Japanese tripleS sub-unit “∞!” debuted last year with the moody, hypnotic Untitled. It was one of the better tripleS title tracks, though I can’t say it stayed on my playlist for long. Now, they’re back with a jauntier pop song in new single Password. There’s a joke going around about tripleS’s strong reliance on “la … Continue reading
Since their 2023 debut, LUN8 have tried on a variety of styles and even reconfigured their line-up. This has made it difficult to gain a firm grasp on the group, as Fantagio Entertainment simply seems to be throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. The latest in this approach is a new single … Continue reading
ATEEZ are out with their second full-length Japanese album today, compiling earlier J-pop singles alongside new material. After several years struggling to connect with their new material, the group’s two summer singles subverted expectations and caught my ear. New track Ash does the same, opting for a sleek dance sound I don’t always associate with … Continue reading
Just two months after releasing his first full-length album, Doh Kyungsoo has returned with a special digital single. Honestly, they should just tack it onto that album and call this a “repackage” the way K-pop used to do. Either way, Kyungsoo’s discography can always do with more energetic material and Dumb sees him exploring crunchy … Continue reading
A week ago, i-dle’s Yuqi pre-released the satisfying ballad Gone ahead of her new single album. Though I enjoyed the song, I’m typically not a big ballad lover and rarely listen to them outside of the context of an album. Because of this, I was much more interested how her title track M.O. would sound. … Continue reading
I don’t have the hard numbers to back it up, but compared to groups their age it feels like the 2PM members have the most prolific string of solo releases. The guys continuously release material in both Korea and Japan, and even if many of these songs fail to register with me in a big … Continue reading
Spooky season is fast approaching, which means a song titled “Thriller” has me thinking of one thing only. Instead of an MJ zombie dance-a-thon, this Thriller brings us the return of girl group BADVILLAIN. It’s been almost a year since we’ve heard from them on this blog, which might as well be a century when … Continue reading
After a very long wait since their July pre-release Step It Up, Starship Entertainment’s new boy group IDID make their debut today. Step It Up grew on me immensely and I’ve since gotten to know the group through their pre-debut variety content. Now all that’s left to deliver is a great title track. Does CHAN-RAN … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
It’s always nice to hear from an old friend. Nana has a special place in my heart for several reasons. First, she was a member of the fantastic After School and their quirky sub-unit Orange Caramel. She also co-starred in the first full Korean variety show I ever watched: 2014’s Roommate. So, seeing her name … Continue reading
PREVIOUS RECAPS: Episode One // Episode Two // Episode Three // Episode Four // Episode Five // Episode Six // Episode Seven // Episode Eight // Episode Nine // Episode Ten I’m trying something different this week because I honestly don’t have the time to watch the entire episodes of this series at the moment … Continue reading
GOT7’s BamBam has explored a variety of sounds during his solo career — some more successful than others. He has a new EP on the horizon and today we get the first taste of his first work under a new agency. Dancing By Myself is well-positioned for global appeal, sung mostly in English and harnessing … Continue reading
A few days ago, Twice’s Chaeyoung pre-released the first taste of her debut solo album with Avocado. Depending on your taste, that track either felt refreshingly new for K-pop or like a bit of a snooze. I fall in the latter category, though I did respect its unique tone. Pre-releases are afforded some leeway when … 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. Based on Wendy’s past solo work, … Continue reading
FNC Entertainment is one of the few large agencies continually debuting new bands. They’ve make it their specialty ever since the days of FTIsland and CNBlue, and with the major success of acts like DAY6 there’s clearly still a market for this sound. New K-band AxMxP (pronounced “A.M.P” and standing for “Amplify Music Power”) makes … Continue reading
Red Velvet’s Wendy made her solo debut four years ago and most of her work has been some form of ballad (Wish You Hell notwithstanding). I’ve always been a proponent of big-voiced pop stars using that big voice over fast-paced, energetic material. There’s nothing better than power notes anchoring a banging dance track, and I’d … Continue reading
i-dle’s Yuqi has a solo single album scheduled for later this month and has kicked off promotions early with pre-release track Gone. Much of Yuqi’s music has passed me by, but I absolutely loved 2021’s Bonnie & Clyde and her track Fly To The Youth (written for agency juniors NOWZ) was an early summer highlight. … Continue reading
I know I don’t speak for all K-pop fans, but I am tired — so tired of being yelled at by overly aggressive boy groups shouting alongside cacophonous instrumentals. Previously, ALL(H)OURS found a nice middle ground between noise and sleek structure, delivering the standout singles Shock and Gimme Gimme. But with new track Ready 2 … Continue reading
Those of us begging for a WJSN comeback have been tossed the smallest bone by Starship Entertainment today. The agency has unveiled member Dayoung’s first solo single with almost no promotion or build-up. However, beggars can’t be choosers and I’m happy to see WJSN back in any capacity. I wouldn’t expect member solos to uphold … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 