♬♬ K-Pop Producer Spotlight Rate : #1 & #2 (LIKE A FINALE) ♬♬

Next Rate ?

  • SM Producer Rate (Yoo Young-jin, Kenzie, Hitchhiker)

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • Shinsadong TIger / Black Eyed Pilseung Rate

    Votes: 12 85.7%
  • Caucasian / Scandinavian Producer Rate

    Votes: 3 21.4%

  • Total voters
    14

Another excuse incoming, surprise surprise. I've been very sick since Tuesday, sorry about another delay. I'm still positive we will finish this rate by the end of May.






































cupid.png
9.2167
Composed by : e.one • EJ Show
Arranged by : e.one • EJ Show
#26 - #20 - #9

BOP : @RUNAWAY (11) @junglefish @Crisp X @Wills @Ana Raquel @ysev @codecat @Remorque (10)
FLOP : @soratami (7) @nikkysan (7.25)
PICKED BY : @RUNAWAY (#1), @Crisp X (#4), @junglefish (#9)

Can't believe I'm not even the lowest scorer of this one, whew.

Before you came for me, I'm a big long-time KARA fan. I've been a fan since Pretty Girl where I can watch the girl's terrible fashion and makeup in 144p quality. But I'm gonna keep it real like Shangela, none of their post-Sweetune stuff able to reach their peak, including Cupid.

Produced alongside EJ Show, Cupid lacks the polish and excitement their previous releases had. But that doesn't mean it doesn't has its moment. On the positive note, Cupid is light-weight, competent dance-pop. I like how it's very bright yet very sensual, a contrast to their Sweetune stuffs that was mostly going full assault. In the production, I also love that high-pitch synths that appears mainly on Youngji's rap part. And yes that rap ! Who doesn't love a cunty yet whispery rap ? Youngji walk so Ice Spice can munch tbh.

So what hinders Cupid from being great ? Well, beside that one synth, the production is a bit cheap and tinny. The main electronic bass is kinda annoying, and the DAW base-lite piano that runs throughout the song just screams lack of budget and intricacy. The verses also doesn't really hold up, taking the route where they just tumble melodies over one another without a good dynamic segue.

But all in all, Cupid is still a good K-pop song and its light quality makes it easy to listen in whatever mood. Last, our 11 giver @RUNAWAY confides : "any KARA appearance basically gets my 11 by default now. This song still slaps so hard, and it’s one of their absolute finest moments and a top 5 single of theirs for me."



I'm pretty sure many of you have listened When I Move, so let's support Nicole instead

 

What was Miss Fame said ?




























































dreams come true.png
9.25
Composed by : Jun-ho (Full8loom) •Jinri (Full8loom)• Jake K
Arranged by : Jun-ho (Full8loom) • Jake K
#18 - #13 - #8

BOP : Me @RUNAWAY @Slice of Life @codecat @thommyh @Ana Raquel @ysev @Wills (10)
FLOP : @FunkyButChic (7.25)
PICKED BY : @Slice of Life (#6)


The cosmic queens depart. LITERALLY, because 3 of them who sang in Dreams Come True has departed officially ff. Dreams Come True is probably the most bittersweet song of WJSN right now. Not to be dramatic , but the parallel between the song's message and how this is their last single as a complete group fff so heartbreaking.

But outside of the context itself, Dreams Come True is truly a masterpiece, one of WJSN's magnum opus. Full8loom did such a good job balancing their future-bass sound to enhance the "anime-soundtrack" trope, making it more modern and yet retains the melancholic and whimsical quality. That opening is absolute classic, from the roaring guitar into that bright, sparkly synths. But the main star of the song for me is the melodies. All of the parts are written so good ugh, mainly that double chorus with the second-part shines a special spotlight into Cheng Xiao's iconic, camp whisper parts. "Trust, trust in me" Absolutely put my trust on you, mother !

But they don't stop the cunt machine and decides to deliver the best bridge in K-pop. Utilizing the lesser queens for delivering simply gorgeous line :

kkumkkuneun daero da irweojil geoya~

And mother Yeonjung bulldoze all of the K-pop vocalists with her soaring vocals :

WHOAAH OOOOOOOOOOH!

Cleared the K-pop industry at ease. Let me not repeat this song too much because the tears almost slip in awe of this masterpiece.




