(Photo courtesy of BESTie's Instagram)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] Trends have a way of coming full circle. Songs by second-generation girl groups that once dominated music shows are finding new audiences through short-form content. Following the resurgence of AOA's ‘Miniskirt’ through the viral "hip communication" meme, BESTie's ‘Love Options’ has now returned to the spotlight thanks to Hearts2Hearts' ‘Marching Song’ challenge. What began as renewed interest online has even led to a reunion of the original group.

BESTie announced its reunion on October 17 before releasing a full-group dance practice video through member DAHYE's YouTube channel. On October 31, the group appeared on MBC's ‘Show! Music Core’, delivering its first music show performance as a complete group in approximately 4,000 days. A video released immediately after the broadcast surpassed 1.5 million views within half a day and attracted around 6,000 comments. Riding the wave of renewed interest in ‘Love Options’, BESTie has also launched an official social media account, sharing behind-the-scenes footage, choreography sketches, and other content to keep the reunion excitement alive.

For HYEYEON, UJI, DAHYE, and HAERYUNG, who have each pursued their own careers over the years, the reunion marked a long-awaited return to the same stage. As a song from the past found new relevance in today's trends, BESTie was given a fresh opportunity to begin another chapter.
 

(Photo courtesy of DAHYE's Instagram)

From Trot to Musicals and Acting…The Members' Individual Journeys

One reason BESTie's return is particularly meaningful is that all four members have continued building experience in their respective fields since their group activities ended.

HYEYEON expanded her career into trot music. She appeared on TV CHOSUN's ‘Miss Trot 2’, taking on new musical challenges and establishing her own identity in a genre different from the music she performed with BESTie.

UJI continued pursuing music while also building a career as a musical theater actress. With her strong vocal abilities, she has appeared in various productions, steadily expanding her experience on stage.

DAHYE returned to the public spotlight in 2023 through the TVING dating reality show ‘EXchange 3’. She subsequently expanded her activities as a solo singer and influencer. During the recent reunion, she also shared footage of the members together through her YouTube channel, making the occasion even more special for longtime fans.

HAERYUNG has continued her career as an actress, gaining experience in acting and revealing new sides of herself since her group activities.

After years spent pursuing different paths, the four members reunited under the name BESTie for their performance of ‘Love Options’. Their long-practiced choreography and natural chemistry remained intact, while their more mature presence brought a different kind of charm to the stage.

 

(Photo courtesy of YNB ENTERTAINMENT)

Coming Full Circle…Rediscovering the Sounds and Styles of the Past

The resurgence of ‘Love Options’, which ultimately brought BESTie back together, reflects the growing trend of rediscovering music from second-generation girl groups.

In the early 2010s, girl groups captivated audiences with bold concepts, addictive melodies, and memorable performances. High heels and dramatic makeup, in particular, were defining elements of their stage styling.

Performing intricate choreography in towering heels without missing a beat, while maintaining an effortless confidence on stage, became a signature image of girl groups from that era. Smoky eye makeup and glamorous styling further created an aesthetic distinctly different from today's trends.

These qualities are now being rediscovered through short-form content. AOA's ‘Miniskirt’ found new popularity through the "hip communication" meme, transforming a past performance into a new form of online entertainment. Similarly, BESTie's ‘Love Options’ has regained attention through Hearts2Hearts' ‘Marching Song’ challenge.

‘Love Options’ combines an upbeat rhythm, repetitive chorus, and choreography featuring high heels. Its witty and candid lyrics about the qualities one looks for in a romantic partner add another layer of entertainment.

Although the song was released 13 years ago, its relatable expectations and concerns about dating still resonate today. Lines about wanting someone who is "a little tall" and "looks a little like Kang Dong-won" can still make listeners nod in agreement while laughing at their playful honesty.

Performances that audiences once encountered primarily through music shows and music videos are now being recreated through short clips and dance challenges, revealing an entirely different kind of appeal. For younger audiences, the music and styling of that era feel fresh and unfamiliar, while longtime fans experience a welcome sense of nostalgia.

 

(사진= MBC ‘쇼! 음악중심’ 방송 캡처)

(Photo courtesy of MBC's ‘Show! Music Core’)

A Charm Overlooked Back Then…A New Generation Discovers BESTie's Golden Era

BESTie debuted in 2013 with the single ‘Pitapat’ and subsequently promoted songs including ‘Love Options’, ‘THANK U VERY MUCH’, ‘Hot Baby’, and ‘Excuse Me’. The group gained affection among girl group fans at the time for its bright, upbeat music, powerful vocals, and memorable performances.

However, there is a noticeable difference between the level of mainstream recognition BESTie achieved during its original activities and the attention the group is receiving today. Having promoted in an industry where numerous girl groups competed for attention, BESTie has found its name reaching a wider audience years later through a new generation's discovery.

This phenomenon goes beyond simply revisiting old songs. For those who remember the music from its original release, it offers an opportunity to relive cherished memories. For first-time listeners, it becomes a chance to discover new music and performances. As past stages meet contemporary memes and younger idols reinterpret them, new musical connections are being formed across generations.

BESTie's full-group performance is especially meaningful because that connection has translated into renewed activities for the artists themselves. What began as attention through short-form videos eventually led to a reunion and a music show appearance, setting the group's once-paused journey in motion again.

A song once preserved as a nostalgic memory becomes a trend among a new generation, and the artists who originally performed it return to the stage. Through remakes, memes, and short-form challenges, music from the past continues to find its place in the present, gradually breaking down musical boundaries between generations.

For those who remember the original songs, these moments revive familiar memories. For those discovering them for the first time, they offer the excitement of encountering something new.

The renewed popularity of girl groups whose appeal may not have received sufficient recognition during their original careers demonstrates how a new golden era can emerge years later.

BESTie's return represents something beyond the cyclical nature of trends. It shows that music can cross generations and find love again, even long after its original release.

Rediscovered through short-form content, BESTie's performances demonstrate that the charm of girl groups from that era still resonates with younger audiences today, creating a moment where music connects the past and present.

 yeonwoo38@hanteo.com