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
Around this time last year, AMPERS&ONE debuted with the ebullient On And On, setting expectations for a bright, exciting discography. This year’s follow-up Broken Heart swerved in a different direction, muddying those same expectations. That song grew on me a bit but felt like an overall dip in quality. Thankfully, new single He + She … Continue reading
Over the past few years, Purple Kiss have flirted with quite a number of genres. Their singles run tends to bounce between negative and positive reviews on this blog. I prefer their more melodic tracks, especially given the strength of their vocalists. New single On My Bike offers a bit of everything, melding their various … Continue reading
DXMON are making their first comeback since the withdrawal of member Jo (the guy who used to sport the spiky red hair). I wasn’t a huge fan of their debut, but follow-up Girls, Love Boys, Love Girls stood as a late-spring highlight. I’d love to hear them go further down that melodic route, but new … Continue reading
Rookie group POW burst out of the gate with the solid pop/rock of Favorite last year, but have struggled to find songs as equally strong since then. So rather than reinvent the wheel, they’ve embraced a proven hit with their remake of Avril Lavigne’s 2007 smash Girlfriend. The guys have K-popped the whole thing, cribbing … Continue reading
I haven’t been shy in voicing my displeasure/disinterest with K-pop’s current trend of beige, easy-listening girl group fare. The sound has become ubiquitous over the past year, dulling the excitement of many new groups. But within this sonic realm, ILLIT’s megahit Magnetic stood out as a solid example of the genre. Now they’re back with … Continue reading
Pre-release tracks aren’t necessarily meant to become the biggest hit of an artist’s career, but aespa’s Supernova surprised everyone by lodging itself at the top of the charts for the better part of the year. Karina’s recent solo track Up seems to be doing the same, adding to aespa’s red hot ascent. Now, the full … Continue reading
*This was originally a “buried treasure” review, but now that we have an official mv, it’s been changed to a “song review” post. My rating hasn’t changed. It’s been quite some time since a Seventeen album has captured me, and new release Spill The Feels (such a cheesy title) is unlikely to break that trend. … Continue reading
Despite displaying plenty of potential, One Pact have not enjoyed a rosy track record on this blog. Their songs have rated between 6.75 and 7.25 so far, with this June’s FXX Off the most disappointing of the bunch. However, there’s always room for musical redemption and new single Deserved transforms their sound with a lighter … Continue reading
After years of infrequent releases, the BLACKPINK members have blitzed the market with solo singles over the past few weeks. Some of these have featured international stars, like Lisa’s duet with Spanish pop queen Rosalía. Now, it’s Rosé’s turn to join forces with a global hitmaker, pairing up with Bruno Mars for the quirky, irreverent … Continue reading
Since their establishment in 2005, Top Media has exclusively managed male acts. Teen Top, 100%, UP10TION and MCND have all made their way through the agency’s ranks, but now Top is branching out to debut their first ever girl group. Odd Youth haven’t taken that all-important debut step yet, but we get a first look … Continue reading
Billlie pre-released the understated Trampoline last week, complete with a low-budget music video that suggested they were saving their resources for their album’s title track. Remembrance Candy (기억사탕) is that title, arriving within the quirky worldbuilding we’ve come to expect from the group. It also scores a co-write from IU, who worked on the lyrics. … Continue reading
On the surface, Say My Name may seem like a typical new girl group, but they have an interesting mentor. They’re the first idol act from INKODE, the agency co-founded by ex-TVXQ member Kim Jaejoong. Jaejoong often interacts with younger idol groups as part of his variety work, but this is the first time we’ve … Continue reading
This spring, 82MAJOR’s Choke impressed with its addictive hip-hop production, but its lackluster hooks were quickly overshadowed by a similarly-themed comeback from fellow boy group YOUNITE. Still, the guys showed promise as hip-hop idols and new single Stuck (혀끝) seeks to capitalize on that sound. The instrumental isn’t quite as addictive this time around, but … Continue reading
Fresh off their snoozy pre-release R.E.M, Kiss Of Life are back with the title track from their new album. Get Loud ratchets up the energy and throws back to mid-2000’s R&B/dance sounds. The song wouldn’t sound out of place on a girl group album from that era, and that’s a solid direction for this group … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 