Oh NaNa (Hidden. HUR YOUNGJI)

Of course, nothing defines KARD like the song that started it all — the group’s first pre-debut track and introduction to the world, “Oh NaNa,” featuring DSP labelmate Hur Youngji. Breathing new life into the K-pop landscape, the track fused the industry’s popular tropical-house trend with a lively moombahton rhythm, effectively establishing the group’s core sound right out the gate. Somin and Jiwoo, KARD’s two female vocalists, were praised for their mature-sounding vocals, contrasting the aegyo-style vocals of other female K-pop artists at the time. Similarly, BM and J.Seph, the group’s two rappers, brought interesting, distinct rap tones and cadences that differed from many other K-pop male rappers. Within three days, the music video accumulated 1.25 million views, and just eight days after their debut, Billboard named KARD as one of the “10 Best New K-pop Groups of 2016.” At this point, the world was ready for a co-ed group who wasn’t afraid to shake things up.

Don’t Recall

Two months after “Oh NaNa,” KARD released its second project single, “Don’t Recall,” a sleeker blend of tropical-house with hip-hop and R&B, and one of their most famous title tracks to date. While “Oh NaNa” was about exploring the intoxicating feeling of falling for someone, “Don’t Recall” explored the messy fallout of that connection. Rather than the quartet talking “about” someone, they’re talking to each other, creating this sharp back-and-forth (but melodic) argument between them about a relationship that’s no longer salvageable. Musically, the song is grounded in a more atmospheric rhythm and a chirpy synth instrumental that takes up the entire post-chorus — but it’s addictive and scratches an itch that listeners didn’t know they needed.

You In Me

Compared to KARD’s previous releases, which were more vibrant and upbeat, the group takes a much darker tone in its fifth comeback (first since officially debuting in summer 2017) with “You In Me.” While tropical-house and hip-hop are still the main crux of the single, the members began experimenting with EDM styles, signaling a small shift in the group’s overall sound. Thematically, it tells the story of a possessive, tragic love, where the two women portray an unhealthy obsession with a love that’s already dead. Its heavy hip-hop verses are moodier this time around, keeping in line with Somin and Jiwoo’s dramatic hook that tugs at your heartstrings even without knowing its message. Although the music video has a respectable 15 million views all these years later, “You In Me” is definitely one of the most underrated title tracks and deserves to be mentioned and remembered more than it already does.

Dumb Litty

Although KARD had slowly begun including bits and pieces of EDM in its discography, 2019 onward was definitely the era that they fully embraced it. In their digital single, “Dumb Litty,” the group goes for a grittier, sexier tone while leaning heavily on relentless EDM synths and a trap beat suited for the nightlife. It’s also the group’s loudest song at this point, making it one of the best live performances that gets the floor shaking because it’s such a fan favorite. The hook is passed around to each member, who offers something different with each delivery — J.Seph’s take is unapologetic in its weightiness, Jiwoo’s is playful and taunting, BM’s is wild with a fierce growl in his voice, and Somin’s is confident and magnetic. Its explosive dance break is also adrenaline-inducing, leading up to the final chorus and climax that leaves you feeling sated, but still wanting more.

GO BABY

Continuing KARD’s EDM-influenced songs, a special shout-out is needed for “GO BABY,” a B-side off of the quartet’s 2020 EP, Red Moon. Blending reggae, tropical reggaeton, EDM, and hip-hop, the track is incredibly infectious and playful, with its dance beat and reggae guitar adding just the right amount of bounce in its rhythms. The playfulness is used perfectly here considering it’s a breakup anthem about letting go of a toxic ex. Interestingly, it’s also a song BM cited as one of his favorites in a 2021 interview with EnVi Media, both to perform and just in general. Similar to “Dumb Litty,” no one member delivers the hook the same — the perks of having four members with such distinctive styles and tones. If you want something empowering but lighthearted, definitely put on “GO BABY.”

Push & Pull

Going back to 2017, another B-side that deserves more recognition is “Push & Pull” from the group’s You & Me album. Like its coinciding title track, “Push & Pull” mostly blends KARD’s signature dance elements with EDM with a bit of Latin undertones, but carries a darker and more emotional sound. While both Somin and Jiwoo sound excellent and tie the song together, BM and J.Seph’s rap verses are definitely the stars of the show here, each showcasing how different their respective deliveries are, but make so much sense when together. BM rides the beat with a smooth cadence, while J.Seph finds interesting pockets that emphasize certain words and phrases that catch you off guard. All of this mixed with Somin and Jiwoo’s dreamy vocals makes for a memorable gem in KARD’s soundscape.

ICKY

Since their pre-debut days, KARD has never been one to shy away from the sexiness that comes with being a co-ed group, usually taking advantage of their unique position to incorporate sensual tension and choreography that you don’t see much of anymore between male and female K-pop artists. That’s one of the reasons why fans were so drawn to them in the first place — the normalization of men and women leaning into that attraction without it being so taboo. In 2023, the group ups the ante with “ICKY,” an energetic track that groovy moombahton rhythms with Latin beats. This time, rather than dancing around the subject, KARD makes it known that “ICKY” is sexual, with lyrics dripping in innuedos and a spicy verse from BM that sent the Interntet into a frenzy. Like its title suggests, the bassline and entire atmosphere of the track are sticky, alluring, and heated — definitely an era worth celebrating.

RUMOR

Traveling back in time again to 2017, KARD was delivering back-to-back hits, each one expanding the group’s legacy in popularizing Latin beats in K-pop. In their third and final pre-debut track, “RUMOR,” the quartet continues playing around with reggaeton, tropical moombahton, and dancehall-inspired styles, providing another perfect summer anthem. Despite the song being about a mutual heartbreak stemming from miscommunication and false rumors, it’s actually quite lush, bright, and undeniably catchy. Between the dark electronic synth-riff and the laidback island vibes, the juxtaposition of its lyrics versus its musicality makes “RUMOR” all the more inviting, and is a theme that KARD had already just three songs into their career.

Living Good

Last but not least, feel-good B-side “Living Good” has to be KARD’s sweetest and most personal track of their entire career. As the closing song off the group’s debut EP, Hola Hola, the celebratory, beach-party-coded entry serves as a “thank you” to all the people who helped KARD get to where they are — fans, family, and friends alike. Compared to the group’s more Latin-based tracks, “Living Good” stands on its own with ‘90s/2000s synth and R&B elements, but still keeping that summer tropical vibe. 

Usually, when K-pop groups release a “thank you” song to fans, they opt for ballads or mid-tempo numbers — but this is more celebratory than anything. Lyrically, the song recalls the members’ journeys from their trainee days to debut, with some raw, personal shout-outs and ad-libs to family members and Hidden Kard (the group’s fanbase) that feel more conversational than pre-planned. While this is widely considered a warm, comforting song for most fans, there’s definitely a bittersweet undertone to it now, given the group’s impending disbandment. Regardless, at least we’ll always be able to listen to it and reminisce on how far KARD has come since then, and the long-lasting impact they’ve left in the K-pop world.