As sure as the sun sets, we can count on J.Y. Park to return each year with a fun retro banger. It’s practically a national holiday at this point. He’s long since eschewed albums for digital singles and this approach gives him a chance to funnel all his energy into one great song at a … Continue reading
Earlier this year, TXT unveiled the angsty Deja Vu, capitalizing on the rock-infused sound that made their 2021 so exemplary. However, I felt that song’s production held it back from blooming into the highlight it should have been. Now, the guys have reverted to their second mode of pop song: upbeat, disco-kissed dance music. They’ve … Continue reading
Top Media’s first ever girl group teased their debut last month with pre-release Best Friendz. From that song alone, it felt as if their music would be pitched toward a younger audience. Their proper debut track arrives today and shines more light on where the group may be headed. After Best Friendz, it’s pretty jarring … Continue reading
I loved Kep1er’s nine-member swan song Shooting Star and was upset when they never performed it at this year’s KCON LA. Now the group is down to seven, as Mashiro and Yeseo parted ways to join 143 Entertainment’s Madein. A new configuration opens potential for a new sound, and Tipi-Tap certainly switches things up. Unfortunately, … Continue reading
In the lead-up to BABYMONSTER’s first full album, they’ve teased all of its songs except title track Drip. We even heard the full album opener Clik Clak two days ago. I haven’t been impressed by much of the group’s discography so far, but YG Entertainment always seems to come up with at least one highlight … Continue reading
Around this time last year, BTOB left their longtime agency Cube Entertainment. They’ve since established their own BtoB Company to manage activities for most members, presumably giving them more creative freedom. As their first group effort since this transition, Please Stay (불씨) doesn’t reveal much change. The emotive ballad sits well within their established discography. … Continue reading
Earlier this year, Moon Jongup reunited with three other ex-B.A.P members for “Bang & Jung & Yoo & Moon,” but he’s also been active as a soloist. New single Twist Ya follows last year’s slinky X.O.X, adding a healthy dose of synthwave to give the track extra flavor. Though it doesn’t break any new ground, … Continue reading
It’s been seven years since I last got to write about new G-Dragon music. To call him foundational to my own K-pop fandom would be a vast understatement. From his work with Bigbang to his solo material, G-Dragon is K-pop for me. With an album set for release next month, he’s finally returned with pre-release … Continue reading
STAYC’s 2024 material has been increasingly quirky, marked by oddball earworms like Cheeky Icy Thang. Their music’s appeal has always been a bit left of center, which is a good thing. But in a current girl group landscape that favors beige easy-listening, it’s interesting to hear them adjust to the trends. New single GPT does … Continue reading
Quality control at YG Entertainment has been all over the place for the past decade or so, and the agency’s newest artist BABYMONSTER is emblematic of that hit or miss approach. The group’s first full album is just around the corner. Clips of the songs have gradually been teased and the previews range from godawful … Continue reading
SNSD’s Sooyoung actually started her idol career in a short-lived J-pop group before eventually debuting in Korea. It’s funny, then, that it took this long for her to release a solo single in Japan. Better late than never, as Unstoppable recaptures some of the magic from SNSD’s discography while showcasing Sooyoung’s own charisma. A song … Continue reading
TVXQ are set to release a 20th Anniversary album in Japan early next month. They already unveiled its lead track Sweet Surrender a few weeks ago and now they’re teasing again with the classic ballad Dearest. Some of their most successful Japanese work has been within this musical realm, and given the special occasion it’s … Continue reading
The Boyz had a very strong run of 2023 singles, but their 2024 has been comparatively sparse — at least where new music is concerned. Moving on from their Phantasy series, the guys are back with an edgier sound. Trigger careens between high-tempo electro pop and bombastic theatricality. Unfortunately, that mix sounds better on paper … Continue reading
In the lead-up to their second album, Twice sub-unit Misamo unveiled a cover of Namie Amuro’s 2008 hit New Look. As a lover of the original song, I found the update supremely lacking. It drained all energy from an otherwise solid piece of music. Now, the girls are back to right the ship with original … Continue reading
The sheer audacity of ITZY’s uneven Gold has (sort of) won me over, but when their newest album was released most fans were more focused on its b-sides. I didn’t find many of these b-sides all that engaging myself. However, Imaginary Friend immediately stood out as a highlight. JYP seems to think so too, as … Continue reading
Hello Gloom may still be a rising name in Korean music, but he’s crafted some of the best pop music of the past few years — both for himself and label-mate from20. His Mamacita is one of my favorite tracks of the year, delving deeper into dance music than ever before. New single Somebody slows … Continue reading
BTS’s Jin marks a big milestone by being the first member to return from the military and release music. And, I’m not talking about his Super Tuna from a few weeks ago! He’s ready to unveil an entire album, led by pre-release I’ll Be There. And with names like Gary Barlow and Arcades on the … Continue reading
Before he enlists in the military, NCT’s Jaehyun is set to hold a two day fancon and has released a new single to tide us over while he enters hiatus. Unconditional arrives only two months since his first solo album and continues the vibey, on-trend r&b sound he established there. This seems to be the … Continue reading
tripleS “Visionary Vision” has to be one of the more ridiculous sub-unit names to emerge lately, fully embracing an adjective-noun repetition like an extraordinary extraordinaire. But hey, this is K-pop! Fun with language is just an added bonus. Group name aside, Visionary Vision marks the debut of tripleS’s first dance-based sub-unit. Hit The Floor delivers … Continue reading
What does one do during a severely underwhelming month in K-pop? Return to the classics, of course! And there’s no performer more classic than Cho Yong Pil. The 74-year-old legend has returned with his first album since 2013’s very good Hello. It’s also his twentieth work. Remember, he was largely active at a time when … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 