Speaking of masterpiece, let's hear this ancient artifact too


 

Slice of Life

Staff member
I don’t think I’ll ever get over this performance………


Like…….

scream-professional.gif
 
Cupid is fantastic, what the fuck! I was convinced it was going to reach top 5. Y'all...
Gyuri absolutely devouring everyone in the vocal department. Queen.


sdlfkjsldjf This is lowkey my favorite part in Cupid alongside my friend, we're just mimicking Gyuri's straight-up-from-nose high note. Yas nasal chanteuse, Jessica Jung whomst ?

Anyway, our cosmic queens lose a song again




















































7.png
9.2667
Composed by : Gloryface (Full8loom) •Jinri (Full8loom)• Harry (Full8loom)• Seola
Arranged by : Gloryface (Full8loom) • Harry (Full8loom)
#45 - #21 - #7

BOP : @enjoy @Slice of Life (11) @nikkysan @RUNAWAY @ysev @junglefish @Crisp X @Wills @Crisp X (10)
FLOP : @Remorque (7.5) Me @soratami (7)
PICKED BY : @Slice of Life (#4)


And thus all of the 11s has been eliminated, congratulations both of you @enjoy @Slice of Life. As for my score on New Me, nn I promise you this is the last time I will be antagonistic on a song in our Top 10.

I've always been indifference towards New Me since it's released (my favorite b-side of that album is Super Moon tbh). I just don't see the appeal, and never understand why it's been considered as "superior" successor of godly You Got. New Me shares the sensual sensibility and 80s influence of course, but other than that New Me doesn't offer anything interesting. It takes the least favorite aspect of ongoing 80s / city-pop revivalism, relying solely on the synths as mood maker. Or in other words, this song is for the "vibe".

Sadly, New Me doesn't has enough melody as a backbone of the song. The chorus felt lazy, relying on that "haaa aaah", which ended up becoming too repetitive. There is no interesting parts or production twist added to make it more interesting, even the member's rap / sing-talk part are too subdued.

The rest of you disagree of course, just like @enjoy who speaks up about his reasoning : "A predictable pick but everything about this song is so sublime. The city pop influences, the melancholy, the vocals... They made several points here and it has to win a rate."





 
I'm truly sorry for another delay, I've just rescued a kitten and she was pretty sick . Here is our last song that doesn't make it into Top 5
































6.png
9.283
Composed by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one) • Choi Hyun-joon
Arranged by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one) • Choi Hyun-joon
#8 - #5 - #6

BOP : @FunkyButChic @enjoy @Wills @junglefish @RUNAWAY @Remorque @Slice of Life @soratami (10)
FLOP : @Ana Raquel (7) @nikkysan @ysev (8)
PICKED BY : @Slice of Life (#3), @junglefish (#4), @enjoy (#5), @Wills (#6), @Crisp X, @FunkyButChic (#10)


I I I ! Aah the little nugu song that could've had it all, Sonamoo despite their mismanagement manages to ascend into K-pop enjoyer heart through this tango-influenced boppery. I (knew it) manages to be in the Top 10 throughout the rate, it's apparently loved based on how many people also include it in their initial ballot.

Released in 2017, I (knew it) sounds pretty out-dated but not in the bad way. Not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good, y'know ? What I mean it has this strong 2nd Gen feeling in a sea of 3rd Gen K-pop, and honestly it's pretty refreshing. The melodies hearken back to the glory day of sexual concept a la AOA, Sistar or Girl's Day but amped up with punchier production and of course that tango flavor. Another latina queens in the basket !

The production of I (knew it) is very solid and one of the most unique e.one work. It's not full of synths but rely on the guitar and trumpet, making it sounds more organic and fresh. The chorus is once again definitely the strongest point, with the fierce "I knew it!" as an opener, it quickly explodes into a gargantuan chorus. The verses are strong too, melodic and dramatic just what I like from 2nd Gen K-pop music. The only downside of I (knew it) is the reliance on that high-pitch "I" that constantly appears throughout the song. Not everyone will enjoy that artistic choice, but I like it. It's giving camp tbh.

@codecat is feeling her telenovela fantasy : "My favorite scorned woman song in K-pop along with PLAYING WITH FIRE – the amount of times I played this song feeling betrayed by my boyfriend who didn't even exist when this came out........way too much" while @Slice of Life drags BAP and Secret : "the best thing that came out of TS Entertainment, im so serious. this should’ve been a PAK"





Bring back sexy mature concept pleek !
 

