Boy Group Soloists

With groups having so many members, it is not unusual for some of them to release their own solo material outside of their group activities. Some of your favorite solo artists might have a musical background in a group, for you to later dive into their music, while others may not have any group experience. So with this, here are some of my favorite B-side tracks that have been released from a member of a K-Pop boy group. 

“Just Like Magic” - Jackson Wang

Jackson Wang charmed listeners worldwide in 2022 with the release of his second studio album MAGIC MAN. Through this album, the GOT7 member and solo artist revealed a phenomenally new side of his artistry that had (and continues to have) a hold on my music taste. A 10-track album, MAGIC MAN consists of several incredible B-side tracks but the seventh track “Just Like Magic” became my favorite. This track fuses a rock, hip-hop, and reggae sound, immersed in a slow and upbeat mix, with Jackson’s soft and alluring vocals flowing over it. 

“Magritte In My Room, 2013” - JUN.K

In 2021, Jun.K of 2PM released a six-track solo mini-album titled, THIS IS NOT A SONG. Each track concocts a jazz-R&B-pop backdrop with JUN.K’s silky smooth vocals coasting over, creating a blissfully pleasing sound. Still, the third track “Magritte In My Room, 2013” instantly became my favorite. It is a stunning track that radiates calmness and class, with several references (including the title) to Belgian artist René Magritte and his paintings. JUN.K captivates the ears with how he sings the words “flying over my head” and “fly down over my head” in the chorus; one of my favorite parts of the song. 

“The View” - D.O.

From his second mini-album Expectation in 2023, D.O. elegantly sang of missing a loved one in its sixth track “The View.” The sweet sounds of this track provide notions of comfort mixed with sadness, as the EXO member’s heartfelt vocals sing the song's bittersweet lyrics against a calming instrumentation. The elongation of the word “view” and the emphasis of the word “miss” in the chorus add an extra charm to the song, and with its calming instrumentation, making it one of D.O.’s best solo tracks.

Edited by Cara Musashi