Fantagio’s LUN8 have pinballed from trend to trend, not yet landing on a sound that distinguishes them from K-pop’s always packed crowd of rookie acts. New single Butterfly (나비) shifts style yet again, though this time they’re attempting something a bit more ambitious and unique. This transformation comes alongside a shift in members. One has … Continue reading
After years of waiting for JYP Entertainment to debut their team from 2021’s LOUD survival series, KickFlip were one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to connect with their music so far. I was hoping the songs would grow on me with time, but if anything the opposite … Continue reading
Boy group Xodiac have largely flown under the radar despite releasing a handful of solid tracks. Time 2 Shine gives them the (soft) rock makeover that’s proven very trendy in new-gen boy groups. It won’t win any awards for originality, but there’s always room on my playlist for more melodic material like this. Opening with … Continue reading
Mystic Story’s first boy group ARrC debuted last summer with a pair of promoted tracks that mixed quirky ideas with well-worn boy group tropes. Their agency is known for creative concepts but I’m waiting for the music itself to stand on its own. Comeback nu kidz offers an intriguing first step into new territory even … Continue reading
There’s this meme going around lately about pop artists “reheating their nachos,” which is basically an obnoxious way of saying “returning to the sounds they popularized and do best.” I get the sense that, although this is said in a loving nature, there’s a bit of reluctance threaded into the metaphor. But for better or … Continue reading
When last we heard from POW, they were interpolating the chorus of Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend to middling effect, diluting that song’s power with too many overused K-pop tropes. Now they’re back with a special digital single that’s much more of a stripped back affair. If this month was delivering new K-pop comebacks with any regularity, … Continue reading
With the debut of SM Entertainment’s new girl group just around the corner, Starship Entertainment has lodged a stealth attack by pre-releasing music from their upcoming girl group KiiiKiii first. Given the agency’s huge success with IVE, all eyes are on KiiiKiii’s emergence in the industry. And if I Do Me is any indication, the … Continue reading
I:MOND made their debut last summer but completely passed me by, as fledging rookie groups occasionally do. Now they’re back with their first mini album and title track Wonderland (원더랜드). Interestingly, the group are independently managed without the backing of a label. That’s pretty rare in K-pop’s idol landscape and certainly makes me want to … Continue reading
Fresh off their pre-release ballad Saturn last week, MADEIN are back with their latest title track Love, Afraid (사랑, 두려움). That title might as well stand for the dueling emotions listeners have felt before and after sexual abuse allegations were leveled at the group’s CEO. It’s a messy, unsure time to be a MADEIN fan, … Continue reading
Despite featuring a strong member line-up, I haven’t yet been able to connect with One Pact’s music. I admire how they compose their own work, but in my case it’s a matter of diverging musical tastes. However, teasers for new single 100! unveiled a promising funk pop sound, joining the ranks of many current boy … Continue reading
The month (year?) of BLACKPINK solos rolls on with the release of Jisoo’s second single and first since cutting ties with YG Entertainment for her solo efforts. So far, that decision has played well for every other BLACKPINK member, and given the lukewarm nature of 2023’s Flower Jisoo has plenty of room for musical improvement. … Continue reading
I often consider Boyfriend one of K-pop’s most underrated acts, especially when it comes to international fans. While they may not have ever reached the A-list, their run with Sweetune remains as epic as any of their contemporaries. Unfortunately, once they started to work with other producers their sound took a noticeable dip. We’d still … Continue reading
After taking Korea by storm in the spring of 2024, ILLIT’s Magnetic went on to see great success in markets like Japan. It only makes sense that they’d expand their career there, especially given HYBE’s existing infrastructure in the country. Almond Chocolate sees them getting in on the lucrative OST business, closely mirroring the sound … Continue reading
Around this time last year, Chungha promoted the disappointing Eenie Meenie when fantastic b-side I’m Ready was just begging for single treatment instead. Artists have every right to explore a variety of genres, but Chungha is such a convincing dancefloor diva that it feels like a missed opportunity whenever her music ventures elsewhere. Thankfully, new … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
The title of EVNNE’s new single practically begs for a snarky review. The quotes write themselves, but the truth is K-pop songs are rarely hot messes anymore. The industry has become too streamlined and safe for things like that to happen. This Hot Mess also feels safe with current trends in mind, but it’s still … Continue reading
Let’s get the elephant out of the room first. Since I last wrote about MADEIN, member Gaeun withdrew from the group after alleging sexual harassment from the CEO of the group’s agency. Given 143 Entertainment’s messy reaction and the general repulsiveness of the allegations themselves, I understand why you might want to stop reading now … Continue reading
With Lady Gaga’s excellent Abracadabra being rapturously received around the globe, there’s a tantalizing feeling in the air that big shiny choruses and grandiose ideas may just be coming back to pop music. Us K-pop fans know any global trend takes a bit of time to filter down to the industry, but Born Again is … Continue reading
Performance videos don’t always warrant a full review on this site, especially when they’re supporting follow-up tracks rather than fully-promoted titles. However, I know how popular BABYMONSTER’s music has become and assume fans may want a space to discuss the merits of Billionaire. This song follows five (!) other promoted tracks on the album — … Continue reading
K-Pop debuts can be tricky things. At times, they’re the best song a group delivers. Sometimes, they’re the only song a group delivers! But, debuts can also be huge wtf moments in an artist’s career. In this feature, I’ll be looking back at debut songs through the prism of time, re-evaluating how well they hold … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 