I generally consider myself a pretty positive, optimistic person and really want this blog to be a space that focuses on the good, but 2026 has been a uniquely challenging year when it comes to K-pop releases. I can’t remember a year where I wrote as many negative reviews, so I’m going to try something … Continue reading
Tag Archives: kpop
TRI.BE: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Top K-Pop Albums of 2026 (So Far)
When looking back at this year in K-pop, there wasn’t really an album that caught my attention until April. Thankfully, things moved in a more positive direction after that. However, for the first time that I can recall all of the albums on this list are minis. I’m not sure what (if anything) that says … Continue reading
EPEX: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: Ascender – We Belong Together
I have questions about Howling Entertainment. They keep debuting new boy groups but rarely promote them. Waker have a couple mini albums to their name over a stretch of two-and-a-half years, but the newer Chaser hasn’t made a peep since their early-2026 debut. Now, we have Ascender, the agency’s third group in less than three … Continue reading
NMIXX: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: Dreamcatcher UAU – Gene
Those hoping Dreamcatcher offshoot UAU would pick up the rock torch and act as a continuation of Dreamcatcher Proper seem to be out of luck. Instead, UAU has adopted a more dance-friendly sound. This is in keeping with many Dreamcatcher’s b-sides, which just so happen to be my favorite songs from their discography. However, UAU … Continue reading
Song Review: AEN – Clockwise
It’s difficult to know whether to write about a performance video, but the pre-debut of a new group from a major agency feels worth a few words. AEN is Starship Entertainment’s latest boy group, debuting less than a year after IDID. They’re co-managed by a Japanese agency with the idea of actively promoting in both … Continue reading
Song Review: ONEUS – Under
ONEUS have been operating as a four-piece for awhile now and it definitely feels like something substantial is missing without Seoho’s voice. Still, they’re keeping things chugging along with new Japanese release Under — a perfectly pleasant and almost immediately forgettable light funk pop track. This kind of a song is a dime a dozen … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of June 2026
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. June 2026 Overall Thoughts This month felt like it was divided in half, with most of … Continue reading
BOYFRIEND: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: Keyveatz – OXY
AOMG’s hip-hop girl group Keyveatz made their pre-debut back in April, setting the stage for today’s full debut. I couldn’t tell you much about that earlier track beyond that fact that I didn’t enjoy it, and OXY‘s title brings to mind the slang term for the well-known opioid that’s caused a wave of addiction over … Continue reading
Song Review: Choi Yoojung – Perfect Target
Fresh off the massive chart success of I.O.I’s reunion, former member Choi Yoojung is back with her first new single since 2022. This time, she’s taking influence from another 2026 chart behemoth. Perfect Target (비장의 무기) feels like a natural successor to the second-gen nostalgia of Yena’s Catch Catch. I’m all for second-gen nostalgia, though … Continue reading
T-ARA: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
Song Review: Seventeen V8 (Vernon & The 8) – singasong
One benefit of a huge group configuration is that you can break into an almost unlimited number of solos and sub-units to promote while other members are on hiatus. Such is the case with Seventeen. They haven’t released a full-group track in a year but have debuted several pairs of members with varying sounds and … Continue reading
HISTORY: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from June 21 – 27
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
LOONA: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
K-Pop Risers & Fallers: June 2026
Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
Song Review: M.O.N.T – Run
It’s a quick review today since I don’t usually write new reviews on Saturdays and it’s been ages since I wrote about boy group M.O.N.T. However, I figured some readers would appreciate hearing this song because it has a more classic K-pop sound that’s far from the trends of today. There are certain song titles … Continue reading