RS Essentials: Our Top Six Songs by SS501

SS501 entered my life as a refreshing break. This took place about four years ago and while I often credit Boys Over Flowers as the catalyst for my interest in K-content, the truth is that it was actually the drama’s soundtrack – which I’ll discuss in the following excerpts – rather than the drama alone that sparked my interest in the first place. You may call it a domino effect. The music immediately drew me in, reinforced by how amazing the singers were to watch and listen to, and finally, out of sheer curiosity, I found SS501 eventually landing on Boys Over Flowers.

I deeply regret that the band comprising Kim Hyun-joong, Heo Young-saeng, Kim Kyu-jong, Park Jung-min, and Kim Hyung-jun has ceased to exist; I miss them in the contemporary K-pop scene. Regardless of the fact that three of its members went on to establish the spinoff SS301, the band’s collective charm went missing. This article serves as a tribute to SS501’s artistic brilliance and magnetic stage presence, in addition to providing another occasion to engage with their music as you read my pick of the band’s top six songs listed below.

“Déjà vu” (2008)

The title track from the 2008 album Déjà vu is a euphoric number backed by explosive sound and rhythm. It kicks off with beats and immediately becomes the sort of song luring listeners. Profound energy permeates the mood created in conjunction with a forceful refrain. In “Déjà vu’s” verses, passions are palpable, accentuated by rapid melodies, hip-hop rhythms, and slick choreography by the band members.

“URMan” (2008)

The amount of flair SS501 brought to their presentations is what made them superstars. At the time, their theatrics must have been quite stunning. I would describe them as prodigies who established themselves and their artistic expression, thereby flourishing during their tenure. One of their many songs, “URMan,” might serve as an illustration of that description. It’s a catchy soundtrack with something like a dreary undertone; sentiments orchestrated in SS501’s distinct style – cool chorus, great rhythm and solid vocals fueled by stylish music – and expressed through heartfelt verses: “I’m your man/ I wander the streets again/ I don’t know where/ Will you ever appear again?”

“Love Like This” (2009)

Old K-pop songs, in my opinion, are like vintage wine; they get better with age. Songs by SS501 are in that vein, and “Love Like This” is no exception. The track, which is technically a love ballad, features incredible vocal harmonies, rhythmic chords, and a fantastic vibe. A particularly notable aspect of this and other SS501 songs is how each member stands out vividly, even in chorus passages, with distinct vocal tones.

“Make Me a Lover” (2009)

One of their biggest hits was the second theme song for Boys Over Flowers. It is a hymn to innocent love. The song has a calming acoustic feel, and the band members’ individual tone traits contribute to the track’s absorbing power. To me, “Make Me a Lover” is the partnership between Yoon Ji-hoo (Kim Hyun-joong) and Geum Jan-di (Ku Hye-sun). Ji-hoo frequently offers to shelter Jan-di when she is in distress, but he is also secretly in love with her and longs to confess his feelings: “To the world, I want to shout ‘I love you’/ To love you and have you as my girl/ Dazzling, you’re always my star/ I’ll protect you/ I can always [be] waiting for you.” Upon hearing this song, I became a huge SS501 fan. This was the very first K-drama soundtrack I had ever heard.

“Because I’m Stupid” (2009)

This romantic song is yet another awesome contribution to the Boys Over Flowers OST. The music is moving and a succinct summation of how music transcends language. This ballad will certainly speak to your soul, whether or not you can comprehend the words. It depicts Ji-hoo’s broken heart that yearns for Jan-di’s love. With lyrics like “I’m really, really foolish/ I know of no one other than you/ You’re looking at someone else/ Yet you have no idea of my feelings like this,” the song captures Ji-hoo’s predicament of having to choose between his feelings for the girl he loves and those of his best friend, Gu Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho), who also has feelings for her. In addition to providing soul to his character in the drama, Kim added even more soul to this song with his bandmates.

“Loveya” (2010)

There was a time when I would watch the video and listen to this song on a fairly regular basis. I admired how SS501 used this soundtrack to produce a sublime effect. “Loveya,” as its name obviously implies, is a passionate love song addressed to the beloved. The rap lines are exquisite, the vocals are intense, and the boys looked like sexy, dapper gents in all-black attire with kohl-lined eyes and killer swag.