It’s a rare treat to hear new material from IMFACT, but it seems we’ll have to wait even longer for a full group comeback. In the meantime, main vocal Taeho has made his solo debut. GGOMA (꼬마) is a duet with singer-songwriter Choi Ye Geum, and finds him tackling an unexpected sound. From its unusual … Continue reading
It’s been just over a year since we last heard from GWSN, and their new album marks a shift in both sound and collaborators. As someone who has appreciated – but not loved – their past work, I wasn’t too interested in this comeback before hearing the teasers. But, The Other Side of the Moon’s … Continue reading
Last September, Everglow reinvented themselves as retro synth warriors, releasing one of the year’s best songs in the process. La Di Da was immensely satisfying, finding a megawatt melody to match the girls’ always-impressive presence. Their charisma continues to flourish in the newly released First, but the song struggles to find a hook worth raving … Continue reading
I swear, I’m going to keep reviewing these Universe tracks until one completely knocks me out. So in other words… I’ll probably keep reviewing them forever. For those just now jumping onboard, Universe is a K-pop app that promises idol interaction and exclusive material. It’s already enlisted many top idols, releasing original songs and videos … Continue reading
Korean dramas often make stars of their actors, but their soundtracks can also elevate a singer’s career. 2020’s Itaewan Class was such a hit, launching Gaho’s Start Over into the stratosphere alongside it. Before that, he’d released a mini album and a couple other OSTs. None of them charted. With momentum behind his brand, Gaho … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! July … 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. So far, May has delivered quite … Continue reading
Warning: This recap is not spoiler-free. Proceed at your own risk! Other Recaps: Episode One // Episode Two // Episode Three // Episode Four // Episode Five // Episode Six // Episode Seven LAST WEEK’S DANCE UNIT RESULTS After watching both dance performances, I ranked the “It’s One” team over “Mayfly,” but they were essentially … Continue reading
BTS’s Dynamite has become the kind of ubiquitous megahit you hear soundtracking everything from talk shows to award show advertisements. It’s a feat I’d never thought possible for a K-pop act, and one I find myself resisting more than I’d like to admit. So, when it was announced that Butter would be another English-language pop … Continue reading
At a certain point, a specific K-pop sound becomes so ubiquitous that it’s difficult to write about with any originality. Such is the case with this blah blah blah, la la la “girl crush” style that has invaded the industry over the past two years. I’m not a fan of this style in general, but … Continue reading
The lore surrounding Pixy’s concept seems refreshing and engaging, but I found their debut track to be a noisy attack that compensated for its lack of hooks with a surplus of bombast. Still, it isn’t easy to craft a killer debut, and often times a group will quickly find their footing with their follow-up. I … Continue reading
TOO’s 2020 debut left me a bit cold, but their summer follow-up ended up being one of my favorite tracks of the year. Its bright, exuberant sound fit them especially well, and helped distinguished them from other boy groups. But, every rose has its thorn, and Count 1, 2 ended up being TOO’s final comeback … Continue reading
Many fans have wholeheartedly indulged in ENHYPEN’s Carnival, buoyed by the energy of title track Drunk-Dazed. But while I enjoyed the song initially, I’m finding myself less inclined to revisit it as time goes on. Oddly, the aspect that bugged me most upon first listen (its heavy vocal effects) is hardly an issue anymore. Now, … Continue reading
It’s always an odd choice to debut a sub-unit before the main group has yet to establish themselves. E’Last debuted last year, and quickly developed a dramatic sound that hearkened back to previous K-pop generations. They could do with another group comeback. Instead, four of its members have formed E’Last U and dropped The Beginning … Continue reading
TRI.BE debuted earlier this year, bolstered by the production power of Shinsadong Tiger and EXID’s LE. Though I liked Doom Doom Ta just fine, its legacy has been tied up with the group’s infuriatingly catchy catchphrase: “TRI.BE be da loca!” I find myself chanting it now and again, instantly embarrassed and annoyed. It’s a classic … Continue reading
It seems like all we’ve been doing this spring is watch SM idols enlist in the military. Most have graced us with a final album or single before taking their leave, and SHINee’s Taemin is no exception. Two weeks before enlistment, he’s delivered Advice. This marks his third album in nine months — a staggering … Continue reading
After a lengthy hiatus, fromis_9 seemed to find their sweet spot with last September’s buoyant Feel Good. They’ve stuck with the same composers for We Go, and that was a smart decision. Their music is at its best when it opts for a classic pop sound, foregoing girl crush or aegyo trends for a style … Continue reading
Rocket Punch’s music has kept me at a distance so far. Last year’s Bouncy was an addictive bit of noisy pop, undercut by vocals that occasionally felt strained and uneasy. And though I initially hated the cutesy follow-up Juicy, its sheer ridiculousness (mostly) won me over in the end. Now, the girls have aimed straight … Continue reading
Say you’re one of the biggest music agencies in the world and you’re looking to launch your next big girl group. What do you do? Saddle them with a Christmas song (in February!)? Toss them an old b-side from the soundtrack of a Fast & Furious spin-off? Both sound like awful ideas, yet this is … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! June … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 