The list of k-pop groups with ridiculous names is very long, but few have been as head-scratchingly bizarre as “Weki Meki.” Fantagio’s new girl group arrives with a decent amount of hype thanks to four of its members’ participation in season one of Produce 101, but that good will is seriously tested by a strange … Continue reading
Last year, it took a while for the whole IOI phenomenon to click with me. As much as I loved watching Produce 101, the post-show releases felt more like agencies throwing various songs and genres at the girls rather than an attempt to create a cohesive sound. But then again, can a group who’s set … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop 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 kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. While SM Entertainment doesn’t always pick the right title tracks … Continue reading
After a burst of music show performances in the spring, last month’s Every DAY6 release Hi Hello didn’t seem to be pushed or promoted very hard. But though that song felt a bit underwhelming the first few listens, it was one of July’s biggest growers, offering a hazy, subdued counterpoint to the summer’s more bombastic … Continue reading
My k-pop loving heart skips a beat every time I hear the name Yoo Young Jin. Despite having vastly different styles, he and Sweetune are my all-time favorite k-pop composers. But while I can find clear Western touchstones for Sweetune’s 80’s-drenched style, Yoo Young Jin’s unique beat-driven blend is without precedent. SM Entertainment uses his … Continue reading
After the incredible success of Really Really, Winner have unexpectedly become to the torchbearers for tropical k-pop. But while they’ve displayed a natural ease with this genre, I’m hoping that their transformation doesn’t ultimately become problematic. Tropical pop is already a fatigued genre, peddled by anyone and everyone in k-pop. I was personally sick of … Continue reading
With the departure of member Taehyun, Winner has adopted a surprising dance-oriented sound that led to the massive success of April’s Really Really. In a rare display of smart, efficient management, YG Entertainment has allowed the guys to make a quick follow-up designed to cement their new style. When I heard that Love Me Love … Continue reading
Of the two title tracks released from Girls’ Generation‘s tenth anniversary comeback, the bright Holiday was clearly designed to be the wide-appeal, summer-themed pop hit. It feels like a natural follow-up to 2015’s Party, but thankfully downplays that song’s gimmickry in favor of something less saccharine. In fact, Holiday more closely recalls the kind of … Continue reading
SM Entertainment has promised a second half of the year that sees a return of some of its biggest legacy artists. That kicks off with the tenth anniversary comeback of Girls’ Generation. It’s been two years since the girls’ last album, and this extended wait has built up plenty of anticipation. As enjoyable as the … Continue reading
CLC have returned with a vastly different concept and sound almost every time they’ve released an album, causing their discography to have a fragmented personality that has made it difficult for them to establish a lasting fan base. In some ways, I feel like I’ve been overly harsh on their output, but it’s hard to … Continue reading
Only a few weeks after their comeback as a four-member group, Nine Muses have returned with a single that flips the dark, evocative sound of Remember into a brighter dance pop concoction. Throughout the years, the girls have proven themselves capable of delivering high quality material regardless of style or group configuration. Love City (러브시티) … Continue reading
If any contestant seemed best primed for a debut with Produce 101 Season 2’s boy group Wanna One, it was Kim Samuel. He’d already gained debut experience with duo 1Punch and as a solo act, and enjoyed a built-in fan base that stretched all the way back to his trainee days with Pledis Entertainment. So … Continue reading
Newer k-pop fans would be forgiven for not knowing who N.Flying are. Despite being a rookie group from a sizeable agency, the guys haven’t made a Korean comeback in nearly two years. Before that, they presented two very different sounds. Debut single Awesome shone a spotlight on their rap/rock sound, but felt a little too … Continue reading
Though fellow Block B member Zico has stolen most of the thunder when it comes to solo material, Park Kyung has carved a nice little niche for himself. His style tends to be a little more conversational, focusing on sing-songy hooks and a generally unadorned blend of indie, jazz and r&b influences. He found great … Continue reading
Despite their ridiculous group name, new rookies ONF have much to live up to. They’re the newest act from WM Entertainment, home to the consistently fantastic B1A4 and burgeoning boundary-pushers Oh My Girl. The agency is known for its quirky output, raising anticipation for how ONF would sound. With debut single On/Off, the group opts for … Continue reading
Well, I suppose it had to happen eventually. After releasing a string of five outstanding singles, GFriend have returned with a song that feels dangerously close to “so-so.” Though a momentary drop in quality is inevitable for most groups, GFriend have been on such a roll these past few years. Their “powerful innocence” concept and … Continue reading
K-pop Star‘s Shannon Williams made waves earlier this year for expressing confusion over her agency’s lack of communication when it came to promotional opportunities. And in some ways, MBK Entertainment botched the release of her new mini album as well, offering very little promo and quietly debuting Hello‘s music video after the song had already … Continue reading
After School‘s Raina was on the cusp of quite a solo career a few years ago with the release of mega-successful duet A Midsummer Night’s Sweetness. But like After School itself, that momentum was blunted by a lack of actual releases to follow it up. Flash forward three years and Pledis Entertainment has given her … Continue reading
The Produce 101 rush of debuts continues with Choon Entertainment’s Longguo and Shihyun. Duos are not particularly common in k-pop, and I assume the two will eventually become part of a larger group. But for now, both performers complement each other well even if portions of their material leave something to be desired. I can’t … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop 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 kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Thank god for EXO-CBX. Even when EXO itself veers toward … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 