There are few K-ballads I’d write a review for, but I’ll make an exception for any member of Infinite — especially one of my all-time favorite vocalists. Nam Woohyun has released a live album and included the studio recording of new track Sunshine (눈부셨다) as a special treat for fans. This comes mere weeks after … Continue reading
Around this time last year, U-KISS re-emerged with a song that ended up in my year-end top ten, showcasing the continued power of second-gen stalwarts. Fortunately, this wasn’t just a fleeting reunion. The guys are back with another new album and title track Stay With Me (너는 내 모든 곳에 있어). This time around, the … Continue reading
K-pop is unique in the way idol performers can establish a solo career while still actively promoting with their group. But I often wonder what necessitates a soloist. Of course, fans are eager to see their bias develop their artistry outside the confines of traditional comebacks, but not every performer is equally predisposed to a … Continue reading
Longevity isn’t always a given in K-pop, but Epik High have steadily released music since 2003. They’ve gone through various shifts — from indie to major label — and are at the point where their title tracks often feature big-name guest stars who’ve likely grown up with their music. Given this, new single Antihero is … Continue reading
Blitzers’ quirky Macarena won them fans in 2023, harnessing a goofy, freewheeling energy while still working within established boy group tropes. Superpower seems intent on replicating that success, fusing a catchy brass loop to the rambunctious sing-talk we hear from many of their peers. Superpower is indeed fun, but I don’t think the song itself … Continue reading
When we last heard from H1-KEY, they offered the shimmering pop goodness of Seoul (Such A Beautiful City). That song built upon a varied discography with little sonic through line apart from strong melodies. New single Let It Burn (뜨거워지자) continues to shift their sound, taking a pop/rock approach that feels grittier than most idol … Continue reading
Though just a year and a half old, Primrose have already gone from a duo to a solo to a four-piece group. Freyja is their second comeback as a quartet, including members from disbanded groups Hot Issue and BugAboo. It’s a striking title for a song, referencing Norse mythology. But the music of K-pop has … Continue reading
In between being part of the biggest K-pop group on the planet, the members of Seventeen have found time to slowly but steadily develop side careers as soloists and sub-units. Unit tracks are usually divided between their Dance, Vocal and Hip-Hop teams, but albums have occasionally featured duo recordings as well. This is the first … Continue reading
woo!ah! have removed the exclamation points from their name and opted for an ultra-trendy ALL CAPS stylization for promotions going forward. Along with this nomenclatural reinvention comes a new sound. April’s Blush saw them attempting a subdued NewJeans/ILLIT sound to middling effect, but Pom Pom Pom flips things 180 degrees with punk rock attitude and … Continue reading
NewJeans are spoiling fans with back to back releases of double A-side singles. Last month gave us Bubble Gum and How Sweet, while June promises Right Now and Supernatural. And if you’re one of the many NewJeans faithful, you’ll be happy the group has stuck with their trademark, lighter-than-air sound. On the plus side, songs … Continue reading
BOL4 transitioned to a solo act four years ago, but new single Lips recalls their days as a duo by enlisting aespa’s Giselle as guest rapper. This is a smart feature, as aespa are currently red hot on the charts and BOL4 could use a burst of rekindled public attention. To be honest, there’s only … Continue reading
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for fans of underrated girl groups. We’ve seen the departure of members and even the disbandment of long-standing acts. The latest to suffer this fate is Fantagio Entertainment’s Weki Meki. The girls debuted in 2017 but have essentially been inactive for the last two years. Now, instead of … Continue reading
When CSR made their debut in the summer of 2022, I hoped they might inherit GFriend’s “powerful innocence” concept, releasing upbeat, melodic showcases that defied many current girl group trends. That first mini album is still their best. But as comebacks have become more infrequent, their sound has also started to shift. New single Pretty … Continue reading
About a month ago, we got word of an Infinite comeback. It was vague, but that combination of words will always get my heart racing. As the weeks went on, it became clear that this release would be a “song for the fans” anniversary single and not a full, promoted title track. I can’t say … Continue reading
Brave Entertainment’s in-house groups continue to baffle me. Brave Brothers is one of the best producers in the business, capable of churning out epic dancefloor fillers and supercharged pop classics. Yet, he rarely gives his strongest material to his own groups and promotion continues to be a struggle. I doubt many people even realize rookie … Continue reading
I was concerned when GHOST9’s new digital single didn’t include any music video teasers, making it feel more like one of those throwaway “for the fans” releases than a full comeback. Now, Awesome Day (째깍째깍) arrives with a low budget “lyric video” — never the most encouraging sign for a group’s future. The song itself … Continue reading
When the members of Kara embarked on solo careers, Nicole most reliably stuck with producers Sweetune. This instantly gave me a soft spot for her music. If you’re a fan of that production team, she’s got a few Sweetune bangers on her 2016 Japanese album Bliss. But times change and new management has brought new … Continue reading
Han Seungwoo has been active as a soloist for years now, but I have a hard time recalling any of his music. He’s a polished performer with a great voice. He just needs songs that cater to those skills while leaving behind a hook or melody that resonates beyond the comeback’s short promotional period. Unfortunately, … Continue reading
Sometimes I can be remarkably bad at predicting which songs are going to grow into huge viral hits. When AKMU’s Love Lee was released last year, I found it both dull and cloying — a hard balance to pull off! But thanks to numerous TikTok dances, the song quickly became ubiquitous. I still find it … Continue reading
In between comebacks, A.C.E have often released special singles of various genres. Most of these songs feel more like appetizers than full courses, allowing the group to dabble in different music markets with English-language performances. Supernatural arrives in an English and Korean version. I’ll be linking the Korean version because whenever given the chance that’s … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 