Since their debut, rookies HITGS have released some truly diabolical material — songs I’ve disliked but have gone on to begrudgingly sing along with because they’re so stupidly catchy. This doesn’t make the music good, but it leaves an impression. New single A-Ha! dispenses with many of the gimmicks of the group’s past to embrace … Continue reading
In a K-pop climate where everyone seems to be harnessing rock touchstones, EXO’s Suho has thrived on the genre for years. It’s been a sweet spot for his solo music and new title track Who Are You continues to paint him in this light. It’s a sprawling mid-tempo seemingly designed for road trip sing-alongs. This … Continue reading
Big Hit is going to make me write about every one of these damn CORTIS songs, aren’t they? The group’s debut rollout has now hit its fourth music video, leaving only one album track to go. That’s a lot of promotion, but I’m curious if it’s actually bearing fruit. Their music hasn’t worked for me … Continue reading
When Taemin released his single Veil last week, I was surprised it wasn’t paired with a music or performance video. After all, he’s one of K-pop’s premiere visual artists, with choreography and sheer star presence often elevating the songs themselves. It turns out we just needed to wait a few days before that video materialized. … Continue reading
Primrose released a joy bomb of a pop song with the buoyant Cinema early this summer. That track had surprising staying power for me, powered by a splashy chorus and unabashedly upbeat energy. I’d have loved to see the girls continue down this musical lane, but instead they’ve returned with the more subdued Love Your … Continue reading
Japanese tripleS sub-unit “∞!” debuted last year with the moody, hypnotic Untitled. It was one of the better tripleS title tracks, though I can’t say it stayed on my playlist for long. Now, they’re back with a jauntier pop song in new single Password. There’s a joke going around about tripleS’s strong reliance on “la … Continue reading
Since their 2023 debut, LUN8 have tried on a variety of styles and even reconfigured their line-up. This has made it difficult to gain a firm grasp on the group, as Fantagio Entertainment simply seems to be throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. The latest in this approach is a new single … Continue reading
Just two months after releasing his first full-length album, Doh Kyungsoo has returned with a special digital single. Honestly, they should just tack it onto that album and call this a “repackage” the way K-pop used to do. Either way, Kyungsoo’s discography can always do with more energetic material and Dumb sees him exploring crunchy … Continue reading
A week ago, i-dle’s Yuqi pre-released the satisfying ballad Gone ahead of her new single album. Though I enjoyed the song, I’m typically not a big ballad lover and rarely listen to them outside of the context of an album. Because of this, I was much more interested how her title track M.O. would sound. … Continue reading
It’s always nice to hear from an old friend. Nana has a special place in my heart for several reasons. First, she was a member of the fantastic After School and their quirky sub-unit Orange Caramel. She also co-starred in the first full Korean variety show I ever watched: 2014’s Roommate. So, seeing her name … Continue reading
Those of us begging for a WJSN comeback have been tossed the smallest bone by Starship Entertainment today. The agency has unveiled member Dayoung’s first solo single with almost no promotion or build-up. However, beggars can’t be choosers and I’m happy to see WJSN back in any capacity. I wouldn’t expect member solos to uphold … Continue reading
Earlier this year, CIX’s Thunder became a favorite of many fans. I liked the song too, though it has enjoyed little-to-no staying power on my playlist. Still, its crunchy electro funk felt like a nice makeover for the group’s sound. That sense of bombast seems to be a one-off as new single Wonder You (니가 … Continue reading
Ahead of their fourth full-length Korean album and tenth anniversary, the members of DAY6 re-signed their contracts with JYP Entertainment. And why wouldn’t they? The group has seen a massive rise in popularity over the past few years as their solid discography continues to grow. But with increasing success, it can feel like the band … Continue reading
It may simply be my exhaustion with current K-pop trends speaking, but I feel like agencies often learn the wrong lessons from their successes. aespa’s most successful title tracks have hinged on varying levels of repetition, but ever since last year’s Whiplash it feels like SM Entertainment has been on autopilot with the group’s material, … Continue reading
I haven’t checked in with multinational girl group X:IN since 2024 on this blog, though they’ve released material since then. Their early reviews ranged from a peak of 6.5 to a low of 2.75 (!) for the unintentional comedy of 2024’s My Idol. I’d say they have nowhere else to go but up, but let’s … Continue reading
What to do with a K-pop song titled “Shotty”? It certainly doesn’t fit within the Korean lexicon, and if you google the word its technical meaning is medical jargon for “small, hard, and round lymph nodes.” I highly doubt Hyolyn has been inspired to sing a song about lymph nodes, so I assume she’s modified … Continue reading
Straight-up R&B can be a tough sell in the glossy K-pop idol world, but most of the hits we know and love are built on elements of the genre. Jun. K and his group 2PM are very familiar with a great R&B-influenced croon, and he’s enlisted Stray Kids’ Changbin for back-up on new single R&B … Continue reading
Monsta X are celebrating their tenth anniversary — a huge milestone for any group. Album promotions kicked off with pre-release Do What I Want last month and now they’re back with their title track N The Front. It’s a Dem Jointz production, whose work I haven’t always gelled with. But if anyone’s going to carry … Continue reading
It took awhile before members of Twice embarked on solo careers, but we’re now at a stage of their career where that feels like an appropriate extension of their brand. I can’t say I have any particular allegiance toward one member or another, but Nayeon’s solo work has been most suited to my pop-loving taste. … Continue reading
Each time Stray Kids release a new album, they tend to film music videos for multiple tracks. As my interest in their music has waned over time, I haven’t always written about these follow up songs — especially now that I have a weekly post where I can spotlight any notable b-sides. Album opener BLEEP … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 