Like so many K-pop groups, Lovelyz is perfectly poised to bolster their fan base through the addition of solo and sub-unit promotions. Woollim Entertainment did a great job harnessing this potential with Infinite, but apart from a few digital releases here and there, Lovelyz’s output has been almost entirely group-based. Hopefully that will change soon, … Continue reading
MBC brings us the last end-of-year festival of 2018, and K-pop’s final music show before the new year. Even when it’s not the best of the three gayos, I’ve always enjoyed MBC’s format. It has a more intimate feel to it, with the audience close to the performances and fellow idols looking on in the … Continue reading
In the battle of the end-of-year music shows, KBS’s Gayo Daechukje has always felt like the forgotten middle child. SBS boasts the bigger stage and MBC is bolstered by a longer list of performers and the added excitement of New Year’s. In contrast, KBS’s special often feels more like a typical weekly music show. Last … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, things kick off with the big one… The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … 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. November 2018 Overall Thoughts November is always packed with comebacks, but rarely have we seen one … Continue reading
The quality I most appreciate in Lovelyz’ music is the very same one that may turn some listeners off. Since debut, the girls have pursued a specific synth-pop sound – fizzy and light with complex instrumentals. They’ve pushed outside the lines here and there (the effervescent That Day and For You), but have more or … Continue reading
The idea of music agency fandom might seem strange to Western audiences, as most notable labels around the world are vast corporations with rosters that share very little common. But of course, K-pop is different. Even as the industry has expanded, it has remained a relatively small microcosm of the global pop music landscape. When … 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. Sweetch Years … Continue reading
As we move into July, we’re entering K-Pop’s third quarter of releases for the year. As always, it’s a good time to take stock of what 2018 has offered so far. Back in early spring, I remember feeling pretty pessimistic about this year’s singles, but I’ve actually been able to compile a strong mid-year list. … Continue reading
I’m never one to balk at the thought of new music, but Wag-zak’s existence is a bit of a head-scratcher. Released quietly on a weekend, days before the comeback of another Woollim Entertainment act and without the participation of main vocal Jin, I’m not sure what the song’s commercial goal is supposed to be. But … 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 2018 Overall Thoughts In my mind, April represents the beginning of k-pop’s peak season. From … Continue reading
The fact that Lovelyz worked with Sweetune for That Day (그날의 너) is some consolation for personal faves Snuper ditching the production team for their upcoming comeback. It also brings renewed interest to the question of Woollim Entertainment’s partnership with Sweetune. I wish I had some knowledge of the inner workings of the industry, but the … 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
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. November 2017 Overall Thoughts Just like last November, this month saw a quality stream of new releases. … 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. 1Take & … Continue reading
Woollim Entertainment has more than their share of managerial issues (when is that fabled Infinite comeback, again?), but one thing I’ve always appreciated is that they develop a strong, recognizable sound for their artists. Rather than jump from trendy producer to trendy producer, a group like Lovelyz has largely stuck with quirky production team One … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Crying (Infinite H & Babysoul) (from Over The Top / Paradise – 2011) Crying is hip-hop unit Infinite H’s first stab at a solo, and the first time listeners were exposed to Lovelyz’s Babysoul. Given these momentous descriptors, you might expect the … 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. MONOTREE Years … Continue reading
Regardless of how you feel about Lovelyz‘ music, they’ve been able to carve out their own sound within the girl group landscape. More often than not their material pulls in the lighthearted, cutesy elements that so many other acts have ridden to fame, but its all within a distinctly synth-heavy framework that has a hazy, almost … Continue reading
Debuting in 2014 as Woollim Entertainment’s first girl group, Lovelyz quickly rose to fame on their quirky synth-pop sound. Though they’re most known for a light, cutesy image, their music has experimented with different tones as the group has matured. With only eight full-group promotional releases, I had to cheat a bit and add two … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 