Now that we’ve taken a look at this year’s best debuts, it’s time to count down the ten artists who really defined 2016. This list’s criteria is about 75% musical quality/personal taste and 25% influence on the k-pop industry. Since rookies have their own list, they’re ineligible for this particular countdown. + Make sure to check … Continue reading
In k-pop, music videos are nearly as important as the songs themselves. It’s become such a visual genre, regularly churning out glossy videos that look much more expensive than they are. Without focusing too much on the actual song (though it’s impossible to fully separate the two), here were the top ten visual moments of … Continue reading
An idol group is nothing without their actual music, and that music doesn’t come to life on its own. K-pop producers and composers shape a year’s sound more than anybody else, and in 2016 there were five that stood out as being particularly energizing. + Make sure to check out the rest of the year-end … Continue reading
Now that we’ve taken a look at the best songs of the year, it’s time to dive deeper into the albums. K-pop is infamous for its diverse definition of what an “album” is, but my criteria for this countdown was that the project had to consist of at least five tracks to be eligible, though … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re starting things off with the big one… the top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. Unlike last year, j-pop releases will be placed in their own countdown, … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re starting things off with the big one… the top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. Unlike last year, j-pop releases will be placed in their own countdown, … Continue reading
I’ve been wanting to do a miss A countdown for awhile now, but the problem is that they only have nine actual singles. This is despite being together for over five years. And with an uncertain hiatus holding the future of the group hostage, it’s unclear whether we’ll ever be getting more songs to add … Continue reading
K-Pop is an agency-driven genre, meaning that what gets put into the market is often expertly crafted by a team of individuals and hoisted upon a group/artist who then takes it to the next level with their talent and charisma. This doesn’t necessarily take art out of the equation, but it does create an environment … Continue reading
What is up with GOT7’s Japanese discography? I can’t think of any other k-pop act with such a wide discrepancy between their Korean and Japanese material. Yes, Japan is a very different market with their own likes and dislikes, but Hey Ya (along with their other j-pop releases) doesn’t even fit neatly into current Japanese … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I’ll look back at my three favorite title tracks by k-pop artists. Unlike my end-of-year countdowns, jpop and Japanese releases by kpop artists are ineligible, though I will give the great ones a spotlight. For my top three tracks, I’ll take my own ratings into account, but there is a … Continue reading
Twice’s rapid rise to the top has been an incredible feat to witness. Just two singles in, and they’re arguably the most impactful girl group in k-pop at the moment. In our meme-driven entertainment culture, the girls have crafted a sound built on an assortment of colorful musical moments — both catchy and viral-worthy. After the … Continue reading
Fans of mega-successful project group I.O.I probably haven’t been very happy with me over the year, as I haven’t often been kind to their music. This is despite absolutely loving Pick Me and the Produce 101 series that spawned the group. Beyond that, it’s been hard for me to understand the hype. In general, the whole … Continue reading
Though they’ve only been active since 2014, JYP boy group GOT7 have already become one of k-pop’s biggest acts — especially internationally. They’ve released just enough title tracks to create a top ten list, though I’ve mentioned before that their Japanese output really pales in comparison to their Korean material. As usual, only promoted title … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I’ll look back at my three favorite title tracks by k-pop artists. Unlike my end-of-year countdowns, jpop and Japanese releases by kpop artists are ineligible, though I will give the great ones a spotlight. For my top three tracks, I’ll take my own ratings into account, but there is a … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. The very best GOT7 tracks, whether it’s A, Just Right … Continue reading
After my disappointment with March’s Fly, I was afraid that GOT7 were moving in a musical direction that just wasn’t going to be for me. Hard Carry (하드캐리) does little to assuage those fears… but at least it’s a much stronger release. And while I long for the sound of their excellent 2015 material, a … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Though I wasn’t too over-the-moon about 2PM’s latest comeback, … 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. BLACK EYED … Continue reading
Members of veteran boy group 2PM are soon to enlist in their mandatory military service, but before they take that two-year break from releasing music, they’ve got one more album and title track to give us. Promise (I’ll Be) piggybacks on the sound of main vocal Jun. K’s recent solo Think About You, offering a modern … Continue reading
How can a song featuring so many esteemed and exciting artists end up being so dull? In theory, Born To Be Wild should be a momentous hodgepodge of cross-agency collaboration, but it’s ultimately just as messy as its parentheses-filled title. I applaud SM for reaching out to artists and producers from competing agencies. I have … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 