#just kinda felt like hitting shuffle on my iTunes oops

[theredtours]

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[officialkmi]

UNDERRATED ARTIST: 24K

Okay, so when it comes to “24K,” I’ve heard of them, but I never got the chance to really delve into the group. They were a group I said I’d check out later, but they always slipped my mind. So, they’re naturally my first underrated group because even I’m guilty of not giving them the attention they deserve. And boy do they deserve it!

First thoughts

So, to get my first thoughts, I actually checked a KPop group website, which lists member info and details about them. This is usually what I do when getting into a group because I feel nervous over ages. I’m not exactly a minor anymore and I like listening to idols closer to my age. It doesn’t feel awkward having a bias in the group, that way. The first thing that popped out to me is their style. The photos released for “Bonnie & Clyde” are just really cool. They are all using the same color palette and style, which I don’t see as much for boy groups. The style will usually be the same, but matching colors aren’t usually something I associate with boy groups. The age range of the members is really good for my generation. I think it works well for high school age students, college age students, and even fans out of college (like me, though I’m only 21). The oldest is a 90 liner and the maknae is a 99 liner. It’s not often that you see a smaller group with a nine-year age range, but I think it works really well since it means it can attract a variety of fans.

One thing that I think is very important to note is that the members have social media. They have both instagram and twitter. I’m active on both, so I love being able to see posts by artists and see what they’re doing. To have a group where the members each have an instagram/twitter gives the opportunity for fans to see them interact while also showing if they interact with any other idols on social media as well. (ex: I’ve seen members of KARD interacting with each other and other artists). 

Initial Bias

When I first get into groups, I try to pick a member that sticks out to me the most. It makes me more likely to look into the group because I want to learn more about this member. By time I’m done learning about that member, I’ve also learned about the others and slowly come to learn that there is no such thing as having just one bias in a group.

The member who caught my interest the most is Jeunguk. Looking at his profile, he’s a 93 liner, so four years older than me. He also fits my typical type when it comes to biases: a rapper (there are exceptions to this...but not many). I think, if I’m being honest, his hair is what caught my eye. Reading about his love of dance really catches my attention, especially. To me, choreography is one of the things that I love of boy groups. Especially ones with the sound that 24K has. Just listening to “Bonnie & Clyde” tells me that they should have great choreography that I love (spoiler alert: they do).

Favorite Songs

Okay, so, I didn’t listen to every 24K song, but I kinda listened to a few pieces here and there to see which ones popped out and then listened to the full length of those. It was really hard to choose, though. The newest EP, especially, has such a wide range of music that it really shows their abilities. For me, my top three would be:

1) “Bonnie & Clyde” (Bonnie & Clyde) - this song is exactly my type. It kinda makes me think of some of the sounds I hear from groups like NCT, which are my primary pick for drive to work songs. Even though I usually hate strongly dislike songs about girls because, hey, I can’t really relate or make myself say, “Hey, this song is towards me,” the sound of this one is too good not to love! It’s something which really gets me pumped and, if I could dance, I’d definitely love it. I also recommend watching the MV because that is my ideal video. It’s colorful, has amazing editing, features the guys being guys in many parts, and really highlights their choreography. For a song like this, you need to highlight the choreography because choreography is what makes this kind of sound really work.

2) “Only You” (Addiction) - okay, so the song name sounded like it’d be a ballad. Which is fine, I love ballads, but they’re hard to pull off as music videos (and “Only You” does have a music video). Let me tell you, I was completely wrong. This music video may be one of my favorites of all time. The use of color, of props, the balance of matching outfits but also unique ones. This is an ideal video that makes my video editing heart swoon. However, the strength of the song isn’t just in the music video. The song itself is amazing! It’s so catchy and the chorus just hooks me so well. I’m honestly listening to this one on repeat as I type because it’s just that amazing. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do and I’d like to know why I wasn’t told about this song sooner.

3) “BINGO” (The Real One) - Okay, so this choice shouldn’t surprise anyway who knows I’m a fan of Boys Republic and Stray Kids. It’s got that real dark feeling to it that makes you pumped to listen. It’s the kind of song I’m looking forward to buying on iTunes when I’m not broke again and I can hear my coworkers yelling at me for singing to myself at work as I fold (yes, I’m that coworker, but usually you can’t hear me). However, I should definitely note that, while the song is amazing and the video and acting in it are great, you shouldn’t watch the music video for “BINGO” if you have the following triggers: guns, violence, blood, death. It’s one of those videos where they decide to kill the group members (there’s another group that did that...but I can’t remember which one).

I promise I’m not just lazily choosing songs that having music videos. This group is one of the few that I can say has multiple MVs released in a row that I like. (So, multiple comebacks where I love the songs + the music videos + the sound). I think I know...three groups off the top of my head that have been this successful at making me fall for them. It’s amazing that I’ve never listened to 24K, though, because they’re exactly my type and I really owe it to the person who contacted me about them because my life has clearly been lacking up until now. They even did the suit jacket without a shirt underneath before everyone else did (in “Only You.”)

You’ll like them if you like...

I feel as though fans of groups like NCT will definitely love them because I can see similarities in the sound (in a good way) which will attract fans of either group to each other. Additionally, if you like Boys Republic or Stray Kids, you may love some of the older work they have. The intro of the Bonnie & Clyde EP may also attract the love of fans of groups like BTS who like the Outros on BTS’ CDs or other rap-heavy tracks. For me, I’m a huge fan of Korean rap so I especially love songs that are rap-heavy (and ballads. I’m versatile. Oops).

Final words

What I love about 24K is that they have a variety of sounds, meaning they can appeal to a variety of fans. It threw me off when listening to the Bonnie & Clyde EP since it’s only a handful of songs yes there’s a lot of variety there. Usually for an EP, I like the sounds to be more uniform. I felt as though I might’ve skipped a few songs on the Bonnie & Clyde EP because they did jump around a lot in my ears, but “To.For You” would’ve made it on my ballad playlist and I’d definitely listen to “Bonnie & Clyde” every day before work for a good month before I got tired (then it’d be one I wouldn’t skip if it came on shuffle, but I wouldn’t add it to my five I must listen to during the drive). If you know anything about my music habits, you’d know that’s a compliment. Even with BTS’ newest album, only three songs are regularly listened to by me. Four if I’m in the mood.

I do hope to see more from 24K. I’d like to get the chance to learn more about the members and eventually call myself a 24U. Wish me luck and pray that I have a good paycheck since I’ll be buying a few songs of theirs once it hits!