Cube Entertainment has a history of successful sub-units. Both Trouble Maker and Triple H brought together artists from different groups and gave them bold material to forge new avenues in their careers. Wooseok x Kuanlin is the latest in the agency’s sub-unit history, pairing Pentagon’s (very tall) rapper and Wanna One’s (very popular) youngest for … 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 wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. When looking at an album, one of the first things I … 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 wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Dongwoo’s double title tracks split opinion on this site, but I’m … 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 wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I wouldn’t have expected it, but I am fully aboard the … Continue reading
Korean trot is a very specific genre, and with that specificity comes limitations. You pretty much know what you’re going to get out of a trot song. Whether you enjoy it or not will likely depend on your mood. I’m always up for some Hong Jin Young in variety shows (she has one of my … Continue reading
K-pop groups rarely make it past their initial seven-year contract, and it seems to be an even trickier prospect for girl groups. We’ve seen a host of high-profile disbandments over the past few years, but one that might have flown under the radar for many is Dal Shabet. The girls never made it to the … Continue reading
Girl group S.I.S have released two singles so far, and I had a drastically different reaction to each. The bright, throwback pop of debut I’ve Got A Feeling provided a welcome shot of catchy melody, but follow-up Say Yes was too cloying for me. New single Always Be Your Girl (너의 소녀가 되어줄게) falls somewhere … Continue reading
If online reports are to be believed, R.Tee & Anda’s What You Waiting For (뭘 기다리고 있어) is a song originally intended for BLACKPINK. That’s some pretty good press for Anda in particular. She’s already had a lengthy career, but her music has too often flown under the radar. In fact, I think this is … Continue reading
Ravi’s Tuxedo is a frustrating song. It has a ridiculous amount of potential, and in many ways feels like the strongest solo work that he has released yet. But, the entire track is undone by its constant use of unnecessary vocal effects. Full disclosure here: I’ve never been a huge fan of Ravi’s rap style. … Continue reading
GFriend have already packed a lot into their 2019. In just two months, they’ve released a full-length Korean album and a Japanese single. Now, they’re back with another new J-pop track, funneling various sounds from their four-year career into the upbeat Flower. Last year’s Memoria was a lyrical, slow-burn affair, but Flower punches right out … Continue reading
Double title tracks seemed to be all the rage a few years ago, but we don’t see much of them anymore. Woollim Entertainment has a history of this tactic, previously promoting two singles from Sungkyu’s 2015 album. It’s a great way to showcase multiple sounds. In Dongwoo’s case, the exciting Party Girl makes up for … Continue reading
For fans of second-generation idol acts like myself, it seems like all we hear these days is farewell/going-on-hiatus tracks. Most are wistful ballads or “please don’t forget me” dirges, so it’s always refreshing to hear something more upbeat. As more and more SM Entertainment artists begin their mandatory military enlistment, the agency has done a … Continue reading
Sunmi is in the middle of what many music fans would call an “imperial phase,” where basically everything she releases is gold. New single Noir arrives without any music show promotion and very little pre-release teasing, yet will be the track on everyone’s playlist based on her name alone. And with two singles in my … Continue reading
One of my biggest K-pop new year’s wishes was that boy groups would ditch the moodiness and go brighter, so I was delighted when it was announced that Big Hit’s new group TXT would debut with an upbeat, youthful concept. Based on agency clout alone, the guys were destined for massive out-of-the-gate success — the … Continue reading
After the success of JJ Project, it’s time for GOT7 to spawn a second sub-unit. JUS2 is formed by members Yugyeom and JB, and comes after a year in which the group took more creative control of their sound. Focus On Me is again co-composed by the guys themselves, and builds on aspects of their … 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
Oh, Sungwoon fans. You may as well just save yourself the grief and skip this review altogether. I swear, I’ve got nothing against the guy himself. He cut his teeth as a member of underrated idol group Hotshot, and more than proved himself as a vital part of K-pop sensation Wanna One. But his debut … Continue reading
SUV is one of K-pop’s most unexpected unit groups, comprised of Super Junior’s Shindong and musical comedy duo UV. We last heard from them in the spring of 2017 when they released the 80’s pastiche Marry Man, and now they’re back with a sonic sequel of sorts. Cheer Man (치어맨) lays its intentions bare with … Continue reading
You all knew I was going to cover Joochan’s special digital single, right? A ballad like this isn’t something I usually get excited about, but now that Golden Child have transformed into an official Bias List… erm… bias, I’m happy to pontificate about anything they give us. Hong Joochan is one of the group’s two … Continue reading
It’s been over six months since we’ve heard from (G)I-DLE as a group, but leader Soyeon has been a constant presence in K-pop since then. She featured in a special SM Entertainment project group last September and co-composed last month’s memorable No for fellow Cube Entertainment act CLC. I expect her star power to grow … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 