1TEAM are yet another 2019 debut group, hailing this time from Liveworks Entertainment. Some of its members will already be familiar to fans, as they participated in both BOYS24 and MIXNINE. Neither of those programs spawned the kind of sensation that Produce 101 does, so it’s gratifying to see an official debut for the guys. … Continue reading
KARD debuted just at the right time. In late 2016, K-pop’s appetite for tropical pop was still high, and the group rode that trend to great international success throughout their first year. Things stalled a bit last summer, just as their sound began to feel more generic. No matter how successful a group may be, … Continue reading
So, let me get this straight, 100%. You’re going to tackle a retro concept and not give Sweetune a call? I mean, talk about a missed opportunity! For a few brief months in 2016-17, the guys met their perfect producer match in the form of Sweetune. After parting ways, their music has become the definition … Continue reading
The year of debuts rolls on, but not every rookie will hail from a huge agency with tons of pre-debut hype. For every ITZY or TXT, there will be dozens of new acts struggling for recognition. These groups often do not have the budget necessary for elaborate teasers or expensive music videos, but it doesn’t … Continue reading
SHINee’s Key is slated for his mandatory military enlistment soon, but before going on hiatus he’s teased a repackage of his excellent debut album. Cold is a prelude to that, digitally released as part of SM Entertainment’s Station project. But unlike the retro-pop and EDM found on his album, the song is downbeat and emotional. … Continue reading
I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a Greyish track on this site, but their name has always made me chuckle. Of all the possible colors, they just had to pick the blandest of them all (technically, it’s not even a color). The word conjures equally bland music, but that hasn’t been the case so far. … Continue reading
As the wait for a full f(x) comeback enters its fourth calendar year, each and every move by its members attracts interest from fans. However, most of the f(x)-related solo material has felt pretty un-f(x) in sound, which only seems to exacerbate listeners’ impatience. Luna offered a spark of similar energy with 2016’s Free Somebody, … Continue reading
Twice have had a truly prolific 2018. With The Best Thing I Ever Did (올해 제일 잘한 일) acting as a capper, they’ve released seven official singles and a few additional music videos. Throughout it all, I’ve been consistent in wishing the girls would tackle new sounds. I realize how hypocritical this might come across, as … Continue reading
Over the course of their three year career, UP10TION have never developed a signature style. Instead, they pinball from concept to concept, making their comebacks quite unpredictable. Over the past few years, they’ve released some of my favorite K-pop tracks (exhibits A, B). But, just as often, they’ve returned with subpar material that feels too … Continue reading
Hotshot are one of the established acts standing to gain from Wanna One’s early-2019 disbandment. Come February, main vocal Ha Sungwoon will be back with the group, presumably bolstering their brand with his increased star power. In the meantime, the remaining five members have tried to keep things chugging along, briefly promoting last summer and … Continue reading
I first remember hearing BLACKPINK’s Jennie all the way back in 2013, where she guested on a trio of tracks by YG solo acts. It was clear even then that she was being prepped for whatever the agency’s next girl group would be, but her vocals seemed poised for solo work as well. Five years … Continue reading
Donghyun and Youngmin of MXM are on the cusp of rejoining their fellow trainees to form Brand New Music’s highly anticipated new boy group. It all waits for future-members Daehwi and Woojin, who will be released from their Wanna One contract when the group disbands early next year. Before that happens, MXM have returned with … Continue reading
As 2018 draws to a close, I can’t help but think the year has been short on memorable debuts. Sure, there were the big ones (Loona, Stray Kids), but even those have felt very hit-or-miss. New girl group DreamNote haven’t spawned the kind of pre-debut hype that would lead them to instant stardom, but their … Continue reading
Though “lead vocalist” was part of Kim Donghan’s member profile when he was a member of project group JBJ, he’s most well known for his dancing. And like so many dancers-turned-soloists, his idiosyncrasies lie more in movement than vocal color. He’s got a perfectly serviceable pop tone, but lacks the kind of texture that would … Continue reading
Zion.T’s release schedule has slowed drastically since signing with YG Entertainment subsidiary The Black Label, but Korea seems poised to enthusiastically embrace his material all the same. As if his name wasn’t enough to draw headlines, new single Hello Tutorial pairs him with Red Velvet’s Seulgi — a performer who has already been part of … Continue reading
I can’t remember a time when a group’s music has fallen off my personal bias list as quickly as Snuper’s. The group went from releasing two of my top three singles of 2017 to churning out an album so faceless and unappealing that I choose to pretend it doesn’t exist at all. And now, they’ve … Continue reading
The indefinite hiatus of girl group After School and its sub-unit, Orange Caramel, is made even more frustrating whenever one of the group’s members returns with a by-the-numbers ballad. I don’t believe in shoehorning an act into one specific style, but Raina seems intent on crafting the most weightless material possible. New single It’s Okay (작아지는 … Continue reading
Since returning from their military enlistment, Super Junior’s Donghae and Eunhyuk have released a steady stream of music in Japan, culminating in their recently unveiled album Style. But, it’s been over three years since the duo was last active in Korea. The shadow of 2015’s Growing Pains looms large over their music, standing as a … Continue reading
I’ve been real hot and cold with MXM’s releases so far. I love the guys, but only their January Match Up mini album has really appealed to me. Rather than maintain that addictive funk pop sound, the duo seems more intent on a laid-back brand of hip-hop that emphasizes vibe over melody. New single Ya … Continue reading
Give me a K or J-pop song with the title “Chaser” and I’ll instantly be triggered. I’ve written at length about how I consider Infinite’s The Chaser to be the best K-pop song of all time. It’s so outstanding that they might as well retire the word “chaser” from the K-pop lexicon entirely. But here … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 