Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. As usual, I prefer Monsta X’s new album to its title … Continue reading
Boy group Seven O’Clock released a truly underrated mini album last October, led by a pair of equally strong title tracks. Unfortunately, the group’s work seems under-funded and under-promoted, making it hard for them to stand out in the competitive K-pop market. Given these circumstances, I’m not sure if they’ll ever break out in a … Continue reading
T-ara’s Hyomin has been building up to her new mini album with a series of digital singles. Last year’s quirky Mango polarized opinion, while January’s U Um U Um went more generic. Neither made much of a splash with me, especially when compared to her group’s classic discography. New single Allure (입꼬리) falls into a … Continue reading
Like it or not, the post-Wanna One floodgates are about to open. I just hope the slew of upcoming solos aren’t all ballads. I can’t think of any better way to kill momentum than with a paint-by-numbers K-pop ballad, and Yoon Jisung’s In The Rain is pretty much that. In Wanna One, he acted as … Continue reading
While it’s certainly not the only factor in making a successful idol group, I’ve always thought that a distinct sound and concept is important. As solid as SF9’s singles run has been, I struggle with the haphazard nature of their discography. On one hand, they should be applauded for attempting a diverse spectrum of styles. … Continue reading
TREI are the latest in an already-robust slate of 2019 rookie groups to debut over the last few weeks. Hailing from Banana Culture (home to popular girl group EXID), the guys’ have arrived with limited fanfare and a surprisingly subdued roll-out. That approach extends to their debut title track. Gravity (멀어져) plays it straight, lacking … Continue reading
The other day, I cobbled together a playlist of every LOONA-related song and hit the shuffle button. I’ve had my gripes about their music in the past (mostly tied to personal taste rather than objective quality), but hearing the breadth of their sound was quite a striking experience. In less than two years, the girls … Continue reading
