Most of the recent news surrounding LOONA has been about its poor members falling ill or becoming injured on their world tour. At this point, the tour feels more like a survival game than a series of concerts! I hope the girls get the rest they deserve and have been able to enjoy their travels … Continue reading
My initial thoughts on BLACKPINK’s Pink Venom included words like “predictable,” “catchphrasey” and “severely underwhelming.” Those thoughts still stand, but I can’t deny how catchy that big, dumb hook has become. Pink Venom isn’t particularly “good,” but its ridiculousness is fun in an awkward way. And as a pre-release, expectations must be set accordingly. BLACKPINK … Continue reading
It’s been almost a year since we heard from Weki Meki, but before we get a full group comeback we have the solo debut of member Choi Yoojung. Yoojung has long been one of the group’s most well-known members, beginning her career in IOI before moving on to become the “face” of Weki Meki. She … Continue reading
One the biggest feathers in SM Entertainment’s cap has been their ability to retain veteran artists on their roster. Kangta debuted all the way back in the mid-90’s as part of legendary idol group H.O.T. Like most pop acts in their fourth (!) decade of performing, Kangta’s output has become more sporadic. But, he’s back … Continue reading
It’s been interesting watching the members of Wanna One settle into their respective comfort zones after the group disbanded in early 2019. As massive a force as they were during the 2017-18 period, many of these solo efforts and spin-off groups have struggled to find notoriety outside their core fan base. In the case of … Continue reading
With the new school year upon us, this is when I go back to work and leave the carefree summer lifestyle behind. So while the summer season may stretch on a few more weeks, I’ve pretty much moved on to autumn (though the sweltering Pacific Northwest weather doesn’t agree with me!). Because of this, it … Continue reading
I’ve had a rough journey with Jinhyuk’s solo music. I try not to be overly negative, but so far very little of it has been to my personal taste. And, the title of his new song “Crack” doesn’t engender a sense of optimism. Might this finally be the Jinhyuk song that wins me over? Or, … Continue reading
OnlyOneOf’s Underground Idol series is basically one big BL drama, pairing the guys off with one another. Begin and Be Free united Yoojung and KB, and now it’s time for Junji and Rie to spark a romance. Junji’s Be Mine slows the funk undertones of past songs to deliver something more akin to an evocative … Continue reading
Following a mini album of mostly OST ballads, Strange World marks Ha Sungwoon’s first promoted comeback under a new agency. But for those worried about his sound shifting too much, new single Focus should be a comfort. He’s right in his wheelhouse, delivering a bass-driven, Taemin-esque dance track. This tends to a pretty satisfying K-pop … Continue reading
Last November, VIXX’s Leo reminded us that he was still a force to be reckoned with. Now, he’s finally followed that one-off single with a new mini album. It’s been a long time coming – over three years, to be exact. New single Losing Game catches him right in his element. It’s a vocal-focused mid-tempo … Continue reading
With so many members and diverse talents as part of the NCT universe, I’m surprised we haven’t seen solo releases every other week. “NCT Lab” – a spin-off of the long-running SM Station project – was established for this exact reason. But after two releases back in February and March, the lab took a hiatus … Continue reading
In 2020, Lucy emerged as one of K-pop’s most exciting and endearing bands. Last summer’s Gatcha! mini album felt like a crystallization of that potential – an all killer, no filler collection of songs that pushed their sound forward without losing the quirks unique to their musical perspective. Ever since then, I’ve become a bit … Continue reading
A few days ago, BAE173’s debut single Crush On U came on random shuffle. I forgot what a jam that song is. But more than anything, it made me marvel at how much the group’s sound has changed since 2020. With member Nam Dohyun now in charge of production, the guys have moved sharply into … Continue reading
Whatever happens, CRAXY will always have one of K-pop’s most brilliantly bonkers debut songs in 2020’s Aria. That ambition has woven throughout their career, even if the music itself has become more typically 4th-gen K-pop in its execution. For their third mini album, the group has turned to production team D_answer, most well-known for their … Continue reading
Oh, The Boyz. There isn’t a current K-pop act that frustrates me more. I love this group. They have so much potential and heaps of global popularity. Yet ever since the brilliant The Stealer, they’ve been stuck in the opposite of an “imperial phase.” It feels all-but impossible for them to release a killer title … Continue reading
It just occurred to me that it’s been nearly four (!) years since TVXQ had a proper Korean comeback. Yes, they’ve been active as soloists and have released multiple albums in Japan during this time, but that’s still a long gap for a veteran act with an enormous, enduring fanbase. For now, those of us … Continue reading
Much like Omega X’s Stand Up from earlier this summer, WEi’s new single Maldives reinvents the group as summertime beach boys. I’m not sure why it takes a Japanese release to dabble in this fun, upbeat sound, but I’m glad to hear the guys let down their guard and deliver something fresh and bubbly. Maldives … Continue reading
Maybe these Universe reviews are getting a little cliché. Maybe I’ve run out of ideas to make them fun and interactive. Maybe Maybe is just too unassuming to inspire a dynamic game or spoof. Maybe if the app gave us access to the full music video, I’d feel different? Maybe Jo Yuri is actually suited … Continue reading
With many writing credits to his name, Pentagon’s Kino has always been a prime candidate for solo work. He finally takes the reigns on special single Pose, though the shadow of K-pop’s established soloists looms large. As with many before him, Kino seems to have gotten his degree from the School of Taemin, unveiling a … Continue reading
It’s been a longer-than-usual hiatus for TRI.BE, with Kiss arriving as their newest single since last October’s Would You Run. But, the lengthy break hasn’t changed their sound too much, nor has it affected their collaborators. Kiss sees them working again with the legendary Shinsadong Tiger, alongside EXID’s L.E. and production team The Hub. That’s … Continue reading
