Disbanded 8 Years Ago, Now Back on Stage With a Second Chance in Their 30s

A short video posted by an online user brought a 13-year-old song back into the spotlight. BESTie, the girl group that disbanded in 2018, reunited eight years later after "Love Options" began climbing the charts. Their first music show performance in roughly 11 years drew praise for its steady live vocals and polished choreography. The members had continued building their careers separately during the long break, helping them make the most of the unexpected attention.

On Nov. 5, "Love Options" hit No. 1 on both Spotify and iTunes in Taiwan. It also reached No. 3 on iTunes in Hong Kong and No. 6 in Malaysia. On Apple Music, it landed at No. 2 in Taiwan and No. 5 in Hong Kong. In South Korea, the song peaked at No. 14 on the Melon TOP100, the main chart of streaming service Melon. The track was originally released in October 2013.

The spark came from an unlikely place. An online user took a dance video for "Lemon Tang" by girl group Hearts2Hearts and set it to BESTie's "Love Options." The choreography and music lined up almost perfectly, even though they came from different eras. The clip attracted attention online, and more videos soon appeared pairing "Love Options" with other idols' choreography. More listeners also began seeking out the original song.

A viral clip doesn't always translate into popularity for the artist behind the song. BESTie kept the attention going by announcing its reunion soon afterward. On Oct. 17, the group announced that all four members, Hyeyeon, U-ji, Dahye and Haeryung, would reunite. On Oct. 31, they appeared on MBC's "Show! Music Core" and performed a 2026 version of "Love Options."

The song gained further momentum after the music show performance. It was the first time in about 11 years that all four members had performed together on a music show. They brought back the high-heel choreography from the song's original promotions, delivering steady live vocals and showing a more relaxed stage presence. As of Nov. 6, the performance video and full-cam clips released after the broadcast had surpassed 8.65 million combined views.

The renewed attention was also reflected on the charts. Following the music show appearance, "Love Options" climbed as high as No. 14 on the Melon TOP100. The song had initially spread through another girl group's choreography, but BESTie's own performance was now drawing attention.

The members' continued careers help explain how BESTie delivered such a polished performance after years apart. Although group activities had ended, the members remained active in entertainment. U-ji continued performing as a singer and musical theater performer. Hyeyeon pursued a career in trot, a traditional style of Korean popular music, and appeared on TV Chosun's "Miss Trot 2," among other programs. Haeryung continued working as an actress, while Dahye gained recognition through "EXchange 3," a dating reality show on streaming platform TVING.

BESTie disbanded eight years ago, but the members continued developing their individual careers and maintaining their skills as performers. When "Love Options" finally attracted widespread attention, they were able to turn interest in the song into renewed interest in the group.

The passage of 13 years may have even added to the song's appeal. "Love Options" pairs an upbeat melody with a mature image. During the song's original promotions in 2013, BESTie emphasized that image through high-heel choreography and matching outfits. The members, then in their late teens and early 20s, are now all in their 30s.

The song and choreography remain familiar, but the overall impression has changed. With years of experience behind them, the members appear more at ease on stage, making the song's mature concept feel more natural than before.

BESTie's resurgence also shows how older K-pop can sound new to today's listeners. Many fans are familiar with girl groups whose members are primarily in their late teens and early 20s. Against that backdrop, BESTie's performances as a group of women in their 30s offer a different kind of appeal. Their mature image and relaxed stage presence set them apart from many of today's rookie girl groups.

The music itself also reflects a different era of K-pop. Produced by Brave Brothers, "Love Options" features a repetitive chorus and straightforward lyrics, most of them in Korean. It carries the distinctive sound of 2010s girl group pop. For listeners who enjoyed music from that era, the song may bring back fond memories. For younger listeners unfamiliar with that period, it can feel fresh and new.

The song's popularity in Taiwan and other parts of Asia is also worth examining. Overseas fans who discovered K-pop more recently may have had little exposure to BESTie's earlier activities or the music that was popular at the time. For them, "Love Options" may feel less like a nostalgic favorite and more like a new discovery. Its sound and performance style, different from much of the K-pop they are accustomed to, may have contributed to its appeal.

A short-form video brought renewed attention to a song released 13 years ago. BESTie then returned to the stage, turning interest in the song into interest in the group itself. The members' continued work in entertainment helped them maintain their skills during the long break. Their reunion shows how years of experience can help artists make the most of an unexpected opportunity.