Hyoyeon — known as one of the main dancers in Girls’ Generation — made her solo debut with last year’s SM Station track Mystery. It left a lot to be desired, especially since Hyoyeon herself possesses so many aspects that make for a compelling solo act. New single Wannabe improves a bit on Mystery, but … 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. May 2017 Overall Thoughts May was a month of contrasts. The first two weeks were among the … Continue reading
It seems like I’ve been writing about farewell songs much too frequently over the past several months. The Great 2017 Wave of Girl Group Disbandments is very real, and it’s not all that great. Sistar are the latest casualty, and a surprising, sudden loss for the dwindling handful of second generation idol groups that remain … 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. So far, 2017 has been short on strong pop albums. … Continue reading
Casual fans may recognize Solbi more for the steady stream of variety show appearances she’s made than her music, but she has a long history of crafting genre-pushing electro-pop just outside the k-pop mainstream. More recently, she’s fused this career with a performance-art style that capitalizes on her unique personality and perspective. Her jaw-dropping Music … Continue reading
One of the many admirable things about B1A4 is that they compose almost all of their own material, and this includes their Japanese releases. When most k-pop groups go j-pop, the difference between the two outputs can be shocking. But with B1A4 at the helm of their own career, there’s a nice consistency that all … Continue reading
As DSP Media’s co-ed group K.A.R.D has continued to gain steam among international audiences, the agency is still trying to figure out what formula will help April break out. The girls initially went down the sickly-sweet bubblegum route, but January’s April Story offered a glimpse at a more mature sound. New single Mayday (메이데이) continues … Continue reading
Thus far, I think it’s safe to say that Beast‘s transition into Highlight has exceeded all expectations. On a commercial level, Plz Don’t Be Sad was (and still is) a major success. And on a personal level, the guys seem happier and busier than they’ve been in some time. This streak continues with the repackage … Continue reading
After completing their four seasons album release concept, boy group Astro are back with new producers, a (slightly) new sound and the next evolution of their boy-next-door pop takeover. As someone who was a massive fan of their work with the Iggy/Youngbae producer team, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad … Continue reading
iKON is YG Entertainment‘s newest boy group, formed through a series of survival shows that saw them debuting one year after their peers Winner. The guys may have only recorded one full album so far, but with YG’s singles-oriented release schedule, they have just enough title tracks for a top ten countdown. iKON is currently one … Continue reading
Boy group 24K were the recipients of the lowest score I’ve ever given with last year’s obnoxious Bingo. Things could only go up from there, right? After a seemingly endless pursuit of noisy, “hard” hip-hop sounds, the guys have finally moved on to new territory with Only You (너 하나면 돼). It’s not a moment too … Continue reading
GOT7 have steadily began to have more creative input when it comes to their Korean material, but their scattershot j-pop releases are still driven mostly by composers from that genre. Sometimes I wonder how k-pop groups feel about their Japanese work. Do they treat the song as an important part of their overall discography, or … Continue reading
EXO’s CBX sub-unit was one of last year’s best surprises, giving us a collection of bright, classic pop when many of their peers were going dark and/or trendy. Seven months later, they’ve returned with a debut Japanese mini-album. EXO has enjoyed quite a bit of success in Japan despite never releasing an actual album in the country. … Continue reading
Last time we heard from KNK, their music video had been scrapped, forcing them to make a comeback without that vital piece of promotion. Given this, I’m actually surprised that it took them half a year to make a return. They are a group on the rise, seeking to establish a loyal fan base and … Continue reading
In the ever-evolving world of k-pop, it’s difficult to present a concept that feels truly unique. Yezi’s girl group Fiestar is a good example of this, careening from cute to sexy to quirky in all the expected ways (and providing some fantastic pop songs in the process). But while Fiestar hasn’t allowed Yezi much spotlight … Continue reading
Last week’s Spotlight by Sohee marked the first post-series release by a K-Pop Star Season 6 alumni. Hot on its heels is Kriesha Chu’s Trouble. Though the two were placed in the same group for the season’s last few episodes, they’re taking an opposite approach now that the show’s over. Sohee will be performing as … Continue reading
Like many groups trying to break into the big leagues, B.I.G have changed styles almost every time they make a comeback. With February’s excellent 1.2.3, it felt like they finally found one that stuck. But not content to rest on their laurels, the guys have shifted genres once again. Hello Hello sees rapper Minpyo back with … Continue reading
Debuts are always exciting, offering the chance for a rookie act to paint the first brushstrokes of what might become their sound. Beyond the hope for a strong, quality track, a debut is free from the kind of crushing expectations that can sometimes derail the comeback of more established artists. I went into A.C.E’s Cactus … Continue reading
While its ambitious release schedule seemed overbearing initially, it feels as if the LOONA project has started to gain traction with fans. The girls’ material itself has also seen an uptick in quality, with bigger budgets and more involving imagery. It will be fascinating to see how each of these girls assemble into their eventual group, … Continue reading
It’s ironic that the title of MAP6’s new single album is Momentum, because I don’t know what kind of momentum their agency thinks the group is creating with their current promotional schedule. Since their debut in 2015, the boys have released a grand total of seven songs in Korea, making only one comeback per year. … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 