Buried Treasure: WHIB – Play

A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

When it comes to the brighter side of boygroup pop in 2024, there are two production teams that stand above all others. One is the Wasurenai/Jeon Jin/Glenn/Haon/etc team responsible for TWS’s music and the other is the KZ/NTHONIUS/Dint/Meisobo/D’Day team, who are best know for working with The Wind. WHIB’s b-side Play (해!) nabs the latter team and sounds like it could have been at home on any Wind album. This is a very good thing.

Play is a whirl of candy floss, adorned with a series of indelible hooks and consistently upbeat energy. The song bounds right out of the gate with big stomping percussion. However, it’s not just the instrumental that charges onward with goodwill. The melodies (especially the chorus) are equally effusive. There’s a classic K-pop touch fueling every moment. In another world, this could have been an early GFriend track. It shares that same sense of “powerful innocence” — cute and fresh but built upon a deep well of musical skill. Coupled with fantastic title track Rush Of Joy, WHIB have burst onto my radar like a comet. I hope they continue this trajectory!

Grade: B+