Best B-Sides of May 2023

May has been jam-packed with so many great releases from artists across all genres of Korean music. From groups to solo artists to K-Pop to K-Hip-Hop, there has been something for everyone to enjoy this month. With this, here are some of my favorite B-side tracks released this May.

“Like a Movie” - iKON

iKON always delivers with each of their music releases, and this B-side from the group’s latest album, TAKE OFF, is definitely no exception. Composed and written by vocalist member JU-NE, the fourth track, “Like a Movie,” is a stunning ballad piece that further opens your ears to each of the iKON members' breathtaking vocals. While an overall incredible song, it is the chorus that I find to be the most impactful vocal-wise—the falsettos, the ad-libs, and JU-NE’s raspy voice—“Like a Movie” might just be one of my favorite iKON songs yet.

“CAKE” - KARd

Treat yourself to a slice of “CAKE” with the incredible B-side from KARD’s sixth mini-album ICKY. The mixture of its electronic, mid-tempo beat behind the repetitive deliverance of the word “cake” in the chorus is addictive and instantly has you bopping along to the song. My only disappointment with “CAKE” is that there is not enough of BM in there (who we only hear in the chorus.) Imagine how wild a BM “CAKE” verse would have been—probably too explicit for our innocent ears to hear.

“Moon Ride” - BTOB

Composed by rap member HUTA (Minhyuk), BTOB’s “Moon Ride,” the fourth track from their latest EP WIND AND WISH, transports us into the ‘80s and ‘90s with its funky New Jack Swing beat. The song carries a lot of great feelings that you can’t help but move your body to. As always, the BTOB members deliver impeccable vocals and rap verses, showing that they are perfectly capable of taking on various styles of music. If old-school-inspired music is your thing, then BTOB’s “Moon Ride” is definitely the song for you to check out!

“Tell Nobody” - DeVita, GRAY

The seventh track from DeVita’s latest EP, Naughty, “Tell Nobody” is a sweet collaboration between DeVita and K-Hip-Hop all-rounder GRAY. Against the romantic play of an electric guitar and soft hip-hop beats, the two artists sing about a secret romance that they don’t want anyone to find out about. “Here I go again / I just pulled up at your crib / 5 am, don’t tell nobody ‘bout why I’m here,” sings DeVita in the opening verse. “Tell Nobody” delivers classic love song vibes with beautiful vocal chemistry between DeVita and GRAY.

Edited by Asia Moore