The fact that I’ve been able to compile a top ten list for LOONA before their actual debut is a testament to just how ambitious their roll-out has been. Over the course of eighteen months, each member of the group has been unveiled via solo and unit tracks. There are over twenty songs to choose … Continue reading
The Produce 101 train keeps chugging along with the debut of soloist Yoo Seonho. Making his mark as one of two very young trainees from Cube Entertainment (the other being Lai Guanlin, who would go on to debut as part of Wanna One), Seonho developed quite a fan base through the series. But despite his … Continue reading
In many corners of the online k-pop community, “Latin” has been a buzzword when considering the industry’s next possible trend. This makes sense, as it would be a natural progression from the tropical house we’ve been inundated with over the past couple of years. It would also converge nicely with k-pop’s growing popularity in Central … Continue reading
In a k-pop landscape that’s becoming more international by the year, Eric Nam finds himself in an enviable position. As a U.S. born entertainer, he has the language and cultural chops to act as a bridge between the Korean and American entertainment industries. Because of this, his music often feels like a hybrid of sounds … Continue reading
As tropical house has quickly fallen out of public favor, the artists that continue to subscribe to its specific template risk appearing out of touch with k-pop’s ever-evolving sound. When Hyeongseop and Euiwoong debuted as a duo last year, it was in the form of wistful mid-tempo It Will Be Good. That low-key single didn’t … Continue reading
The sub-unit of CBX is one of the most exciting EXO-related developments of the past few years. The group as a whole has often drawn from funk influences, but CBX offers an outlet to fully explore this side of the EXO sound. Their debut mini album was one of 2016’s best, filled to the brim … Continue reading
At this point, it’s almost pointless to review a Twice single. No matter the quality, the group’s insane popularity will ensure that it’s immediately lodged at the top of the charts and played into oblivion. Even if you don’t love the track on first listen, it’ll eventually wear you down through sheer ubiquity. And though … 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. Coach & … Continue reading
Though it’s not a problem unique to them, Badkiz may just hold the record for cycling through the most members across the span of their four year career. The group is currently a quartet, but has been home to a shocking fifteen different girls since debuting in 2014. And the thing is, this was never … Continue reading
Musically, the biggest risk involved with debuting a reality show-spawned project group like UNB is that their sound will be completely generic. There simply isn’t enough time to develop a unique aesthetic, especially given that fact that these members were brought together through public vote rather than musical compatibility. This isn’t to say that the … Continue reading
NCT’s Ten has developed quite a loyal fan base despite only appearing in a handful of the group’s comebacks. Perhaps this is because he shines so brightly as a soloist. It’s difficult to fully utilize his insane dance skills within a huge group configuration, so other members with bigger personalities tend to take precedence. But … Continue reading
As I wrote about in detail a couple months ago, season two of Produce 101 has spawned a seemingly endless supply of groups, duos and soloists. At this point, its alumni may be even harder to keep track of than the various units of SM’s NCT! And like NCT, we’ve now come to the point … Continue reading
For some, the heavy rock/hip-hop assault of Stray Kids’ District 9 may have felt too noisy and unrelenting. In my case, the song is only improving with age, and has quickly cemented these rookies as an exciting (and needed) burst of energy within the 2018 k-pop landscape. But as strong as their debut is, the … Continue reading
Since their debut in 2014, Winner have attempted more iterations than almost any other YG group. They first made their name as a mature, ballad-heavy pop act before shifting to a rock-influenced sound that somehow veered tropical as last year’s trends took hold. Through it all, they’ve maintained a certain level of melodic heft that’s … Continue reading
The Boyz’ December debut didn’t quite hit with me, and I’m still not sure why. The song catered to so many of my k-pop preferences, yet never went beyond a pleasant pop diversion. Luckily, that won’t be the case with new single Giddy Up. It’s easily one of the most instant releases we’ve heard all … Continue reading
NCT’s ambitious 2018 project rolls into its third month with the fifth music video released from the group’s album. Like many fans, I was supremely disappointed when the tracklist for Empathy was revealed to be a cobbled together greatest hits of sorts, presenting many songs we’d already heard rather than a completely new collection. This … Continue reading
Though lacking the kind of power I was craving from a TVXQ comeback, the duo’s new album is filled with reliably top-shelf material. SM Entertainment seems to think so too, giving the guys a second music video in the form of opening track Love Line (평행선). If the electro-swing of The Chance Of Love wasn’t … Continue reading
If any group was poised to give us a bizarre Orange Caramel-esque sub-unit, Oh My Girl has the resume. They come from an agency known for its quirky concepts, and the girls have already delivered a few themselves. But after the surprising success of January’s majestic Secret Garden, it’s a bit unexpected to make such … Continue reading
Though they seem to have found their sweet spot as a self-producing idol group, it still feels like Pentagon are struggling to find their signature sound. Leader Hui co-created Wanna One’s immense Energetic, but hasn’t chosen to borrow that same sense of dance-pop propulsion for his own group. In its place is a trendier brand … Continue reading
Having grown up on the likes of early-90’s Michael and Janet Jackson, the lockstep, staccato sound of New Jack Swing was a constant presence during my formative musical years. It remains one of my favorite genres to this day, and I love when k-pop dips its toes into its aesthetic. Of all the k-pop groups … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 