As always, it’s a Sistar summer, with groupmates Hyolyn and Soyou releasing new singles within a day of each other. Both ladies have delived summer classics on their own, yet nothing will ever compare to their incredible group work. Lately, Hyolyn has taken a more subdued approach to the season, relying on softer sounds to … Continue reading
SHINEE’s Onew continues his prolific solo run with his third full album today. This was preceded by pre-release Confidence, a song that was musically impressive but failed to pull me in on a gut level. Title track Animals is a more straightforward synthpop affair, reminiscent of some sounds you might find on a SHINee album. … Continue reading
Last week, AKMU’s Chanhyuk pre-released the slow burn Out Of My Mind as a teaser for his second full length album. The album has a retro, synth-kissed sound with an idiosyncratic flair different from the hyper-commercialized 80’s revivalism that took over pop music in the early-2020s. With that said, title track Vivid LaLa Love (비비드라라러브) … Continue reading
Fresh off her role in season two of Squid Game, it feels like the perfect time for Jo Yuri to remind us that she’s also a singer. Her last title track was released almost two years ago, which feels like a century. The glossy Taxi remains one of her best, but judging by new single … Continue reading
Lee Chanhyuk’s second solo album is only days away and promises to mine many classic sounds of the 80’s. Prior to its release, he’s shared new track Out Of My Mind (돌아버렸어). From what I can gauge from the highlight medley, its synth-heavy sound is emblematic of what we’ll be getting on the full project. … Continue reading
Through popularity and persistence, Twice have amassed one of the largest K-pop girl group discographies out there, and that’s set to balloon even further with the release of a new album and solo tracks from each member. The album may boast a robust track list, but most of the songs’ running times take their cue … Continue reading
A.C.E’s Kang Yuchan signed with from20 and Hello Gloom’s Way Better agency, joining a boutique line-up of solo male artists. It’s been fun watching this agency grow, though they have not been without their missteps. A set of ill-advised teaser photos for this very track had to be yanked off the internet as fans complained … Continue reading
Following up their promotions for Japanese single Different, LE SSERAFIM have released a music video for its b-side Kawaii. As they clearly want you to know from the producer tag attached to its title, this song was composed by popular Japanese musician Gen Hoshino. This is quite a coup for the group, instantly lending Kawaii … Continue reading
Thus far, BTOB members have experimented here and there with their solo work but never strayed too far from the balladry that’s made them so popular. On past efforts, Lee Changsub has embraced nostalgia, offering his takes on older genres and even newer iterations of older genres. New single Vroom Vroom (부릉부릉) is not a … Continue reading
Xdinary Heroes fans are regularly fed by the band, who must be one of the most prolific acts working at the moment. It feels like new music is always just around the corner, whether that’s in the form of fully-promoted comebacks or drips and drabs of digital singles. New single FiRE (My Sweet Misery) falls … Continue reading
Jeon Somi has returned with what will likely be her only new music this year. Talk about a discography doled out in crumbs! Despite debuting as a soloist all the way back in 2019, she’s never been given more than one single or mini album per year, making it even more important that each and … Continue reading
With ALLDAY PROJECT’s breakout success, co-ed K-pop groups may be having a moment. What better time for KARD to reheat the nachos they created and show the industry how it’s done? However, it’s been a very long time since those nachos felt fresh, as the group has moved from their refreshing tropical sound to a … Continue reading
Girl group RESCENE enjoyed a bit of momentum with last year’s single Love Attack, but their agency has been unable to capitalize on this so far. Title track Glow Up came and went with little fanfare earlier this year, and the buzz around new single Deja Vu also seems to be muted. The public clearly … Continue reading
As 2025 kicked off, BABYMONSTER were still promoting their first album with a series of follow-up tracks. A second album has been promised for this fall (though take that with a grain of salt given YG Entertainment’s track record) and the summer-themed Hot Sauce acts as its opening salvo, released digitally to kick off the … Continue reading
I keep putting “(Victon)” after Han Seungwoo’s name whenever writing about his music, but it may be time to let that tag go. Given the state of the group’s contract renewals, it seems unlikely that they’d be coming back any time soon. Instead, it’s time to focus on solo projects and Seungwoo already has a … Continue reading
Jessi’s career has evolved in stages. There are times when her music is as hot as can be, but also many instances where her celebrity feels on the backburner. I have a huge soft spot for her place in Korean music, as she boasts a fiery charisma that’s different than most idols. It’s always lovely … Continue reading
Leading up to the release of their second EP, Katseye have delivered contrasting charms. Gnarly and Gabriela led us from the bold to the boring, which makes me wonder if there’s a happy medium somewhere in the middle. New track Gameboy doesn’t aim to answer that wonder, choosing instead to echo popular trends for a … Continue reading
One of 2024’s biggest success stories was SM Entertainment’s reigning girl group aespa. Going into the year they were already very popular, but the trio of Supernova, Armageddon and Whiplash jolted them to a new level, becoming ubiquitous hits that still have a hold on the charts months later. Rather than return with a brand … Continue reading
Since returning from the military, Wonho’s music seems targeted toward an international market with English-language lyrics and an overall trendy sound. For about two years from 2020 to 2022 he stood as one of the industry’s most reliable artists, releasing a string of bangers. I wish he’d return to that pattern. There’s something deflating about … Continue reading
XODIAC are one of those under-the-radar groups who make far more comebacks than their limited notoriety might suggest. I’m always amazed that an agency like JACSO Entertainment has the funds to promote so often, but then again they’re based in China and financial endeavors in that part of the world are a mystery to me. … Continue reading
