KMA2018: Song of the Year

The nominees for the 15th Korean Music Awards were announced last week. Yesterday I had a closer look at the albums nominated for Album of the Year. Today it’s time for an introduction to all songs nominated for Song of the Year.

Red Velvet – 빨간 맛 (Red Flavor)

Girl group Red Velvet released summer mini album The Red Summer on July 9th. Opening track “빨간 맛 (Red Flavor)” immediately claimed the top position on Gaon’s digital chart with its deliberately summery appeal. The song is composed by Swedish songwriting team Caesar & Loui with lyrics from SM Entertainment songwriter Kenzie. “빨간 맛 (Red Flavor)” finished at #19 on Gaon’s digital chart for 2017.

“빨간 맛 (Red Flavor)” is also nominated for Best Pop Song while Red Velvet’s sophomore album Perfect Velvet is nominated for Best Pop Album. Red Velvet had another nomination in the same category the previous year.

  • 2017: Best Pop Song – “러시안 룰렛 (Russian Roulette)”

 

BTS – DNA

Boy band BTS put out Love Yourself 承 ‘Her’ on September 18th, counting as the band’s fifth mini album. “DNA” is the lead track on the release. The song is produced by Big Hit Entertainment’s in-house producer Pdogg. BTS members RM and Suga both contributed in composing and writing lyrics for “DNA” alongside Pdogg, Big Hit CEO Bang Si-Hyuk, pre-debut BTS member Supreme Boi, and Kass. “DNA” finished at #54 on Gaon’s digital chart for 2017. It also managed to chart on Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #67 in October.

“DNA” is also nominated for Best Pop Song whereas the mini album it comes from is nominated for Best Pop Album. BTS is nominated for Artist of the Year.

 

IU – 밤편지 (Through The Night)

Pop singer IU put out her 4th full-length album Palette in April 2017. As a first teaser for the album, “밤편지 (Through The Night)” was released as a digital single on March 24th. It is composed and arranged by Kim Je Hwi, who also recorded his own version of the song, and Kim Hee Won while IU has written the lyrics. The result is a song said to appeal to all generations. “밤편지 (Through The Night)” finished at #2 on Gaon’s digital chart for 2017.

“밤편지 (Through The Night)” is also nominated for Best Pop Song whereas the album it comes from is nominated for both Album of the Year and Best Pop Album. IU herself is nominated for Artist of the Year. IU has previously won the Korean Music Awards Netizens’ Choice for Female Artist in 2012 and 2016 and won both Song of the Year and Best Pop Song in 2012.

  • 2012: Song of the Year – “좋은 날 (Good Day)”
  • 2012: Best Pop Album – Last Fantasy
  • 2012: Best Pop Song – “좋은 날 (Good Day)”
  • 2016: Best Pop Album – CHAT-SHIRE
  • 2016: Best Pop Song – “스물셋 (Twenty-three)”

 

Woo Won Jae – 시차 (We Are)

Rapper Woo Won Jae became known to the Korean public through his participation on Show Me The Money 6, where he was coached by GRAY and eventually finished in 3rd place. Just a few days after Show Me The Money 6 came to an end, on September 4 Woo Won Jae released his first official single “시차 (We Are)” through AOMG. With Woo Won Jae responsible for the bulk of the lyrics as well as a strong rap performance to match, the track is produced by GRAY and features both GRAY and Show Me The Money first season winner Loco. “시차 (We Are)” finished at #33 on Gaon’s digital chart for 2017.

“시차 (We Are)” is also nominated for Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song. Woo Won Jae himself is nominated for Rookie of the Year.

 

Hyukoh – Tomboy

Indie rock band Hyukoh released the highly anticipated first full-length album 23 on April 24th. Among the two lead tracks was “Tomboy”, composed by Hyukoh leader OHHYUK together with Car, the garden. The lyrics are written by OHHYUK and describe the struggle of youth. “Tomboy” finished at #56 on Gaon’s digital chart for 2017.

“Tomboy” is also nominated for Best Modern Rock Song whereas the album that it comes from is nominated for both Album of the Year and Best Modern Rock Album. Hyukoh is nominated for Artist of the Year. Hyukoh won both Rookie of the Year and Best Modern Rock Song in 2016 while being nominated in three additional categories.

  • 2016: Artist of the Year
  • 2016: Rookie of the Year
  • 2016: Song of the Year – “와리가리 (Comes And Goes)”
  • 2016: Best Modern Rock Album – 22
  • 2016: Best Modern Rock Song – “와리가리 (Comes And Goes)”

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