We’ll take a brief hiatus from the usual Sunday Open Discussion post today because my annual “Risers and Fallers” feature always spurs conversation. Every July, I like to take a look at which songs have either grown or sunk on my own playlist. With years of reviewing under my belt and a pretty solid understanding … Continue reading
Yesterday, I struck a disappointed note when rounding up this year’s strongest singles, and this albums list is going to be quite similar. 2022 has delivered some decent albums so far, but nothing close to a My Name/City Of ONF, Don’t Call Me/Atlantis, YES, Summer Queen, Gatcha or The Chaos Chapter: Freeze. In fact, I’m … Continue reading
Now that BTS are on group hiatus (or whatever HYBE wants to call it), it’s time for the members to further develop their solo pursuits. This kicks off with J-Hope, who already has several singles to his name. Ahead of his headlining performance at this year’s Lollapalooza, he’s set to release his first official album … 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. June 2022 Overall Thoughts I’ll be publishing my top songs of the first half of 2022 … Continue reading
It’s been years since I last wrote about a Heize track. She falls in a murky territory that’s not always covered on The Bias List: not an idol herself but often poppy enough to exist within that framework. Today, she’s out with her second full-length album, led by the funky Undo (없었던 일로). The genre … Continue reading
K-pop royalty Super Junior are returning with their eleventh full-length album (twelfth if you count 2015’s “special album” Devil). It’s set to be released in two parts, and new song Don’t Wait serves as a pre-release for the first half. New Super Junior material is always welcome, and I’m thankful for how frequently they deliver … Continue reading
Last time Sunmi graced us with a summer song at the start of the season, it came in the form of the glorious Pporappippam. That’s a high bar to match, and new single Heart Burn (열이올라요) doesn’t really try. Rather than offer another retro banger, the track takes a subdued, moody route – two descriptors … Continue reading
Rocket Punch’s Chiquita may not have enjoyed the staying power I’d hoped, but its super-powered synth remains an early-2022 highlight. It’s a sound I’d like to see the group pursue further, and new Japanese single Fiore moves them in a similar direction. It’s not as overtly-80’s in execution, but the song is at its best … Continue reading
A K-pop act’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. As brief as they may be, … Continue reading
The lines between music and advertisement have always been blurred in K-pop, making the industry’s CF track worth watching out for. In fact, I think last week’s Gatorade jingle was actually stronger than most official comebacks! The Pepsi/Starship collaboration continues with Blue & Black, bringing together Hyojung and Arin from Oh My Girl, Wonyoung and … Continue reading
Three years since his first album under the “Huta” stage name, BTOB’s Lee Minhyuk is back as a soloist with another full-length. Though I didn’t care for 2019’s Ya, the Hutazone album bore a few memorable b-sides that could have been great singles. I hope the same can be said for this new album, since … Continue reading
Every time I think OnlyOneOf are going to zig, they zag. I’m not sure how I feel about their unusual promotions, but at this point I’m just happy they’re still making music. Rather than opt for a traditional comeback this summer, each of the members will be releasing solo tracks – one each month until … Continue reading
Across their past few singles, fromis_9 have refined a light, groove-driven pop sound. The songs don’t have the personality that defined their earlier work, but they’re sturdy and insistently pleasant. From We Go to Talk & Talk to DM, the group feels established in both style and confidence. You know you’re gonna get a solid … Continue reading
Though HYBE has made the BTS brand synonymous with K-pop around the world (at least to casual listeners), I still think SM Entertainment is the agency others are most seeking to emulate. Even during times their industry cachet has lulled, SM has remained an inexorable through-line when thinking about K-pop on a macro scale. Aespa … Continue reading
Seven years into Twice’s career and the usual solo/sub-unit promotions are almost nowhere to be found. JYP Entertainment tends to be more group-focused with its idol acts, but even Twice’s albums didn’t bear unit tracks until very recently. Because of this, Nayeon’s solo debut almost feels belated. With any luck, it’ll be the first of … Continue reading
A K-pop act’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. Back in 2020, I was super … Continue reading
When talking about K-pop’s summer music, KARD’s name doesn’t come up nearly enough. Their early tropical sound still feels welcome today. Much of that is due to the songs themselves being strong, regardless of genre or trends. After 2018’s Ride On The Wind, the group moved on to heavier styles and the music became less … Continue reading
When K-pop groups announce a disbandment or hiatus, that usually means a quick end to activities and – more often than not – diminishing returns when it comes to solo work. However, GOT7 have remained quite active after leaving JYP Entertainment in 2021. Its members have all been busy with music and other projects, and … Continue reading
TAN debuted earlier this year with the groovy Du Du Du. That track went on to be a big grower, refreshingly old-school in its approach with a focus on slick vocals. Better yet, its intro Fix You pointed toward a group capable of making excellent dance music. The guys have pushed further in that direction … Continue reading
I’ve always been a proponent of keeping K-pop weird, but sometimes these agencies come up with ideas that are better left on the cutting room floor. Perhaps inspired by the legendary (for all the wrong reasons) A.I. group Eternity, new debut Superkind has a “virtual idol” among their ranks. Maybe it’s my age showing, but … Continue reading