Our lovely fourth alternate






































5.png
9.30
Composed by : e.one • Shinsadong Tiger
Arranged by : e.one • Shinsadong Tiger
#5 - #15 - #5

BOP : Me @RUNAWAY @ysev @Slice of Life @codecat @thommyh @Wills @junglefish (10)
FLOP : @enjoy (6.5 , girl....)
PICKED BY : @Wills (#4), @Slice of Life (#8)

Can you say legendaric ? The Alfa, the song that starts it all, the song that kickstart the dreamy girls concept alongside Lovelyz, the song that saves WJSN from obscurity. That's Secret and you better put some respect on her name !

Despite criminally underrated and never making it into the chart, Secret should've been a mandatory listening to all of K-pop stans. Like, this shit is monumental, an achievement in K-pop history. e.one you should be proud for crafting this magnum opus !

What's more can we praise about Secret ? That music box lullaby as intro is so dreamy and alluring, a calm before the storm. And then bam ! The disco beat kicks in and our girls are prancing in the most beautiful dance sequence ughh so beautiful ! The verses are beautifully understated, packed with emotion but never becoming overbearing. When the pre-chorus starts to pick up the pace, you just know you are in for a beautiful ride and the chorus doesn't disappoint.

BIMIL ! I-YAAAAAH, AJIK ANIYA ! ANIYA !

Saur good, ugh my ears are melting like a candle lighted up by the Holy Spirit itself. The absolute DRAMA of that final part of that chorus is *chefs kiss*. And then they added the whimsical post-chorus, wrapping it up into one of the beautiful moment in musical journey. The rap is restrained, Exy delivers it powerfully without disrupting the energy of Secret. We also need to praise Mother Yeonjung once again, how many people are doubting her EVEN AFTER DEBUTING IN IOI and then she said "SHUT UP PEASANTS!", open her mouth and let the power of Cherubim blasts throughout the world. South Korea paid it dust because they are godless individuals of course, and for punishment God gives them half-baked 4th gen vocalists.




Talent always wins !


 

Our lovely b-side put up a good fight































































4.png
9.3833
Composed by : Jun-ho (Full8loom) •Jinri (Full8loom)
Arranged by : Jun-ho (Full8loom)
#5 - #7 - #4

BOP : Me @ysev @thommyh @RUNAWAY @Crisp X @Slice of Life (10)
FLOP : @soratami (8)
PICKED BY : @nikkysan (#2), @Crisp X (#8), @thommyh (#9)


GAGGED. Who would've thought You, You, You could made this far and become our highest b-side in this rate ?

If there is a song that could accurately depart us into that feeling, that atmosphere of magical girl like Cardcaptor Sakura / Sailor Moon / Angiewomon's transformation, basically this scene :

sailor-moon-transformation.gif


You, You, You
probably our closest one to achieve that euphoric phenomenon. Never thought I know a song could be this pretty, ethereal and magical.

Seriously the mind of Full8loom amazes me. You, You, You is meticulously produced, I love how it's drenched with synths and complex chord progression, yet somehow still maintains the lightweight and feather-like quality of it all. The synths choice in You, You, You are brilliant, I like how it still has 80s feeling but manage to be fresh and not outdated. The bass and the beat are funky and complex, but not eclipsing or competing with other elements.

The melody is mesmerizingly beautiful, it's simple but still has some intelligence in the writing. The pre-chorus takes a detour into something that is so poppy and punchy, before launching into another dreamy, mystical chorus. You, You, You's chorus also features a sudden minor chord transition that is so good, providing a melancholic dynamic and twist that manages to make chorus doesn't fall flat. Lastly, I would also applaud our WJSN girlies for once again providing great vocals. It's cutesy, it's girly pop, it's sugary smooth, particularly Yeoreum's vocal I'm living for this queen ! And kudos for the producer for not ruining it by putting too much vocal procession, leaving some echos here and there to punctuate that whimsical touch.




Speaking of dreamy, take a listen to Hikaru Utada's recent magnum opus too







==============================================

PUTA QUE ? vs STOLEN BY OHMYGIRL vs OLD FAG MUSIC

Pick your winner bestie, see you tomorrow

e6b1978e579233940f07ceb646bb4177796135ac.gifv

 

And the winner.....





































Is NOT......







































Okay, but WHAT. A. TOP. 5 though?

