We’ve entered the era of BTS enlistments, with Jin leaving late last year and J-Hope scheduled to depart soon. Before he does, he’s teamed with another “J” — American rapper J. Cole — for On The Street. This pairing transforms the song into more than a typical “farewell for now” stopgap before hiatus. And though … Continue reading
OnlyOneOf spent the bulk of 2022 unveiling their Underground Idol series – a collection of interconnected solo tracks that displayed the versatility of the members as it embraced a variety of genres. This project won them new fans and strengthened their existing fan base, raising expectations for the inevitable group comeback. A pair of Japanese … Continue reading
With over 3,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … 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 2023 Overall Thoughts I hate to say it, but my interest in K-pop is kind … Continue reading
When AB6IX first debuted in 2019, they were riding high on the existing popularity of their Wanna One members and Produce trainees. That popularity has since faded as more competition shows have emerged and the group’s music has struggled to maintain public awareness. But, rapper Park Woojin still carries plenty of name recognition to leverage … Continue reading
Though Hwang Minhyun has released solo music while with Nu’est, Hidden Side acts as his official solo debut. He’s also busy as the host (erm… I mean, “star master”) of the currently-airing Boys Planet. His history with Nu’est and Wanna One gives him plenty of industry cache, but I can’t say I immediately picture him … Continue reading
I wasn’t going to recap Boys Planet (and technically, I’m still not doing it), but I’m watching the series and thought others might appreciate a spot to discuss it. So, each week I plan on dumping a few of my random thoughts about the show. Again, this will not be a full, detailed recap. But, … 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
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
Newly debuted group HAWW’s name stands for “Heal All The World Wide,” and I love them for that. Earnestness is a severely underrated charm, and I’m 100% ready for an idol group to usher in world peace, reverse climate change and ensure economic equality via a cute little pop bop. Of course, I’m being sarcastic … Continue reading
From their 2020 debut through the summer of 2021, Lucy were pretty much unstoppable. Their music dominated my playlist and stood apart from all of their peers. Since then, I’ve struggled to connect with their comebacks in the same way. All the same ingredients remain, but the melodies and arrangements don’t feel as memorable or … Continue reading
Woodz hasn’t yet announced the date of his new album, but he teases it today with pre-release single Abyss (심연). In this case, a pre-release offers the chance to showcase something a little softer than a traditional K-pop title track. Abyss maintains the rock edge he’s been pursuing for some time while muting the energy … Continue reading
When I first delved into J-pop nearly a decade ago, the easiest entry points were K-pop acts performing in Japanese. They had built-in familiarity, and the acts tended to take a safe approach that complimented their Korean discography. Now that I’m steeped in Japanese music from Japanese creators and performers, I find most J-pop releases … Continue reading
I’ve listed my “top tens” for many artists, but it’s time to rummage through entire discographies and rank every single from worst to best. This feature will primarily tackle groups who have disbanded or gone on indefinite hiatus. It’s a way for me to re-evaluate my initial thoughts on their singles run. Don’t be surprised … Continue reading
Since their debut in 2020, E’Last have developed a theatrical sound that blends boy group tropes with symphonic flourishes and moments of grandiose melody. Last year’s Creature was a misstep, opting for an anti-drop chorus that sacrificed the group’s greatest assets. Luckily, new single Thrill dives in the opposite direction with a full-throated, rock-infused chorus. … Continue reading
Though they’ve delivered a standout b-side or one-off colab here and there, I haven’t enjoyed a title track from The Boyz since 2020’s The Stealer. I love the guys and think they’re incredibly talented (especially when it comes to performance), but at a certain point that isn’t enough. If an act consistently lacks the kind … Continue reading
I wasn’t going to recap Boys Planet (and technically, I’m still not doing it), but I’m watching the series and thought others might appreciate a spot to discuss it. So, each week I plan on dumping a few of my random thoughts about the show. Again, this will not be a full, detailed recap. But, … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Key improved an already-solid album with … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. The debut album from tripleS is … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. This is the first “buried treasure” … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 