Just seeing this title, I’m pretty sure that you can name a K-Pop song with an insane beat drop just from the top of your head. A beat drop can change the trajectory of any song with just a simple note. Many of the songs on this list are known tracks that we all have danced along to. There are so many songs on this list that I had to split this into two parts. So on today's episode of Throwback Thursday, we will take it back to some energetic beat drops that bring pure joy to us all.

“Hate” - 4Minute 

For me, this group is very special. The reason is that 4Minute was the group that got me into K-Pop. 4Minute was a girl group under Cube Entertainment that housed the biggest names in K-Pop, for example, HyunA. On January 31, 2016, 4Minute released their song “Hate” to the public. The opening of the song did not prepare me for the hard-hitting beat drop at the chorus. The build-up at the pre-chorus merged perfectly and still gets me super excited every time I listen. 

“MAD DOG” - NCT 127

On March 6, 2020, SM Entertainment boy group NCT 127 released their iconic album Neo Zone. This album is so good, but one song we're going to highlight today from the album is “MAD DOG.” NCT is already known for their impactful, and dynamic music and this song delivered. This B-side starts off with a catchy, and energetic beat that makes you nod your head automatically. It’s another great dance track from NCT 127 that should be played at every party.

“MAVERICK” - THE BOYZ

“I’m a, I’m a, I’m a maverick.” I and many others know how good this song is, and how excited we all get when it plays. THE BOYZ, an IST Entertainment boy group, released their song “MAVERICK” on November 1, 2021, and we have been singing it ever since. The intro would hype any listener, especially THE B when it starts to play. Hearing the collective crowd singing “MAVERICK” at the concerts brings a smile to many faces. The beat hits you in your core and the bass rattles your insides. It’s a fun track that will bring anyone to their feet.

“Gotta Go” - Sunmi

We all know who Sunmi is, and how iconic she is. On February 8, 2020, Sunmi, and MUPLY released a drama OST titled “Gotta Go.” This song was a turn from the previous pop, quirky Sunmi tracks that we’d gotten from her at the time. The moment the song starts the bass hits you hard, and Sunmi wows us with her amazing dancing and vocal skills. It’s powerful and is a ball of fire the moment the first beat drops. It’s a track that has been forgotten but deserves to be blasted through all speakers.

“TO THE BEAT” - ATEEZ

“To the beat, to the beat, move your body to the beat.” I know some of you finished the lyrics. If ATEEZ is going to release anything, it's an upbeat, fun, dance track that excites us all. It was hard to pick just one song, but this song is so impactful I had to put it in here. On July 29, 2020, ATEEZ, a boy group under KQ Entertainment, released their album Zero: Fever Part. 1 and I have been streaming it ever since. On the album, there is one song called “TO THE BEAT” that rocked our worlds the moment it dropped. This Skrillex-inspired beat would hype up any listener, and my goal is to hear this song in person and to jump around with all ATINYs as this plays.

Edited by Vivian N.