In preparation for Kim Wooseok’s new single, I looked back at his previous solo comebacks and realized that none of them have made any impression on me. Yes, I reviewed the songs. But, they came and went so quickly that I hardly remember them. Beyond the bubble of Produce 101 hype, I’ll never understand Top … Continue reading
Weeekly have made their name on a fresh, youthful sound that’s been a nice counterpoint to the girl crush trends of the moment. True to their name, past singles have felt perfect for Friday night or the weekend. With that in mind, new single Ven Para is that unwelcome Monday morning when you have to … Continue reading
Just a few weeks since the release of their second album, SixTONES are back with new single Kyomei (Resonance). Upon hearing the jarringly cut YouTube version, I wasn’t a fan. But, the full song is much more cohesive and satisfying. Even so, I’m finding myself return to the poppier Fashion more often. This song isn’t … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Rocket Punch’s Yellow Punch album doesn’t … Continue reading
I don’t often write about K-pop’s many OST releases, but The Boyz have filmed an entire music video for their new track Echo. The song supports the Solo Leveling webtoon, and encapsulates my general feelings about The Boyz: they’re an immensely talented group with charisma to spare, too often let down by subpar material. This … Continue reading
There’s no group I’m more excited about at the moment than Snow Man. And given their immense popularity in Japan, I’m not alone. Their infectious music and comedic variety presence feel like antidotes to the self-serious approach bogging down many K-pop comebacks. They have an almost cartoon-like appeal (either an asset or drawback depending on … Continue reading
Bang Yongguk released the exciting Race late last year, building upon the rock/rap sound of former group B.A.P. He also composed excellent material within this genre for rookie group Just B. The style is a perfect match for his low-toned voice, adding an interesting facet to more predictable hip-hop production. Because of this, I was … Continue reading
The title of new boy group Tempest’s debut proved to be prophetic, as the guys delivered bad Covid news that delayed the release of their first album. Now that all the members have recovered, we can finally sink our teeth into their own Bad News. Tempest score bonus points for debuting with bright, rollicking energy … Continue reading
Cherry Bullet’s promotional schedule has been infrequent, with their last title track emerging over a year ago. But, Love So Sweet found its way on many a year-end list, charming with its synth tones and catchy chorus. I liked the song too, but not enough to consider it a 2021 highlight. New single Love In … Continue reading
Nearly a year since their last album, Super Junior are back with a special single release. The Road: Winter For Spring is a mouthful of a title, promoted with the much more concise Callin’. It’s the kind of track that feels targeted toward fans, hinging on sentiment rather than the desire to compete with flashier … Continue reading
For me, February has been a dull, slow month in K-pop. But, Rocket Punch’s Chiquita hung in the distance, promising a retro punch of pop energy to take us into March. My anticipation for the song was unexpected (I’ve never really loved the group’s music), but an ear-catching teaser ignited interest. K-pop acts don’t often … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. BTOB’s new album is strange in … Continue reading
Exile Tribe’s Fantastics have been jumping from strength to strength these past few years. So many J-pop and K-pop groups embrace retro sounds, but it’s not always a perfect match. Fantastics feel designed for the aesthetic, and that continues with the upbeat city pop of Santa Monica Lollipop (サンタモニカ・ロリポップ). This song is a bit more … Continue reading
Writing about Sorn’s solo music on this blog is seriously challenging the definition of “K-pop.” But hey, it’s a slow music day and even if Sharp Objects comes from a Thai singer performing entirely in English, her former membership of Korean girl group CLC affords us some latitude. More importantly, Sharp Objects embraces the popular … Continue reading
This seems to be the week of bonkers girl group releases. From NMIXX to Billlie to CRAXY, these groups are serious about their worldbuilding and intricate concepts. But so far, the music hasn’t always followed suit. Yes, the songs twist and swerve in unexpected (sometimes jarring) directions, but they’re all built on ultra-familiar, overused sounds. … Continue reading
With titles like O.O and GingaMingaYo (The Strange World), K-pop is in an… interesting place at the moment. I know K-pop fans tend to be young, but these nonsense words feel like we’re going all the way back to kindergarten! O.O was an unwelcome aural assault, but Billlie have already proven themselves an interesting rookie … Continue reading
It’s been a very slow month (or year?) for K-pop, but the arrival of new JYP girl group NMIXX feels like 2022’s first big moment. Debuts from agencies of JYP’s caliber always bring a ton of hype, even if the song itself doesn’t meet expectations. With O.O, NMIXX deliver an attention-grabbing track, but I expect … Continue reading
With their new album Be Together, BTOB join the ranks of post-enlistment boy groups. Not every act makes it to this point, with all current members back together after years of service. The album also follows last year’s Kingdom competition, where members Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub, and Peniel showcased the group’s range and versatility. With that … Continue reading
STAYC’s meteoric rise in popularity has quickly given Black Eyed Pilseung’s High Up Entertainment the clout needed to become a major player in the industry. Unfortunately (for me), this notoriety spawned from songs like ASAP and Stereotype rather than the group’s debut track So Bad. For those of us who adored So Bad’s unique energy … Continue reading
There was a time when Bae Suzy’s presence felt inescapable in K-pop. As a member of girl group Miss A and a very popular actress, her career straddled multiple facets of the Korean entertainment industry, earning her the title of “The Nation’s First Love.” She’s still a notable presence in dramas, but it’s been four … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 