Wonder Girls for the win now. I'm manifesting!

wonder-girls-i-feel-you.gif

Kii













































3.png
9.40
Composed by : Park Jin-Young • e.one
Arranged by : Park Jin-Young • Hong Ji-Sang
#2 - #3 - #3

BOP : Me @nikkysan @Ana Raquel @Remorque @thommyh @junglefish @Crisp X @Slice of Life (10)
FLOP : @ysev @enjoy (8)
PICKED BY : @nikkysan (#5), @Crisp X (#6), @soratami (#8), @Slice of Life (#9)


This one kinda cheats a bit because the bulk majority of I Feel You is handled by JYP and his in-house producer sdlfj, but e.one still composes it !

Another legendary song, I Feel You and the parent album Reboot has canonically ascended into an irreplaceable piece in K-pop history as one of the biggest comeback and glow-up a senior group could be. Throughout their career, retro has always been the thing for Wonder Girls but in Reboot along with I Feel You, JYP and Wonder Girls drive their DeLorean even further and maximize that 80s essence even stronger.

Crafting a super pastiche song can be hard, it will either be cheesy as fuck or successfully evoke that nostalgia feeling, and thankfully I Feel You do the latter. The star is of course that killer synth riff, like whew despite hearing so many great synths riff, they still able to pull a great riff that is so bouncy and catchy. There is no way you don't wanna dance or your body doesn't move when you hear that riff.

The rest of the song feels very quiet and calm, with all of the members opting for coo and seductive whisper for delivering their lines. And it absolutely works and maybe the one that makes I Feel You a bit fresh. It kinda pioneer the city-pop / synth-wave trend in the future, where almost all of the indie scene also opts for very whimsical, whisper-y delivery on their songs. It allows I Feel You's instrumental to take the main stage, and enhance the nostalgia and melancholic factor of it. A fresh breath of air (at the time) for K-pop that seems so eager to mimic American music trend, all of the gays found quaking and quivering when they hear mothers were mothering.

Last wish from @Slice of Life : "snsd, kara…. Its time for wonder girls to reunite to complete the wonsoka trifecta" Sunye needs to get out from that Wooah whatever ASAP first !





This is the best song in Reboot btw


 

Damn where is everybody in this finale ? Are you girls busy dragging Hipposteaks ? Anyway two rate winners, two fan-favorite girl groups





































But only 1 could win

























2.png
9.433
Composed by : 1Piece
Arranged by : 1Piece
#10 - #2 - #2

BOP : Me @FunkyButChic @codecat @enjoy @Slice of Life @RUNAWAY @Ana Raquel @ysev @junglefish (10)
FLOP : @nikkysan (7, MESST)
PICKED BY : @Slice of Life (#5)


And it's not Lovelyz's time to take another crown. Still, it's doing very good in a pretty competitive rate. Congratulations my girls !

Words can't describe how much I love Destiny and how perfect that song is. It's so quintessentially K-pop. It's built from and for K-pop. Korean pop has always been fascinated for melancholic and dramatic melodies throughout their history, you can see it from the countless ballads and trot music. Even big upbeat Korean hits from the past like So Chan-Wee's Tears, SNSD's Into The New World or Hong Jin-Young's Love Battery, no matter how happy and electrifying it sounds, at its core all of the songs are built on sentimentality and emotion.

Destiny able to capture that once-in-the-lifetime moment, a traditionally written melody, woven with classic dramatic disco that is also updated with modern touch. Right from the start, Destiny takes our breath away with that life-alarming strings. The chorus is larger-than-life and absolutely chilling to hear, the dramatic and emotionally-charged of it all. The verses are also strong, providing us with 2 pre-chorus with the first one being like a "fake-out" before the second one pick up the pace even more with that fantastic chord progression, a great launching into our chorus. You can't find flaw on that bridge too, just like the chorus it was so emotional and breathtaking.

But Destiny will still fall apart at the hands of wrong producer and groups. 1Piece manages to make it intricately produced but still controlled without any elements being overbearing / overpowering others. Lovelyz themselves deserves their praise for the vocal performances, like wow the way every single line they sing is so convincingly sad, convincingly heart-broken. Truly an underrated vocal lines, and no this is not my bias taking over my opinion.


Here is @codecat warning for any of you with lack of taste : "Anyone who doesn't like this deserves to be slapped every day of the week forever"




Support our indie chanteuse and comedienne / singer btw



And support Kei in the new Queendom (Jesus pleek free my sisters from MNET shackle)
 

That means our winner is....

