Though most Weki Meki singles have ended up growing on me, they tend to have a knockoff quality that makes them feel like lesser versions of other girl group material. Almost two years in, I’ve yet to understand what kind of sound Weki Meki is meant to have. Many describe their title tracks as “messy,” … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. In addition to crafting a very strong singles run, Oh My … Continue reading
RBW’s ambitious double debut of ONEUS and ONEWE has finally come to fruition! ONEWE had to wait a few months longer (and already seem to be getting less promotion), but technically they’ve already “debuted” twice — first as M.A.S 0094 in 2015, and then as MAS in 2017. They say the third time’s the charm, … Continue reading
Since their debut in 2015, WM Entertainment’s Oh My Girl have solidified a unique place within the K-pop industry. Blending ethereal soundscapes with quirky songwriting, the girls have a style all to themselves. Barring an oddly conceived sub-unit, they’ve also developed a near-flawless discography. Here are all of their singles, ranked up to the very … Continue reading
Taeyeon made her solo Japanese debut last year with the pretty — but extremely safe — Stay. That song jettisoned the funky backbone of Korean single Something New for straightforward, feel-good balladry. Judging from new single Voice, this middle-of-the-road pop style seems to be her go-to J-pop sound. There’s nothing wrong with a little adult … Continue reading
Lim Jimin made waves as part of musical competition The Fan, nearly making it to the final. Along with ITZY’s Yeji (who also competed), it was a foregone conclusion that he’d eventually be part of an idol group once the show was finished. I anticipate that his agency will take their time cobbling together their … Continue reading
When all is said and done, it’s starting to feel like 2019 will be known as the year of debuts and military enlistments. The number of high-profile enlistments that have occurred over the past few months has been staggering, as K-pop’s much-loved second generation of male groups take various forms of hiatus. There’s a new … Continue reading
NCT’s Chinese unit WayV made an inauspicious debut earlier this year with their version of an already-released 127 track. As hyped as this project has been, that promotional choice felt quite underwhelming. Thankfully, new single Take Off (无翼而飞) makes up for WayV’s false start with an invigorating blend of hip-hop and distorted guitar. There was … Continue reading
Each time I write about an Eric Nam track, the first word that comes to my mind is “amiable.” It’s the perfect descriptor for his crisp pop sound. His music is inherently enjoyable — sometimes smooth, sometimes jubilant, but never demanding. It’s the K-pop equivalent of easy listening, and that doesn’t have to be a … Continue reading
There’s a certain ilk of K-pop girl groups who pursue a lush, fantasy-like sound and concept. Lovelyz and Cosmic Girls often fall within this style, but Oh My Girl are the undisputed champs of the fairy tale motif. They’re at their best when marrying this aesthetic to avant garde songwriting that pushes at the edges … Continue reading
Momoland have been in an odd state of flux lately. They made their last comeback with only seven of nine members, and that configuration seems to be sticking for new digital single Love Is Only You (사랑은 너 하나). Instead of returning as a full group, the girls have paired with Vietnamese singer Erik for … Continue reading
Before enlisting in the military, two out of three members of Infinite have preceded their absence with a solo album. Now that main vocal Woohyun’s back with new material, I can’t help but think he’ll be going on hiatus soon. This makes Hold On Me bittersweet, to say the least. Woohyun faces stiff competition, but … Continue reading
I haven’t written much about Johnny’s Entertainment lately, mostly because I think the agency has had an underwhelming 2019 so far. But, my favorite Johnny’s act has recently returned with their annual full-length album so it’s time for me to dust off the cobwebs and dive in. If I believed in the concept of “guilty … Continue reading
With over 2,600 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
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. VERIVERY had a b-side on their debut mini album called Alright. … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Overall, I like The Boyz’ new single Bloom Bloom. But, my … Continue reading
Park Bom made her triumphant return to K-pop only seven weeks ago. But, she’s already back with a repackage of her first mini album — led by new title track 4:44 (4시 44분). The song features Mamamoo’s Wheein as a guest vocalist, which seems like a surprising (but not unwelcome) pairing. Freed from the logistical … Continue reading
As you might have guessed from reading my glowing end-of-year coverage, Golden Child have become my personal bias group from this new generation of K-pop. So what happens when my favorite group releases a song based on one of my least favorite genres? To be fair, Spring Again (그러다 봄) isn’t really an official comeback. … Continue reading
Kim Donghan is a self-professed Taemin fanboy, and his music is at its best when it leans heavily into those influences. He released two solo singles last year, and each left me with very different reactions. The Taemin-esque Sunset rode on an addictive early-summer groove, but the overly trendy Good Night Kiss totally fizzled. New … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. April 2019 Overall Thoughts After a March that included some of my favorite songs of the … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 