For many K-pop fans, the most stressful part of the hobby isn’t waiting for a comeback or securing a concert ticket—it is the “song sort.” These fan-made ranking games, which force users to choose between two tracks until a definitive list is formed, often lead to a singular, exhausted conclusion: “这也太难选了” (This is just too hard to choose).
This sentiment has recently surged across social media, particularly surrounding NCT Wish, the final unit of SM Entertainment’s expansive NCT project. As the group builds its discography, fans are finding that the narrow margin of quality between their releases makes the act of ranking them an exercise in frustration. The viral nature of these rankings reveals a deeper trend in how modern fandoms consume music—not just as a collection of songs, but as a curated experience where every B-side is contested for the top spot.
The phenomenon is epitomized by a recent trending post on Threads from user @myosbyrandom, who shared their struggle with a specialized NCT Wish song ranking tool. The screenshot shows a complex list of tracks, ranging from the high-energy debut sounds to more melodic B-sides, leaving the user in a state of decision paralysis.
The Mechanics of the ‘Song Sort’
From a technical perspective, these ranking games are more than just simple polls. Most are built using a variation of the merge sort algorithm, a fundamental computer science concept I encountered frequently during my time as a software engineer. Instead of asking a user to rank ten songs from 1 to 10—a task that often leads to “ranking fatigue”—the app presents a series of binary choices: “Song A or Song B?”
By repeatedly splitting the list and comparing pairs, the algorithm eventually converges on a mathematically consistent order based on the user’s preferences. However, for the user, this binary pressure highlights the “paradox of choice.” When two tracks are equally polished or evoke similar emotional responses, the requirement to pick a “winner” creates the tension captured in the phrase “这也太难选了.”
Who is NCT Wish?
To understand why these rankings are so contentious, one must look at the group’s positioning. SM Entertainment launched NCT Wish in early 2024 as a localized unit focused on the Japanese market, though they maintain a global presence. Their sound is characterized by a “fresh” and “hopeful” energy, designed to contrast with the more experimental or “neo” sounds of their predecessors, NCT 127 and NCT Dream.
With a discography that includes the bright, anthemic “WISH” and the more recent, rhythmic “Steady,” the group has managed to maintain a high baseline of production quality. For fans, the “difficulty” in choosing stems from the fact that the group’s identity is still evolving; every new release provides a different piece of the puzzle, making it hard to decide which “era” represents the group best.
The Psychology of Fandom and ‘Quality Stress’
The phrase “这也太难选了” has become a badge of honor within K-pop communities. When a fan claims it is too hard to choose, they are not merely complaining about a game; they are testifying to the consistency of the artist’s function. In the economy of fandom, “difficulty in ranking” is a proxy for “lack of filler.”
This trend reflects a shift in how listeners interact with B-sides. Historically, the title track received the bulk of the attention, while B-sides were treated as supplementary. Today, the “album experience” is prioritized. Fans meticulously analyze the production, vocal arrangements, and lyrical themes of every track, leading to a scenario where a B-side like “Dunk Shot” might be viewed as superior to a lead single by a significant portion of the community.
The impact of this is visible in the way fans organize their digital spaces. Whether it is through Netlify-hosted sorting apps or meticulously curated Spotify playlists, the goal is to quantify an emotional connection. The “song sort” transforms a subjective feeling of enjoyment into a structured data set, even if the process of creating that data is stressful.
Comparing the Impact of Recent Releases
While the “impossible choice” is subjective, the reception of NCT Wish’s core tracks shows a clear divide in what fans value: the debut energy versus the growth of their second iteration.
| Track/Era | Primary Appeal | Fan Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| “WISH” | Debut energy, brightness | Nostalgic, foundational |
| “Steady” | Rhythmic growth, maturity | Modern, polished |
| B-Sides | Experimental variety | The “hidden gems” of the sort |
Looking Ahead
As NCT Wish continues to release music, the complexity of these ranking games will only increase. The “difficulty” of choosing will grow as the group expands its sonic palette and incorporates more diverse genres. For the fans, the struggle remains a core part of the enjoyment—a way to engage deeply with the music and share that passion with a global community.
The next major checkpoint for the group will be their upcoming promotional cycle and potential new releases, which will undoubtedly send another wave of fans back to their sorting apps, once again declaring that the choice is simply too hard to make.
Do you find yourself struggling with your favorite group’s discography? Share your “impossible” rankings in the comments below.
