AOMG’s hip-hop girl group Keyveatz made their pre-debut back in April, setting the stage for today’s full debut. I couldn’t tell you much about that earlier track beyond that fact that I didn’t enjoy it, and OXY‘s title brings to mind the slang term for the well-known opioid that’s caused a wave of addiction over … Continue reading
It’s been one step forward, two steps back with ATEEZ lately. After a promising 2025, a pair of early-2026 tracks succumbed to some of the group’s most frustrating instincts. That slump continues with new title track Bad, which lives up to its name. I mean, this review almost writes itself, right? Replace the “she’s” in … Continue reading
It’s unusual for a member of a popular K-pop group to cut ties before contracts are up, especially if they stick with the agency to promote as a soloist. From all accounts, Heeseung’s departure from ENHYPEN could be chalked up to creative differences. He wanted to release the music he was into. This begs the … Continue reading
As with too many of their new-gen peers’ discographies, it’s hard to predict how a new RIIZE single might sound. In the past, there have been K-pop groups I knew I could count on to deliver the goods each and every time, and this was usually because they worked with a tight team of producers … Continue reading
Three years ago, Fifty Fifty’s Cupid brought them global attention. But just like a bubble (see what I did there?), their prospects burst when the group fractured. This new group configuration has been flooding the market with material but nothing’s yet recaptured the public interest of Cupid. New single Like A Bubble is unlikely to … Continue reading
With each new release, I’ve appreciated MEOVV’s music more and more. They’ve yet to deliver a song that’s completely captured me, but they have a sound that feels much needed in K-pop right now. Even with this goodwill, as soon as I spot a song title like “DDI RO RI” my mind goes to the … Continue reading
Amidst the back-and-forth between ZEROBASEONE and AND2BLE, it can be easy to forget that there’s a new reigning champ in Boys Planet world. ALPHA DRIVE ONE made their debut earlier this year with a non-starter of a dance/hip-hop track, though as predicted the album sold well over a million copies. Another album is scheduled for … Continue reading
Riding off the success of LNGSHOT’s debut, agency founder Jay Park is injecting even more credibility to the group by collaborating with them on an album release. I wasn’t too impressed with last week’s teaser 4SHO 4SHO, but understood the point of that exercise. LNGSHOT are building a fanbase at the fringes of mainstream K-pop, … Continue reading
After three years, BOYNEXTDOOR are finally set to release their first full album next month. This usually means extra promotions including a pre-release or follow-up. Without much teasing at all, the group has dropped ddok ddok ddok (똑똑똑) as a taste of what’s to come. Fans will know the significance of this title given the … Continue reading
I’m back with K-pop’s wonderfully silly acronyms. Debuting boy group NAZE’s name apparently stands for “New Adventure’s Zestyfull Echo,” which sounds delightfully stupid in a way that’s almost impossible to believe is true. They’re managed by C9 Entertainment, who have previously fumbled the ball with groups like CIX, Cignature and Good Day. With that in … Continue reading
The whole Cortis experience didn’t leave a good taste in my mouth last year, but like so many others I’ve become a bit obsessed with new single REDRED. It’s amazing what a great dance beat can do. But more than that, REDRED feels quintessentially new rather than simply a retreat of western rap tropes. This … Continue reading
AOMG is primarily known as a hip-hop agency, but they’re getting into the idol business with girl group Keyveatz. The group hasn’t officially debuted yet, but pre-debut single Key Beats offers a taste of what we can expect. There seems to be an appetite from agencies to develop this style of swaggy hip-hip girl group. … Continue reading
Since their debut, VVS have yet to score a song rating above the sixes on this blog, which puts them in rarified air. To make matters worse, I constantly get them confused with VVUP, who have fared a little better ratings-wise. In general, any act that puts dollar signs in their song titles is unlikely … Continue reading
SNSD’s Hyoyeon continues her run as a DJ/solo artist with new single MOVEURBODY. This song has been available for about a month now, but a music video premiered today so I thought I’d give it a little write-up. After all, HYO has been responsible for some bangers in the past. Throughout her solo career, HYO … Continue reading
NCT Wish are set to release their first full album in a week’s time, and like so many idol groups they’re teasing it with a pre-release. I’ve had a love or hate relationship with Wish’s music so far, with many of their tracks (and the execution of those tracks) leaving me cold. Sticky is certainly … Continue reading
Katseye are not a K-pop group, but of all the global acts backed by K-pop agencies they’re by far the buzziest so I continue to write about their work regardless of my own criteria for this blog. Love or hate their songs, they’re guaranteed to garner a strong reaction. Alongside new single Pinky Up, Katseye … Continue reading
AMPERS&ONE have an identity crisis. Each time they return with new music, it’s like hearing a completely different group. This makes them a tricky prospect to follow and enjoy. Their catalog is so hit and miss and there’s no overriding concept tying the music together. I’ve liked them best when they go straight for the … Continue reading
Kep1er has bucked the survival series odds and remained as a (less than full) group even after their initial contract ended. This seems to be the new norm, as a smaller version of ZEROBASEONE will also be promoting later this spring. Since reformatting as six, Kep1er’s music has run the gamut in sound and quality. … Continue reading
It’s BTS week, which means new releases apart from that album have been pretty infrequent. However, another world-conquering K-pop group has a treat of their own. Stray Kids’ Hyunjin released solo track Lover on his birthday alongside a lo-fi music video. For an act with as much cachet as they have, most of Stray Kids’ … Continue reading
Modern K-pop has dramatically switched its lyrical focus from external storytelling, centered on the “you” or “they”, to boastful screeds that fully revolve around the “I”. “I’m so badass.” “I’m cooler than anyone else.” “I’m UNIQUE.” This bleeds into the music itself, which is often more combative and hits like a structural punch instead of … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 