Along with what feels like half the K-pop industry, Fifty Fifty are making their comeback on June 1st. Before that, they’ve cobbled together a special video for pre-release Starstruck. This video also functions as a teaser for their upcoming drama After-School Exorcism Club. Since debut and re-formation, Fifty Fifty’s style has run the gamut but … 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
Though I would prefer to fall in love with every song I ever hear, sometimes it’s fun to have songs you hate as well. It’s like an arch-nemesis designed to irk you at every turn. In a strange way, I have a special fondness for music that ranks below a “5” rating on this blog. … 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
I’ll be honest: a shiver runs down my spine when I see a song title like “Eenie Meeny Miny Moe.” Nursery rhymes have been a part of pop music for decades, but K-pop likes to go overboard with the approach, utilizing their sing-song melodies for the basis of an entire song. Fifty Fifty’s quirky Pookie … 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
It’s become common for idol acts to release special music videos after promotions end for their title track. This allows the albums a longer cycle and spotlights various sounds that may appeal to a wider audience. Fifty Fifty’s perky Pookie saw them aiming straight for the pop jugular, but follow-up Midnight Special offers a moodier … 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
This has little to do with Fifty Fifty’s actual comeback, but the word “pookie” annoys me to no end. Over the years, it’s gone from cute little novelty nickname to a term used to show a dismissive attitude toward someone else. That connotation is absent in Fifty Fifty’s own Pookie, but the word is still … Continue reading
This time of year usually means sleighbell driven cheer or comfy ballads. A series of winter tracks have already been released and girl group Fifty Fifty have chosen the latter approach for their delicate When You Say My Name. You all know I’m not the biggest fan of ballads, but some of my favorite seasonal … Continue reading
“SOS” feels like a strange but fitting title for this Fifty Fifty comeback (re-debut?). With controversy and calls for boycotts swirling around this new configuration, everyone involved — from past members to current members to agency underlings — likely have “SOS” swirling around their heads. I’m sure some will be upset that I’m writing about … Continue reading
Few rookie groups have endured a story as dramatic as Fifty Fifty. Initially emerging from a fledgling agency, they quickly gained international notoriety and incredible momentum, only to have this success undercut by alleged abuse, escalating lawsuits and contract terminations. The timeline is too complicated for me to recount here, but we’re left with an … Continue reading
Fifty Fifty’s debut album was a pleasant surprise, offering a variety of styles with consistent songwriting and execution. Title track Higher wasn’t the most instantly engaging choice for promotion, but it endured nicely over time. Its languid energy frames new single Cupid, though the girls have subdued their sound even further this time around. Their … Continue reading
Yesterday was an opportunity to spotlight established artists who had a great year. Now, it’s time to look at 2022’s new debuts. It was a pretty big year for debuts — particularly girl groups. Many of 2022’s highlights came from these acts, making this list difficult to compile. The ranking is so dependent on what … 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. November 2022 Overall Thoughts The calendar may show one month left in 2022, but the year … 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
Just days ago, I wrote about Fifty Fifty’s Lovin’ Me and wondering if there were other songs coming down the pike. Well, K-pop moves incredibly fast. Four days later and we have a new single and a debut mini album. Lovin’ Me’s gentle synthpop gives way to the loungy r&b of Higher and we finally … Continue reading
Girl group Fifty Fifty are set to officially debut at the end of the month, but they’ve pre-released Lovin’ Me today. I was struck by its teaser, which seemed to promise a more refined, mature sound than many of K-pop’s current girl groups are offering. The full song more-or-less delivers on this promise and points … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 