Alongside their full group comeback Maestro, Seventeen’s specialized units are also releasing music videos for their new songs. First up is the hip-hop team with LALALI. I’ve become increasingly weary of song titles that are little more than a series of “la las,” but this sub-unit has delivered surprises before. LALALI makes boisterous use of … Continue reading
BTOB’s Yook Sungjae has found great success as an actor and variety star, but hasn’t been as active as a solo musician. He made his solo debut in 2020, weeks before his mandatory military enlistment. Four years later, he’s back with a new single album and title track Be Somebody. Sungjae has a powerful voice … Continue reading
Gosh, remember UP10TION? Their peak era seems much further in the past than it actually is. The group delivered a bunch of bangers and will eternally be part of my summer playlist with the classic Tonight. While promoting in the group, Lee Dongyeol went by the name Xiao. Now, it’s finally time for him to … Continue reading
“Baekho and BIGONE” sounds like the name of a really inappropriate sitcom, but it’s actually a pairing of two distinct artists. On paper, this collaboration feels very unexpected. How does the slinky idol pop of an ex-Nu’est member meet the rambunctious rock of an indie startup? They’re not even from the same agency, so I’m … Continue reading
It feels like tripleS have been dropping releases every other month, but this is actually their first comeback as a full group. Apart from last years’ Assemble, everything else has been performed in sub-units. Girls Never Die brings together all twenty four (!) members. With that level of participation, you might expect the track to … Continue reading
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from KARD’s BM. I haven’t written about his solo music since January 2022, but he’s back with a new track and a new collaborator. Nectar features Jay Park — a suitable sparring partner and likely inspiration for the future of BM’s work. Nectar feels equally indebted to both artists. … Continue reading
We’ve got another new boy group today with the debut of ASC2NT. They hale from Newways Company, an agency I hadn’t heard of until today, and include three members who participated in last year’s Peak Time. Love Me Do is not a cover of the famed Beatles classic. Instead, it’s the latest K-pop track to … Continue reading
A week ago, EXO’s Doh Kyung Soo (D.O.) pre-released the fluffy pop track Popcorn, hinting that his new album might have a more upbeat twist to it. Title track Mars fulfills that promise, transferring the gentle, coffeehouse appeal of his music to a sprightlier sound palette. Mars is still very much within the “easy listening” … Continue reading
There’s not a great deal of consistency across Solar’s new album. Placing a song like Colors right next to title track But I is crazy whiplash. You could say she’s painting with a variety of tones and stretching her wings, but it doesn’t make for a cohesive listen. I’ll let others decide for themselves how … 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’m a little baffled why I … 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. K-pop’s early summer continues with the … 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. Until now, I don’t think I’d … 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. IVE will be releasing a music … Continue reading
At their best, E’Last have offered an ultra-dramatic take on K-pop, fueled by orchestral strings and inventive song structures that feel almost like musical theater. Over the years, they’ve drifted from that early sound, most recently in the form of Kiss Me Baby‘s funk energy. New single Gasoline returns to darker textures but fails to … Continue reading
K-pop has a long, storied history of songs about shoes. From Highlight’s Gikwang boasting his Dancing Shoes in 2009 to ITZY putting on their Sneakers in 2022, these tracks tend to be pretty silly. And really, how could they be anything else? Now, TOZ is back with their ode to “Nu Shoes” (and no, that’s … Continue reading
Ever since the immense success of TWS’s Plot Twist, I’ve been wondering if bright boy group fare would come back into vogue. That seems to be happening slowly but surely, and Fantasy Boys’ Pitter-Patter-Love (분명 그녀가 나를 보고 웃잖아) is a great example of the form. I haven’t paid too much attention to this group … Continue reading
K-Pop queen HyunA made her return on a new label late last year, and Attitude was a brief shot of excitement leading into this new era. Follow-up Q&A takes a more vibe-driven approach, but its dance elements work well for her. Between 4minute, Trouble Maker, Triple H and her solo work, HyunA’s covered a ton … Continue reading
Apart from a fantastic pre-release, YOUNITE haven’t done much to stick in my memory. I’ve written about all their title tracks, but I honestly couldn’t hum any of them today. New single Geekin is unlikely to change that, but its addictive beat helps it stand out amongst their discography. I should hate this song. After … 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. April 2024 Overall Thoughts K-pop years aren’t always frontloaded, but January was so strong that its … Continue reading
After leaving SM Entertainment, EXO’s D.O. has reverted to his given name for his new album, set for release next month. Before that, we have pre-release Popcorn — an uncharacteristically cutesy bit of pop fluff. I tend to tie Kyung Soo’s solo music to the coffeehouse, and Popcorn still fits comfortably into that setting. However, … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 