There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: Yeonjun (TXT) – Fxxking Star
In the midst of a series of high-profile American promotions, TXT’s Yeonjun has released a follow-up music video for the track Fxxking Star from his newest album. It always cracks me up when artists use an “x” to self-censor a cuss word because it pretty much confirms they’re using the language as aesthetic branding with … Continue reading
ILLIT: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: idntt – Deep Dream
Do you ever wonder how a song would sound if it was half asleep? Are you hoping for something so boring that it will actually put you to sleep? Well, idntt has just the song for you with their new “track video” Deep Dream. The hints are right there in the title. You will be … Continue reading
Song Review: AxMxP – 10 Reasons To Date Me
FNC band AxMxP debuted last year with a rock-meets-hip-hop sound. While this isn’t a new approach in K-pop, it gave the guys a bit of distinction within an agency stuffed with similar bands. Since then, their sound has softened a great deal and that continues on new single 10 Reasons To Date Me (나를 만나야 … Continue reading
Song Review: Hearts2Hearts – Iconic Heart
Rookie SM girl group Hearts2Hearts are throwing their hat in the J-pop ring with their first original Japanese single. Iconic Heart arrives on the heels of a very successful 2026 in Korea. The group’s bright pop sound seems tailor-made for Japanese tastes, but Iconic Heart lacks the effusive hooks of their best work. Right off … Continue reading
TWS: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: Rocky (Astro) – Fake It
The members of Astro have churned out solo material pretty regularly despite the group being inactive. Rocky’s work has been a mixed bag so far and I often find myself appreciating b-sides more than the title tracks. Judging by the highlight medley of his newest album, I predict this disparity will continue. Fake It opts … Continue reading
Song Review: Jeong Eunji (Apink) – i love LOVE
I haven’t written a review for a Jeung Eunji song in six years, which is kind of crazy when you think about all that’s happened since then. She hasn’t released much music in the 2020s, but the summer theme of her new mini album caught my eye. I’m hanging on to the last remnants of … Continue reading
Song Review: NCT 127 – Piñata
Every so often, SM Entertainment releases “track” videos for songs that aren’t the main focus of a promotional campaign but serve to build hype. Often, these videos spotlight only a portion of a song, but sometimes they encompass the entire thing. NCT 127 are gearing up for their tenth anniversary comeback. They’re down to five … Continue reading
RESCENE: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: WayV – Vision Wings
When last we heard from WayV, they marked the winter season with a 90s hip-hop track. Hip-hop has become a bigger part of their ouevre in general, taking a more streamlined approach than the hulking vocal drama and theatrical arrangements of years past. New single Vision Wings (鸢) continues this overall trend but adds traditional … Continue reading
Song Review: KiiiKiii – Pop Off Pop Off
KiiiKiii blew up big time this January with their hit 404 (New Era), quickly establishing their place at the forefront of this generation’s girl groups. They’ve also become one of the architypes of K-pop’s current dance trend, blending hyperpop with early-2010s EDM. Personally, the first word that comes to mind when I think of them … Continue reading
2PM: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from August 2 – 8
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (August 9, 2026)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
KISS OF LIFE: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: TUIDE – GRLS
HYBE is preparing to dominate the conversation once more with the upcoming debut of TUIDE, the first group under their newly established ABD label meant to cater exclusively to girl groups. The optimist in me continues to hope that a new group means a new sound and concept, but judging by pre-release track GRLS the … Continue reading
ROMEO: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: WAYF BOYS – WAYF BOYS DO
Just like NewJeans’ soft, lightly experimental sound went on to influence years of girl group releases in their wake, I fear we’re about to see the same with Cortis’s success. Hopefully, this will be more REDRED than Acai, but either way I’m worried this means even less melody/theatricality/singing and shorter songs for K-pop in the … Continue reading