NCT’s Chinese unit WayV made an inauspicious debut earlier this year with their version of an already-released 127 track. As hyped as this project has been, that promotional choice felt quite underwhelming. Thankfully, new single Take Off (无翼而飞) makes up for WayV’s false start with an invigorating blend of hip-hop and distorted guitar. There was … Continue reading
Each time I write about an Eric Nam track, the first word that comes to my mind is “amiable.” It’s the perfect descriptor for his crisp pop sound. His music is inherently enjoyable — sometimes smooth, sometimes jubilant, but never demanding. It’s the K-pop equivalent of easy listening, and that doesn’t have to be a … Continue reading
There’s a certain ilk of K-pop girl groups who pursue a lush, fantasy-like sound and concept. Lovelyz and Cosmic Girls often fall within this style, but Oh My Girl are the undisputed champs of the fairy tale motif. They’re at their best when marrying this aesthetic to avant garde songwriting that pushes at the edges … Continue reading
Momoland have been in an odd state of flux lately. They made their last comeback with only seven of nine members, and that configuration seems to be sticking for new digital single Love Is Only You (사랑은 너 하나). Instead of returning as a full group, the girls have paired with Vietnamese singer Erik for … Continue reading
Before enlisting in the military, two out of three members of Infinite have preceded their absence with a solo album. Now that main vocal Woohyun’s back with new material, I can’t help but think he’ll be going on hiatus soon. This makes Hold On Me bittersweet, to say the least. Woohyun faces stiff competition, but … Continue reading
I haven’t written much about Johnny’s Entertainment lately, mostly because I think the agency has had an underwhelming 2019 so far. But, my favorite Johnny’s act has recently returned with their annual full-length album so it’s time for me to dust off the cobwebs and dive in. If I believed in the concept of “guilty … 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
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. VERIVERY had a b-side on their debut mini album called Alright. … 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. Overall, I like The Boyz’ new single Bloom Bloom. But, my … Continue reading
Park Bom made her triumphant return to K-pop only seven weeks ago. But, she’s already back with a repackage of her first mini album — led by new title track 4:44 (4시 44분). The song features Mamamoo’s Wheein as a guest vocalist, which seems like a surprising (but not unwelcome) pairing. Freed from the logistical … Continue reading
As you might have guessed from reading my glowing end-of-year coverage, Golden Child have become my personal bias group from this new generation of K-pop. So what happens when my favorite group releases a song based on one of my least favorite genres? To be fair, Spring Again (그러다 봄) isn’t really an official comeback. … Continue reading
Kim Donghan is a self-professed Taemin fanboy, and his music is at its best when it leans heavily into those influences. He released two solo singles last year, and each left me with very different reactions. The Taemin-esque Sunset rode on an addictive early-summer groove, but the overly trendy Good Night Kiss totally fizzled. New … Continue reading
Musically, boy group Spectrum had a pretty solid 2018. Their sound borrowed heavily from current trends, but by sticking with production team Code 9, their burgeoning discography felt cohesive. It’s a shame, then, that they’re still largely unknown by K-pop fans. Such is the struggle for rookie groups from small agencies. Without the benefit of … Continue reading
Over their seventeen-month history, The Boyz have waffled between lighter and darker concepts. Long-time readers will know that I’m most inclined towards their funkier material, but November’s No Air ended up growing on me quite a bit. Nevertheless, I was excited to see that Bloom Bloom would bring them back to a bright, poppy sound. … Continue reading
It goes without saying that Nu’est’s career has been anything but typical. Their phoenix from the ashes story is the stuff of K-pop legends, and it all culminates today with their first full-group album in almost three years. After a highly successful 2017-18 in the form of sub-unit Nu’est W, the group’s reunion is also … 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
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. I’ve gotta say, I’m fully embracing this subtle Twice transformation. As … Continue reading
Another day, another post-Wanna One debut. And like so many of these solo tracks, Bae Jinyoung’s Hard to Say Goodbye (끝을 받아들이기가 어려워) is a ballad. This fact alone makes it difficult to drum up any interest, as you essentially know what you’re going to get before the song even starts. Jinyoung never felt like … Continue reading
After the disbandment of Wanna One, we’ve seen many of the group’s members make solo debuts, but we’ve yet to see what happens when several of them come together under a new moniker. Apart from Nu’est (which is its own special case), AB6IX will likely be the first time we learn how popular this post-Wanna … Continue reading
Yoon Jisung has made a quick turnaround with his second release after the disbandment of Wanna One. Because of his age, Jisung must begin serving his mandatory military conscription next month, which doesn’t leave much time to develop a solo career. It was definitely smart to strike while the iron is hot. I just wish … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 