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. For the second time in a … Continue reading
The King of K-pop has graced us with two new music videos on the day he returns with his first solo album since 2017. We’ve already heard the funky Power and nostalgic Home Sweet Home, and today’s stark Drama offered another nuance in his artistic palette. For the Anderson .Paak-featuring Too Bad, it seems all … Continue reading
It’s been fun to watch G-Dragon’s Home Sweet Home go from surprise midnight drop to buzzy MAMA Awards stage to chart-conquering mega hit. It’s what someone of his stature in K-pop deserves and its success has made his long-awaited return feel like an even bigger event. Speaking of “long-awaited,” the roll-out for his latest album … Continue reading
ZEROBASEONE have always released solid music, but they really found their footing with last year’s Cinema Paradise album. Teaming with K-pop legend Kenzie on title track Good So Bad was an inspired choice, and the group has replicated that success with new single Blue. The song is nostalgic and energizing, buoyed by one of the … Continue reading
I often find myself playing the expectation game with K-pop, trying to enjoy music for what it is rather than what I’ve built it up to be in my head. For over a year now, SM’s new girl group has been rumored to be the second coming of SNSD — a possibility that got me … Continue reading
I’ll always have a soft spot for a fledging act with a couple hundred YouTube views to their name. As I’m writing this, the visualizer to RE:WIND’s pre-release track RE:SET sits at just over six hundred views, but I have a feeling those six hundred people walked away very satisfied. Even before this release, RE:WIND … Continue reading
A week ago, Starship Entertainment’s new girl group KiiiKiii pre-released their first track I Do Me, prompting a lukewarm response from me and many others who wished the group wouldn’t play things so safe. Be careful what you wish for, I guess, because they’re back with another pre-release — ironically titled Debut Song. I’m not … 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
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab COLLAB If I were to pick any song on this new album that felt like filler, it would be Collab. It’s not slow enough to offer the … Continue reading
Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab GOOD PLACE Even after seven years, my favorite ONF track is still 2018’s Complete. I just think their vocals work so well against a tropical house beat. … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab ANTI HERO After a bit of a slow down, My Identity roars back to life with its second unit track. Anti Hero comes courtesy of ONF’s “Off … Continue reading
In addition to frequent song covers, ATEEZ members have been stealthily delivering solo tracks through a series called “ATEEZ Present.” I haven’t written about these songs on the blog since I don’t always cover ballads, but Wooyoung’s new Sagittarius has a bit more bounce in its step as well as a glossy performance video. As … Continue reading
Earlier this week, BLACKPINK’s Jennie unveiled the star-studded track list for her upcoming solo album. We’ve already heard her collaboration with Dominic Fike, but she’s also set to partner with Doechii, Dua Lipa, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis and FKJ. It’s a diverse list of talents, for sure. Doechii’s name stands out in particular, as she’s … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab NOTHING BUT A STRANGER Most ONF albums feature at least one ballad/mid-tempo, and My Identity is no different. This time, it comes courtesy of the group’s “On … Continue reading
Collaborations between Japanese and Korean acts have become more common, and as a fan of both music markets it’s fun to see the artists interact. ReawakeR is a big one, bringing together anime theme queen LiSA and Stray Kids’ ultra-popular Felix on the new OST for season two of Solo Leveling. Though the song has been … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab NIGHT TALE It’s been awhile since I’ve written a track-by-track in-depth album review, but ONF are long overdue for one. The six tracks I’ll be covering in … Continue reading
Fantagio’s LUN8 have pinballed from trend to trend, not yet landing on a sound that distinguishes them from K-pop’s always packed crowd of rookie acts. New single Butterfly (나비) shifts style yet again, though this time they’re attempting something a bit more ambitious and unique. This transformation comes alongside a shift in members. One has … Continue reading
After years of waiting for JYP Entertainment to debut their team from 2021’s LOUD survival series, KickFlip were one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to connect with their music so far. I was hoping the songs would grow on me with time, but if anything the opposite … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 