Lim Youngmin and Kim Donghyun of MXM became one of 2017’s best-selling rookies, even though their current configuration as a duo is only temporary until they join fellow Produce 101 contestants Lee Daehwi and Park Woojin to form Brand New Music’s as-yet-unnamed boy group. If that sentence sounds overly long and complex, it’s because the … Continue reading
Korean comebacks from individual members of 2PM can sometimes seem superfluous. This isn’t because they’re unwelcome, but because they’re often re-releases of already existing Japanese material. The guys are so popular in the j-pop world that their most exciting material tends to be released internationally. Such is the case with Going Going, which was originally … Continue reading
Back in 2016, it felt as if Oh My Girl were poised to become one of the leading acts of k-pop’s new wave of girl groups. They can still get there, but their level of promotion needs to increase. All that 2017 gave us was the polarizing Coloring Book, and that was nine months ago. … Continue reading
As Block B have progressed to a new stage in their career, their comebacks seem to alternate between the raucous hip-hop/pop of their past and more pensive balladry. November’s Shall We Dance brought the party vibes, and new single Don’t Leave (떠나지마요) follows it up with the inevitable come down, casting the group in a … Continue reading
As a long-time (some might say obsessive) fan of Infinite, Tell Me is not the kind of song I wanted from their return. The group has been inactive since September of 2016 — the longest they’ve ever gone between comebacks. And with all the anticipation built up from that absence (and the fact that this … Continue reading
Convoluted k-pop release schedules have now gotten to the point where an entire album can be considered “pre-debut.” Such is the case with Stray Kids’ Mixtape, which includes buzz single Hellevator and six other tracks featured in their variety survival series. I’m curious if the group will tackle drastically different material upon their official debut, … Continue reading
If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers. Bumzu Years … Continue reading
At this point, I think I’d rather SM Entertainment abandon their digital Station project to focus more completely on full-fledged comebacks. It’s not that Station hasn’t resulted in some standout songs, but overall last year’s discography felt pretty forgettable. I fear that, rather than adding to artists’ catalogs in an interesting way, many of the … Continue reading
Despite possessing some of the most powerful pipes in k-pop, Mamamoo have never really released a straight-up ballad as a title track. But with this being the season for more reserved material, it’s the perfect time for a song like Paint Me (칠해줘). Few groups can summon the necessary power to make such a stark … Continue reading
Rap/rock hybrid N.Flying scored one of last summer’s most addictive surprises with the spirited The Real. Their agency FNC is home to several idol rock groups, making it harder for these guys to carve out a niche all their own. But by adding second vocalist Yoo Hwe Seung, N.Flying have developed a boisterous style of … Continue reading
Late last spring, Momoland were rescued from obscurity by member JooE, whose blissfully hyperactive performance during an EDM remix of the group’s single Wonderful Love went viral. Though Momoland released another mini album soon after, they haven’t fully capitalized on this notoriety until now. The girls have always promoted light, upbeat material, but BBoom BBoom (뿜뿜) … Continue reading
Kriesha Chu made her solo debut mere weeks after her stint on last year’s final season of K-Pop Star. There isn’t a whole lot of precedent for successful female solos in the idol driven k-pop industry, unless their style leans heavily toward ballads or indie r&b. But the youthful pop of Trouble offered a different … Continue reading
Only two days into the new year and one of my k-pop resolutions has been answered. I am firmly within the “keep k-pop weird” camp, even as many of Korea’s idol groups strive for a more internationally-minded sound that incorporates popular Western trends. A song concept like Wolf Baby‘s is something only k-pop could produce, … 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. December 2017 Overall Thoughts 2017 certainly ended with a whimper. December is usually a pretty barren month, … Continue reading
MBC’s Gayo Daejejun had the best theme of the three end-of-year specials, and as usual it had the most stacked line-up. But I can’t help but feel like it lacked the kind of watercooler moments that make these specials so thrilling. The idea of pairing idol groups with fans resulted in some really endearing performances. … Continue reading
For a variety of reasons (not all of them k-pop related), I don’t think too many people are going to miss 2017. But as we turn the calendar to 2018, I’m filled with a sense of optimism for what the new year might bring us. With this in mind, here are the top ten things … Continue reading
Last year, I wrote up ten k-pop resolutions that I hoped would come true in 2017. Now that we’re in the final days of the year, it’s time to look back and see how I did. Make sure to read through the original post, first! And check back tomorrow for 2018’s resolutions! 1. The Re-emergence of … Continue reading
More often than not the KBS Gayo feels like the most intimate of the three end-of-year festivals, held in a theater rather than a stadium. This has its pluses and minuses, but the idea to structure this year’s special more like a traditional concert was an interesting choice. It was one made out of necessity, … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop 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 k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I don’t often feature OST releases as buried treasures because, … Continue reading
To be honest, the combination of Eric Nam and “winter ballad” doesn’t exactly pique my interest. Nam is one of k-pop’s most amiable personalities, and I’ve often argued that he’s at his best when he’s harnessing that charm to deliver light uptempo pop. Ballads are already at risk of becoming overly sentimental, and coupled with … Continue reading
