It’s so funny when you watch a music video from an act you know has a shoestring budget and it’s this big, cinematic spectacle (ie: obviously AI). I’m not sure who they think they’re fooling, but I’d much rather see a small budget piece with an engaging and creative concept than pure slop. Music video … Continue reading
Ten’s music is no longer promoted solely to K-pop audiences, aiming for global reach instead. Like his recent singles, Outwest is performed in English and adopts a sound palatable to the widest audience possible. This is not a unique approach, but it’s one that almost always results in music far less idiosyncratic than it could … Continue reading
Monsta X have been moving between Korean and English-language releases, shoring up both fanbases as they enter a new stage of their career. New single Magic is co-produced by the prolific Dem Jointz, whose “iiiiincooomminnng!” producer tag has begun to wear on me. It’s gotten to the point where I expect the worst the moment … Continue reading
Of all the BLACKPINK solo releases, Jisoo’s music has felt the most localized. Obviously, it’s been popular worldwide, but last year’s mini album still felt very much in the K-pop mold. New single Click comes ahead of a promised album, and sees her branching into a more obvious global direction with fully English lyrics and … Continue reading
BLACKPINK members are very busy with their solo releases at the moment. Jennie just dropped a digital EP last week, Jisoo’s back later tonight and Lisa has returned with new single SaWaDiKa. This title is a stylized version of the Thai greeting “sawasdee ka”, but in Lisa’s hands it becomes another opportunity to regale us … Continue reading
ChRocktikal made their debut early this year as the new band project of Dreamcatcher’s Siyeon. Their album garnered passionate support from fans, especially those who loved Dreamcatcher’s rock sound. Now, the group is back with their first mini album and title track Requiem. This is one of those end-of-summer songs that feels like it should … Continue reading
In the seventeen months since we last heard from Kwon Eunbi on this blog, she’s switched agencies, leaving poor Woollim Entertainment home to Drippin and Golden Child’s Jangjun and… no one else. She’s now signed with RBW, an agency that can be very prolific but tends to flatten their artists’ sounds in generic ways. New … Continue reading
As is often the case with Japanese tracks, izna’s Dumb Hot! was released a few weeks before its music video. Sometimes, that offers the chance for a song to ingratiate itself without visuals setting any concrete expectations, but there’s not enough song within Dumb Hot to succeed on its own. To put it bluntly, there … Continue reading
TUNEXX made their debut earlier this year… or so I’m told. Gun to head, I couldn’t tell you a thing about that song or the group in general, but that’s why having this blog is such a useful record. It looks like I did not enjoy their debut single I’m Alive at all, but also … Continue reading
82MAJOR have made their name on a quirky, often confrontational, hip-hop sound. As teasers were starting to roll out for new single Like Fire, I noticed some fans online expressing disappointment that the song seemed to be trending in a more mainstream direction. However, I don’t hold much stock in the 82MAJOR discography so I’m … Continue reading
Chungha hasn’t actively promoted a new single since early 2025. Those hoping for a new album after this long hiatus will have to wait because she’s back with a digital single instead. Chungha famously spent eight years living in Texas, and México takes us on a trip to the country just south of that. You … Continue reading
Earlier this year, Taemin debuted a suite of new songs during his Coachella set, teasing fans’ expectations for a new era. We had to wait a few months for that era to materialize, but he’s back today with a full album. Two title tracks are promised from Soft Violence, with Float leading the pack. When … Continue reading
Apart from solo tracks, the members of Girls’ Generation haven’t released new material together since 2022. They’ve worked in sub-units in the past, but not nearly as often as agency peers Super Junior. It’s refreshing, then, to see them debut a new unit nineteen years into their career. HRS consists of members Hyoyeon, Yuri and … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Sometimes you just have to give … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I’m gonna be so pissed if … Continue reading
WAYF BOYS are one of the new-gen groups I’m increasingly unsure fit within the realm of “K-pop.” Yes, they’re from a Korean agency and yes, their members are Korean/Korean-American, but their music so far has been performed in English and feels targeted to an international audience. As such, the standards with which I approach a … Continue reading
The hazy, wistful image posted above this review (which is also the cover of Jennie’s new digital EP) is emblematic of a certain sound that’s permeated global pop music and has weasled its way into K-pop as well. On this blog, I’ve called it “restrained,” “subdued,” “coffeehouse,” “beige” and a dozen other descriptors. It’s the … Continue reading
HITGS debuted as a kiddie group with catchy but cloying material. They’re still quite young, but their work has grown more palatable with time. Today, they’re back with digital single Gulliver, chronicling a crush on a guy with that same name. I wonder how common it is to find a guy named Gulliver in Korea … Continue reading
I’ve joked before that TNX only give us one single per year, but they’ve broken that streak in 2026. Their last comeback was all the way back in January, but they’ve returned with digital single Die Another Day. The song sees them tackling a new sound and image that blends their rock influences with a … Continue reading
Along with The Bias List, SF9 are celebrating their tenth anniversary. This is a big deal, as not all acts reach this milestone. And honoring its significance, the guys have released a full album of new material. In 2026, this is also a big deal! Throughout their career, SF9 have never settled on a distinct … Continue reading
