Though I didn’t really care for their debut, KNK absolutely knocked it out of the park with last year’s Back Again. That song seemed to mark them as true successors to 2nd generation idol groups like Beast. But since then, it feels like we’re dealing with ever diminishing returns. I’m not sure whose idea it … Continue reading
Though his band CNBLUE has released more than their fair share of great music, the format of a pop/rock group has always seemed to limit Jung Yonghwa’s innate sense of showmanship. The guy knows how to command a stage and pull the audience right into a song. His first solo album in 2015 spawned a … Continue reading
Ever since her high-profile resurgence with 2015’s Unpretty Rapstar, Jessi has struggled to convert her immense charisma and variety show talent into a broadly successful music career. Though many pigeonhole her as a rapper, Jessi’s heart seems to lie in her more vocal-driven material. Over the past year, she’s released a few solid (if not … Continue reading
The first time I saw and heard One was as part of the short-lived duo 1Punch. Their Turn Me Back was one of the most underrated singles of 2015, but it turns out that its catchy New Jack Swing style wasn’t really what One was about. Rather than continue that sound for his solo debut, … Continue reading
Boyfriend have been on a roll lately with their Japanese material, releasing a pair of tracks over the last few months that rival their best Korean material. When k-pop acts go j-pop, they occasionally adopt the genre’s more frantic leanings, resulting in music that can feel a little shrill. Summer is a collision of these … Continue reading
Crush is one of those artists that I want to love. Watching him on variety shows like I Live Alone reveals a quirky, oddly charismatic personality that doesn’t always translate to his music. In the world of solo r&b acts, he’s got that extra little something that makes him stand out. But as his popularity … Continue reading
Okay, we’re going to have to start an intervention here. We’ve truly reached a breaking point with this tropical house/tropical pop trend. I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s gotten to the point where every other new comeback (especially boy groups) has become a cut-and-paste job with the same beats and the … Continue reading
Though he’s released a handful of singles and composed tracks for some of k-pop’s biggest artists, G.Soul has yet to break through in the way that other acts of his genre have. Part of me wonders if his famously long training time actually hurt him. It’s hard to seem fresh and new if listeners know … Continue reading
While girl group Apink‘s first few years marked them as a reliably strong purveyor of sugary-sweet pop music, their last few releases have been mired in the same “been there, done that” feeling of repetition. They’re not a group that has ever pushed many boundaries musically or image-wise, but it may be time for a … Continue reading
I’ve often noted the difference between sounds when it comes to a group’s Korean and Japanese releases, and this diversity has become especially noticeable with boy group 100%. In Korea, they’ve moved toward a statelier, mature pop sound that emphasizes the strength of their voices. But in Japan, their music has grown more dance oriented … Continue reading
Monsta X are one of a few new wave boy groups who have enjoyed steadily increasing success since their debut. Their pursuit of a harder-edged sound hasn’t always been to my taste, but as they progress it feels like they’re beginning to incorporate some very BTS-like emotional weight to their music. While this seems like … Continue reading
Solo idol stars are a tricky proposition in k-pop — a genre that thrives on a constantly morphing, assembly line style of dynamic group performance. But Chungha has the weight of Produce 101 and I.O.I behind her, lending an instant hype to her solo work. Rather than branch out and establish herself as a unique … Continue reading
I’m not sure what kind of alternate-reality-grammar “We, First” is following, but I do know that this specific brand of synth-infused, cutesy girl group release is getting a bit stale. ELRIS is a brand new act, most notable for featuring K-Pop Star‘s Sohee as a member. She debuted last month with the trendy Spotlight, and … Continue reading
It’s ironic that the title of MAP6’s new single album is Momentum, because I don’t know what kind of momentum their agency thinks the group is creating with their current promotional schedule. Since their debut in 2015, the boys have released a grand total of seven songs in Korea, making only one comeback per year. … Continue reading
The recently-concluded final season of K-Pop Star was one of the series’ best years, largely due to the producers’ decision to include trainees in the process. This has continued to pay off, as multiple contestants are releasing material only weeks after the final episode aired. Many of these acts come from smaller agencies that are hungry for … Continue reading
Boy group VAV have been around for six singles now, but they’ve yet to release a song that has had the impact necessary to shoot them to stardom. February’s 80’s-influenced Dance With Me was a step in the right direction, and they’ve definitely chosen the right collaborator in producer/composer Ryan S. Jhun, but it feels … Continue reading
Rather than a full-fledged comeback, Lonely (종현) is part of the second half of Jonghyun’s Story OP project, which collects songs he’s written based on stories sent in by listeners of his now-completed Blue Night radio program. It’s an interesting conceit for an album, and the work itself couldn’t be more different than the material … Continue reading
Whenever you have a music market that’s over-saturated, there are bound to be groups that struggle to stand out. For DIA, this struggle has been a constant one. None of their singles have been unpleasant, but time after time it feels like they’ve been given another group’s leftovers. I don’t doubt the girls’ talent or … Continue reading
It’s been awhile since listeners have heard the softer side of Zico’s solo music. As the leader of rambunctious boy group Block B, his sound is most closely tied with his playful, charismatic image. But of all his solo work, my favorite track is probably the soft, melodic I Am You, You Are Me from … Continue reading
Even with all its quirks and innovations, I consider myself to have a very solid understanding of the k-pop landscape. NCT’s ever-evolving configuration? Easy. LOONA’s year-long debut process? Not a problem. But the whole BOYS24 project is still a bit of a head-scratcher. This is despite watching (and enjoying) the entire competition series that launched … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 