It’s a tall order to follow-up a song as well received (and well-delivered) as Mansae. For me, it was one of 2015’s best singles, and established Seventeen as the top rookie group of the year. It also raised expectations almost impossibly high for their follow-up. Both Adore U and Mansae shared similar styles, opting for … Continue reading
Now that Hyunseung has officially left Beast, permanently changing the group’s DNA, I thought it was a perfect time to share this gem of a performance. Sketchbook is a show that’s known for its live performances. Often backed by a live band, the stage is the best possible showcase for Korean artists on TV. I’ve … Continue reading
For the first solo artist to feature on my Top Ten lists, I could really only choose one person. In many ways, G-Dragon represents the epitome of k-pop — endlessly creative, wildly influential as a fashion icon, and charismatic to a fault. He’s the brains behind most of Bigbang‘s best songs, but his solo career … Continue reading
If there’s any male group that deserves a full-fledged comeback, it’s got to be ZE:A. They’ve never been able to totally break into the a-list as a unit, despite a highly underrated discography and some very notable members. And now that their cohesion as a group seems to be somewhat fractured, it looks like we’ll have to make … 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. With a title like Six Feet Under, this may be … Continue reading
When I first started getting into kpop back in 2012, K-Pop Star was one of my first tastes of Korean variety. Having been a longtime fan of western competition shows like X-Factor and American Idol, I was totally won over by the series’ format and the judges’ well-researched, astute criticisms. Having watched all five K-Pop … Continue reading
Many idols thrive on a larger than life stage image, but you never really feel that with Park Boram. She has a unique, conversational style that feels more like she’s sitting across from you in a coffee shop talking about her day. While this likely attracts many listeners looking for something more personal and relatable in their … Continue reading
Many kpop acts have ridiculous names, but few make me giggle as much as Berry Good. It’s just so horribly punny and painfully uncool. It’s memorable, yes, but doesn’t exactly make me itch to hear their music. And that’s a shame, because I fear that most casual listeners will miss out on the surprisingly excellent … Continue reading
BTS’ The Most Beautiful Moment In Life project has been such a triumph on all levels, and now they’re taking a victory lap of sorts by releasing the trilogy’s finale. The actual album (and presumed title track) won’t be released until early May, but with Young Forever, they’ve surprised us with a taster of what’s … Continue reading
Six weeks after coming back with double title tracks, Lee Hi is wrapping up her Seoulite promos with the release of a final single, My Star. The song sees a return to the retro soul-pop she’s known so well for, but how does it match up with her material from March? Pretty well, actually. My … Continue reading
VIXX have promised us a trilogy of single albums this year, taking their concepts from Greek gods. First up is Dynamite, which springs from Zelos, the god of jealousy. With this emotion driving the track, you’d be forgiven for expecting something dark and tortured. But surprisingly, Dynamite is their funkiest, most pop-influenced single in awhile. … Continue reading
Apink have become well-known for releasing non-comeback “songs for the fans” on their debut anniversary. Today marks their fifth year together, so twenty-four hours after main vocal Eunji released her first solo work, the girls are gifting us with The Wave. As usual, it’s a rousing ballad tailor-made for concert encore stages. Thankfully, the instrumental has more bite to it … Continue reading
I want to preface this review by noting that I named Super Junior’s Devil as my top kpop song of 2015. I mention this because I know how fan loyalty and bias can color the work of groups and individuals, especially those from acts as big as SJ. I’m sure I’ll be just as biased with … Continue reading
Like many others, I first fell in love with Apink’s Eunji after watching the brilliant Reply 1997. She possesses such a bright, compassionate energy as both an actress and a singer that it’s hard not to root for her. With Hopefully Sky, she makes her solo debut, and it sounds very little like what we’re … Continue reading
UP10TION are one of a handful of rookie boy groups from mid-size agencies that are poised to usher in the next generation of kpop. Up to this point, they’ve released two solid mini-albums, though the title tracks from each haven’t been as strong as some some of the songs that they didn’t promote. Attention seeks to … Continue reading
As far as girl groups go, Apink has been the one to fully master and maintain the upbeat, cutesy image. Even as their music has become more sophisticated in sound, its bubblegum hooks have always stood front and center. Initially, I feared that they would be a little too “girly” for me, and that kept … Continue reading
Despite only releasing ten group singles, Block B has risen to incredible fame in Korea. They’re really unlike any other idol groups, with a sense of individual style and idiosyncratic concepts. In the past, I’ve likened their music to a carnival. It’s bright and in-your-face, but underneath lies a grittier, rambunctious edge. They’re also a … Continue reading
I feel like I’ve written a lot about B1A4 lately. Maybe that’s because I’m so hungry for new material. After Infinite, they’re probably the idols I look forward to hearing from the most. Among the many, many male groups in their age bracket, they have an incredibly distinctive sound that favors melodic hooks over any trend that … Continue reading
Heechul and Jungmo’s M&D project was one of 2015’s best surprises — a j-rock inspired passion project filled with gorgeous melodies and theatrical delivery. For this week’s Station release, the two revisit that sound, with the added bonus of Mamamoo’s Whee In as a duet vocalist. Sadly, I’m not sure that it works as well this … Continue reading
Mintty is from girl group Tiny-G, who I can’t say I know all that much about except that they were all short (hence the name) and they disbanded last year. But, it’s always nice to have another female rapper in kpop, and that’s exactly what Mintty is giving us with the funky Already Go Lady. … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 