Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Thank god for EXO-CBX. Even when EXO itself veers toward … Continue reading
Rock group Buzz has been around for over a decade, not particularly well known to international audiences but beloved in Korea for their emotive ballads. 2017 has seen plenty of ballads in k-pop, but we haven’t really had one of those big, bombastic Lim Chang Jung style belters. That dry spell has officially ended with … Continue reading
Before there was GOT7, JJ Project debuted with soon-to-be members JB and Jinyoung. Their 2012 single Bounce was a fun, uptempo party track that blended a wide assortment of genres to create an addictive burst of k-pop energy. In the years since, GOT7’s material has strayed away from the “fun” side of things to explore … Continue reading
Since terminating his contract with TVXQ, Xia Junsu has been active as part of trio JYJ and as a solo artist. Though he might be more well known for the dozens of ornate, theatrical ballads that make up the bulk of his discography, his music is also not afraid to go full avant garde. A … Continue reading
If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers. DEVINE CHANNEL … Continue reading
For as many LOONA releases as we’ve already gotten, few could be considered stereotypical girl group fare. The project has dabbled in a number of genres already, making LOONA’s eventual sound a bit of a mystery. But with member Choerry’s introduction through Love Cherry Motion, we veer much closer to the light bubblegum that fuels … Continue reading
I wasn’t sure that we’d ever get to hear Monsta X‘s version of a fun, upbeat summer single. Their album material has been relatively varied, but when it comes to singles the group has more-or-less stuck with a harder-edged hip-hop sound. This has brought them a sizable fan base, even if it doesn’t always appeal … Continue reading
Though they have yet to make major waves in Korea, Dreamcatcher have captured the imagination of many fans through their rock-infused, j-pop inspired sound. This resulted in the brilliant Chase Me last January, but I was in the minority when it came to follow-up single Good Night. I think the group is at their best … Continue reading
When The East Light debuted late last year with the giddy power pop of Holla, it felt exciting to have such a young group tackling a different sound than expected. Since then, the boys have fallen into the tropical trend, moving away from a live band style in favor of a poppier approach. This isn’t … Continue reading
My interest in new girl group P.O.P (Puzzle of Pop) went from zero to a hundred the moment I read that their title track would be produced by the Iggy/Youngbae duo. Responsible for all of GFriend’s singles and most of Astro’s, these producers gave us many of 2016’s best pop hits and easily became my … Continue reading
We’re entering the season of rookie debuts, as a multitude of new boy and girl groups are scheduled to unveil their music over the next few weeks. Leading the pack are Music Works’ first boy group MYTEEN, who have begun to build a fan-base through pre-release videos and performances. New single Amazing (어마어마하게) has already … Continue reading
Now that Queens of Summer Sistar have disbanded, much has been made about who their successors might be. So far, I’d give the 2017 crown to Red Velvet, but there are still several weeks of summer left. Riding high on the success of their Hwi Hwi comeback in April, Laboum are the latest girl group … Continue reading
Though primarily focused on a trendy (at the time) high energy dance pop, Turbo has always shown the potential for a more retro-inspired sound. Their 90’s mega-hit Twist King was entirely indebted to this nostalgic appeal, and in some ways Hot Sugar (뜨거운 설탕) feels like its successor. Of course, flash forward twenty years and … Continue reading
As one of k-pop’s most legendary groups, TVXQ needs no introduction. Today’s idol world strives for big numbers and a big sound, often bloating groups to twelve or thirteen members. TVXQ (or DBSK, as they were known at the time) had only five vocalists — and yet still Rising Sun manages to sound more immense … Continue reading
Offbeat j-pop group Bullet Train have really been pushing the boundaries with their more recent material, forging a path toward an everything-goes pop style that feels more divisive than much of their past work. New single My Buddy (mostly) dials down on the instrumental hyperactivity, painting a bright melody that fully embraces its own cheesiness. … Continue reading
Debuting as part of late 90’s girl group Fin.K.L, Lee Hyori went on to carve out an incredibly successful solo career. She’s one of Korea’s most beloved personalities (and sex symbols), despite a lack of frequent comebacks over the past few years. Fresh off her return with Black, it’s the perfect time to look back … Continue reading
In one of the most unexpected collaborations of the year, balladeer (and notable NCT fanboy) Parc Jae Jung has teamed with NCT’s Mark for the newest SM Station track, Lemonade Love. The song spawns from the web series Snowball Project, which has been one of the more entertaining (and delightfully awkward) variety shows of the … Continue reading
Though I didn’t really care for their debut, KNK absolutely knocked it out of the park with last year’s Back Again. That song seemed to mark them as true successors to 2nd generation idol groups like Beast. But since then, it feels like we’re dealing with ever diminishing returns. I’m not sure whose idea it … Continue reading
Thinking back to when Akdong Musician were just an awkward pair of siblings competing on season two of K-Pop Star, it’s hard to believe they’ve managed to become such a force within the k-pop industry. Their quirky talent shone from the beginning, but with each new comeback it’s becoming clear that their sound doesn’t need … Continue reading
Over the past year and a half, underrated group Snuper have gone from strength to strength, solidifying a signature sound and cultivating a growing fan base. They were never going to be an act who hits it big right out of the gate. For the most part, their music bucks current trends in favor of … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 