Boy group VAV have flown under the radar so far, despite being quite prolific. They released a total of four singles in 2017, but hadn’t yet compiled them into an album until now. The group caught my ear when they started collaborating with producer Ryan Jhun, who composed a few of last year’s best k-pop … Continue reading
When it was announced that Golden Child would be working with Sweetune for their comeback, I was absolutely elated. Not only would 2017’s most-promising rookie group be paired with my favorite producers, but it would also be the first time that Woollim Entertainment has worked with Sweetune on a title track since 2014. The agency made … Continue reading
Calling your album “The Perfect Red Velvet” sure sets expectations sky high, but Red Velvet have gradually been blending their quirky pop and r&b sides for the past year or so. It’s surprising, then, that new single Bad Boy borrows almost exclusively from their “velvet” persona, spotlighting the girls’ voices over a minimalist trap/r&b beat. … Continue reading
UP10TION are one of those under-the-radar groups that somehow become more successful than any casual k-pop fan might expect. Their comebacks never receive all that much spotlight, but the group still manages to sell boatloads of albums. This trait extends to their Japanese promotions, which have a solid track record commercially, even if few listeners … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks 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. Though I would rather have seen Rainz stick with the … Continue reading
YG boy group iKON had a frustratingly sparse 2017 in Korea, releasing only a double a-side single that came and went without much fanfare. Their late-2015 debut album hinted at a much more versatile group capable of delivering a variety of moods and tones. New single Love Scenario (사랑을 했다) hearkens back to those days, … Continue reading
When I cued up Jeong Sewoon’s new single, I was expecting some soft, acoustic ballad. But January continues to surprise with upbeat material, as he’s taken a sudden shift towards EDM. To be clear, Sewoon’s August debut had a lot of rhythm and energy as well, but I’d still consider it to be driven primarily … Continue reading
As happens with so many k-pop song, fromis-9’s pre-debut Glass Shoes grew on me tremendously the longer I heard it. The light, cutesy girl group concept has been done to death over the past few years, but acts like GFriend have been able to transcend it with robust arrangements and energetic hooks. With To Heart, fromis_9 … Continue reading
I am never more biased than when I’m writing about the work of my favorite k-pop producers. And number one on that list is Sweetune, who have very rarely put a foot wrong. Their lush, ultra-melodic style is instantly recognizable, yet completely enduring. As trends ebb and flow, they’ve been an anchor of classic pop … Continue reading
Quite frankly, Rainz’ new single is a mess. Cobbled together by no less than seven songwriters, Turn It Up lurches from one idea to the next without a lot of fluidity. But some of k-pop’s most enduring classics have a piecemeal, anything-goes appeal. So the question then becomes, is Turn It Up a successful mess, … Continue reading
When considering a review of Jonghyun’s posthumous single Shinin‘, I struggled with how to structure my thoughts. As his final comeback, it didn’t feel right to look at the song through a critical lens. I respect his craft so much, but there hasn’t always been a huge overlap between his musical sensibilities and mine. This … Continue reading
Boy group VIXX has settled into a comfortable stability, having cultivated a sizable fan base that seems pretty committed to supporting them. But there’s still room to go higher, as last month’s viral MBC Gayo performance proved. Just because a group has established themselves doesn’t mean they should stop challenging new things. Part of that … Continue reading
It’s hard to overstate just how important representation is in media, especially when it comes to minority groups. And with South Korea among the more socially conservative Asian countries, members of the LGBT community rarely see themselves within its idol and actor driven entertainment industry. When representation is present, it’s usually treated as something of … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks 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. Once the Olympics kick off next month, I’m sure Louder … Continue reading
While AOA remains on hiatus, leader Jimin is back with her second solo single in conjunction with W Magazine. October’s Hallelujah seemed to be on the cusp of trends by incorporating a Latin touch, but Hey reverts to a bratty sound that Jimin has become known for. After all, she is the undisputed queen of … Continue reading
The last time I reviewed a single by The East Light, I bemoaned the fact that they’d reverted to a more juvenile sound. This is — of course — an exceedingly young group. If anyone has the right to produce child-like hits, it’s these guys. But after bursting onto the scene with 2016’s raucous Holla, … Continue reading
If there was one song in 2017 that I severely under-rated, it would be Sunmi’s Gashina. While I didn’t love it at first, the track became something of a national phenomenon. Utter ubiquity goes a long way in selling a song, and coupled with its addictive choreography, Gashina rightfully stamped its place in last year’s … Continue reading
Defying all odds, Produce 101 project group JBJ sold over one hundred thousand copies of their debut mini album last year. This ranks them right up there with the biggest boy bands of 2017, despite the fact that the group is composed of trainees who were unable to secure enough votes to become part of … Continue reading
Chungha has been one of the bigger success stories from 2016’s Produce 101 group I.O.I. While most other members have been reshuffled back into their respective groups, she embarked on a solo career. Last Summer’s Why Don’t You Know wasn’t my cup of tea, but it held onto the charts for much longer than many … Continue reading
Infinite’s long-awaited comeback resulted in the title track Tell Me, which divided opinion on this site and others. It’s taken from the group’s third full-length album, Top Seed, and kicks off a string of ten other newly released songs. Just like with 2016’s Infinite Only, I’m here to offer my thoughts on every single one … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 