K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … 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
Apart from his activities with BTOB and undeniable presence at events like Waterbomb, Lee Minhyuk has developed a solo career under the moniker “Huta.” I can’t say that much of his solo music has appealed to me, but I appreciate how it sounds so different from that of his group. New title track Bora is … 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
Thus far, BTOB members have experimented here and there with their solo work but never strayed too far from the balladry that’s made them so popular. On past efforts, Lee Changsub has embraced nostalgia, offering his takes on older genres and even newer iterations of older genres. New single Vroom Vroom (부릉부릉) is not a … 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
When last we heard from BTOB, they were peddling the kind of emotive ballad they’ve become known for. This is a group that’s comfortable with its own sound and image and doesn’t often feel the need to switch things up drastically — even when they’re embarking on a new journey under their own agency. As … Continue reading
After taking a look at K-pop’s biggest agencies, I’d like to turn my attention to the smaller (but still important) players in the K-pop game, three at a time. Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on K-Pop’s biggest agencies, this is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not privy to any business-related financial information beyond what … Continue reading
Around this time last year, BTOB left their longtime agency Cube Entertainment. They’ve since established their own BtoB Company to manage activities for most members, presumably giving them more creative freedom. As their first group effort since this transition, Please Stay (불씨) doesn’t reveal much change. The emotive ballad sits well within their established discography. … Continue reading
During this lull in new K-pop releases, I decided to go back and watch 2012’s MBC Gayo Daejun – the end-of-year extravaganza that ushered in 2013. Not only was it a euphoric time capsule of excellent music and stunning performances, but it brought to mind many thoughts after twelve years of K-pop fandom. Here were … 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. July 2024 Overall Thoughts After a stellar June, July was always going to have a hard … Continue reading
BTOB are most celebrated for their stately ballads and light pop music that showcases their vocals. However, the group are capable of much more than that. I’m partial to their many dalliances with new jack swing, mostly because those songs let the guys have fun in a more carefree way. New sub-unit single Tang Tang … Continue reading
BTOB’s Yook Sungjae has found great success as an actor and variety star, but hasn’t been as active as a solo musician. He made his solo debut in 2020, weeks before his mandatory military enlistment. Four years later, he’s back with a new single album and title track Be Somebody. Sungjae has a powerful voice … Continue reading
All the way back in 2019, BTOB’s Lim Hyunsik released a cool sci-fi concept album. Its unique artistic ambitions felt like a rarity in the world of idol soloists, and fans have waited a long time for a follow-up. I approached new single La Mar with built-up expectation, hoping for a follow-up with its own … Continue reading
Given that this week is Chuseok, there have been way more K-pop (and K-pop adjacent) releases than I’d expected. Even so, today is empty until a trio of soloists return at midnight. Luckily, I missed a song from yesterday. Kwangmin is a member of Boyfriend (now known as BF) — one of K-pop’s most underrated … Continue reading
BTOB and Apink occupy a similar space in K-pop. Both are early-2010’s debuts still going strong today. And both have accomplished this with music that tends to be pretty safe and pleasant. There’s a sense of security attached to these groups that’s become increasingly rare in the fast-paced K-pop industry. Wind And Wish (나의 바람) … 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. September 2022 Overall Thoughts Well, September was certainly a contrast to August! With hindsight, August was … 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
I did not have “BTOB’s Lee Changsuk making a comeback with a synthwave song” on my 2022 K-pop bingo card! But, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. The genre has been a huge inspiration this year, both in K-pop and global music. Eventually it’ll wear itself out the way all trends do, but for … Continue reading
Three years since his first album under the “Huta” stage name, BTOB’s Lee Minhyuk is back as a soloist with another full-length. Though I didn’t care for 2019’s Ya, the Hutazone album bore a few memorable b-sides that could have been great singles. I hope the same can be said for this new album, since … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 