not often seen in girl group songs, “I Can’t Breathe” is quite possibly the most unique track on GWSN’s 2021 album, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOON. With experimental songs like this, GWSN have established themselves as one of the most popular groups in Korean music. 

“PLEASE PLEASE” - EVERGLOW

“PLEASE PLEASE,” a retro-pop ballad, is an impressive display of EVERGLOW’s (underrated) vocals. The lyrics are emotional and convey a message to their future selves as they beg themselves to never let go of hope. With a key change towards the end, the song becomes grander and is reminiscent of vocal performances by senior groups like MAMAMOO. 

“Skip Skip” - PURPLE K!SS

Mixing vintage sound samples, “Skip Skip” by PURPLE K!SS is a hip-hop R&B fusion song that wittingly expresses the story of a confident lover with humorous lyrics co-written by the group’s members. The song compares the emotional tug-of-war to skipping through incessant feeds on social media.

“YALLA” - WJSN

Written and co-composed by K-Pop’s resident comic songwriter Exy, “YALLA” by WJSN is an electronic pop song with a hard-hitting drop in its chorus, making it a very interesting listen. The lyrics enchant the listeners with sweet words that make it impossible to distinguish between reality and imagination, as if they are under a spell.

“Dance On My Own” - LOONA

After the success of “Star,” LOONA returned with another all-English track, “Dance On My Own,” from their mini-album [&]. The summer pop radio-ready song, about dancing free from the stress of the world and practicing self-care, was unfortunately never promoted internationally, despite having the potential to be a hit.