L5ST are a newly debuted group from Macaroni Media — one of the most enjoyable K-pop company names we’re heard in some time. They’re also set to appear on Abema’s upcoming Re:Born series. I guess being “born” once through debut isn’t enough these days! Their first single Only One sees them tackling a light rock … Continue reading
Yerin has been GFriend’s most prolific soloist, dropping an album every year since 2022. Her light pop sound isn’t completely dissimilar from her former group, though the music keeps its ambitions pretty slight. New single Wavy continues her solo evolution, capturing a late-summer burst of energy. Wavy might be the best fit for Yerin yet. … Continue reading
Idol bands are more popular than ever and ONEWE have been part of this wave since their re-debut in 2019. They’re immensely talented, yet I’ve often wished their music would go bigger and bolder. Many past singles favored a soft, melancholic sound. This matches well with frontman Yonghoon’s evocative vocals, but there’s no harm in … Continue reading
Today marks a year since RIIZE’s debut, celebrated with special epilogue single Combo. Rather than making several distinct comebacks, the past twelve months have seen the group gradually build their debut mini album. Their music may not have a distinct genre focus, but they’ve managed to traverse a variety of sounds with panache. It’s hard … Continue reading
It goes without saying that I adore Taemin and his music, but my biggest frustration with his solo output is how often it tends to favor murky atmosphere and sluggish arrangements. He clearly enjoys this subdued tempo, and it allows for great spotlight on his choreography in a fluid, artistic way. But being a huge … Continue reading
September is the month of SHINee solos, with three of four members releasing music or mvs over the next few weeks. It’s interesting to hear what they’re up to under new management, and for Onew the change seems to have ignited a sense of groove. When I think of his solo work, I’m more liable … Continue reading
Last August, the three-member Limelight released one of 2023’s strongest singles. The shimmering Madeleine offered counterprogramming to current girl group trends, harnessing a full-throated melody over propulsive production. Now, the group has rebranded as MADEIN and added four members (including Mashiro and Yeseo who had previously promoted as Kep1er). This member upgrade demands equally exciting … 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. I didn’t have elevated anticipation for … Continue reading
Nine years into their career, it’s amazing how immensely popular DAY6 have become. Their 2019 title track Time Of Our Life has (rightfully) become a sleeper hit on the charts, while newest single Welcome To The Show has also experienced a boomerang over the past few months. The group boasts a robust back catalog, and … Continue reading
With mega-hit songs like aespa’s Supernova and TWS’s Plot Twist sucking up the oxygen for female and male idol groups this year, we can’t forget to mention the incredible fortunes of QWER’s latest single TBH. Hailing from a little-known subsidiary, this all-female rock group has been lodged in the top ten for much of 2024. … Continue reading
Loossemble have carved out a niche for themselves within the extended post-LOONA universe. Thus far, their music has delivered a blend of slick and trendy, never reinventing the wheel but always making it stylish and cool. New single TTYL fits very strongly as part of this year’s sonic landscape. To me, it sounds like an … Continue reading
No K-pop group has grown on me more in 2024 than BOYNEXTDOOR. How’s that for a triple-rhyming statement? Seriously, though… when they debuted last year I wasn’t sure what to make of them, but with each comeback my interest and appreciation grew until I retroactively loved their entire discography. That’s a testament to the importance … 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. August 2024 Overall Thoughts Over the past few years, the month of August has trended toward … Continue reading
It’s been over a year since WEi last made a comeback with the summery Overdrive, but new single LOVE2YOU feels like it starts right from where that song left off. Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a few more bursts of sunshine before the seasons change. LOVE2YOU … Continue reading
Few rookie groups have endured a story as dramatic as Fifty Fifty. Initially emerging from a fledgling agency, they quickly gained international notoriety and incredible momentum, only to have this success undercut by alleged abuse, escalating lawsuits and contract terminations. The timeline is too complicated for me to recount here, but we’re left with an … Continue reading
From the moment they kicked their legs in the air to open Fearless‘s compelling choreo, LE SSERAFIM have displayed tons of potential and even more style. But too often, the group has been saddled with ultra-trendy material that feels like an echo of Western pop sounds rather than a guiding light forward. With new single … Continue reading
Since departing Treasure, Bang Yedam has released several solo singles. Most recently, he featured on a duet with aespa’s Winter. Now he’s back with his second mini album Good Vibes and title track O-HE. The song takes advantage of his natural sense of rhythm and a vocal flavor that recalls K-pop greats like Jay Park … Continue reading
Originally debuting as a main rapper in EXO, Chanyeol has gone on to release several solo singles in a variety of genres. He may not be a powerhouse vocalist within the group, but his tone has an easily identifiable charm suited to rock and indie music. Black Out comes from his first official solo album … Continue reading
I count myself among the contingent of Chungha fans who prefer when her music aims straight for the clubs, meaning this spring’s title track Eenie Meenie became eclipsed by its clubbier b-side I’m Ready. With new single Algorithm, she seems to have grasped the formula (see what I did there?) many of us have been … Continue reading
Given Cube Entertainment’s once-savvy position in the K-pop industry, I’m surprised how soft their launch of new boy group Nowadays has been. Their debut came and went without much fanfare, followed by a cover version of Beast’s Rainy Day. Neither of these tracks helped establish Nowadays as a unique group of their own, so first … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 