After the madcap energy of yesterday’s Christmas EveL, Stray Kids dial back for a more traditional holiday sound. Winter Falls is much closer to an expected December ballad template, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. In fact, it’s satisfying to hear the group set the gimmicks aside and simply let their talent shine. When writing … Continue reading
It’s been more than a year since Cignature’s last comeback. In that time, the group has seen member changes and a reinvention in sound. Gone are the crazy days of Arisong (whose bonkers approach ended up being super fun), replaced by the much more subdued Boyfriend. K-pop reinventions aren’t rare, but how will a rookie … Continue reading
Just like last year, EXO’s Kai has returned at the tail end of 2021 to reassert his place in the industry. 2020’s self-titled debut proved to be a great success, drawing from different elements of modern r&b for a strong collection of songs. Even the subdued Mmmh ended up growing on me a lot. For … Continue reading
After releasing a mammoth twenty-one track album in February, Chungha has been pretty quiet. But, she’s back to close out the year with digital single Killing Me. After such a long hiatus, this is nice treat that falls in line with the “Savage,” club-ready segment of Querencia. It’s this style of song that seems so … Continue reading
It’s already the time of year when idol groups start delivering holiday tracks. A few will be festive. Many will be ballads. And then, there’s Stray Kids. Prior to release, I couldn’t quite imagine how a Stray Kids Christmas single would sound. But immediately upon hearing Christmas EveL, I couldn’t believe how obvious the answer … Continue reading
It’s been interesting to watch Korea’s changing approach to the Japanese market. There was a time when the biggest K-pop idols boasted equally huge J-pop careers. Acts like Girls’ Generation, SHINee and Kara released a ton of original Japanese music, often embracing local tastes rather than copying the exact sounds that made them popular in … Continue reading
When it comes to idols, putting a number in your group name is like the kiss of death. With few exceptions, these groups always seem to lose a member or two. Such is the case with GHOST9, who are now GHOST7 after the departure of members Dongjun and Taeseung earlier this year. Beyond that, the … Continue reading
Mamamoo’s success has provided an equally successful launching pad for its members’ solo careers, with Hwasa being the biggest beneficiary. In addition to her solo music, she’s a regular on MBC’s long-running series I Live Alone, as well as one of the buzziest idols in the industry. She brings a sense of nonchalant confidence to … Continue reading
Debuting all the way back in 2014, B.I.G have made it through the K-pop wringer. Across those years, they’ve delivered a few killer singles. But, their releases are few and far between and it’s been over two years since we last heard from them. Now down to four members (from an original six), the guys … Continue reading
After leaving boy group B.A.P, Bang Yongguk released a few digital singles and produced two tracks for rookie group Just B. His blend of rock and hip-hop is always a welcome addition to the K-pop conversation, so I was happy to hear that new single Race would bring plenty of guitar. And while this may … Continue reading
Gaho first came to prominence in early 2020 with a huge OST hit from K-drama Itaewon Class. But, he’d been releasing music for several years prior. Now, he’s delivered his first full album – a landmark moment for any artist. Preceded by singles Ride and Rush Hour, the twelve-track work is being promoted with title … Continue reading
As expected, ONEWE and ONEUS’s careers are closely entangled. I’m still waiting for another inter-group collaboration, but the acts often seem to release music within weeks of each other. In ONEWE’s case, Star (별) is a pre-release for upcoming projects, setting the stage for the return of their melancholic rock sound. It’s a very affecting … Continue reading
I went into this year’s Kingdom: Legendary War familiar with SF9’s music but not attached to the group itself. I’m not sure the competition changed that much, but their interpretation of Taemin’s Move offered a potential inroad that caught my attention. Its sleek, dancefloor-ready sound and stylish image informed parts of their summer comeback Tear … Continue reading
Ha Sungwoon has one of my favorite post-Wanna One careers, and that continued with August’s fun and funky Strawberry Gum. Recently, he’s announced his departure from Star Crew Entertainment — his agency since debut with boy group Hotshot. Before he moves on to other ventures, he’s put an exclamation mark on this era with the … Continue reading
Monsta X’s Gambler made a very good case for increasing creative control in idol comebacks. Co-composed and arranged by member Joohoney, the song felt like a genuine expansion of the group’s sound. New single Rush Hour pulls a few more producers into the mix, and comes across as an amped up version of Monsta X’s … Continue reading
With Fantagio Entertainment laser-focused on Astro, it feels like Weki Meki have often been tossed by the wayside. This is despite a strong discography with a few big highlights. It’s been over a year since their last comeback, which might as well be a lifetime in K-pop standards. Last year’s Cool was well-titled, establishing a … Continue reading
E’Last’s Dark Dream has become quite a sleeper hit for me. I’ve always wanted to love the group’s music as much as I appreciate their concept, and Dream is as close as I’ve come since their 2020 debut. Back when the single album was released, I nearly wrote a “buried treasure” review for To.Lie. Luckily, … Continue reading
I haven’t yet listened to Younha’s new album, but the preview left me a little confused. The snippets sounded quite strong, with a rock influence well-suited to her voice. But for the title track, she’s opted for one of the only straightforward ballads. I know ballads are popular this time of year, but it seems … 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. Twice’s new album is good. They’ve … Continue reading
It’s such a joy to write about T-ara today. The group hasn’t made a comeback since 2017 – before many of today’s most popular acts had even debuted! K-pop’s constant changes and debuts keep it exciting, but there’s nothing like hearing from a veteran act. T-ara are such a huge part of K-pop history, and … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 