K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2023
Feature

K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2023

Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading

Song Review: Seventeen – Super
Review

Song Review: Seventeen – Super

Much of the news surrounding Seventeen’s FML mini album has highlighted its incredible sales. They’re breaking records left and right, standing as one of the industry’s most well-loved acts. I wouldn’t call myself a mega-fan the way I was back in 2015-17, but you can’t argue with quality. Their success has been built upon consistently … Continue reading

Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2022: HYBE LABELS
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Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2022: HYBE LABELS

This feature has gradually shifted from a December to a November tradition, leaving more space for next month’s sprawling end-of-year countdowns. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at many of K-pop’s biggest agencies and offering my thoughts about how their 2022 went. Following SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment‘s and JYP Entertainment‘s evaluations, it’s time for … Continue reading

Battle of the B-Sides: Seventeen, CNBlue, (G)I-DLE, Twice, STAYC
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Battle of the B-Sides: Seventeen, CNBlue, (G)I-DLE, Twice, STAYC

K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading

Song Review: Seventeen – _World
Review

Song Review: Seventeen – _World

I enjoyed Seventeen’s Hot more than most seemed to, but the song didn’t have much longevity. In fact, it’s been years since a Seventeen title track has stuck around long on my playlist. It seems that, ever since Pledis Entertainment merged with HYBE, Seventeen’s sound has lost some idiosyncratic edge. Repackage track _World is a … Continue reading

Buried Treasure: Seventeen – Domino
Review

Buried Treasure: Seventeen – Domino

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. Seventeen’s newest album maintains the strength … Continue reading

Song Review: Seventeen – Hot
Review

Song Review: Seventeen – Hot

Seventeen’s fourth full album was preceded by their first English-language single Darl+ing, released last month. That song felt very much like a placeholder, as many pre-releases tend to be. Now that anticipation has been built, it’s time for the main course. With Hot, the guys are back with a harder-edged hip-hop track (what else is … Continue reading