As we move into July, we’re entering K-Pop’s third quarter of releases for the year. As always, it’s a good time to take stock of what 2018 has offered so far. Back in early spring, I remember feeling pretty pessimistic about this year’s singles, but I’ve actually been able to compile a strong mid-year list. … 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. June 2018 Overall Thoughts After two and a half years, it finally happened. June’s cumulative rating … Continue reading
Sometimes time away can be a good thing. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” is a cliché for a reason. Last year, DAY6 were incredibly active in Korea, releasing two songs a month as part of their Every DAY6 project. But though this resulted in some exciting music during the first half of the year, … Continue reading
Only a day before their Korean comeback, DAY6 will drop their second original Japanese single. Japan seems like a natural fit for the group, as the country’s rock scene is still thriving amidst the arrival of trendier genres. And with Stop The Rain, the band has released a solid follow-up to March’s If (We Meet … Continue reading
To my mind, 2015’s Reboot was not only Wonder Girls’ best album, but one of the best k-pop albums of all time. It’s such a pity that the group never had a chance to follow up on its 80’s sound before disbanding. But this — unexpectedly — is where Yubin comes in. With debut solo … Continue reading
There’s some irony in calling a song “The New Era,” but crafting it to sound like every other song from the last era. I’ve had my issues with GOT7’s Korean discography of late, but their Japanese releases are really just on another level. Sales-wise, they seem to be successful, but I can’t wrap my brain … Continue reading
Watching (and obsessing over) Avengers: Infinity War last week has got me thinking. If I wielded the Infinity Gauntlet and had the power to shape the universe, how would I control K-Pop? Infinite comebacks every month! New Sweetune songs every week! Just kidding. I’m not going to be that biased. Instead, I thought it would … Continue reading
Between Korea and Japan, barely a month goes by without new music from Twice. This prolific release schedule should be an asset, but all it’s doing is making each song feel interchangeable with the last. And now, we’re approaching the point of over saturation. Underwhelming Korean single What Is Love suffered a bit from this, … Continue reading
At this point, it’s almost pointless to review a Twice single. No matter the quality, the group’s insane popularity will ensure that it’s immediately lodged at the top of the charts and played into oblivion. Even if you don’t love the track on first listen, it’ll eventually wear you down through sheer ubiquity. And though … Continue reading
For some, the heavy rock/hip-hop assault of Stray Kids’ District 9 may have felt too noisy and unrelenting. In my case, the song is only improving with age, and has quickly cemented these rookies as an exciting (and needed) burst of energy within the 2018 k-pop landscape. But as strong as their debut is, the … 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. March 2018 Overall Thoughts Well, March certainly didn’t pan out the way I had expected. If … Continue reading
I’m officially pushing for rock guitar to be the defining trend of 2018. It’s an unlikely scenario, but the fact that a big name rookie group like Stray Kids seems to be using this instrument to craft their signature sound is quite promising. Of course, this being k-pop, they also have to throw in a … Continue reading
Oh, GOT7. I want to love your music. I really do. Your first two years were full of addictive hits that struck a perfect balance between pop and hip-hop. But ever since 2016’s Fly, I’ve struggled to connect with what is clearly becoming your signature style. Seriously, though, I feel like a broken record whenever … 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. February 2018 Overall Thoughts When it comes to k-pop, I was dreading February. Between the Pyeongchang … Continue reading
Twice debuted just over three years ago, but their unparalleled success has been buoyed a work ethic that’s driven a steady stream of singles. Though their Japanese releases leave something to be desired, their robust Korean catalog has largely been a ton of fun. Here are their best: Updated 2-4-19 10. Signal (2017) Signal‘s incessant bass … Continue reading
Twice have enjoyed a meteoric rise in Japan, quickly reigniting the female side of the hallyu wave. I only wish that this success was accompanied by music that felt as fresh as most of their Korean output. So far, singles One More Time and Candy Pop have largely adhered to the tropes one might expect … Continue reading
If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers. FRANTS Years … Continue reading
DAY6 had an incredibly prolific 2017, releasing two songs a month that were then compiled into a pair of full-length albums. However, this demanding schedule seemed to be taking its toll by the end of the year. Their music began to lose some of its edge, transforming into a ballad-heavy brand of OST-friendly rock. The … Continue reading
Thus far, Suzy’s solo music has often been more about aesthetic than dynamic composition. She possesses the kind of soft vocal that lends itself well to this relaxing style, even if it’s not the type of thing to appeal to my tastes. This makes it difficult to review most of her work, as it feels … Continue reading
When I think about 2PM’s Wooyoung as a soloist, I hear bright, funky rhythms and a carefree sort of delivery that feels playful and not overly choreographed. This perception — true or not — makes the acoustic strum of Quit (뚝) feel like quite a surprise. And within the context of his new album, which mostly sticks … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 