This business of finally releasing your solo debut days before you enlist in the military is kind of frustrating, right? It’s like, “Here’s all this potential. Now, buh-bye!” NCT’s Jungwoo was a late addition to the group, yet his age (and of course, nationality), means he’s next in line for an enlistment hiatus. Before that, … Continue reading
The K-pop industry continues to churn out new generations of bands, which is refreshing in a global market where rock music isn’t often at the forefront. THE SSYNDROME are most notable through association. They’re the first act since Dreamcatcher to come from Dreamcatcher Company. Their ‘double S’ name also suggests that you must make a … Continue reading
What we now know as modern K-pop emerged at a time when new jack swing was a dominant musical force around the world. This has tied the genre to the industry ever since, with so many idol acts replicating the sound over the years. One of the earliest new jack swing successes was duo Deux, … Continue reading
In keeping with their enormous group configuration, tripleS have blitzed us with an equally enormous fleet of comebacks today. “msnz” is a “universe” within tripleS (their words, not mine) with four “dimensions,” each of which has released their own song and music video. I rarely have enough stamina to write about four tracks from even … Continue reading
In keeping with their enormous group configuration, tripleS have blitzed us with an equally enormous fleet of comebacks today. “msnz” is a “universe” within tripleS (their words, not mine) with four “dimensions,” each of which has released their own song and music video. I rarely have enough stamina to write about four tracks from even … Continue reading
In keeping with their enormous group configuration, tripleS have blitzed us with an equally enormous fleet of comebacks today. “msnz” is a “universe” within tripleS (their words, not mine) with four “dimensions,” each of which has released their own song and music video. I rarely have enough stamina to write about four tracks from even … Continue reading
Whenever a group I enjoy states they’ll be releasing a song that “sounds nothing like anything we’ve done before,” I get nervous. Yes, I want groups to push outside the box and experiment with new sounds, but in K-pop “nothing like we’ve ever done before” tends to mean attempting some (bad) global trend an agency … Continue reading
Out of curiosity, I went back to see the last time I was genuinely excited about a Stray Kids track (ie: rated it an 8.5 or higher), and that turned out to be all the way back in 2022 with their Mixtape track Time Out (which wasn’t really promoted beyond a music video). Since then, … Continue reading
When last we heard from girl group VVUP, they were inviting us to their house party — over, and over, and over again. That pre-release promised upbeat sounds for their first mini album and the colorful (and very LOUD) video for title track Super Model certainly backs that up. We’re in full camp territory here, … Continue reading
After not caring for much of their music last year, NEXZ has slowly and surely won me over in 2025. This culminated with last month’s Beat-Boxer, a song that has proven to be one of my biggest growers in recent memory. I love its stupid, cartoonish energy and nonsense lyrics. It’s made me realize that … Continue reading
I haven’t written about a solo track from Infinite’s Dongwoo since 2019, which might as well be a lifetime ago. Since then, the guys have regrouped under their own agency, toured extensively and released new music that (sadly) hasn’t done much for me. Now, it’s time for Dongwoo to showcase his own talents with a … Continue reading
I don’t know what’s gotten into me this year, but there have been several boy group tracks I’ve loved that — in the past — I might have dismissed as “noise music.” I suppose as this trend has softened it’s made the sound less infuriating. Or, maybe the songs have just been more fun. Chief … Continue reading
Absent a full-group comeback, the girls of ARTMS have been blitzing the market with digital singles. Next on the docket is Heejin, who’s shifted into a new genre with sAvioR. The last time I wrote about her on the blog she was dabbling in new jack swing, but sAvioR takes a hard turn toward grungy … Continue reading
Funny (?) story: I actually listened to sub-unit idntt unevermet’s 8:11 (8시 11분) yesterday when it was first released but promptly forgot all about it before I even had a chance to write a review. I’m not sure that’s ever happened before, but it goes to show you how little impact idntt’s debut had on … Continue reading
Within the K-pop industry’s hyper-polished, hyper-controlled framework, Jessi has always been a necessary cog in the machine. She’s gone through so many iterations since her debut twenty (!) years ago, but every style and configuration has been anchored by her inimitable personality and bold attitude. Even when the music hasn’t connected, her persona has. New … Continue reading
When last we heard from Xodiac, it was in the form of four-member sub-unit UNIT-X early this summer. I had to look up this review because I couldn’t remember the song at all, and that’s probably because it was a cover of an old SS501 track. Now, the group is back as a whole with … Continue reading
I continue to be mystified by PLAVE’s incredible success. While established idol groups’ new videos are stuck at tens of thousands of hits, PLAVE’s new single BBUU! has already sailed past a million. I assume there’s some extra-musical appeal I’m missing. After all, I’ve never delved past the songs themselves because the music remains quite … Continue reading
New boy group AM8IC impressed me with their pre-debut Buzzin and its fun, funky riff on Ghostbusters. Now, it’s time for the guys to make their actual debut with their first mini album. Title track Link Up opts for a more reserved energy, borrowing from many familiar 2025 sounds. Link Up‘s verses are emblematic of … Continue reading
ITZY released a strong single this spring with Girls Will Be Girls, but that album’s club-heavy b-sides pointed toward an even more promising avenue for the girls. Their charismatic performance style feels perfectly suited to the kind of talk-heavy dance music that’s currently in vogue and I’m surprised they didn’t release that kind of title … Continue reading
In a sea of copycat comebacks, Just B have forged their own sonic path. Their recent music has borrowed heavily from hyperpop, delivering brief bursts of dense electronic soundscapes. While this hasn’t always worked as well as it could, I admire them for picking a genre and sticking with it. New title track True Heart … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 