“Brother” groups ONEUS and ONEWE have a history of collaborations, from a pre-debut single to a fun variety show. They also share real (twin) brothers. I’ve long hoped for another collaboration – perhaps a full album? In my mind, they need to unite their specific skills and release a full-on idol dance track backed by … Continue reading
Compared to his SHINee bandmates, Minho’s solo career has always gotten short shrift. Fans have made do with a digital single here and there, rather than the mini and full albums that carved out niches for Taemin and Key. Because of this, I’m not totally sure how a full Minho comeback would sound. Would he … Continue reading
2021 offered quite a few strong albums, enough for both of my categories to include numerous honorable mentions. Full albums were especially great this year — a trend I hope to see continue in 2022. Like usual, my top ten list is cut in half, presenting the top five mini albums and the top five … Continue reading
Even decades after formation, some things haven’t changed about SM Entertainment. They’re still clever vultures, digging through old pop detritus and repainting it to craft shiny new baubles. A recent example is aespa’s Next Level (pulled from an old Fast & Furious soundtrack), but SM has been doing this since the 90’s. SES’s 1998 hit … Continue reading
After ranking my favorite rookies of 2021, I turn my attention to K-pop’s more established artists. This year, the criteria is the same as ever: Quality of work Quantity of work Influence of work on the industry As usual, the first criteria far outweighs the next two, and is entirely subjective. This is not a … Continue reading
This post is your one-stop shop for all my end-of-year countdowns. It will be stickied to the top of the blog for the remainder of the year. Check back often for new links to new countdowns, and make sure you check out past years’ masterposts if you’re interested! Top 50 K-Pop Songs >> 50-41, 40-31, … Continue reading
This was a very uneventful year for K-pop rookies. There were no big agency debuts until Xdinary Heroes a few days ago, leaving 2021 to acts who were more under-the-radar. For me, none of these rookies were consistently excellent. Some released one or two knockout songs, only to follow-up with underwhelming returns. Others are too … Continue reading
Over the past couple years, KBS has moved their song festival forward to mid-December. I’ve got a bone to pick with them when it comes to this change. I mean, don’t they know I’ve got a Top 50 Countdown to wrap up?? A pre-Winter Break nap to take??? Spare a thought for us bloggers, KBS! … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
When it comes to my listening habits, the holidays are the only time I really make room for jazzy, coffeeshop-esque music. Coziness is a valuable asset throughout December, and some of my favorite winter songs adopt this style. Billlie’s Snowy Night won’t be climbing to the very top of that list, but it’ll definitely be … Continue reading
Since their 2016 debut, I’ve been (im)patiently waiting for NCT to revisit the sprawling sound of Without You. It’s still my favorite NCT track (and the only time a debut song has topped my year-end list). Beautiful isn’t nearly as amazing, but its vocal-heavy drive occupies similar territory. This is the second release from NCT … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
December marches on with an uncharacteristically steady stream of big comebacks. As we move closer to the new year, Mamamoo’s Moonbyul is gearing up for the release of her new album. Its first tease comes courtesy of pre-release G999, featuring hip-hop artist Mirani. I’ve found Mamamoo solos to be pretty hit or miss, including much … Continue reading
2021 will mark the sixth time I’ve deconstructed a “Year in K-pop” through a variety of countdowns. Add a wealth of throwback posts and countdowns, and I feel like I’ve gained some perspective. K-pop has changed a lot since I started this blog at the beginning of 2016, but I’m not sure it’s changing nearly … Continue reading
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
FTIsland don’t get enough credit for being as enduring a force as they are. Sure, they’re not the five-member powerhouse they once were, but with over fourteen years of idol life behind them, they’re one of K-pop’s longest-running groups. With age comes the threat of monotony. How does a band in their fifteenth year keep … Continue reading
ATEEZ have been very intentional when it comes to their album series. Treasure had a beginning, middle and end, and Fever has followed the same approach. Kicking off in mid-2020, this project has sprawled across seventeen months. Now, we’ve reached its “epilogue” – an odds-and-ends release that wraps up the era. We heard pre-release title … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 