Clean Kpop Songs You Probably Haven't Heard (Pt. 2)

What's uppp, guys?  So, when I put out the last post, I had been pretty clear I wasn't going to start posting consistently, but yeah, I'm fickle and I changed my mind.  I made myself a schedule, and my goal is to put out a post about every other week this year.  :]  Hopefully using my schedule will prevent burn out, so if you want to keep up with this blog's ✨consistent✨ updates, consider subscribing!

One of my readers suggested I create a Spotify playlist for the clean songs I recommend, which was an awesome idea.  I've made a playlist with all of the clean  Kpop songs I've recommended on this blog, and hopefully in the future, I'll start publishing more playlists (like clean reggaeton? 👀).  This reader also suggested I have a Google form where you guys can submit your own clean song recommendations to go on the playlists, so I'll link that up here, and probably start adding that to the bottom of all of my music posts.  (＾▽＾)b

#1  Pentagon - "Gorilla"

 If you guys haven’t guessed yet, I love Pentagon.  Of course they are the first group on this list, how could you expect otherwise? XD  I think this was Pentagon’s debut song, but don’t quote me on that.  It gives early BTS vibes, which is the music that got me into Kpop, so obviously I love this.

Anyway, I have to say that I am impressed that even the music video does not have any warnings I need to give.  I didn’t notice any suggestive dancing or outfits, or anything.  The English lyrics are in the music video if you want to double check them.  Side note, if you speak Japanese, they have a Japanese version of this song, too.  

#2  Oh My Girl - "Step by Step"

I need to start by saying that the title of this song generally shows up in Korean, and the English varies between “Step by Step” and “One Step Two Step,” so if you’re trying to find this song and you’re confused, that’s okay, lol.

This song is so beautiful, I don’t understand how it has faded into oblivion in the Kpop community.  Maybe I’m crazy, but I feel like this song just has the perfect balance between an upbeat, cute vibe and a K-Drama ballad vibe that makes it perfect to listen to at pretty much any time of the day.  In the morning, I’m singing this in the mirror.  At night, I’m journaling and muttering this to myself while the world goes to sleep.

I linked a lyric video below if you want to double check lyrics, btw.

The outfits and dancing in this music video were a little suggestive, but I think most people would find it kid-friendly.  Idk, I’m out of practice at rating these things, guys. :’)

I love this song because I feel like the style and theme is a little unique for a Kpop girl group.  Also, as an introvert, I gotta say the lyrics are so relatable, haha.  Whenever I’m awkwardly walking through school, this song is just playing on loop in my head.

Just assume if I'm not linking lyrics below, that means they're in the music video. ( ^^)b

Like I said, I can’t remember how I would rate how appropriate outfits are, guys. :(  There were a couple scenes where girls were in sports bras.  Also, this MV is definitely for people that like scary/Halloween vibes.  Everything is sort of cute-scary like a Monsters High aesthetic, but yeah, some kids would probably be freaked out by that nonetheless.

The lyrics talk about a chase, (e.g. “I’ll chase you like a zombie”) and use language to describe love with the zombie metaphor which might be weird to some people.  You can check the lyrics in the music video subtitles.  Personally, I like this song because, like “Unnatural,” I feel like it is using a unique theme for a Kpop girl group.

So, TVXQ has been around since 2003, and all I can say is that they’re still putting out absolute bops.  I love how the song has a chill-upbeat vibe and the lyrics have some actual substance.  It feels like the right kind of song for a mature group to put out.  Also, the MV has a little plotline to it, which draws me in every time.  XD

There are some body rolls and other boy-group-typical choreography that some people might find suggestive in the music video.

Anyone looking for Kpop songs to add to their Christmas list, congrats!  The chill vibes of this one are perfect for driving, cleaning, doing homework, or just cuddling up in your bed.  I know using “chilli” to talk about it being cold outside would bother some people like my parents, but I personally like the double meaning of the word.  In the Midwest, I gotta say walking outside in the winter does, in fact, feel spicy.

Although Seventeen is listed as the group for this song, it’s just the hiphop unit that performs it, for those of you wondering.

So, in Korean, this singer’s name is written out as “Hyoyeon,” but on all the MVs, her name is written as “Hyo” in English.  I legit thought I was tripping for the past few years when I would try to search this girl up and wouldn’t be able to remember if her name is “Hyo” or “Hyoyeon,” lol.

All of the comments under this video were bemoaning why this song isn't more popular, so I feel validated in including it in this post.  XD  This song has a little more of a Western feel to it, like I would hear this at the pool or at a Homecoming dance.  I wish, guys.  Unfortunately, it will probably remain underrated.

Guys, I couldn’t even find audio for this on YouTube, so it looks like this is another hidden gem, for real.  Please let me know in the Google Form I’ll link at the bottom of this post how many songs you recognize; I’m so curious!

iKON, like Pentagon, is another group that I had to include.  I like this song because it’s sadder, but it’s still groovy.  Maybe I’m too confident in myself as a Kpop expert, but I think if you add these songs to your playlist, all your friends will be impressed with your impeccable taste.  If that does not happen to you, please don’t tell me, I’m happy living in my over-confident bubble.  :P

My friend actually introduced me to Ha Sungwoon, and I’m so glad she did, because he has awesome, underrated music!  He wasn’t really my style at the time that she recommended him to me, because I tend to like the super heavy EDM songs or the ones with a lot of rap (basically, textbook Stray Kids), but even back then, I added this song to my playlist.  Everyone say, "Thank you, Kirsten's friend <3"

I really like the idea of a love song with puzzles as the theme.  There’s a lot to explore there, and it can be pretty relatable.  All that stuff is a puzzle to me too, is all I’m saying. :]

So, I started watching the survival show Boys II Planet, which formed the boy group Alpha Drive One last year.  This is relevant because several of the members of MCND participated in the show!  I really liked MCND when they first debuted, so it was crazy to see them on this show.  I don’t know who ended up in Alpha Drive One since I haven’t finished the show yet, but I would be surprised if any of MCND made it.  They aren’t getting much screen time.  :/  Spoiler for the first four episodes, I guess, lol.  I should note that this show is not the most clean since I have caught one swear word so far, and there are some guys on the show whose personalities revolve around trying to be "sexy."

Anyway, I remember "Ice Age" made a little bit of a splash since it was MCND’s debut song, and lots of people thought it was strong for a debut.  We'll see if anyone recognizes it!  (ㅅ´ ˘ `)

Congrats!  You made it to the end!  Your attention span isn't cooked!  I'm going to link a form where you can record the number of songs you recognized below this.  Hopefully it doesn't get confusing to have so many forms and charts down here.  (^^ ;)

I have a few posts in the works, so hopefully one of those comes out in the next two weeks!  I'm debating between a fanfiction one or another Kpop-themed activities one.  Whenever I post the Kpop-themed activities recommendations, I'm going to also update my old one, because that one is ancient at this point.  Of course, feel free to shoot me a comment or email if you have any posts you would like to see, too!

You can contact me at cleancontentcorner@gmail.com or by submitting a comment on the Forum page.  If you want to learn more about this blog, you can check out the About page.