Your Disbanded Fave is series on the best b-sides from 2nd generation groups - check out BLADY's article here
SECRET are known for their flashy performances, whether fun & sexy or bright & cute. They debuted in 2009 with a hip-hop concept that was quickly dropped for a more trendy pop sound. Although they remained mid-tier throughout their career and are only now seen in the news for periodic updates on Jun Hyosung's lawsuit with TS Entertainment, they had a strong discography. Unlike most Kpop idols, their main focus was always their B sides, which is less public-friendly, but always top quality.
The time of "3 Years 6 Months" signifies the girls' training period. All of the girls came from different backgrounds, most of them training with different companies before signing with TS Entertainment. Their time together before debut was short, yet they were united in their similar training experiences. This song is not only a heartfelt, but also has a beautiful melody featuring a clocking ticking motif. It was clearly an emotional song to perform, making it stand out from other performances and debuting groups of the time.
In 2010, the "Secret Time" EP gave us two dreamy ballads: "I Want You Back" (Acoustic Ver.) and "My Boy." The version acoustic of "I Want You Back" re-vamped their debut song into a tune even more apologetic and heartfelt than the original ; "I was so cold, I was so selfish / Thank you for taking care of me / I want you back." It is a sweet, apologetic song that is free from the auto-tuned, tinny sound of the original. It is also a better representation of SECRET's future style.
"My Boy" is a classic SECRET ballad, with an exploding chorus. The juxtaposition of Hyosung's husky tone and Jiuen's famously clear voice is on full display, with bleeding lyrics about one-sided love. A perhaps unexpected B side to their most ostentatious release "Magic."
"Madonna" followed "Secret Time"'s prototype and gave us another brassy single paired with powerful ballad tracks. "Empty Space" might be their most well-known ballad. The instrumental is a very simple piano accompaniment, but the vocal performance is stunning. It shows off the vocal prowess of the girls while still encapsulating the jazz-esque 1950s concept of the album.
2011's "Moving In Secret" was an album that none of the girls loved; during promotions, they said it was rushed and they were recording a song a day. In my opinion, the lack of care put into it really shows, as most of the tracks mid-quality and may only be cohesive in that they all lack any inspiration whatsoever. Nonetheless, there are some notable songs. The melodic "Don't Laugh," unfortunately, is the one they chose to promote, which I will now purposely ignore.
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"Together" may have a rather melancholy tone, but is actually a very sweet song about their unity as a group. How true is it? The world may never know.
After releasing their first studio album, it was not until 2013's "Letter from SECRET" that fans were able to once again cry over a light piano track, sorrowfully missing a love they never even had. "Only U" from marks a return to sad secret songs, this time with a bit of 90s flair. Jung Hana is given full reign over the verses and an emotional bridge is belted from, surprisingly enough, Han Sunhwa. "Only U" was their highest charting b-side and remains a fan favorite.
If "Only U" was too cheery for you, "B.O.Y. (Because of You)" is another woebegone ballad from the same album. These two tracks are paired with their most nonsensical single, "Yoohoo," illustrating the polarized image they were struggling to keep. Although they were mature women, their best-selling songs were the cutesy "Shy Boy" imitation. This mismanagement of image, as well as contract issues, meant boundless problems for SECRET from then on.
But, let's finish off this list with not only their most tear-jerking song, but one Hyosung also once called her favorite, "Friends."
Sung for an OST during their debut era, "Friends" is the real hidden gem of SECRET's discography. (Sorry, "Calling U," but you did get performed at least once!). Enjoy!
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What are your favorite SECRET b-sides? Did I insult you by hating on "Don't Laugh"? Let me know in the comments!
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