In the past decade, K-pop has exploded in ways that were previously unfathomable to early fans of the genre. With its newfound popularity, at times, its humble origins have been overlooked in favour of the sparkly new thing. Today, we remember second generation acts Girlsâ Generation and 2NE1 as pioneers of K-pop, but girl group T-ARA were once considered formidable competitors until an untimely scandal stalled their momentum.
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T-ARA, however, remain one of the greatest hitmakers from that era. The eccentric girl group were famous for their diverse visual styles and vibrant sounds that questioned what K-pop could be and stretched its limits. As they celebrate their 15th anniversary, join NME as we look back on their legacy as musicians that have helped shape the K-pop we experience today.
Honourable mentions:
âTTL (Time To Love)â (2009)
âSexy Loveâ (2012)
âLittle Appleâ (2014)
âAll Killâ (2021)
âyayayaâ (2010)
âORGRâ (2014)
This oft-overlooked B-side off T-ARAâs 2014 album âAnd&Endâ taps into a myriad of genres â on top of their foundation of dance-pop, they try their hand at a blend of nu-disco and electropop that now, in retrospect, feels slightly ahead of its own time. The club-ready beats pair beautifully with T-ARAâs vocal range and soulful tones, becoming one of the quarterâs best B-sides to date.
âYou You Youâ (2009)
The concept of all-consuming love acts as T-ARAâs muse on âYou You Youâ, an understated cut from their formative 2009 album âFirst Absolute Albumâ. In usual T-ARA fashion, pulsating, mid-tempo electropop is the backdrop for an emotional, devastating tale of devotion that teeters on the edge of obsession for the subject of their affection.
âCry Cryâ (2012)
Heartbreak anthems set to additive dance-pop might be T-ARAâs go-to, but the girl group hit the jackpot with âCry Cryâ. The band croon of deeply cut emotional wounds as they navigate the aftermath of a tumultuous albeit passionate relationship, while the instrumentation goes from solemn and intense to dramatic yet danceable.
âSugar Freeâ (2014)
Created at the height of the EDM craze in 2014, âSugar Freeâ might have seemed like a play to cash in on the dayâs trend. But in retrospect, the simple yet effective song has become a staple in clubs all over Asia. Here, T-ARA sing of a life without emotional sweetener to ease the bitter taste of a failed love. Coupled with dynamic vocals and stellar rap verses, âSugar Freeâ is a certified T-ARA classic.
âNumber Nineâ (2013)
Think of âNumber Nineâ as the underrated older sister of âSugar Freeâ â with a heavy hand of EDM (although not as heavy as on âSugar Freeâ), this song is like the perfect fusion of both the EDM sound that defined the era and the softer dance-pop that punctuated their earlier music. âNumber Nineâ is achingly passionate and irresistibly catchy â perhaps the best words to describe their overarching style as a band.
âBo Peep Bo Peepâ (2009)
âBo Peep Bo Peepâ is one of those songs that you donât need to know to know. With playful Auto-Tune that could have only come from the late-2000s and a repetitive hook, the song took Asia by storm because of its playful nature and a choreography thatâs easy to follow. It makes sense that this was their breakthrough hit, few others can really capture their energetic, mischievous energy like this one.
âLike The First Timeâ (2009)
There is nothing quite as exciting as first-times, and thatâs what âLike The First Timeâ is all about. Itâs a feel-good (and slightly sultry) song all around, and was a very solid addition to T-ARAâs discography when they were still building up their legacy. âLike The First Timeâ is considered by fans as one of their best works to date and for good reason: who doesnât love an old-school club banger, especially when T-ARAâs singing it?
âI Go Crazy Because of You (ëë돸ě 미ěł)â (2010)
A long-time fan favourite, think of âI Go Crazy Because Of Youâ as a toned-down version of early-Lady Gaga crossed with G-Dragonâs âHeartbreakerâ. Itâs an immediate earworm that requires repeat listens. Needless to say, it has remained and will continue to be one of T-ARAâs best songs.
âRoly Polyâ (2011)
âRoly Polyâ is as inescapable today as it was when T-ARA first released it. As the lead single track from the quirkily titled âJohn Travolta Wannabeâ album, this song is essentially a distillation of â70s disco for a new generation. In the years since its release, âRoly Polyâ has grown more relevant as the disco revival continues to take hold worldwide. Do not trust a K-pop fan who doesnât give their flowers to âRoly Polyâ.
âLovey-Doveyâ (2012)
âLovey-Doveyâ is a certified floor-filler at clubs. It stands out among T-ARAâs discography as the most infectious (pun intended if you watched the music video). The song is a little disco, a little â90s teen pop and a little rescission-era club music, capturing the essence that made those decades of music so fun and easy to enjoy. Everything from its production down to its choreography, T-ARA truly cemented themselves as the queens of strobe-lit dance floors with this iconic smash hit.
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