Originally published on my Substack newsletter, Noona’s K-Radar. Subscribe there to get weekly music recs straight to your inbox!
Welcome to the first episode of Noona Siti’s K-Radar 👏 I’m formatting this similar to a Korean music show, where I will list the Hot Comebacks & Debuts 🔥, The Special Stage 💎, The Top 3 Nominees 🔢 and The Final Winner 🏆There may also be a Special Global Stage 🌏
Before we hit down to the songs that caught my K-radar, a disclaimer that this is totally based on my own taste of music. There may be new music out there, which are good but did not make it to my list. It does not mean that those are bad songs. It’s not one I would listen to 🙇♀️
On to our first episode!
Hot Comebacks & Debuts 🔥
- If I Die Tomorrow by ASC2NT
- Foot by O.O.O
- If It Is You by Paul Blanco
- Freewill by BUMKEY, BewhY
- Stardust by KyoungSeo
- SAUCIN’ by NEXZ
- Love Again by LEECHANGSUB
- MONEYMONEYMONEY by CORTIS
- Mexico by CHUNG HA
- Slow It Down by Felix
- anime by TABLO, BANG YEDAM
- Sunburst by RIIZE
- Skibidi by Girls’ Generation-HRS
- I Still Remember by Infinite
- Home by YEONJUN
- This & That by Stray Kids
The Special Stage 💎
- BiiG by BIGBANG: Trust G-Dragon to create a song that’s different from their past releases. I’m not sure how to describe this except imagine current K-pop songs you listen to and it got touched by the golden hands of G-Dragon. They released this on August 19 to mark their 20th anniversary so it’s a gift to their fans who have waited for them for so long. Of course, it’s just three of them without T.O.P and he who must not be named. Nonetheless, three of them can still carry BIGBANG’s name to the top as it reached No. 1 on Korea’s Melon Top100 chart in a matter of an hour!
The Top 3 Nominees 🔢
- Blingy by NCT 127
- Bloody Paradise by ENHYPEN
- SaWaDiKa by LISA
Noona Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Blingy NCT 127 | Bloody Paradise ENHYPEN | SaWaDiKa LISA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noona Digital Score | 2,500 pts (I’m an NCTzen but I listened to this less than Bloody Paradise sobs) | 5,000 pts (I listened to this on repeat for a whole day, I’m not kidding!) | 2,000 pts (It’s so new I listened to this just twice but it’s already a song I vibed to) |
| Aju NICE! Factor | 2,500 pts | 2,500 pts | 2,500 pts |
| Visual / MV Score | 1,000 pts | 500 pts | 1,500 pts (The way she embraced her culture. I love it! And her dancers are Thai. She’s so good!) |
| Vibe Score | 1,000 pts | 1,000 pts | 1,000 pts |
| TOTAL SCORE | 7,000 pts | 9,000 pts | 7,000 pts |
The Final Winner 🏆
- Bloody Paradise by ENHYPEN: That Digital Score. I’m actually concerned that in September, my top Spotify track will be this song instead of a song by TOMORROW X TOGETHER 😱
Special Global Stage 🌏
- Setsuna Hanabi by TOMORROW X TOGETHER: This song and Bloody Paradise has similar vibes. Thankfully for ENHYPEN, this is TXT’s Japanese release or else… this song would have been Noona’s #1 choice. Anyways… the song aside, the MV is just chef’s kiss. And truly, as a corporate girlie, I felt Kai’s role deep within me 😭
Enjoyed this music show lineup?
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