It’s not often that K-pop releases collaborations between its major agencies, but Nobody sees representative artists from SM Entertainment, Cube Entertainment and Starship Entertainment come together to deliver a theme for Busan’s bid to host the World Expo 2030. I didn’t know these things warranted a theme song, but I’m glad to have Nobody regardless … Continue reading
Over the past few months, I’ve had a horserace in my mind regarding which Bias List favorite would return with new music first: Golden Child or Kis-My-Ft2. It turns out Golcha emerged victorious, though Kisumai arrives right on their tail. But while Golcha’s recent efforts have been infrequent but excellent, Kis-My-Ft2’s recent material has been … Continue reading
I’ll keep this short rather than belabor a point I’ve made over and over: K-pop producers must find a way to tie better songs to their cool instrumentals. Imagine having a track as exciting as NTX’s Holy Grail — rumbling bass, throbbing electronic backbone and post-apocalyptic fervor — and you waste it on a lame … Continue reading
As ONEWE’s activities wind down, rapper/singer/producer Giuk (formerly known as CyA) has been steadily crafting a solo discography. I never wrote about his spring solo debut, but the dramatic teasers for Scratch (내 영혼에 낸) caught my attention. I appreciate the direction Giuk’s taking his music, even if the songs could stand to be more … Continue reading
Despite my initial hesitance, &TEAM’s Firework perfected the synth-inflected side of HYBE’s oeuvre. Somehow, that song leveraged the agency’s faceless vocal processing as an asset, tying it to strong hooks and a compelling atmosphere. This success raised the stakes for &TEAM’s first full album, but new single War Cry takes a different approach. Unlike with … Continue reading
This year has been stuffed with new boy group debuts featuring Boys Planet contestants, but FNC Entertainment’s AMPERS&ONE caught my eye thanks to the bright, upbeat direction of their music. I’d love for K-pop to embrace a resurgence of thick synths and propulsive dance beats, and the teasers for On And On seemed to promise … Continue reading
Crush has been a reliable presence in K-R&B since his debut over a decade ago, scoring at least one big hit nearly every year. Last year’s Rush Hour paired him with BTS’s J-Hope and brought a renewed sense of funk to his sound. New single Hmm-cheat (흠칫) continues the party, borrowing from classic grooves to … Continue reading
The high points in Red Velvet’s discography are so high, but if I really think about it I haven’t cared for one of their title tracks since 2019. As with most groups approaching their tenth year in the industry, their comebacks have become less frequent, but today they deliver a wealth of new material on … 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 guess there’s an unspoken rule … 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’ll always be that person who … Continue reading
Back in 2012 when Bang Yedam stepped on the stage of K-pop Star with a harmonica in his hand and his father accompanying him on guitar, I never pictured him as part of a YG act like Treasure. It always seemed like an odd fit, so when he eventually left the group it wasn’t too … Continue reading
Despite being an early supporter, somewhere along the line Stray Kids’ music began to lose me. It’s a frustration I feel with many of their contemporaries and I’m eagerly awaiting the song or album that brings me back. Unfortunately, new single Lalalala moves in the opposite direction. Lalalala blusters along in true Stray Kids fashion, … Continue reading
As SM Entertainment’s ascendant girl group, aespa have dipped their toes into a variety of musical endeavors. Infrequent Korean comebacks are interspersed with English and Japanese work, guided them on a global pathway to success. However, their sound has been all over the place, as if SM can’t decide whether they want them to be … Continue reading
The idol group name generator must be getting pretty empty because “WHIB” is a strange moniker for a new K-pop group. Apparently, it’s meant to be a combination of the words “white” and “black,” showcasing the guys’ variety of charms. Okay, then! Title track Bang! gets them off to a frustratingly familiar start. Prior to … Continue reading
After a somewhat messy departure from (G)I-DLE and Cube Entertainment, Soojin has returned as a soloist. Re-debut AGASSY sees her following in the footsteps of many girl group members turned soloists. Right away, the song and performance remind me of something we’d hear from Sunmi or BLACKPINK’s Jennie. AGASSY casts an evocative atmosphere, but I find … Continue reading
Earlier this year, Kiss Of Life preceded their debut with a series of solo tracks. Though they were of varying quality, these songs did a nice job introducing the members and building interest in the group. Funny enough, I found their actual debut less successful than many of these pre-releases. Follow-up single Bad News struggles … Continue reading
Kep1er’s burgeoning Japanese discography has already resulted in one of their best songs, so there’s reason to be optimistic about any new releases. Grand Prix has a fun racing concept and bouncy sound, but right from the start I knew it would be an uphill battle for me. As with many of their peers, Kep1er … Continue reading
Omega X have been through the wringer over the past few years, so even if their music hasn’t always been my thing it’s hard not to root for them. Junk Food is their first comeback after their successful lawsuit against former agency Spire Entertainment and sees them continue to develop their noisy, bombastic style. What’s … Continue reading
A.C.E are the latest boy group to make a long-awaited, post-enlistment return. We haven’t heard from them since 2021’s Changer, but now they’ve teased the release of a new album in the coming weeks. Before that, we have special pre-release single Effortless — an English-language track that’s very in line with current trends. For me, … Continue reading
GOT7’s Youngjae previously impressed with groovy tracks Vibin’ and Sugar, belying his main vocal status with more subtle turns that highlighted his skills as a performer. Do It is another restrained vibe, but this time the end product is just too slight for me. Do It would make for nice background music. It’s calming and … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 