Before making their first Korean comeback, rookie group NAZE are debuting in Japan. Spreading promotions across multiple countries has become pretty common in K-pop, but feels like an agency hedging their bets. NAZE’s Korean debut didn’t exactly set the charts (or this blog) on fire and I can’t imagine that Japan will be much more … Continue reading
It’s become an expectation that HYBE groups will film music videos for at least two tracks on each album and ENHYPEN are already back with a clip for their song Checkmate. This follows the release of Bloody Paradise released last month and offers a more thrilling sound. 2026 is the year where K-pop’s tempo officially … Continue reading
With so many K-pop acts trying their luck at a global career, it can be hard to determine what “counts” as K-pop anymore. I don’t know that I’ll be writing much about former NCT member Mark Lee’s burgeoning solo career in the future, but this track feels like an important milestone that deserves some kind … Continue reading
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard new original material from IU, but she’s promised a double a-side of sorts, promoting each of her new September tracks with a music video. First up is Dear My Crazy Soulmate, whose title sounds more like a Korean drama than a comeback. And come to think of it, the … Continue reading
MCND are one of those mid-tier groups I sometimes forget about until they make another comeback. They’ve been at it for six years now, which seems incredible. Across that career, most songs have been rated in the “7s” here on the blog, putting them firmly within “middle of the pack” territory. I’d love a big … Continue reading
Brand sponsorships are plentiful in K-pop, and every once and a while they result in an original song and music video. Such is the case with Hearts2Hearts’s team-up with Kia. The “moon” in Moonride refers to a new dark trim offered by the company and makes me expect an equally beguiling song. Alas, this Moonride … Continue reading
After the MV teaser for NEXZ’s Upgrade was released yesterday, social media went crazy with Cortis fans accusing the group of plagiarism since many of its L.A.-based shots seemed to match the MV for last year’s Go. It’s rich of any K-pop group’s fans to cite plagiarism, especially in defense of a group whose entire … Continue reading
Now that &TEAM have made their debut in Korea, the group straddles two countries — each with their own preferences. Sadly, the melodic rock of their earlier years seems to have fallen by the wayside during this expansion as their agency is moving them into a more downbeat, moody sound. For whatever reason, “moody” seems … Continue reading
Last month, i-dle’s Soyeon pre-released her track Star off her upcoming full length solo album. Today, that album finally materializes alongside title track I’m Gonna TOESA (퇴사할게여). For those curious, “toesa” is a romanization of the Korean slang for “quitting a job.” In my line of word it sounds like “TOSA,” a acronym for “teacher … Continue reading
Ten’s music is no longer promoted solely to K-pop audiences, aiming for global reach instead. Like his recent singles, Outwest is performed in English and adopts a sound palatable to the widest audience possible. This is not a unique approach, but it’s one that almost always results in music far less idiosyncratic than it could … Continue reading
Monsta X have been moving between Korean and English-language releases, shoring up both fanbases as they enter a new stage of their career. New single Magic is co-produced by the prolific Dem Jointz, whose “iiiiincooomminnng!” producer tag has begun to wear on me. It’s gotten to the point where I expect the worst the moment … Continue reading
Of all the BLACKPINK solo releases, Jisoo’s music has felt the most localized. Obviously, it’s been popular worldwide, but last year’s mini album still felt very much in the K-pop mold. New single Click comes ahead of a promised album, and sees her branching into a more obvious global direction with fully English lyrics and … Continue reading
ChRocktikal made their debut early this year as the new band project of Dreamcatcher’s Siyeon. Their album garnered passionate support from fans, especially those who loved Dreamcatcher’s rock sound. Now, the group is back with their first mini album and title track Requiem. This is one of those end-of-summer songs that feels like it should … Continue reading
In the seventeen months since we last heard from Kwon Eunbi on this blog, she’s switched agencies, leaving poor Woollim Entertainment home to Drippin and Golden Child’s Jangjun and… no one else. She’s now signed with RBW, an agency that can be very prolific but tends to flatten their artists’ sounds in generic ways. New … Continue reading
82MAJOR have made their name on a quirky, often confrontational, hip-hop sound. As teasers were starting to roll out for new single Like Fire, I noticed some fans online expressing disappointment that the song seemed to be trending in a more mainstream direction. However, I don’t hold much stock in the 82MAJOR discography so I’m … Continue reading
Chungha hasn’t actively promoted a new single since early 2025. Those hoping for a new album after this long hiatus will have to wait because she’s back with a digital single instead. Chungha famously spent eight years living in Texas, and México takes us on a trip to the country just south of that. You … Continue reading
Earlier this year, Taemin debuted a suite of new songs during his Coachella set, teasing fans’ expectations for a new era. We had to wait a few months for that era to materialize, but he’s back today with a full album. Two title tracks are promised from Soft Violence, with Float leading the pack. When … Continue reading
Apart from solo tracks, the members of Girls’ Generation haven’t released new material together since 2022. They’ve worked in sub-units in the past, but not nearly as often as agency peers Super Junior. It’s refreshing, then, to see them debut a new unit nineteen years into their career. HRS consists of members Hyoyeon, Yuri and … Continue reading
The hazy, wistful image posted above this review (which is also the cover of Jennie’s new digital EP) is emblematic of a certain sound that’s permeated global pop music and has weasled its way into K-pop as well. On this blog, I’ve called it “restrained,” “subdued,” “coffeehouse,” “beige” and a dozen other descriptors. It’s the … Continue reading
HITGS debuted as a kiddie group with catchy but cloying material. They’re still quite young, but their work has grown more palatable with time. Today, they’re back with digital single Gulliver, chronicling a crush on a guy with that same name. I wonder how common it is to find a guy named Gulliver in Korea … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 