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. When it comes to ballads, I love it when groups … 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. As should be the case with any celebration, Highlight’s new … Continue reading
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Epik High is that, even when they’re exploring trends, they have a style unique to them. This blend of alternative and old school hip hop gives their music a familiar base to work from and guarantees a certain amount of continuity between albums. The last time we heard from … Continue reading
After unveiling its triumphant co-ed theme song last week, The Unit is focusing on the guys and the girls separately. First up are the boys, filling that vast sound stage once more for the bombastic dance pop of Last One (빛). And while the song isn’t quite as addicting as My Turn, the novelty of … 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. So far, I’ve found SF9’s album releases to be of … Continue reading
A.C.E’s Callin’ follows up on one of 2017’s most interesting debuts. Not only did the group tackle an unusual electronic sound with Cactus, but they also performed the song with a flair for avant-garde, gender-bending fashion. And given the splash that they made back in May, it’s no surprise that they’ve chosen to double down … Continue reading
Last week, fan-favorite Produce 101 spin-off group Rainz proved that the series could generate more than just one successful act. But while Rainz set the stage with a colorful collection of trainees, JBJ looks to break things wide open – debuting with some of the series’ most popular contestants among its ranks. The group has … 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. Many new k-pop albums were released last week, and although … 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. UP10TION’s latest single album may only be two tracks long, … Continue reading
It’s been well over a year since BTOB came back with a ballad. After the success of 2015 single It’s Okay, it seemed as if they were going to become stuck in ballad-mode forever, having finally found their commercial sweet spot. But with the changing of the seasons, the time is right to remind the … Continue reading
Highlight’s new mini-album is released in honor of their eighth year together — a feat for any k-pop group. Of course, Highlight itself only “debuted” earlier this spring, but the guys are rightfully including their time together as Beast. Can Be Better (어쩔 수 없지 뭐) follows up on the incredible success of March’s Plz … Continue reading
Taemin’s Press It was my favorite album of last year, so this comeback arrives with much anticipation (especially since it was originally confirmed for an August release). One of the reasons I gravitate to his solo music is that he pulls influence from the kind of classic, larger-than-life performers who simply don’t exist any more. … Continue reading
Over the past four weeks, Seventeen has been releasing a special track for each of its sub-units (including a new “leader” unit). This has been a smart way to shine focus on what makes this group so unique. They’re undeniably strongest when they’re all together, but the fact that they can craft songs of such … Continue reading
Longtime readers of The Bias List will know that I have my particular likes and dislikes when it comes to musical structure and style, and once I dig into something that bothers me about a song, it becomes hard to enjoy even the music’s more successful moments. One crime against pop that has been especially … Continue reading
SM Station’s latest release brings together Doyoung from NCT and Sejeong from Gugudan. Though only Doyoung is an actual SM artist, the two share at least one thing in common. Both are supremely talented vocalists whose group comebacks rarely give the opportunity to fully display that skill. Star Blossom (별빛이 피면) may be yet another … Continue reading
KBS’s upcoming competition series The Unit brings together dozens of male and female idols from mid to low tier groups (including members from my current fave, Snuper). The idea is to forge two nine-member project groups at the culmination of the show, but as with all of these survival series, the most eye-catching moment is … Continue reading
Season 2 of Produce 101 was such a phenomenon that it has spawned not only its winning act, Wanna One, but other project groups as well. Rainz consists of seven fan favorite trainees from the program, debuting and promoting for one year. However, it’s not the members that piqued my interest, but the involvement of … Continue reading
UP10TION have much to make up for after the disappointingly generic tropical track they returned with last June. For awhile, it felt as they were making a quick ascent to the upper levels of k-pop boy groups, but even though their sales remain impressive, 2017 has seen their buzz begin to stall. Going Crazy (미치게 … Continue reading
The return of ex-Wonder Girls member Yenny under her solo alias HA:TFELT is immensely exciting. Last time she promoted on her own it was in the form of 2014’s stirring Ain’t Nobody, which melded interpretive dance with a bombastic, dubstep instrumental to incredible effect. She’s one of those rare k-pop acts who march to the … Continue reading
SF9 only debuted a year ago and have already experimented with a number of styles. Switching things up again, their new single finds them trading hip-hop and EDM for Spanish guitars. Latin music has long been a familiar excursion for boy bands of the West, but its influence is far more unusual when it comes to … Continue reading
