Fresh off her stint with Refund Sisters, K-pop legend Uhm Jung Hwa has returned. And, she’s brought ‘sister’ Hwasa along for the ride. These two divas pair with rapper DPR Live for the retro-leaning Hop In (호피무늬). Last time Jung Hwa released a solo music video was all the way back in December of 2017, … Continue reading
More often than not, December is a month where idols release their cozy, downtempo tracks that are perfect for fireside listening. My music taste is about as far away from this as you can imagine, but I suppose if I were to listen to this coffeehouse style, it would be during this time of year. … Continue reading
As is typical with Big Hit-related groups, rookies ENHYPEN are following up their title track Given-Taken with a music video for another song from their album. If it were me, I would have chosen to promote 10 Months, but I’m clearly not in charge here. Instead, the video for the mysteriously-titled Let Me In (20 … Continue reading
The rollout for Hey! Say! JUMP’s new album has been kind of fun. A few months ago, they secretly uploaded a couple of music videos on youtube under mysterious pen names. Without revealing their faces, these “new” groups established a bit of buzz, though anyone remotely familiar with Jump’s vocals instantly knew it was them. … Continue reading
Okay, the first thing that pops into my head when I see the title of this song is the classic Michael Jackson/Siedah Garrett ballad, which sets the bar pretty darn high. I have no reason to expect something similar, since pop music has moved on to a different palette of sounds in the past 30+ … Continue reading
Though Taeyeon is still an idol performer by definition, her music has slowly transitioned to sounds I would expect from independent artists. While this has garnered her credibility in many circles, it’s not the type of thing I tend to gravitate to. It’s been over a year since a new Taeyeon release has really sparked … Continue reading
It’s been a long wait for a new Sungkyu comeback – almost three years, to be specific. And though we got a taste of his voice on this year’s Relay and OST track Beautiful, his first post-military album felt like it kept getting pushed back. Now in the doldrums of December, Sungkyu has officially returned … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Taking Sweetune out of the equation, I think that e.one may … Continue reading
Earlier in the year, ONEWE added an EDM layer to their moody rock sound, delivering the potent End Of Spring. They followed this up with the relatively forgettable Parting. And now, nearly two seasons later, they’re back with a song befitting December. A Book In Memory (기억 속 한 권의 책) slows things down for … Continue reading
Upon first hearing GHOST9’s debut track Think of Dawn, I was disappointed that they seemed to be opting for a heavy, lumbering sound that had already been done to death. But in the context of the album, the song began to make sense and eventually grew into a 2020 highlight. This is the importance of … Continue reading
I was beginning to wonder where all the K-pop Christmas songs were this year. Usually, December brings us quite a few. But while I’m waiting for the Woollim Family holiday track I’ve somehow convinced myself will become a reality, The Boyz have snuck up and put their own gift under the tree. Christmassy is light … Continue reading
With their contracts expiring next spring, IZ*ONE have delivered three Korean comebacks this year. They’ve been active in Japan as well, but I think it’s best to just brush that single under the rug. Instead, we have Panorama – a track that harnesses the energetic IZ*ONE sound we’ve all come to know. It slots nicely … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. While BoA’s Better doesn’t have quite as many highlights as 2018’s … Continue reading
I’ve been a little hard on NCT lately, but that’s only because I find their concept so promising. It borrows quite a bit from systems that the J-pop market has been using for ages, but has the potential to bring a uniquely K-pop aesthetic to the approach. That potential has popped up here and there … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Song for song, ENHYPEN’s debut mini album is perfectly solid. However, … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Though Kai’s debut mini album isn’t exactly the sound I’d hoped … Continue reading
After getting done in by a firing squad in their last music video, ONEUS have moved full circle with the bright, funky BBUSYEO (뿌셔). How’s that for versatility? This marks the group’s first digital single release and arrives days after their first online concert. And really, a song like BBUSYEO is tailor-made for a concert … Continue reading
K-pop legend BoA has returned with her tenth Korean album, celebrating twenty (!) years since her debut. That kind of career is rare for any pop star, but the K-pop industry tends to be extra fickle. The fact that BoA remains such a dynamic presence is a testament to her skill, charisma and willingness to … Continue reading
A week after unveiling pre-release song Breath, GOT7 have made their official comeback with Last Piece, the title track to their fourth full-length album. Breath didn’t exactly fill me with anticipation, but the teasers for Last Piece hinted at a grittier instrumental that felt fresh and exciting. The entire song doesn’t quite live up to … Continue reading
After recapping each and every episode of this summer’s I-LAND, I feel a strange sort of kinship to ENHYPEN. This comes despite the fact that I rarely enjoyed the music that came out of that series. Still, the guys have plenty of potential, and that fact that they’re bolstered by the support of Big Hit … Continue reading
