We’re in the middle of a girl group gauntlet, with K-pop’s most popular acts making a string of comebacks this spring. Today, it’s LE SSERAFIM’s turn. Their one-two punch of Fearless and Antifragile helped define 2022, but new single Unforgiven reverts to tropes better left on the cutting room floor. My first thought upon hearing … Continue reading
Before discussing this song, I must mention how much I love the title “Already Go Ready.” It’s the kind of beautiful nonsense no one actually says in real life. It sounds like the catchphrase of some fantastic teen sitcom. Unfortunately, the song itself doesn’t quite live up to this excitement. Already Go Ready (얼레리꼴레리) has … Continue reading
When it comes to Xdinary Heroes’ music, I just can’t gain a foothold. Thus far, I’ve found almost every chorus grating and gimmicky, and their punky aesthetic feels like cosplay coming from a mega-corporation like JYP Entertainment. New single Freakin’ Bad is an improvement, though the song is still unlikely to find its way on … Continue reading
Though he’s often known for his more hip-hop inspired tracks, Taeyang’s Eyes, Nose, Lips stands as one of K-pop’s best and most enduring torch songs. The guy can sing the heck out of a ballad, and he’s one of the few voices that compels attention without all the bells and whistles that often surround idol … Continue reading
After six years without a new album, Taeyang is treating fans to multiple title tracks. After January’s Vibe, Shoong pairs the veteran performer with another K-pop titan. This time, it’s an in-house collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Lisa. When it comes to solo material, Taeyang often pairs himself with rappers. Bandmate G-Dragon has filled that role more … Continue reading
I already wrote about Agust D’s Haegeum in detail, so this review for follow-up Amygdala will be brief. It’s an interesting choice for promotion via music video, delving the depths of his past traumas to create a kind of tone poem. Someone in the sociology/psychology field needs to do a study on vocal effects/vocal processing … Continue reading
DRIPPIN unveiled a fruitful era last year with their multi-part Villainz project, scoring two spots in my top ten K-pop songs of 2022. Much of that was due to the involvement of production team Newtype, who continue to work with the group on new single Seven Sins. Unsurprisingly, the song is solid. But, its sound … Continue reading
It’s weird being a massive fan of a group while simultaneously wiping a segment of their discography from your mind. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger Golden Child supporter in the K-pop review community, yet I have no place in my music collection for the Japanese material they’ve been saddled with. Listening to a … Continue reading
Well, we finally have another soft drink anthem to compete with NewJeans’ Zero. Between these two tracks, Coca Cola has to be pretty stoked — especially since both revolve around a chorus that’s essentially a repeated incantation of their product. Even though it feels like one, I don’t think Yeeun’s Cherry Coke is an actual CF. … Continue reading
Camellia (얼어있는 길거리에 잠시라도 따듯한 햇빛이 내리길) acts as a pre-release for Just B’s upcoming comeback and a taste of what the members can do when self-composing. In K-pop, self-composed tracks are usually slower and more contemplative in nature. I’m not sure why this is beyond the fact that many idols seem to prefer coffeehouse-style … Continue reading
K-pop groups must stop unveiling their music videos before their album release. It seriously messes with my review schedule! To make matters worse, I had nearly finished my write-up for Kep1er’s Giddy when the song froze and contorted into a harsh sound of mangled metal. My computer locked up and I was forced to do … Continue reading
Every Apink review should start with a recognition of the group’s longevity. The fact that they continue to release new music is admirable and it’s great to have more active sunbaenims in K-pop’s girl group sphere. Even if I haven’t connected with much of what they’ve done post-2019, Apink have consistently delivering strong, stylish material … Continue reading
Kim Wooseok hasn’t promoted with UP10TION for years, and his departure from the group was made official this February. Pour one out for this eternal classic! But unlike other members, he’s remained with TOP Media. Looking back, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a single title track from Wooseok. Sometimes that just happens. Obviously, our tastes … Continue reading
Every time I read the word “Xikers,” my mind immediately imagines an exaggerated Scooby Doo-esque character making colorful exclamations like “Zowwwee!” and “Gee willikers!”. That probably says more about me than the group in question. Xikers!! Xikers are the newest act from KQ Entertainment – home to the tremendously popular ATEEZ. With that pedigree, they’ve … Continue reading
Mamamoo+’s pre-release Chico Malo felt like a lateral move for the girls – a song that sits squarely within the group’s recent repertoire. In contrast, title track GGBB brings us back to early-Mamamoo, when the girls vamped over old-school sounds with an almost vaudevillian flair. But while this nostalgia is appreciated, I wish the song … Continue reading
Thus far, IVE have been three-for-three for me, with most recent single After Like standing as one of my favorite songs of 2022. With a full album on the horizon, the group has an opportunity to expand the scope of their music. A pre-release track is the perfect excuse for a new sound, and Kitsch … Continue reading
The laser beams shooting from the ICHILLIN members’ eyes in this new music video made me chuckle. This is probably the kindest thing I can say about their new comeback, but we should never discount an effective visual gag. Honestly, I had to go back to past reviews of ICHILLIN to remember what any of … Continue reading
Sunmi releases new music so infrequently that even an under-the-radar duet like Lights Out (불이꺼지고) fills me with excitement. The song pairs her with popular rapper BE’O, whose performance here is halfway between a rap and croon. That fits the vibe of the track, which is smooth and unbothered by any need to deliver more … Continue reading
Though I’ve found their Japanese work hit or miss, I appreciate that ATEEZ have stuck with their core production team regardless of which music market they’re targeting. Whatever I may think of their discography on a song-by-song level, it’s very consistent. Limitless switches things up by changing composers, though members Hongjoong and Mingi retain writing … Continue reading
To me, sub-unit projects are the perfect opportunity to make a big swerve and tackle a sound we can’t get in the main group. I feel like Chico Malo (나쁜놈) could’ve easily been a Mamamoo track, which is fine except I haven’t enjoyed most recent Mamamoo tracks. Melding traditional Korean elements with trap beats is … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 