Ten is one of those fantastic SM finds with unlimited potential for solo stardom. He’s a bundle of charisma with a uniquely global appeal. Previous singles have capitalized on this, recorded in English with international trends in mind. This can be an asset and a limitation, and new single Paint Me Naked is held back … Continue reading
After years of writing about K-pop, certain age-old questions tend to pop up. I spend way too much energy thinking about them, but I guess that comes with the gig! But, the time has come to tackle some of these questions head-on in a new Bias List feature. Yes, we’re going to have a good … Continue reading
Ha Sungwoon’s solo career doesn’t get a lot of press (at least internationally), but he’s quietly cobbled together an incredible singles run. Fresh off the heels of Sneakers, he’s returned with a repackaged version of his early-summer mini album. Strawberry Gum positions him within the upbeat funk pop realm of previous title tracks Get Ready … Continue reading
Hyoyeon’s solo reinvention as “HYO” (DJ HYO, if you’re nasty) has been an uneven ride so far. She’s delivered a few stellar tracks (Punk Right Now, Badster), while others have relied more of guest collaborators. Second pairs her with buzzy soloist BIBI and opts for a percussive sound targeted at summer. While many of the … Continue reading
The Boyz have enjoyed explosive growth in popularity over the past few years, buoyed by appearances in shows like Kingdom and Road to Kingdom. Unfortunately, this seems to have slowed the progression of their once-prolific release schedule. The guys’ last comeback happened nearly a year ago, when The Stealer impressed with its dynamic arrangement. New … Continue reading
2021 has been a banner year for ONF. Not only have they released more material than ever, but the music itself is among their strongest work. Those looking for a spiritual successor to February’s excellent Beautiful Beautiful will find their match in new summer single Popping (여름 쏙). Beautiful set an impossibly high bar, making … Continue reading
A K-pop group’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I’m so happy to have an … Continue reading
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
It’s been almost three years since Sunmi released anything more than a digital single, making her new 1/6 mini album quite the milestone. Thus far, her discography is best summed up as: “quality over quantity.” Even so, songs like Heroine, Siren and Pporappippam made her a staple in the upper reaches of my end-of-year singles … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
A K-pop group’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. My reaction to Astro’s After Midnight … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
When a member leaves a K-pop group abruptly, it’s hard to know where they’ll go next. Sometimes the agency shares details about their departure, but more often it’s shrouded in mystery. In Kim Woojin’s case, leaving Stray Kids has opened the door to a solo career. He pre-released the solid Still Dream last month, showcasing … Continue reading
ONEUS don’t seem to know the meaning of the word “hiatus,” as they’ve stuffed their time between comebacks with a new project. ONEUS Theatre acts as a platform for performance-oriented videos, already encompassing several routines from years past. This time, the guys have delivered an entire song. Shut Up 받고 Crazy Hot has been kicking … Continue reading
Thus far, Weeekly have rejected the popular girl crush trend for something sweeter and more approachable. In this way, their vibe reminds me of earlier K-pop generations. They burst on the scene last summer with the addictive Tag Me — a track they’ve yet to surpass (though March’s After School comes close). Unfortunately, new single … Continue reading
It’s ‘Golden Child comeback’ time again, which means a track-by-track review of their new album, Game Changer! Check back each day of the week as I make my way through the ten new songs. 1. Game Changer (Intro) // 2. Ra Pam Pam // 3. Bottom Of The Ocean // 4. Fanfare // 5. Singing … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 