With leader Zico leaving Block B late last year, it’s hard to imagine a path forward for the group. I don’t mean to discount the contributions of the other members, but Zico always felt like the face of Block B. Luckily, the group already has an established sub-unit. Bastarz debuted in 2015, and consists of … Continue reading
Though he has yet to release a mini album, the holy quintet of SHINee solos is now complete with the arrival of Minho’s I’m Home (그래). The track comes only days before his enlistment, which will leave Taemin as the group’s only actively promoting member. It’s crazy how time flies. Even five years ago, it … Continue reading
After last September’s Naughty Boy, I feared that Pentagon might end up chasing their own tail on a never-ending quest to replicate the structure and energy of 2018 hit Shine. This wouldn’t have been an utterly terrible fate. Shine was a fantastic song, after all. But, leader Hui has so much more to offer as … Continue reading
KARD debuted just at the right time. In late 2016, K-pop’s appetite for tropical pop was still high, and the group rode that trend to great international success throughout their first year. Things stalled a bit last summer, just as their sound began to feel more generic. No matter how successful a group may be, … Continue reading
Looking back, I was unfairly harsh on JBJ95’s debut last October. Despite its repetitive hook, Home stuck around through the winter and unveiled its charms gradually. When it comes to style and sound, I’m still not sure exactly who JBJ95 are as a duo, but in a landscape crammed with boy groups, their small configuration … Continue reading
For me, the post-Wanna One releases we’ve gotten so far have been subpar. It feels like too many of the members are rush-releasing music that lacks any individual spark, designed simply to keep their names in the spotlight. As one of the top two vote getters during season two of Produce 101, Park Jihoon has … 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. PDOGG Years … Continue reading
At the end of last year, I picked Stray Kids as my top rookie of 2018. However, that was largely based on the incredible strength of their March debut. By the end of the year, I’d fallen a little out of love with their music. Part of me was afraid they’d begin to get lost … Continue reading
With over 2,600 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
It’s been a long wait for new material from Taeyeon, and even longer since she’s actively promoted in Korea. With the release of digital single Four Seasons (사계), it doesn’t seem as if that promotional lull will end any time soon, but it’s nice to hear her voice again. The song arrives just over two … Continue reading
As much as I loathe the effect Produce 101 has had on the K-pop industry, the series can always be trusted to deliver a killer theme song. I may drift in and out of interest when it comes to the episodes themselves, but MNET knows how to build excitement at each season’s kick-off. K-pop rarely … Continue reading
Momoland had a stellar 2018, propelled by the surprise smash of their hit Bboom Bboom and its copy-and-paste follow-up BAAM. Now, the real test begins. Having one breakout single is one thing, but forging a consistently successful career is quite another. Just ask Crayon Pop. Now that the girls have found a template that works … Continue reading
In this day and age, I’m always impressed if I can get through a K-pop title track without a single trendy synth flourish. The tropical squiggles of yesteryear have warped into moodier, filtered electronics that instantly signal generic 2019-era tropes. Even some of my favorite singles of the last year aren’t completely immune to this … Continue reading
In an overcrowded market of idol dance groups, soloist Jeong Sewoon has found a niche with his acoustic-meets-pop sound. After a double-header of uptempo singles, last summer’s nuanced 20 Something was an oddly restrained transition. But with new single Feeling, Sewoon returns to the groovy, guitar-driven style that first gained him post-Produce 101 attention. Just … Continue reading
When it comes to girl group DIA, each comeback feels like a minor miracle. I’m not sure they’ve ever released new material that hasn’t suffered some sort of delay or change. Though it’s not their fault, the group’s atrocious management has made it difficult for them to gain a stranglehold on K-pop’s notoriously fickle market. … Continue reading
This time last year, NCT had already delivered an exciting yearbook project that saw the release of no less than four singles (with more to come). In comparison, 2019 has been downright barren. In fact, SM Entertainment’s 2019 schedule has been exceedingly light, relegating to a pair of SHINee-related solos and a few other ballads. … Continue reading
You’ve got to feel sorry for Lee Gikwang. What an absolutely terrible time for him to make a comeback. Korea is reeling from a host of scandals that have already taken down fellow Highlight member Junhyung. I can’t imagine many of his fans are in a celebratory (or even supportive) mood. And as his last … Continue reading
At the rate we’re going, 2019 might just set the record for having the most K-pop debuts. While the year has been relatively underwhelming so far, a rush of new acts has helped to buoy the industry. And with the arrival of Everglow, we’ve got yet another compelling girl group to add to the scene. … 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. DAVID AMBER … Continue reading
I’m in love with the idea behind The T-Bird and The Pink Ladies — two project groups taking on a musical theater concept. K-pop is ready for some new sounds, and this conceit has the potential to be really fun. The Pink Ladies’ God Girl was a great first step, and has only grown more … Continue reading
