Most years, K-pop debuts are a huge source of inspiration, offering new energy and new ideas. 2022 has seen some notable debuts, but most have been cut from the same musical cloth. With the arrival of MLD Entertainment’s Lapillus, I’m more convinced than ever that the industry is simply devoid of musical innovation. Hit Ya … Continue reading
I’m not sure where calling 119 would get me in the States, but I’m about ready to call 911 on INI’s discography (metaphorically, of course!). I have a strong affinity for this group, having watched them form through Produce 101 Japan and following some of their post-debut variety. But, the guys have yet to be … Continue reading
Over the past couple of years, Dongkiz have been one of my favorite way-under-the-radar groups. Last year’s Beautiful took them in an ill-advised “edgy” direction, but other than that their music has been a ton of fun. They really embrace K-pop’s inherent goofiness, even introducing a silly ghost mascot during some of their live stages. … Continue reading
Think of Omega X as the idol group version of 2017’s The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project. The group attempts to take members of disbanded (or disbanding?) acts and bring them together for a re-debut. Its line-up includes performers from Spectrum, Limitless, Seven O’Clock, 1Team, ENOi, 1THE9, Gidongdae and even my beloved Snuper. If anything, this … Continue reading
Debut girl group Pixy is perhaps most notable as the new home of former Cherry Bullet leader Mirae (rechristened Ella, here). Their pre-release teasers hinted at a darker, fantasy-themed concept. I’m always up for more fantasy aesthetics in K-pop, especially since Oh My Girl has all-but abandoned them of late. However, Wings plays more like … Continue reading
For a group whose music should be conquering Japan, IZ*ONE’s J-pop discography has been very inconsistent. Debut single Suki to Iwasetai was an undisputed triumph, but follow-ups Buenos Aires and Vampire were both marred by awful production and halfhearted performances. Unfortunately, new single Beware succumbs to the same issues. It’s aptly named, as listeners should … Continue reading
Those who have followed The Bias List for any amount of time will know what an enormous fan of Woollim Entertainment I am. From Infinite to Lovelyz to Golden Child, I’m usually enamored with what the agency produces. But, I’m really struggling with Rocket Punch. Thus far, their music seems to lack many of the … Continue reading
Though he was already popular, Zico has enjoyed even greater success this year thanks to his viral Any Song. Personally, I find the “TikTok challenge” nature of that track emblematic of everything wrong with pop music at the moment, but I’ll admit that it’s catchy (if annoying). In a somewhat similar situation, K-pop legend Rain … Continue reading
Chungha’s been hinting at a full album release in the near future, and she’s taking a promotional approach more widely seen in Western acts by unveiling several singles before the official comeback. This is a shame, as I really think that April’s Stay Tonight deserved the full title track treatment. Unfortunately, I can’t say the … Continue reading
Rookie group DKB fit right within 2020 expectations by debuting with a noisy hip-hop track. But as forgettable as I found it to be, Sorry Mama did manage to incorporate a killer female vocal ad-lib that gave it a tiny bit of character. Unfortunately, that sliver of identity has been quashed by follow-up Still (오늘도 … Continue reading
Okay, we’re going to switch things up a bit today – just this one time. R&B phenom Crush and Red Velvet’s Joy have released a single together, and like all the high-profile duets this month, it’s climbed straight to the top five of the charts. People clearly love Crush and Joy, I get that. I … Continue reading
Somehow, despite disliking the bulk of AB6IX’s special solos album 5NALLY, I have now written about all five tracks at length. And every once and awhile, I even had some positive things to say. That’s the kind of twisted dedication you’ll find on The Bias List! But now that we’ve arrived at the fifth and … Continue reading
December is the month of holiday releases, under-the-radar comebacks and special singles. It tends to result in a hodgepodge of new music, little of which I end up remembering a year later. Duo JBJ95 impressed me with this summer’s Spark, but unfortunately their Only One joins the pile of forgettable winter tracks. For me, JBJ95’s … Continue reading
After leaving Seven Seasons (home to his group Block B) late last year, Zico has gone on to create his own label, KOZ, for future solo activity as well as recruitment of outside artists. This seems like a good strategy for him, as he’s always had his feet in both the idol and underground hip-hop … Continue reading
When 2019 is over, I have a feeling that the year will have set a record for debut groups. Though my opinion on 2019’s K-pop slate has soured over the past few months, there’s no denying that it’s been incredibly strong for rookies. This glut of new talent sets the bar high and makes it … Continue reading
Back in February, IZ*ONE made their Japanese debut with the stirring Suki to Iwasetai. It remains my highest-rated song by the group, but it turned out to be a total red herring. Since that initial album, IZ*ONE’s J-pop singles have been shockingly unpolished. June’s Buenos Aires merged a poor vocal arrangement with an underdeveloped instrumental. … Continue reading
With YG Entertainment in continual freefall, the company seems unable to release anything but threadbare solo albums from its artists. BLACKPINK’s stuck in a one-per-year promotional schedule, iKON is in limbo after losing its leader, and Treasure 13’s debut has been postponed for who knows how long. In their place, YGX (an agency subsidiary) has … Continue reading
Whether they like it or not, the debut of new boy group Limitless will instantly be overpowered by the presence of Jang Moonbok’s presence in its line-up. Moonbok became a lightning rod for media attention throughout the first few episodes of Produce 101 Season Two, but the novelty quickly faded and he was eliminated mid-way … Continue reading
Over the last few years, mixtapes have become an increasingly bigger focus in the development of idol groups. Most of the time, the rapper position in these groups is limited by the needs of a title track. There’s not a whole lot of opportunity to get personal or specific, which explains the generic, swaggy nature … Continue reading
Oh, Sungwoon fans. You may as well just save yourself the grief and skip this review altogether. I swear, I’ve got nothing against the guy himself. He cut his teeth as a member of underrated idol group Hotshot, and more than proved himself as a vital part of K-pop sensation Wanna One. But his debut … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 