If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
As part of my “Top 100 K-pop Songs of All-Time” countdown, I took the effort to dive deeply into my top ten picks and break them down moment by moment. But, there are plenty of other songs that deserve this same treatment. So, The Bias List proudly presents an in-depth feature: “Breaking Down the K-pop … Continue reading
Last month, GOT7 announced their departure from JYP Entertainment. And as the members started signing with other agencies, a reunion or continuation of group activities seemed more and more unlikely. Yet, out of the blue a new GOT7 youtube channel appeared this week, with leader JB (now coined “Jay B”) promising that the group isn’t … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. Chungha’s new album is a behemoth. … Continue reading
We don’t get proper album pre-releases nearly enough these days – especially sneak attacks that arrive with little warning. In the lead up to their first full-length album, ONF have unveiled a fun music video for its second track. Essentially, My Name Is plays like an ONF theme song, introducing each member in a playful … Continue reading
Since debuting last year, SixTONES have blitzed the J-pop market with music, and their consistency in both quantity and quality has been admirable. The group is not a one-trick pony, and new single Boku ga Bokujyanai Mitaida makes that quite evident. As the theme to the live action adaptation of manga Liar X Liar, the … Continue reading
It’s a tale as old as time: Taiwanese boy group sends sub-unit to Korea in the hope of competing within the already-packed K-pop market. Okay, I guess it isn’t exactly a well-worn tale, but I admire the chutzpah it takes to attempt this gamble. K-pop often exports its music to foreign markets. The opposite isn’t … Continue reading
Over the past few months, some of K-pop’s most respected producers have creating groups of their own. Last November saw the debut of STAYC, under the guidance of duo Black Eyed Pilseung. And now we have TR.IBE, who are managed by a-list producer Shinsadong Tiger. If only my beloved Sweetune would get in on the … Continue reading
Debut group Kingdom started teasing their fantasy concept weeks ago, and my attention was instantly piqued. I love a dramatic, theatrical concept that goes beyond the typical “bad boy” posturing favored by many groups. I think this is especially important for a debut group, who need to establish their niche right away. Kingdom promise a … Continue reading
My love for Lucy’s music wasn’t immediate, but it bloomed big time over the course of 2020. The group is at their best when they embrace the full drama of their configuration, pulling in sweeps of theatrical violin courtesy of leader Yechan and pushing main vocal Sangyeop to utilize the full expressiveness of his rich … Continue reading
Remember when male idol title tracks used to be fun? Angsty, horror concepts are not new to K-pop, but the music itself rarely felt as dour. Take VIXX for example. Their whole image revolved around these edgy concepts, but the title tracks were still punchy and exuberant, as if reveling in the inherent goofiness of … Continue reading
Starship Entertainment’s collaboration with Pepsi continues to bear unexpected collaborations. This time, it’s ex-Sistar member Soyou and Produce 48 girl group IZ*ONE (with rapper pH-1 thrown in for good measure). With ZERO:ATTITUDE, they’re given the kind of frothy dance pop befitting a soft drink advertisement. The track is pleasant fun, buoyed by production by popular … Continue reading
There was a time when SM Entertainment’s Japanese releases were something to really look forward to. The J-pop discographies of Girls’ Generation, SHINee and TVXQ are particularly strong and often pushed the artists in new directions. But, I can’t remember the last time a Japanese single by an SM artist really stood out – maybe … Continue reading
The roll out for Chungha’s first studio album Querencia has stretched across eleven months, showcasing a variety of sounds and styles. This extended run of singles has been quite successful, offering a little something for every taste. The album itself takes advantage of this. It’s divided into four distinct sides, each driven by a specific … Continue reading
Sometimes a song’s title tells you all you need to know. How could something called “Taking Off!!” (with no less than two exclamation points) not have anthemic heft to it? J-pop act Solidemo have been on my radar for years, but I haven’t often connected with their music. They’re a straight-down-the-middle pop group, with a … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! June … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. Treasure have an admirable roster of … Continue reading
After a week devoid of new releases, attention turns to Japan as Monsta X drop their music video for new J-pop single Wanted. Like their Korean career, the group’s Japanese output has been quite prolific. And, their characteristic sound has translated to the new market without many changes. Wanted continues that brand and acts as … Continue reading
With over 3,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 