K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2023
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K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2023

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

Song Review: (G)I-DLE – Queencard
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Song Review: (G)I-DLE – Queencard

After dropping their pre-release Allergy last week, (G)I-DLE are back with their newest title track Queencard (퀸카). These two songs are linked thematically, but their overall sound is also consistent. The group has built upon the success of last year’s Tomboy, taking rock elements and giving them a fashionable K-pop sheen. This works well when … Continue reading

Song Review: Pentagon – Shh
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Song Review: Pentagon – Shh

Just weeks since the finale of Boys Planet, Pentagon’s Hui is back with his group. But before he (presumably) participates in a big Korean comeback, other members are here to deliver the Japanese-language dance track Shh. This group configuration is down to six people, which is a little jarring for an act that started as … Continue reading

Song Review: BTOB – Wind And Wish
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Song Review: BTOB – Wind And Wish

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

Battle of the Title Tracks: BEAST’s ‘Breath’ vs. YOUNIQUE UNIT’s ‘Maxstep’ vs. 2PM’s ‘Beautiful’
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Battle of the Title Tracks: BEAST’s ‘Breath’ vs. YOUNIQUE UNIT’s ‘Maxstep’ vs. 2PM’s ‘Beautiful’

As a spin-off to my Battle of the B-sides feature, I’m pleased to announce the arrive of “Battle of the Title Tracks!” In this feature, I’ll be pitting three K-pop title tracks/singles against each other and choosing a winner. These songs will mostly be from pre-2016 since I’ll try to focus on music I haven’t … Continue reading

Battle of the B-Sides: SHINee, Spectrum, Kara, UP10TION, Beast
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Battle of the B-Sides: SHINee, Spectrum, Kara, UP10TION, Beast

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

Battle of the B-Sides: SHINee, SF9, MBLAQ, Baekhyun, (G)I-DLE
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Battle of the B-Sides: SHINee, SF9, MBLAQ, Baekhyun, (G)I-DLE

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

Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2022: Part One  (Brand New, Cube, DSP, Fantagio, FNC, IST, Jellyfish)
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Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2022: Part One (Brand New, Cube, DSP, Fantagio, FNC, IST, Jellyfish)

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 any other fan would know. The purpose of these articles is to examine how well these agencies are serving their artists and the general K-pop fan-base. If you’re curious … Continue reading

Battle of the B-Sides: BoA, Luminous, Monsta X, 4minute, Sechs Kies
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Battle of the B-Sides: BoA, Luminous, Monsta X, 4minute, Sechs Kies

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

Battle of the B-Sides: Seventeen, CNBlue, (G)I-DLE, Twice, STAYC
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Battle of the B-Sides: Seventeen, CNBlue, (G)I-DLE, Twice, STAYC

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

Battle of the B-Sides: N.Flying, AOA, Red Velvet, Beast, EXO-CBX
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Battle of the B-Sides: N.Flying, AOA, Red Velvet, Beast, EXO-CBX

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

Song Review: LIGHTSUM – Alive
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Song Review: LIGHTSUM – Alive

With (G)I-DLE riding high on the charts, Cube Entertainment has devoted much of their attention to them. But, the agency has another group waiting in the wings. LIGHTSUM debuted last year with the fun Vanilla before shifting toward slightly more generic sounds with follow-up Vivace last October. Since then, we haven’t heard much from the … Continue reading