Paldang is a Dam built on Korea’s Han River, but in this funky new single from Eddy Kim and Beenzino, it’s simply a roadblock for girls to “rush over like water” on their way to a good time. The single cover even depicts a waterfall of long, dyed blue hair. As metaphors go, it’s basically … Continue reading
While the vocals in many of their peers’ tracks can sometimes feel like accessories to the beat or concept, Mamamoo puts the singing front and center. No need for electronic builds or breakdowns when a robust vocal harmony can get the job done even more effectively. It’s a commendable, even old-fashioned, characteristic of their music, and … Continue reading
Starship Entertainment hasn’t debuted a new girl group since Sistar, and that was all the way back in 2010. In those six years, Sistar has gone on to become one of the leading female groups in kpop, so when it was announced that Starship would be teaming with Yuehua Entertainment to form Cosmic Girls, I … Continue reading
True rockers are a rarity in the kpop world. Some of that is due to the musical tastes that the genre caters to, but I think just as much comes from the culture itself. There’s an element of respect, particularly when it comes to age, that’s woven into every fabric of Korean life. That makes the persona … Continue reading
It’s almost impossible to separate Ladies’ Code’s new material from the horrible tragedy the group suffered in September of 2014. But, it’s not fair to base all further perceptions of their music on that tragedy either. I’m sure they don’t want to be known solely for their story, so I’ll try as much as possible to focus my thoughts … Continue reading
Girl group 4TEN briefly went by the (strange) name Poten and released a very underrated single last summer. Nevertheless, they’ve been unable to break out in the kpop world. Like many groups with a similar struggle, they’ve come back again and again with varying sounds and concepts, trying to find something that will stick. I’m … Continue reading
I came into this song without a lot of expectation. I know that new group Astro have a bit of a following due to web series and other online promotion, but I know next to nothing about them. In fact, I’d even say that my initial feelings for their music was less than positive, and … Continue reading
I’ve been waiting almost two years for this. As I mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of Taemin’s solo music. I got a little nervous when I heard that he was working with Bruno Mars on this single. Nothing against Bruno, but I don’t really like my kpop artists intermingling with American music (there’s a … Continue reading
After making their long-awaited return from the ashes last November, B.A.P have made a speedy comeback with their new mini album, Carnival. It marks a drastic shift in sound and image from their last us-against-the-world concept. In fact, we really haven’t seen the guys this light and colorful since Stop It, from all the way … Continue reading
Before I start, I need to give full disclosure on my relationship to Taemin’s music. I’m an enormous fan, and I selfishly want him to be Korea’s answer to Michael Jackson. I think he’s that good. In my opinion, he’s the best dancer in all of kpop. All this praise means I also hold him … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Though SS301 released shortened promo videos for every track off their … Continue reading
For whatever reason, Beast were the last of Korea’s major boy groups that I became interested in. I knew and enjoyed all of their singles, but it took a long time for me to investigate their entire discography. However, once I finally got around to it, they quickly became one of my favorite boy groups in all … Continue reading
If Tell Me (What Is Love) is any indication, it seems as if SM’s new weekly Music Station platform may become an avenue to release some long-awaited fan favorite material. This song is not unknown among Exo fans, and is one of many unreleased tracks from SM’s vault that has been performed live in the … Continue reading
Nu’est have finally returned after nearly two years since their last Korean album. Many fans have been waiting for their comeback, and I’m definitely one of them. I’ve followed the group for some time and liked pretty much everything they’ve released so far. But I’m disappointed to say that I don’t think Overcome will ever fully … Continue reading
Producer Brave Brothers has a bit of a stranglehold on kpop, and for good reason. His productions are reliably fantastic, if at times a bit uninspired. You’d think, then, that he’d turn to his best material for his own in-house girl group, Brave Girls. I was a bit surprised that Deepened ends up being one … Continue reading
Legendary boy group SS501 is back in the form of its sub-unit, SS301, which consists of members Heo Young Saeng, Kyu Jong, and Hyung Jun. Among groups of their age, I feel like SS501 often doesn’t get the credit they deserve from newer fans for writing much of the kpop template that younger groups still adhere … Continue reading
Jo Kwon, of JYP’s 2AM, is known by many as a “variety idol.” This is due to his bright, outgoing personality and uncanny ability to make a total fool of himself. Embracing elements of camp and gender reversal like very few of his peers, he’s a unique and important figure in kpop. But, you’re not going … Continue reading
Girl group Rainbow have been kicking around the kpop world for quite some time now, finding great success in their first few years but struggling as of late. They’ve traversed through cute concepts, sexy concepts, and darker, more electronic terrain, and now they’ve returned with Whoo — a blast of pure, unadulterated pop. Other than admiring … Continue reading
Sometimes you know exactly how a song is going to sound before you even start listening to it. Cook For You brings together Starship Entertainment’s roster of male soloists. K.Will is known for his ballads and midtempos, Junggigo is most famous for being Soyou’s duet partner on the mega-hit Some, and Jooyoung and Brother Su have … Continue reading
Just based on a casual look through social media, I can already tell that Vancouver’s Exo’luXion stop is becoming infamous for all the wrong reasons. Still, I wanted to give my thoughts since I was in attendance last night. Before I start, I have to preface by saying that, while Exo were actually one of the groups … Continue reading
