Modern entries to the winter holiday canon can be tricky since this type of song thrives on built-up nostalgia. Most listeners have a handful of tracks they go back to each year until they become ritual. It’s less common for fans to go out of their way to discover new holiday classics, but when BTS’s … 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
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. Though they’ve shifted their sound for … 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
It always amazes me how quickly artists can jump back into work after their military enlistment ends. Jay B returned less than a month ago, yet today he’s released his first full album. He may have been working on this for years, but it’s still impressive he was able to get it off the ground … 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 holiday season is upon us, which means K-Pop (and J-Pop) will soon be unleashing their seasonal efforts on the market. Alongside the release of their first Japanese album, NCT Wish are ready to usher in winter with the festive Wishful Winter. The song makes sense for November/December but feels like a throwaway in the … Continue reading
Seventeen are here to cap off an incredibly successful 2024 with the release of a new Japanese single. Shohikigen (消費期限) has been available for awhile now (I first wrote about it as part of a J-pop round-up), but they’ve just unveiled the music video for the song. While it’s rare for a K-pop act to … Continue reading
Ten years after her debut with Red Velvet, Irene has finally released her first solo album. Better late than never — especially as the group enters a phase of their career when solo work tends to be more common. Like A Flower is well-suited to this musical era, drawing upon trends to craft a catchy … 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
Last week, WayV pre-released the upbeat High Five, building on the funky energy of this spring’s Give Me That. Now, it’s time to move back into edgier territory. Title track Frequency melds old-school hip-hop rhythms with the harsh performance style many expect from the NCT universe. Compared to similar efforts in this mold, the song … Continue reading
Ushering in your debut with a self-titled track has become a bit trendy these days, with Izna the latest to cement their status this way. The group was formed on season two of I-LAND — the same series that created ENHYPEN in 2020. That’s where the similarities end, as Izna are under the production hand … Continue reading
TWS has been a musical balm this 2024, offering structurally diverse bursts of exciting pop when everyone else was going beige and repetitive. To me, there hasn’t been a debut year this airtight in years and now the guys are tying a bow on their successful 2024 with a shift to a more sentimental sound. … 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
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
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
Jay Chang has had quite a varied idol career so far. First appearing on Boys Planet, he later debuted with boy group One Pact. Then, he participated in another survival series (Build Up) and debuted with its winning project group B.D.U. That contract took him away from One Pact’s recent comeback. All the while, he’s … Continue reading
ICHILLIN’ released a couple great tracks early this year, but both ended up falling off my playlist much quicker than expected. They each felt more like production showcases than enduring melodies — an approach that often struggles in the long run once the excitement of that production wears off. I predict a similar future for … Continue reading
Hey, it’s been two years without a new Wonho single! He’s been serving his mandatory enlistment and now seems ready to start a new era. For awhile there, he was dropping banger after banger, but pop has moved into different territory since then. The English-language What Would You Do fits into the more downbeat, subdued … Continue reading
I was a bit overzealous when writing about G-Dragon’s Power because I was simply so excited to have him back in music after seven long years. That zealousness continues with a review for Home Sweet Home, even if the song has no accompanying music video, and grows even more intense with fellow Bigbang members Taeyang … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 