With over 2,300 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 the … Continue reading
In a K-pop climate filled with copycats, an old-school musical concept feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s a pity, then, that The Pink Lady is only a project group to promote a Korean staging of hit U.S. musical Grease. I don’t know if God Girl is a one-off or the first in a … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. As usual, I prefer Monsta X’s new album to its title … Continue reading
Boy group Seven O’Clock released a truly underrated mini album last October, led by a pair of equally strong title tracks. Unfortunately, the group’s work seems under-funded and under-promoted, making it hard for them to stand out in the competitive K-pop market. Given these circumstances, I’m not sure if they’ll ever break out in a … Continue reading
T-ara’s Hyomin has been building up to her new mini album with a series of digital singles. Last year’s quirky Mango polarized opinion, while January’s U Um U Um went more generic. Neither made much of a splash with me, especially when compared to her group’s classic discography. New single Allure (입꼬리) falls into a … Continue reading
Like it or not, the post-Wanna One floodgates are about to open. I just hope the slew of upcoming solos aren’t all ballads. I can’t think of any better way to kill momentum than with a paint-by-numbers K-pop ballad, and Yoon Jisung’s In The Rain is pretty much that. In Wanna One, he acted as … Continue reading
While it’s certainly not the only factor in making a successful idol group, I’ve always thought that a distinct sound and concept is important. As solid as SF9’s singles run has been, I struggle with the haphazard nature of their discography. On one hand, they should be applauded for attempting a diverse spectrum of styles. … Continue reading
TREI are the latest in an already-robust slate of 2019 rookie groups to debut over the last few weeks. Hailing from Banana Culture (home to popular girl group EXID), the guys’ have arrived with limited fanfare and a surprisingly subdued roll-out. That approach extends to their debut title track. Gravity (멀어져) plays it straight, lacking … Continue reading
The other day, I cobbled together a playlist of every LOONA-related song and hit the shuffle button. I’ve had my gripes about their music in the past (mostly tied to personal taste rather than objective quality), but hearing the breadth of their sound was quite a striking experience. In less than two years, the girls … Continue reading
Monsta X have made a quick turnaround from last October’s Are You There, releasing another full album instead of a simple repackage. Back-to-back releases like this are exceedingly rare in K-pop, putting them right up there with the busiest of idol groups. As someone who usually prefers Monsta X b-sides to their title tracks, a … Continue reading
Many idol group members have gone solo, but few boast a singles run big enough for a top ten countdown. SHINee’s Taemin is one of those few, starting with his solo debut in 2014. His music borrows elements from SHINee’s repertoire, but draws on a different type of artistry. It’s at turns powerful, sexy, smooth … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Gfriend’s Korean title track Sunrise also served as a Japanese single, … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Sometimes buried treasures come from the most unexpected of places (I … Continue reading
The year of debuts rolls on, but not every rookie will hail from a huge agency with tons of pre-debut hype. For every ITZY or TXT, there will be dozens of new acts struggling for recognition. These groups often do not have the budget necessary for elaborate teasers or expensive music videos, but it doesn’t … Continue reading
SHINee’s Key is slated for his mandatory military enlistment soon, but before going on hiatus he’s teased a repackage of his excellent debut album. Cold is a prelude to that, digitally released as part of SM Entertainment’s Station project. But unlike the retro-pop and EDM found on his album, the song is downbeat and emotional. … Continue reading
Are you missing the quirky dance-pop sound of acts like Crayon Pop and Orange Caramel? It’s harder to find nowadays, but rookie girl group Saturday is definitely hearkening back to that ultra-catchy template. I never wrote about their 2018 debut, MMook JJi BBa, but most of my feelings about that song will be echoed here. … Continue reading
A solo debut from Mamamoo’s Hwasa almost feels overdue. Though each of the girls possess the necessary charisma to drive a solo career, Hwasa’s always struck me as the member most poised for a potential breakout. She’s been beefing up her variety show resume lately as well, proving to be quite a success with the … Continue reading
Thus far, Dreamcatcher have done an excellent job maintaining their unique brand of metal-meets-K-pop, resulting in a cohesive (but never stagnant) singles run. Most of my favorite Dreamcatcher songs tend to draw upon diverse influences rather than go straight-on rock, so Piri’s electronic elements are definitely welcome. The song may not completely reinvent the wheel, … Continue reading
It feels like an Infinite comeback has been imminent for months now, especially when the group first performed Clock on the new year. Fans like me were hoping for an album of some sort, but that’s still only a prospect for later in 2019. Instead, we get what essentially amounts to a fan song, given … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. When reviewing songs, I feel like I write a lot about … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 