EXO have been inaugurated into my “K-Pop A-Z” feature, which means anything they release automatically gets a full review. To be honest, I’ve regretted that rule over the past few years since I haven’t vibed with the group’s albums since 2018. Is there new work REVERXE any different? Read on to find out! 1. Crown … Continue reading
It’s 1VERSE’s first comeback and they’re already down a member, as Hyuk remains on hiatus during the release of digital single WABIF (Wide Awake Before I Fall). We’re also in visualizer territory rather than a music video, which is probably a smart idea for a group with limited financial resources. I’m always of the mind … Continue reading
EXO have been inaugurated into my “K-Pop A-Z” feature, which means anything they release automatically gets a full review. To be honest, I’ve regretted that rule over the past few years since I haven’t vibed with the group’s albums since 2018. Is there new work REVERXE any different? Read on to find out! 1. Crown … Continue reading
There’s a class of mid-range 4th generation groups who have either disbanded or found themselves in a diminished place thanks to K-pop’s fast-moving system. As new generations come up, this is often an inevitable fate for all but the biggest of acts, but ONEUS also must contend with an agency that is having their own … Continue reading
EXO have been inaugurated into my “K-Pop A-Z” feature, which means anything they release automatically gets a full review. To be honest, I’ve regretted that rule over the past few years since I haven’t vibed with the group’s albums since 2018. Is there new work REVERXE any different? Read on to find out! 1. Crown … Continue reading
While Catch The Young haven’t exactly caught the charts on fire, they’ve slowly and steadily built a solid discography. Today marks the release of their first full album — a huge achievement for any band. This project is led by title track Amplify, which takes their rock sound in a more energetic direction. I prefer … Continue reading
Misamo is Twice’s first sub-unit, active for almost three years now. I last wrote about them in November of 2024 and now they’re kicking off 2026 with new single Confetti and upcoming album PLAY. As their music has developed, it’s taken on more of an old-school approach. Confetti pull us all the way back to … Continue reading
ONEWE are getting into the pre-release game with Ferris Wheel (관람차), which is a taste of their upcoming demo album. The word “demo” feels more like branding than reality here, as I’m not sure songs can still be considered demos after they’ve been promoted with music videos and performed on shows. But regardless of vernacular, … Continue reading
There have been an increasing number of Japanese groups formed by Korean agencies who end up promoting in Korea much more often than their home country. With this in mind, NCT Wish have split their efforts pretty well between the two countries, building a large fan base in the process. Apart from a song here … Continue reading
n.SSign’s sole 2025 single Itty Bitty was a sneaky little earworm, slowly rising to become one of my favorite songs of last spring. The guys don’t promote nearly enough for a group of their stature. They still feel like rookies, despite debuting in 2023. New single Funky Like Me was first premiered last month at … Continue reading
LNGSHOT is the first idol group to launch from Jay Park’s MORE VISION record label. They made a pre-debut last month in the midst of all of my year-end countdowns, so I wasn’t able to write about that song. However, they’ve made their full debut today and I’m ready to dive in. I grew up … Continue reading
ILLIT have a knack for releasing viral songs — or at least dance challenges that make their songs go viral. The ultra-subdued Not Cute Anymore is currently enjoying a run on the charts that has prompted the group to get back on music shows for additional promotions. In the midst of this, they’ve released the … Continue reading
KiiiKiii had a strange debut year, moving from ultra-quirky sounds to much more straightforward fare before going silent for the last chunk of the year. That was in preparation for their upcoming comeback due at the end of this month. From initial teasers, they seem to be embracing their quirkier side once more, though little … Continue reading
As members are entering the military one by one, Seventeen has smartly reconfigured its promotions into units. This isn’t unique for the group. Their structure is designed as three teams combining into one larger group and they often feature unit and solo tracks on their albums. Vocal led ballads are also common for the group, … Continue reading
In a way, Young Posse were ahead of their time. There’s this garish brand of “quirky” that’s taken over K-pop lately. Think Katseye’s Gnarly or LE SSERAFIM’s Spaghetti. Some of these work better than others (I happen to love the latter), but they share the same approach of placing meme culture ahead of anything else. … Continue reading
We’re on a steady march to ZEROBASEONE’s inevitable dissolvement/re-configuration. With their contract extended a scant few months, they’ve planned a final concert and special album set for release early next month. Leading up to that project, the group has promised two pre-releases. Running To Future is the first of these tasters and already feels like … Continue reading
Unless I’m forgetting someone, we have our first debut of 2026 with project group Latency. However, this is more like a re-debut for most members. This band consists of familiar faces (Loossemble’s Hyunjin and cignature’s Jeewon, Semi and Haeun), reinventing idols as rockers. Today, we get the first taste of their music via digital single … Continue reading
Some veteran K-pop groups take agonizingly long breaks and return with grand comebacks, while others simply chug along year after year. CNBLUE have definitely had their hiatuses, but it’s never felt like they’ve been gone for long. In various configurations, they’ve released music since 2009, making them one of the industry’s longest-running acts. The guys … Continue reading
Several years after debuting as a soloist, former-LOONA member and actress/variety star Chuu has released her first full album. Full albums are meaningful for K-pop artists for a number of reasons, allowing them to craft a larger body of work and usually proving some level of longevity. Title track XO, My Cyberlove gives listeners the … Continue reading
H1-KEY quietly released one of my favorite songs and albums of last year with their summery Lovestruck EP. Now, they’re back to celebrate their anniversary with a very different sound. Not Like A Movie (세상은 영화 같지 않더라) takes advantage of their strong vocals but doesn’t do much else that feels notable. Mid-tempo tracks like … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 