Throwback Thursday: The Year Is 2015
Photo: Pledis Entertainment
It can be fun to take a look back at the past. Over the past two years, we have discussed specific years in K-Pop. Years that, to many of us, are considered the best years in K-Pop. We have talked about 2016, 2017, 2018 (twice), and 2019. So, it only felt right to go even further back and talk about 2015. So, let’s take it back and talk about the monumental year in K-Pop, 2015.
SEVENTEEN - “Adore U”
On May 26, 2015, Pledis Entertainment’s mega boy group, the kings of synchronization, SEVENTEEN, debuted with their full-energy, striking, and addictive EP 17 Carat. This EP was a first look into who SEVENTEEN is and what greatness they had prepared for us. This EP is home to five amazing songs that people still love to listen to, and we get so excited to hear them live. The tracks, “Shining Diamond,” “Ah Yeah,” “Jam Jam,” “20,” and their stellar debut, “Adore U,” are all fun songs to listen to, and the boys did an amazing job with each of them. “Adore U” is an upbeat pop song with a groovy bass guitar, drums, and joyful vocals. This track is so much fun to listen to, and the moment it starts, you are instantly captivated by their strong vocals, and the beat will have you ready to dance to the choreography. It’s such a staple when it comes to debuts and was the beginning of the SEVENTEEN we know and love now.
Red Velvet - “Dumb Dumb”
On September 9, 2015, SM Entertainment’s ICONIC girl group Red Velvet released their exciting first full album The Red. A jam-packed 10-song album, this is a hit from start to finish. With songs like “Oh Boy,” “Huff n Puff,” “Red Dress,” and “Day 1,” for example, you can tell this album is 10 out of 10. The album starts with their well-known—and my personal favorite—title track, “Dumb Dumb.” A thrilling track with a heavy brass band instrumental, high-energy vocals, and a danceable beat, “Dumb Dumb” became a title track we could never forget. Everything about this song is iconic: the robotic choreography, matching but member-specific color-coded red dresses, the Michael Jackson-themed rap verse during the bridge, and the electrifying ending. “Dumb Dumb” will always go down in history as a great track. It’s fun and will always withstand the test of time.
BTS - “Dope”
On April 29, 2015, Big Hit Entertainment/HYBE group BTS released their packed and iconic album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.1. Packed with hit after hit, this album is unskippable. Every song on this album is unforgettable and will always hold a dear place in all of our hearts. A song on that album that tends to stand out to many is “Dope,” an upbeat track that gets listeners hyped from the very beginning. The moment you hear member RM speak, you are instantly ready to party. Then you hear that iconic, “Ay yo, ladies and gentlemen,” and you are excited. “Dope” is a hip-hop-heavy track with a commanding EDM beat that showcases the skillful rap skills of members RM, SUGA, and j-hope, while also giving vocalists Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook their moments to draw us in with their soulful vocals. It’s such a fun song that many get so excited to hear to this day.
Edited by Bryn Claybourne