Sometimes a group’s name and song title really tell you all you need to know. Nothing about “OhBliss” or (especially) “Bunny Bunny” sounded remotely appealing to me. But you never truly know until you give it a listen, right? Could Bunny Bunny actually be a hidden treatise on the sociological hardships caused as a result … 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. For those who love the work of production team Sweetune, … Continue reading
Fans of mega-successful project group I.O.I probably haven’t been very happy with me over the year, as I haven’t often been kind to their music. This is despite absolutely loving Pick Me and the Produce 101 series that spawned the group. Beyond that, it’s been hard for me to understand the hype. In general, the whole … Continue reading
Block B are a group who have become increasingly unpredictable in their output. While hip-hop will likely be at their core for their entire career, they’ve incorporated much more soulful elements into their music of late. And of course, when it comes to original j-pop releases from k-pop artists, all bets are off. Japan is … Continue reading
Seventh Heaven is probably the most bizarre track I’ve featured yet on the site. Of course, j-pop boy group Bullet Train have had a flair for the eccentric throughout their career, starting with their unique configuration of five “main” dancers performing in front of two “back” vocals. But when they lose the gimmicks and focus on … Continue reading
K-pop debuts are a dime a dozen, and have been for several years. To make matters more confusing, they often have similar names. For example, Highteen are a four-girl pop act. But coming down the line, we also have the impending debut of Myteen, a 7-member boy group. It takes a dynamite song to etch … Continue reading
It’s hard to imagine what exactly SE7EN could do to usher in a career resurgence. He enjoyed a massive amount of success during his first decade as a solo artist, but a scandal and two years away for military enlistment have dulled his status as one of k-pop’s leading r&b acts. His pre-release back in … Continue reading
Usually, as an artist gains prominence and becomes more mainstream, their music follows suit. But with Crush, it feels like his output has become more idiosyncratic since his days as a relatively straightforward r&b artist. Though last May’s Woo Ah wasn’t quite to my taste, I could definitely appreciate its languid style. Fall (어떻게 지내) … Continue reading
I was beginning to think that SM’s Henry was never going to release solo music again. It’s been over two years since his last mini album, and his presence has been missed. While I hope that we get something more substantial from him soon, this duet with Sistar’s Soyou is a welcome surprise in the … Continue reading
Though they may not make the types of international waves that many idol groups do, female duo Davichi are an absolute force in ballad-heavy Korea. It’s hard to objectively review their music, as it’s like comparing apples to oranges when put next to the hip-hop and dance pop that take precedence each week on The Bias List. When looking at … Continue reading
100% have been away from the k-pop scene for over two years — a hiatus many groups simply cannot successfully come back from. They’ve always been a remarkably consistent act, both in terms of talent and material. But when I learned that their new single (and album) would be composed by production gods Sweetune, my expectations … Continue reading
The Rain (더 레인) is Ladies’ Code’s second promoted comeback after their return as a three-piece. Like it or not, the girls occupy a different place in k-pop than before the tragic accident that took two of their former members. In some regards, I understand that tragedy necessitates a more pensive sound, but I think … 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. Among BTS’s new album’s massive 15-track running order are solo songs … Continue reading
Girls Girls debuted at the tail end of last year with a sound that blends 2NE1-style swag with the overt sexuality of artists like EXID and HyunA. Unfortunately, it hasn’t done much for them yet. In fact, Juicy Secret (쥬시시크릿) is really their first track that made it on my radar — and my radar … Continue reading
Cube Entertainment hasn’t had a stellar year. In the course of several months, they’ve lost their biggest girl group, 4minute, and one-sixth of their biggest boy group, Beast (whether the other members re-sign their expiring contracts remains to be seen). Given this, there’s a lot riding on Pentagon’s debut. The agency seems to have invested quite … Continue reading
When it comes to k-pop’s evolution both domestically and internationally, BTS are in the driver’s seat. It’s been an absolute thrill to see them come back again and again with material that’s both friendly to pop radio and beguilingly artistic. Blood, Sweat & Tears (피 땀 눈물) is the latest in their continual reinvention, and … 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. I’m sad to admit that much of Shinee’s latest album … Continue reading
When it was first announced that 90’s superstars Sechs Kies had signed with YG Entertainment for their long awaited reunion, I couldn’t imagine what the resulting material would sound like. Sechs Kies older songs don’t really bear anything close to the trademark YG sound, though I suppose a focus on hip-hop creates some sort of through … Continue reading
Though several former EXO members have struck out on solo careers in China, Lay’s What You Need is the first major push from a current member of the group. Though he’s been less visible in more recent EXO tracks, SM Entertainment seems content to give Lay some freedom when it comes to his home country. What … Continue reading
A week after Crayon Pop gave us a revival of 80’s italo disco, new group Sixth Sense debuts with a similar sound. The girls are from Up Entertainment — a small agency that doesn’t seem to have much of an internet presence. From watching the music video, it’s clear that budgets are tight and … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 