Fantasy Boys need better promotion behind their comebacks. I had no idea they were releasing an album or that this album would include two title tracks. K-pop releases are all about their roll-out. Build the hype, guys! Get It On is far more boisterous than yesterday’s Potential, bursting out of the gate with a rugged … Continue reading
A couple weeks after dropping pre-release ballad Miss You, former Treasure member Bang Yedam has returned with his first solo album. Title track Only One (하나만 해) puts a bit more bounce in his step, recalling K-R&B hitmakers Zion.T and Crush. This musical lane fits Yedam and feels authentic to the style he’d prefer. I’m … Continue reading
I must have been in a grumpy mood on the day of Fantasy Boys’ September debut because I definitely under-rated New Tomorrow. That song was never going to change the idol industry or become a year-end highlight, but its frothy pop sound stood the test of time. However, the guys have switched gears entirely for … Continue reading
It’s pretty gutsy to debut a sub-unit before your group has even released their first comeback, but LUN8wave have burst on the scene five months after LUN8 made their June debut. Playground sees five of its members returning with a sound that could have been carried just as well with all eight guys. To be … Continue reading
MCND have had a mixed bag of title tracks so far, but their bright energy often carries the day. New single Odd-Venture follows June’s Pop Star, but feels more in line with their 2022 album. It’s not as unhinged or catchy as their best material, even if the bluesy stomp of its instrumental ignites a … Continue reading
Astro has suffered a tragic year with the untimely death of member Moonbin. But even before that, the future of the group seemed uncertain as Rocky ventured out on his own back in February. I feel for the guys in so many ways, and hope that they can find happiness in whatever capacity they choose … Continue reading
Dreamcatcher have become known as one of the most reliably solid girl groups of their generation, sticking with their rock influences through thick and thin. And although I often state my wish for them to incorporate more electronic sounds into their title tracks (their EDM b-sides are always fantastic), I can’t fault them for continuing … Continue reading
Gosh, I haven’t written about a Jessica Jung song for over six years! I don’t remember enjoying much of her solo work, but simply hearing her name brings back all sorts of good memories. It’s always nice to hear new material from K-pop’s veteran acts, even if it becomes more and more infrequent as their … Continue reading
With long-awaited returns from second and early-third gen boy groups SHINee, Infinite, EXO, Teen Top and U-Kiss, 2023 has been a dream for us older K-pop fans. Or rather, it would have been a dream if the majority of these comebacks hadn’t underwhelmed to various degrees. Seriously, I’m not sure how 2023 messed this up … Continue reading
Useless fact of the day: if you run a google image search for “Puzzle – Savior,” you get a bunch of reeeaaally creepy Jesus puzzle designs. I know you could technically search with the group’s name in Hangul, but given K-pop’s ever-increasing global presence it always surprises me what monikers an agency chooses to bestow … Continue reading
I’ll keep this short rather than belabor a point I’ve made over and over: K-pop producers must find a way to tie better songs to their cool instrumentals. Imagine having a track as exciting as NTX’s Holy Grail — rumbling bass, throbbing electronic backbone and post-apocalyptic fervor — and you waste it on a lame … Continue reading
Despite my initial hesitance, &TEAM’s Firework perfected the synth-inflected side of HYBE’s oeuvre. Somehow, that song leveraged the agency’s faceless vocal processing as an asset, tying it to strong hooks and a compelling atmosphere. This success raised the stakes for &TEAM’s first full album, but new single War Cry takes a different approach. Unlike with … Continue reading
Back in 2012 when Bang Yedam stepped on the stage of K-pop Star with a harmonica in his hand and his father accompanying him on guitar, I never pictured him as part of a YG act like Treasure. It always seemed like an odd fit, so when he eventually left the group it wasn’t too … Continue reading
Despite being an early supporter, somewhere along the line Stray Kids’ music began to lose me. It’s a frustration I feel with many of their contemporaries and I’m eagerly awaiting the song or album that brings me back. Unfortunately, new single Lalalala moves in the opposite direction. Lalalala blusters along in true Stray Kids fashion, … Continue reading
As SM Entertainment’s ascendant girl group, aespa have dipped their toes into a variety of musical endeavors. Infrequent Korean comebacks are interspersed with English and Japanese work, guided them on a global pathway to success. However, their sound has been all over the place, as if SM can’t decide whether they want them to be … Continue reading
The idol group name generator must be getting pretty empty because “WHIB” is a strange moniker for a new K-pop group. Apparently, it’s meant to be a combination of the words “white” and “black,” showcasing the guys’ variety of charms. Okay, then! Title track Bang! gets them off to a frustratingly familiar start. Prior to … Continue reading
After a somewhat messy departure from (G)I-DLE and Cube Entertainment, Soojin has returned as a soloist. Re-debut AGASSY sees her following in the footsteps of many girl group members turned soloists. Right away, the song and performance remind me of something we’d hear from Sunmi or BLACKPINK’s Jennie. AGASSY casts an evocative atmosphere, but I find … Continue reading
Earlier this year, Kiss Of Life preceded their debut with a series of solo tracks. Though they were of varying quality, these songs did a nice job introducing the members and building interest in the group. Funny enough, I found their actual debut less successful than many of these pre-releases. Follow-up single Bad News struggles … Continue reading
A.C.E are the latest boy group to make a long-awaited, post-enlistment return. We haven’t heard from them since 2021’s Changer, but now they’ve teased the release of a new album in the coming weeks. Before that, we have special pre-release single Effortless — an English-language track that’s very in line with current trends. For me, … Continue reading
GOT7’s Youngjae previously impressed with groovy tracks Vibin’ and Sugar, belying his main vocal status with more subtle turns that highlighted his skills as a performer. Do It is another restrained vibe, but this time the end product is just too slight for me. Do It would make for nice background music. It’s calming and … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 