Like many freshly debuted rookies, Top Secret is composed of a mix of total newbies and former members of disbanded groups. But that’s not what makes them interesting to me. My excitement to hear debut single She spawns entirely from the fact that the song is composed by Sweetune. That’s honestly all I needed to hear. This … Continue reading
Last time we heard from rookie girl group April, they were dancing around with an egg (seriously…) and singing about fairies. It feels like these things can only happen in k-pop. Since then, the group has lost a member and gained two more. They really have seemed to be in flux since their debut in … Continue reading
Cosmic Girls’ Secret (their first single with I.O.I’s Yeonjung), was the type of pop song that sounded pleasant — if a bit benign — on first listen, but grew into something quite spectacular the longer it stayed around. Songs like these are especially hard to review after only a day or so of release, and Secret‘s … Continue reading
Last May, Akdong Musician brought us Spring, a mini album full of bright folk pop perfectly suited for the season. Now, just as the new year begins, they’re back with Winter, their second full-length album. It’s (presumably) the last before Chanhyuk’s two-year stint in the military, and has been heralded by an ambitious short film … Continue reading
When writing about legendary girl group S.E.S’s pre-release Remember, I hoped that its sentimental balladry would give way to something more daring when it came time for the full comeback. And although Paradise (한 폭의 그림) doesn’t exactly reinvent the rule book, it offers a dynamite blast of throwback pop/r&b. For the track, the ladies … Continue reading
For the first time in their career, girl group AOA have come back with double title tracks. This was a smart move, as it allows the girls to showcase more than one side of their sexy dance-pop. Unlike Excuse Me, which follows the classic Brave Brothers template that built the group’s successful sound, Bing Bing … Continue reading
After trying something new with last year’s Good Luck, AOA have made their way back to frequent collaborator Brave Brothers for Excuse Me, their first of two title tracks. It’s a move I’ve been hoping for, as Good Luck didn’t quite pack the same punch as the group’s best material. And although Excuse Me doesn’t … Continue reading
It’s hard to overstate the influence and importance of first generation girl group S.E.S on modern k-pop. Not only were they SM Entertainment‘s first girl group, but they were one of the first girl groups in the entire genre. Their massive popularity in the late 90’s and early 00’s paved the way for countless followers. … Continue reading
I love the stage set-up MBC uses. I can’t remember if this is the same staging as last year, but it’s definitely the same as it was in 2014. It strikes a nice balance between intimate and expansive, and places the audience super close to both indoor stages, which results in a more “live” feel. … Continue reading
Getting super meta for a moment, I thought it would be fun to cap off the year with a look at which ten articles were the most read on this site in 2016. In its own way, it’s a completely unscientific gauge of which artists were most popular with English-speaking k-pop fans this year. I’m … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I’ll 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. December 2016 Overall Thoughts As expected, the last month of the year was comparatively sparse when it … Continue reading
It’s almost the new year, which means that we can put a cap on 2016 and start thinking about what 2017 will bring us. Here are ten suggestions from me, in no particular order. What are your k-pop resolutions? 1. The Re-emergence of Legendary Producers New blood is always a good thing, but I miss … Continue reading
The story behind BP Rania (formerly just Rania) is one of k-pop’s messiest. Originally formed by famed American producer Teddy Riley to straddle the line between Eastern and Western sensibilities, the group has since lost almost all of its original members and transformed into a completely different group. Rania has actually managed to lose more … Continue reading
The first thing that was immediately apparent when watching this year’s KBS Gayo Daechukje was that, rather than opting for the biggest stage possible like last year, the producers chose to go more intimate (like back in 2013). This resulted in a very different show than last year, filled with idol interactions and interviews (most … Continue reading
Wrapping up the end of year countdowns, it’s time to delve deeper into the albums 2016 gave us. Among hundreds and hundreds of tracks released this year (and last December!), here are forty of the absolute best. PART ONE HERE + Make sure to check out the rest of the year-end countdowns here! 20. UP10TION – STUCK … Continue reading
As actor/singer Seo In Guk’s 2017 enlistment date approaches, he’s tasked with leaving his final mark on the entertainment world until he returns to k-pop in a couple of years. When it comes to fans of male acts or groups, military conscription is a real thorn in the side. Fortunately, BeBe offers a glimpse at … Continue reading
Wrapping up the end of year countdowns, it’s time to delve deeper into the albums 2016 gave us. Among hundreds and hundreds of tracks released this year (and last December!), here are forty of the absolute best. + Make sure to check out the rest of the year-end countdowns here! 40. OH MY GIRL – KNOCK KNOCK … Continue reading
K-Pop dance legend Uhm Jung Hwa has returned with double title tracks — her first new music in nearly a decade. After the subdued electro pop of Dreamer (see full review here), Watch Me Move feels like the slightly more anthemic offering. Opening with an electronic throb, the track’s slinky dance beat perfectly suits Jung … Continue reading
Take a bit of Madonna and mix it with Kylie Minogue’s club-friendly dance music and you have a western approximation of what Uhm Jung Hwa is to k-pop. Debuting as a musician way back in 1993, she’s releasing her first new music in eight years. Legendary comebacks have seemed to become a thing in 2016, … Continue reading
It’s the time of the year for Korea’s annual music festivals! It’s a particularly exciting few days for k-pop, filled with special performances and a look back at the year’s most influential hits. SBS is the first of the three networks to kick off the week of “gayos,” and unfortunately they set the bar incredibly … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 