After Kim Woojin’s abrupt departure from Stray Kids in late 2019, the rumor mill went into action and he became the number one enemy of many an ardent fan. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about the tabloid side of K-pop. If the guy did something wrong (as alleged on twitter), I hope justice will be … Continue reading
Following the group’s disbandment, B.A.P’s Moon Jongup made his solo debut last year with Headache. I didn’t think much of the song on its release day, but it ended up being one of my biggest growers of the year. Loose, funky tracks like this don’t always get the attention they deserve. However, it’s a sound … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. K-pop’s concept-driven promotion can be a … Continue reading
I haven’t written about Girlkind since 2018’s S.O.R.R.Y, though the group has released a couple digital singles since then. They’ve even spawned their own 2019 sub-unit. But, you’d still be forgiven for not knowing who Girlkind are. Their promotions have been limited so far, and the music has been largely forgettable. With Good Vibes Only … Continue reading
Despite being best known for her ballads, some of Taeyeon’s most enduring work has spawned from daring musical turns. Songs like Something New and I Got Love harnessed rhythmic energy that helped them standout. New single Weekend brings Taeyeon to the disco, blending dance pop elements with laidback city pop inspirations. The result is appealing, … Continue reading
DAY6 sub-unit Even Of Day debuted late last summer, releasing a much more interesting mini album than its title track suggested. With Where The Sea Sleeps, I wondering why Young K, Wonpil and Dowoon didn’t distinguish their own music from DAY6’s core sound. That confusion continues with new single Right Through Me (뚫고 지나가요). I … Continue reading
Fresh off their participation in MNET’s Kingdom, SF9 are the first group to make their post-show comeback. Though they didn’t win the competition, the guys showcased their versatility as performers. I was a big fan of their Move stage, and hoped their future music would embrace that fashionable, forward-thinking concept. New single Tear Drop flirts … Continue reading
In perhaps the most unsurprising K-pop news of 2021, (G)I-DLE’s Jeon Soyeon has released her first solo album. I mean, she technically debuted as a soloist in 2017 before re-debuting as (G)I-DLE’s leader — a group practically built around her popularity. She’s one of the most prominent voices in K-pop today, with the ability to … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. I wasn’t able to find a … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. Just B’s Damage does a lot … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. Tucked away on the end of … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. LOONA’s true musical merit can most … Continue reading
KARD’s BM and I often live on different musical planets, but I appreciate the energy and swagger he brings to the industry. With the group’s future uncertain, the time is right for a solo project. And judging from the title of his single album (The First Statement), BM is playing the long game. Nonetheless, title … Continue reading
I don’t think I’ve written about N.O.M before, though I’ve made sure to check out all their releases. My overall impression is that this group could do with a bigger budget and songs that come across as less gimmicky. I think they could craft some really cool stuff within the niche they’re carving out for … Continue reading
Okay, let’s get this straight before we move on. Break Ice (얼음깨) is a charity release, with proceeds benefiting pandemic relief. For that reason alone, you should stream the song, watch the ads and do what you can. Or, simply donate to the cause yourself. With that said, I’m here to write about what I … Continue reading
The Universe platform continues to blast youtube with half-videos, saving its full pleasures for those who download the app. So far, I haven’t found a song worth treading those waters, but CIX’s Tesseract arrives with some serious name recognition behind it. Pentagon’s Hui co-produced the track, and his name is featured prominently in the promotion. … Continue reading
In a surprise release, city pop chanteuse Yukika has paired with Canadian DJ/producer Pat Lok for The Moment (그라데이션). Up to this point, Yukika’s music has captured a specific vibe very well. Even when the songs threaten to become too subdued for their own good, I always appreciate their sense of musical continuity. The Moment … Continue reading
Over the past couple of years, Dongkiz have been one of my favorite way-under-the-radar groups. Last year’s Beautiful took them in an ill-advised “edgy” direction, but other than that their music has been a ton of fun. They really embrace K-pop’s inherent goofiness, even introducing a silly ghost mascot during some of their live stages. … Continue reading
Kingdom’s February debut proved to be polarizing, but I think everyone could get onboard with the group’s high-concept visual. Excalibur introduced Kingdom’s world view, and the guys promise to release a series of albums to further develop that lore. It’s an ambitious plan for a rookie, but I applaud them for trying something new. I … Continue reading
Taking all her singles into account, I feel like AleXa has been let down by her material. She’s talented and charismatic, and her videos surround her with an unlimited supply of effects and eye candy. But when you strip away all that gloss, the songs have been lacking in personality. Because of this, I was … Continue reading
