I was beginning to wonder if Jeong Sewoon would ever return with the follow-up to part one of his album 24. But with a title representative of his (Korean) age, I suppose the second half had to come out before his May birthday. Dividing the album in parts allows for a contrast of sounds, and … Continue reading
Tag Archives: k-pop
Song Review: Hong Eunki – On&On
Ex-Rainz member Hong Eunki has released several solo singles, though I’ve yet to cover any of them on this site. But 2021 is only a few days old, and there just hasn’t been much music released yet. On&On benefits from this desolate slate. All eyes and ears are ready for something new. So, does Eunki … Continue reading
Random Shuffle Review: Bigbang – Love Song
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
Song Review: Baekhyun (EXO) – Get You Alone
Whether related to the pandemic or not, SM Entertainment’s reach into the Japanese market seemed to stall in 2020. I’ve always considered them one of the few K-pop agencies that really put an effort into their J-pop discography, with incredible catalogs from Girls’ Generation, TVXQ, SHINee and EXO. Last year’s release slate was relegated to … Continue reading
Looking Back: The Top Three K-Pop Songs of January 2010
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! January … Continue reading
Looking Back: The Top Three K-Pop Songs of December 2014
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! December … Continue reading
The Top Ten Best Songs by GOLDEN CHILD
With a new comeback right around the corner for Bias List favorite Golden Child, it seems like the perfect time to finally commit to a top ten ranking of their title tracks. Since 2017, the group has been delivering nothing but quality, even though I have my preferences. As will quickly become obvious, I’m a … Continue reading
Song Review: woo!ah! – I Don’t Miss U
Back in November, woo!ah’s boisterous Bad Girl attempted to deliver the edgy girl crush energy of 2020. It was mostly successful, despite a few musical diversions that chipped away at the song’s consistency. Now, like any ambitious rookie group, the girls have returned with a follow-up single from their latest album. I Don’t Miss U … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of December 2020
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. December 2020 Overall Thoughts It always feels like a bit of a comedown posting one of … Continue reading
2020 MBC Gayo Daejejun: Recap & Best Performances
Of the three year-end song festivals, I’ve always considered MBC’s to be the most intimate-feeling, as well as the one with the most diverse line-up. Plus, it’s got the added celebratory nature of New Year’s Eve. In 2020, none of these strengths could really be capitalized upon. It’s hard to create that intimate feeling without … Continue reading
K-Pop New Year’s Resolutions: 10 Things I Want To See Happen In 2021
After taking a look back at 2020’s resolutions, it’s time to tackle 2021. At this point, I’m just happy that we’re turning the page on this awful year, so it feels a little presumptuous to ask for anything specific in 2021. But, this is a long-time Bias List tradition, so I present my ten most … Continue reading
Song Review: Rain x JYP – Switch To Me
Rain’s 2020 has been a story of resurgence, as his ridiculous 2017 single Gang unexpectedly rose to fame and he became one third of retro pop pastiche SSAK3. JYP’s 2020 has seen him embracing his own history, including collaborations with some of the artists he’s mentored over the years. Switch To Me (나로 바꾸자) brings … Continue reading
Looking Back at Last Year’s K-Pop Resolutions — Did 2020 Deliver?
Oh, you sweet summer child… making resolutions for 2020 without knowing that your true wishes would be as simple as “I want to be able to go out with friends,” “I want to eat in a restaurant,” or “I want to travel farther than my own backyard.” Putting aside the craziness of 2020, my Bias … Continue reading
The Bias List’s 5th Anniversary Celebration!
Time sure flies, doesn’t it? Depending on your time zone, today The Bias List officially turns five years old. That’s half a decade of debuts, disbandments and so, so, so many comebacks. Over the course of these five years, I’ve watched the industry’s unprecedented international expansion, spearheading by BTS’s rise to global fame. I’ve experienced … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Choreography of 2020
I am not a dancer, but I do enjoy some great K-pop choreography. Point dances and exciting formations can really vault a strong song into legendary status, so I think it’s important to take a look at idol dances each year. As usual, this is not a countdown of the most technically impressive or complex … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Music Videos of 2020
Each year, it feels like K-pop places more and more emphasis on its music videos. And while I’ll always be a fan of the songs first and foremost, there’s no denying the power of a potent visual. Here are my ten favorites of 2020. 2020 YEAR-END MASTERPOST Honorable Mentions: AKMU – Happening CRAXY – Aria … Continue reading
2020 SBS Gayo Daejun: Recap & Best Performances
As has been the case with most of the Gayos of the past few years, SBS’s Gayo Daejun was a bit dull tonight. Performing without a live audience has its ups and downs, and the best moments of the show were when the production really embraced the potential of the circumstances it had been dealt. … Continue reading
Reviewing the K-pop Christmas Tracks of 2020
It’s Christmas Day here in the States, so I’ll be taking a one-day break from the end-of-year countdowns to focus on 2020’s K-pop holiday offerings. Every year, the industry delivers a glut of seasonal material, though there haven’t been that many recent classics. I already reviewed The Boyz’ festive Christmassy earlier this month, but now … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Producers of 2020
“Follow the producers.” That’s been my mantra since day one. Yes, there are certain idol groups who catch my attention more than others, but when it comes down to it, it’s the songs that really matter. And although they might not get the same attention, composers and producers are the ones responsible for the music … Continue reading
The Top 40 K-Pop Album Tracks & B-Sides of 2020 (20-1)
I’m the type who likes to listen to every major K-pop album at least once. Maybe that’s a bit obsessive, but it guarantees that no buried treasures slip through my fingers. And although much emphasis is put on title tracks, more and more the best K-pop songs are relegated to b-sides. This countdown encompasses any … Continue reading