What’s your favorite Baekhyun song?
Kim Young Dae, a music critic and committee member for the Korean Music Awards (which distributes awards based on the recommendations of a panel consisting of music critics, radio show producers, academics, and other professionals within the industry), went through his top 10 songs of EXO‘s Baekhyun, and he had nothing but praises to sing about the artist.
This wasn’t the first time he’d given his thoughts on Baekhyun’s vocals; when he first listened to Baekhyun’s third mini-album, Bambi, he praised the idol for his incredible vocal techniques and for embracing the R&B genre. He even hopes to one day get to sit down in a formal interview with Baekhyun, so it’s clear how high his respect for the artist is.
[Youtube] Music critic/KMA committee Kim Youngdae gives thoughts on #BAEKHYUN and album ‘Bambi’ after his first listen (Rough trans)@B_hundred_Hyun #백현 pic.twitter.com/obMPNW3F0U
— ᴏɴʟʏ ʙᴀᴇᴋʜʏᴜɴ (@knetsonbaekhyun) April 1, 2021
Here are his top 10 picks and the reasons behind them, and we can’t agree with his choices more (to be fair, all of Baekhyun’s discography is amazing).
1. “Underwater”
“Underwater” is his #1 pick, thanks to the insane control and range of technique Baekhyun uses while still maintaining a dreamy tone. To Kim Young Dae, it’s the epitome of Baekhyun’s hard work and artistry.
the underwater bridge and end chorus is the best thing baekhyun has ever done pic.twitter.com/UfQSRugwsE
— spooky dori (@rosybbh) July 28, 2021
2. “Love Again”
The tone of “Love Again” requires a soft and relaxed voice, but maintaining it requires strength and stamina. It’s hard to keep the balance, but Baekhyun does it easily, thanks to his natural talent and years of hard work.
Love Again – Baekhyun pic.twitter.com/E0b4Xwb97r
— exo vocals (@vocalsarchive) May 30, 2020
3. “Candy”
“Candy” is Kim Young Dae’s favorite title track from Baekhyun because it’s simple yet full of charm, capturing the warm, soft, and romantic vibes that suit Baekhyun perfectly.
@kyungnanabibi normal lng po yan sa amin exo-ls 😂😂😂 #exo #baekhyun #live #candy #exol #fyp #foryou #foryoupage
4. “Privacy”
This song screams boyfriend vibes, and along with the jazzy melody, Baekhyun’s voice dances across the notes.
PRIVACY / “I’m right in the midst of picking you up now so don’t come out, just stay there. The freezing wind is rushing me today, rushing me to your warm embrace to hug you.”#BAEKHYUN @B_hundred_Hyun pic.twitter.com/CndrABotwf
— 백현 (@qtpiebyunbaek) March 27, 2021
5. “All I Got”
Does this even need an explanation for why it’s in anyone’s top 10? Baekhyun left everyone speechless with this song anyways.
baekhyun hitting all the “all i got” high notes while sitting down and eating strawberries 😭🍓 pic.twitter.com/1yUegFbSJX
— baekhyun loops (@BBHSLOOP) March 30, 2021
6. “R U Ridin’?”
@byunhyun0429 #BAEKHYUN #EXO #baekhyunee_exo #vocalking #geniusidol #exotic #kpop #fypシ゚
With an old-school feel and Baekhyun’s cool but warm vocals, “R U Ridin’?” is a song that gets you grooving along in seconds.
r u ridin’? (baekhyun), 2020 pic.twitter.com/ntlKqS3KpH
— 🌸 (@wordsbybbh) December 5, 2021
7. “Bungee”
While the style of “Bungee” is frequently seen on the R&B song charts, Baekhyun’s voice sets the song apart, taking it to another level only he can reach.
Bungee – Baekhyun pic.twitter.com/5cRIdmAp54
— exo vocals (@vocalsarchive) September 26, 2020
8. “Bambi”
A slow but hypnotizing song, this is the title track of the album Kim Young Dae is confident will go down in history.
@exo.lyrcs
9. “Diamond”
“Diamond” was a sound Baekhyun hadn’t tried before, and his flawless execution thoroughly impressed Kim Young Dae.
221007 #백현 a very rough translation
“i already knew baekhyun was really good at singing, so i had expectations, but when i heard this song (diamond) i was really surprised that he actually is able to sing this kind of song as well” pic.twitter.com/7QM6D5NePC— ᵇᵃᵉᵏʰʸᵘⁿ (@baekexoist) October 7, 2022
— ‘KNOCK KNOCK!’ (@knockknock0408) May 5, 2020
10. “UN Village”
Befitting of his debut, “UN Village” is a song that set everyone’s expectations high for what soloist Baekhyun would bring to the table, and he’s only gone above and beyond those expectations ever since.
190727 EXplOration in Seoul Day 5
무대 위에서 밝게 빛나는 백현이를 볼 수 있어서 항상 감사해
백현이가 얼마나 자랑스러운지 감히 표현 하지도 못하겠어 ㅠㅅㅠ@B_hundred_Hyun #baekhyun #백현 pic.twitter.com/St7wX1dTD5— 플러피 큥 ‘ㅅ’ (@fluffy_kyoong) July 27, 2019