Rainbow have been around for seven years, outlasting quite a few girl groups of their era. Yet somehow, they’ve never been able to break into the a-list. Seen by some as the mini-Kara, it would have been interesting to see what they may have become if they had continued to work with a+ producers like … Continue reading
JYP Entertainment’s 2PM was designed as the uptempo counterpart to the agency’s ballad-heavy 2AM. Their commercial peak was back around 2009-2011, though their music has continued to improve as they’ve gained a foothold in Japan and become senior idols to younger JYP counterparts GOT7. At times they’ve been known as much for their model-like, athletic … Continue reading
Last time San E and Raina paired (back in 2014), they gave us the ubiquitous mega-hit A Midsummer Night’s Sweetness. It only makes sense that they’d re-team in an attempt to repeat their success. And while I don’t see Sugar & Me having nearly the same effect on the k-pop zeitgeist, it’s still a decent … Continue reading
SM Entertainment’s Station platform seems to have taken a turn towards the uptempo now that summer is approaching. This week’s track pairs SM royalty BoA with popular rapper Beenzino, and it’s a smart match. They’re given a somewhat generic dance track to work with, but manage to imbue it with enough of their own style … Continue reading
As BTOB continues to rise in their homeland, they’ve also carved out a pretty successful career in Japan. Though I find much of their j-pop material to be more reductive and schmaltzy than their Korean output, there’s no denying that the big balladry of L.U.V allows the guys a platform to display their substantial vocal … Continue reading
Last time we heard r&b soloist Wheesung, he was giving us a powerful, theatrical ballad-with-a-beat, so when Hold Over opens with EXID’s LE spitting an attitude-filled monologue, it comes as a bit of a surprise. In fact, the whole track sounds like it might have been at home on EXID’s latest album. Hold Over coasts … Continue reading
Long before I started covering k-pop exclusively, I learned the importance of following songwriters and producers, rather than just focusing on artists and groups. After all, a song doesn’t pop into the universe from out of nowhere. Even though a bias group may be able to elevate it with their talent and performance style, the same … Continue reading
As a member of popular 90’s group S.E.S, Bada could rightfully be considered k-pop royalty. As a solo artist, she hasn’t been very active for quite a few years, apart from a few singles and OST songs. Flower marks her first solo single in two years, and it’s an interesting take on the typical dance … Continue reading
I really had no idea what to expect from this collaboration. We’ve got veteran Younha, who’s most know for her soft balladry, Wonder Girls’ HA:TFELT (Yenny), who gave us the beautifully intense Ain’t Nobody two years ago, and Cheetah, the attitude-filled winner of Unpretty Rapstar season one. On paper, they each bring incredible strengths to … Continue reading
Boy group MYNAME has never really had that one big song that would break them into the k-pop a-list. Instead, it’s been a gradual, consistently strong, road. For me, they’re most notable for having not only a great Korean discography, but also killing it with most of their Japanese releases. This is a hard balance to strike, but … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I’ve noticed that there seem to be quite a few people … Continue reading
I may have underrated Tiffany’s solo debut I Just Wanna Dance when it was released last month. The song’s had unexpected staying power, making the release of Heartbreak Hotel an exciting proposition. And though Hotel is more midtempo than Dance was, it retains many of its late 80’s influences. Shimmering synths support an ethereal melody that substitutes … Continue reading
Well, this is a pleasant surprise! I try not to have many k-pop blind spots, but ballad group 2AM is just one of those groups I know very little about. In my ignorance, I assumed the members’ musical interest started and ended with ballads (though of course Jo Kwon did have his dancey thing going … Continue reading
Now that Double S 301 have gotten their big Korean and Japanese comebacks out of the way, they’re free to release something a little looser and a lot more fun. Ah Ha (아하) arrives on the 11th anniversary of their parent group, SS501, and thankfully is not some drippy ballad. In fact, it’s the best … Continue reading
After the tremendous success of girl group competition show Produce 101 and the domination of its resulting group, I.O.I, it makes perfect sense that MNET would green light an all-male spin-off series. And like Produce, which had its representative song in the form of the quirky Pick Me, BOYS24 has released the pop bombast of Rising … Continue reading
As part of new album EX’ACT, EXO have reveled in both the darkness and the light. If Lucky One was the opening salvo to the summer season, Monster‘s bass-heavy assault takes us into the nighttime hours, pulling the group back to the dramatic, dark fantasia of older material like Overdose, Mama or Wolf. Of course, … Continue reading
For the first time in their four-year history, mega blockbuster boy group EXO have returned with double title tracks. Designed to show us the lighter side of their music is Lucky One, which is more Love Me Right than Overdose. Though I can appreciate all sides of EXO’s sound, my taste naturally gravitates towards more … Continue reading
After giving us the brilliant Sympathy, rocker Jung Joon Young is back with his group (formerly known as JJY Band and now called Drug Restaurant). While his solo material tends to be more ballad-focused, Joon Young really gets the chance to rock out when he’s with his band mates. Mistake ups the tempo substantially, taking … Continue reading
U-KISS are back in Korea after an extended hiatus. Though they’ve been away for about a year and a half, it’s been even longer since they’ve returned with a dance track. The beat-driven Stalker recalls the glory years of their 2009-2012 output, while also sounding different from anything they’ve released so far. Stalker kicks off … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. EXID’s Street album is a bit of a frustrating listen for … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 