Somebody needs to explain why TXT are hanging around in the snow for the promo images of their Japanese single album Chikai, which is set for release in the month of… July. If nothing else, I guess it’s interesting counter-programming? The same could be said for We’ll Never Change, which adopts a more subdued sound … Continue reading
I wasn’t bowled over by ALL(H)OURS’ debut earlier this year, but I sensed musical ambition that might lead to exciting things in the future. With their second mini album, the guys are moving in the right direction. Title track Shock (도깨비) takes many familiar boy group tropes but adds a crackling instrumental that feels new … Continue reading
K-pop/J-pop collaborations are growing more common lately (Fantastics x EPEX say hello!), and I can’t think of a better match than BE:FIRST and ATEEZ. Both employ a heavy hip-hop style with dramatic instrumentals and a free-wheeling, inexhaustible energy. I can’t say I’ve been a fan of either group’s recent work, but this duet is sure … Continue reading
Though it wasn’t everyone’s preferred style for the group, I loved STAYC’s transformation into bubblegum pop last year. It provided a nice counter to many of the year’s subdued, cooler-than-cool trends. Judging by its title alone, Cheeky Icy Thang seemed poised to continue this run. I’d love nothing more than a campy summertime anthem from … Continue reading
Kiss Of Life have quickly established themselves as one of K-pop’s buzziest rookie acts. April’s Midas Touch expertly mined the current Y2K trend to craft a catchy showcase that gave the group their own sonic calling card. New summer single Sticky feels more closely attuned to the laidback, Afrobeats-inspired sound currently sweeping global charts. I’ve … Continue reading
Thus far, BABYMONSTER have embraced all the YG girl group tropes you’d expect, casting them as heirs to 2NE1 and BLACKPINK’s throne. This is not an agency known for its willingness to experiment. Instead, they’ve managed to enthrall fans with slight tweaks to successful formulas. With this in mind, it’s time for BABYMONSTER’s version of … Continue reading
GreatGuys is one of those acts that consistently releases solid material, even if they never receive the attention that material deserves. They rarely appear in my year-end countdowns or “top three of the month” rankings, but I’m always pleasantly surprised by their output. I wanted to quickly touch on new single I Love You (각이야) … 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 2024 Overall Thoughts It’s been awhile since I’ve said this, but K-pop is in a … Continue reading
It wouldn’t be a K-pop summer without some random Pepsi ad song. Over the past few years, Starship Entertainment has collaborated with the brand to release innocuous (sometimes decent) releases that see various idols teaming together. This time, IVE take on the challenge by themselves, delivering the “easy, fizzy” Summer Festa. “Baby, you can drink … Continue reading
The parade of post-enlistment BTS solo projects continues with a pre-release from Jimin, leading up to a full album in July. I had to look up what a “smeraldo” is (it’s a type of flower), but apart from that brief confusion the title “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” instantly reminded me of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s … Continue reading
BLACKPINK members have managed to sustain their global popularity despite a dearth of actual music. The long wait between releases adds mystique to their name, ensuring every group or solo track incredible chart success. In Lisa’s case, a song doesn’t even have to be an official single to smash. 2021’s Money trended for many months … 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. TWS’s Summer Beat is a varied … Continue reading
Seventeen years since their debut, FTIsland are set to release a new album next month. Now a trio, the guys have become one of K-pop’s longest running acts, and pre-release Burn It proves they still have plenty of gas left in the tank. As far as I can tell, this song comes as a surprise. … Continue reading
After leaving Astro, Rocky embarked on a solo career with last year’s ROCKYST and title track Lucky Rocky. I enjoyed the direction he pursued, but thought the execution could use some work. When it comes to today’s Jealousy, I’m drawn even more to Rocky’s musical direction. This style of funky synthwave-influenced pop music is very … Continue reading
K-pop is littered with acts who – for one reason or another – didn’t get the full spotlight they deserved. I’ve spent plenty of time ranking and reviewed the industry’s biggest artists, but these underrated acts should never be forgotten. This feature will take a look at disbanded groups and rank/rate their entire singles run, … Continue reading
The ambitious tripleS project is growing and multiplying faster than NCT ever did, with new units seeming to emerge every month. tripleS Glow is composed of members Chaewon, Sullin, SeoAh and JiYeon and they debuted with Inner Dance (내적 댄스) last week. Now, they’ve released a performance video to add a visual aspect to the … Continue reading
K-pop legend Kim Jaejoong’s J-pop career has been continually active, but it’s been two years since he last released a Korean album. He’s made the comeback worth the wait with a full thirteen-track opus, including guests as diverse as Mamamoo’s Moonbyul and J-pop star Miyavi. Title track Glorious Day makes for a rousing addition to … Continue reading
B.D.U is a project group spawned from MNET’s reality show Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survivor and consists of M.O.N.T’s Bitsaeon, CIX’s Seung Hun, One Pact’s Jay Chang and trainee Kim Minseo. While I love the idea of a show focused on K-pop’s often-underutilized vocalists, I’d rather the entire industry make a shift toward robust … Continue reading
Gather round, friends. I would like to recite a poem. The deep meaning behind these words may resonate with you in unexpected ways, so don’t be surprised if your eyes suddenly start to well up. There are tissues in the back of the room if you need them. (clears throat, adopts the poise and phrasing … Continue reading
There are few K-ballads I’d write a review for, but I’ll make an exception for any member of Infinite — especially one of my all-time favorite vocalists. Nam Woohyun has released a live album and included the studio recording of new track Sunshine (눈부셨다) as a special treat for fans. This comes mere weeks after … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 