Twice albums have become so omnipresent that even a normal hiatus feels endless. It’s only been a few months since the group made their return with Better, but it seems as if they’ve been gone for years. Apparently, we can look forward to a new Korean comeback in June. Until then, we have the Japanese … Continue reading
P1Harmony made a solid debut last October, but waited six months before returning with their first comeback. Judging from their new album, the group seems to have settled on hip-hop as their overarching sound. I think it’s a good fit for their talents – especially if they can draw from various elements and eras of … Continue reading
Exile Tribe’s 2019 Battle of Tokyo was one of the coolest, most ambitious J-pop projects in recent years. The collective’s four “junior” groups battled it out over a series of song collaborations, released subsequently throughout a single week in June. These were tied to big budget music videos that combined to create a (sometimes incoherent) … Continue reading
Though they might not make full-fledged comebacks as frequently as they used to, Apink can always be counted on for an anniversary track. Every April, they release a new song in honor of their debut milestone, and most of these have been upbeat affairs rather than schlocky fan service ballads. Thank You (고마워) keeps this … Continue reading
You Make Me isn’t only DAY6’s first comeback in almost a year. It’s JYP Entertainment’s first release since November 2020. That’s a surprisingly long hiatus for one of K-pop’s biggest agencies. And, the album feels weightier than normal. With leader/main vocal Sungjin enlisted in the military, any upcoming DAY6 releases will likely sound quite different. … Continue reading
It’s been nearly seven years since the release of Nu’est’s first full album. That’s the length of the typical idol group contract, and it’s stunning to consider the journey the guys have been on during that time. For the record, I think 2014’s Re:Birth is one of their strongest works, but listening to it now … Continue reading
Though I didn’t love BTS’s Dynamite as much as others seemed to, I have to thank it for helping reinvigorate K-pop’s interest in bright, disco-inspired songs. Groups are starting to ditch their dark, harness-heavy costumes for pastel suits, bringing a greater sense of balance to the boy group ecosphere. Great Guys’ new single Touch By … Continue reading
Seventeen have been consistent with their J-pop releases, crafting original material in addition to re-recording existing songs in Japanese. And rather than outsource the creative process, new single Not Alone (ひとりじゃない) is again composed by Woozi and Bumzu. Even so, this doesn’t come across as a leftover K-pop track pitched to the Japanese market. There’s … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! February … 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. 13 (SCORE … Continue reading
Warning: This recap is not spoiler-free. Proceed at your own risk! Other Recaps: Episode One // Episode Two THE FINAL THREE PERFORMANCES This week completes the first round of performances, with the final acts added to last week’s trio. And, the show wastes no time getting to the first performance, which means I’ll waste no … Continue reading
Girl group Majors are taking an interesting approach to their debut year promotions. Rather than finely craft a single title track, they’ve blitzed the market with several budget-conscious music videos for multiple singles. The hope, I’m sure, is that one of these songs will somehow hit big. But, I’d rather have on knockout track than … Continue reading
With 2019’s Under Cover and 2020’s Favorite Boys (Goblin), A.C.E have proven their ability to deliver a knockout title track. I wish they would funnel all their energy into crafting more of these killer releases. But, K-pop is an ever-expanding market, and idol groups have a variety of options on their plate. Despite coming from … Continue reading
Of all the Wanna One members, Yoon Jisung had the toughest post-group promotional circumstances. Due to his age, his mandatory military enlistment came only months after Wanna One’s disbandment, making it difficult to establish any solo career before having to go on hiatus. But, he’s returned to the industry with a new mini album, released … Continue reading
After a debut year stuffed with upbeat funk pop comebacks, Dongkiz explored edgier sounds in 2020. Neither concept has brought them much attention, but I think a youthful, exuberant style best illustrates their charms. New single Universe calls back to their 2019 era, albeit with much more generic trappings. Unfortunately, you can feel the budget … Continue reading
With over 3,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
After SHINee’s Don’t Call Me album was released in February, I broke it down track by track. And now that we have a repackage on our hands, it’s time to add those new tracks to the in-depth album review! 1. Atlantis // 2. CØDE // 3. Don’t Call Me // 4. Area // 5. Heart … Continue reading
CIX’s Cinema has been a slow burn hit for me. I liked it when it first came out, but the song has had unexpected staying power on my playlist. So, I was excited to see the guys continue this lighter sound for their next Japanese release. All For You is an upbeat burst of brass-kissed … Continue reading
Just days after Seventeen’s Hoshi delivered his solo track Spider, bandmate The8 has dropped his own digital single. I guess my wish for more Seventeen solo projects is coming true! Apart from being familiar with his role in the group, most of my knowledge about The8 stems from Chinese collaboration show Chao Yin Zhan Ji. … Continue reading
Mamamoo have not only proven themselves a force to be reckoned with, but each member has gone on to enjoy solo success in a variety of fields. Wheein seems perfectly poised for this endeavor, with a strong voice that can tackle a wide spectrum of genres. New single Water Color sees her paired with a … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 