1.png
9.55
Composed by : Jun-ho (Full8loom) •Jinri (Full8loom)• Jake K
Arranged by : Jun-ho (Full8loom) • Jake K
#5 - #3 - #1

BOP : Me @codecat @nikkysan @enjoy @junglefish @ysev @Crisp X @thommyh @Slice of Life @RUNAWAY (10)
FLOP : @Remorque (7.75, fff)
PICKED BY : @soratami @Crisp X (#9)


PUTA QUE ! Congratulations bestie WJSN, now I know you've just disbanded but can you girls regroup and make a comeback or something ? Hehe.

If Destiny is an everlasting classic with modern touch, Save Me, Save You is a game changer. Sure, the christian horse girl anime-esque girl-groups music at the time are slowly adopting more synth-pop approach, thanks to the producers in this rate's work. But Save Me, Save You experiments with stronger electronic influence and pushing it to the front, and thank God that experimentation pays off.

Opened with that iconic dramatic piano riff and a simple Seola's line, Save Me, Save You quickly unwraps themselves to reveal the absolutely beauty of it. I've praised Full8loom so much in the past, but wow this time they FUCKING DEVOURED. Like I can't describe how complicated and interesting the production is, my ears are always tingled by it. It's like every listen there is another little aspect and detail that reveal its beauty. Another thing that I love about Save Me, Save You production is how it perfectly mix the ethereal, magical synths with future-bass and house influences that is so cunty and girlboss. That's how you manage to catch the hearts of the gays.

The melody of Save Me, Save You is also gorgeous, it's not overly complicated and every part of it are so catchy. Outside the chorus, the seductive pre-chorus is definitely one of the highlight and must be reserved for sapphic community. The chorus, whew.


BUTAKHAE !

So powerful, so catchy, so magnetic. The girls ate and delivers the chorus, brings out the needed energy and urgency. The bridge is also crazy, it may not beat Dreams Come True but it still devoured. The calming and whimsical part is so beautiful before Mother Yeonjung once again delivers the high note of the century. @FunkyButChic perfectly describes the cuntenserven of it all : "“Buttakhae! *power walk in formation*” Yeah, that might have changed lives." Exactly and I said ma'am !

The closing is so pretty, I love how calm and bittersweet that part is alongside the opening, and both of them Seola always delivers the drama. Truly an underrated force in K-pop, like that's an all-rounder superstar that you need Korea !

Thoroughly deserved win, I must applaud Full8loom once again for this gem. Every part of Save Me, Save You is perfectly crafted and sculpted, they should've been proud of this because it's artistically visionary and clearly coming from their passionate ambition in the sea of mass-produced products and genetically crafted to appeal the masses.










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I can't believe this rate is finally completed. THANK YOU so much for you girls that participate in this rate, like I love you girls so much. I'm grateful to find people that is passionately love what I also love.

I'm truly truly sorry for all of the wrongs that I do throughout this rate. The delay, the absolute lack of creativity in writings, the absence of beauty in my "graphic design", lack of content and numbers. After running two rates, I'm thinking of retiring because why I love the idea of ranking songs but kinda dislike the process of it all ff. Thank you too for giving me ideas for the next rate that I can run, but now I'm thinking of it maybe I need to take a rest for a bit. I dunno, if some of you want to run the idea or maybe want to run it with me, I'm open for suggestion !

Lastly, of course thank you so much for all of the producers that we rate : Full8loom, 1Piece and e.one. I'm thoroughly delighted that the Top 10 is pretty diverse and all of the producers have their chance on the top, shows how great and amazing all of the producers are and deserves every praises they got. I hope they can somehow find this and see it as an appreciation for their talentry and artistic values. I also hope all of us can find a discovery here, whether a song or an artist, and anticipate for their next amazing works.

Once again, thank you so much <3

DiligentWickedFeline-size_restricted.gif


 
he/him
Thank you @Attis for another superb rate! Your love for Full8loom, 1piece and e.one really shone through your write ups as well as your love for pure, enchanting, magical Kpop! The kind we miss and need more of!

Save Me, Save You winning is a win for puta gays all over the world. Truly one of the best songs ever crafted, not only in Kpop but overall. Nobody did it like our Cosmic Girls and nobody ever will!
 

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