As part of their big 2016 comeback, the members of SS501 sub-unit Double S 301 have recently released a Japanese mini album. Its title track is the sorrowful Fraction, which takes a more dramatic, ballad-with-a-beat approach compared to their earlier Korean comeback. I tend to cut English phrases in kpop or jpop a tremendous amount of … Continue reading
Is there a point where “cutesy” becomes “too cutesy”? That’s the question that April’s Tinkerbell has me asking. This particular sound has been in vogue for girl groups of late, and generally I’m on board because it usually puts a focus on sticky bubblegum melodies and bright, energetic production. Tinkerbell certainly has both of those, … Continue reading
Mighty Mouth is a male duo that’s been active in the kpop world for eight years, minus time for their mandatory military conscription. Despite being such an established act, the reason I suspect most modern fans would be interested in checking this song out is that it was produced by Block B’s Zico. It’s probably a bit … Continue reading
Lovelyz are right at the top of the newer girl group pack for me. Their quirkiness and fizzy synth pop sound won me over instantly, but then they delivered the double sucker punch of Ah Choo and (the amazing) For You last year. That pretty much sealed the deal. When I heard they would be going more … Continue reading
Few groups have enjoyed as meteoric a rise as Twice has with their debut single Like Ooh Ah. It took me a long time to fully come around to Ooh Ah‘s charm, and if its longevity is anything to go by, I’m not the only one. Cheer Up feels as if it may achieve the same feat. On … Continue reading
It’s a tall order to follow-up a song as well received (and well-delivered) as Mansae. For me, it was one of 2015’s best singles, and established Seventeen as the top rookie group of the year. It also raised expectations almost impossibly high for their follow-up. Both Adore U and Mansae shared similar styles, opting for … Continue reading
If there’s any male group that deserves a full-fledged comeback, it’s got to be ZE:A. They’ve never been able to totally break into the a-list as a unit, despite a highly underrated discography and some very notable members. And now that their cohesion as a group seems to be somewhat fractured, it looks like we’ll have to make … 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. With a title like Six Feet Under, this may be … Continue reading
Many idols thrive on a larger than life stage image, but you never really feel that with Park Boram. She has a unique, conversational style that feels more like she’s sitting across from you in a coffee shop talking about her day. While this likely attracts many listeners looking for something more personal and relatable in their … Continue reading
Many kpop acts have ridiculous names, but few make me giggle as much as Berry Good. It’s just so horribly punny and painfully uncool. It’s memorable, yes, but doesn’t exactly make me itch to hear their music. And that’s a shame, because I fear that most casual listeners will miss out on the surprisingly excellent … Continue reading
BTS’ The Most Beautiful Moment In Life project has been such a triumph on all levels, and now they’re taking a victory lap of sorts by releasing the trilogy’s finale. The actual album (and presumed title track) won’t be released until early May, but with Young Forever, they’ve surprised us with a taster of what’s … Continue reading
Six weeks after coming back with double title tracks, Lee Hi is wrapping up her Seoulite promos with the release of a final single, My Star. The song sees a return to the retro soul-pop she’s known so well for, but how does it match up with her material from March? Pretty well, actually. My … Continue reading
VIXX have promised us a trilogy of single albums this year, taking their concepts from Greek gods. First up is Dynamite, which springs from Zelos, the god of jealousy. With this emotion driving the track, you’d be forgiven for expecting something dark and tortured. But surprisingly, Dynamite is their funkiest, most pop-influenced single in awhile. … Continue reading
Apink have become well-known for releasing non-comeback “songs for the fans” on their debut anniversary. Today marks their fifth year together, so twenty-four hours after main vocal Eunji released her first solo work, the girls are gifting us with The Wave. As usual, it’s a rousing ballad tailor-made for concert encore stages. Thankfully, the instrumental has more bite to it … Continue reading
I want to preface this review by noting that I named Super Junior’s Devil as my top kpop song of 2015. I mention this because I know how fan loyalty and bias can color the work of groups and individuals, especially those from acts as big as SJ. I’m sure I’ll be just as biased with … Continue reading
Like many others, I first fell in love with Apink’s Eunji after watching the brilliant Reply 1997. She possesses such a bright, compassionate energy as both an actress and a singer that it’s hard not to root for her. With Hopefully Sky, she makes her solo debut, and it sounds very little like what we’re … Continue reading
UP10TION are one of a handful of rookie boy groups from mid-size agencies that are poised to usher in the next generation of kpop. Up to this point, they’ve released two solid mini-albums, though the title tracks from each haven’t been as strong as some some of the songs that they didn’t promote. Attention seeks to … Continue reading
Heechul and Jungmo’s M&D project was one of 2015’s best surprises — a j-rock inspired passion project filled with gorgeous melodies and theatrical delivery. For this week’s Station release, the two revisit that sound, with the added bonus of Mamamoo’s Whee In as a duet vocalist. Sadly, I’m not sure that it works as well this … Continue reading
Mintty is from girl group Tiny-G, who I can’t say I know all that much about except that they were all short (hence the name) and they disbanded last year. But, it’s always nice to have another female rapper in kpop, and that’s exactly what Mintty is giving us with the funky Already Go Lady. … Continue reading
Korean rapper Sleepy is one half of the hip-hop duo Untouchable, and for Body Lotion, he’s teamed with labelmate Bang Yong Guk of boy group B.A.P. It’s a pairing that makes sense, given their complementary styles. Despite his moniker, Sleepy raps (and sings) at a higher, more sprightly pace, while Yong Guk is all deep-voiced … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 