Trilogies and series are all the rage in K-pop, but few have lasted as long as iKON’s New Kids. Barring their 2018 album Return, the group has been releasing tracks under this title for so long that they’re in danger of turning into old kids. But with the arrival of I’m OK, it seems as … Continue reading
Most of us first met M.O.N.T when they participated in YG’s survival series MIXNINE. They earned the nickname of “mountain idols” because their small agency was located in the mountainous countryside, creating quite a contrast from the otherwise Seoul-centered K-pop industry. That unique story, combined with their endearing personalities, made them a rookie to watch. … Continue reading
N.Flying have had a rough go of it over the past month, with bassist Kwangjin leaving the group among accusations of inappropriate online conduct. This came just days before the group was scheduled to release the second track in their year-long Fly High project. Fly High seems to mirror the ambitious (and successful) 2017 promotions … Continue reading
With so many dramas in need of sappy, soaring soundtracks, Korea has got to be one of the biggest music markets for ballads. With so many being pumped out every year, it becomes difficult to stand out. A dynamite ballad can be such a cathartic experience — especially when delivered by a robust, dependable voice. … Continue reading
I feel pangs of guilt every time I sit down to write a review of Chungha’s music because I just can’t be very objective. I try hard not to be biased against artists or groups, even if their work has been universally awful. Chungha’s music has not been awful at all — it’s actually been … Continue reading
December is such a barren month for new K-pop releases, and what we do get tends to be an endless stream of ballads and mid-tempos. This languid pace makes it hard to drum up any excitement for a song like Candle Light (사랑한단 뜻이야). However, the track is significant for several reasons. Not only is … Continue reading
JYP Entertainment artists have been blitzing the Korean and Japanese markets this year. It’s hard to think of a more prolific agency, especially when you consider the ratio between JYP’s roster of artists and number of 2018 comebacks. Just like Twice, Stray Kids and DAY6, GOT7 must be exhausted. But, that didn’t stop them from … Continue reading
The season of ballads continues to roll on, and it’s the perfect time of year for BTOB’s Lee Changsub to release his debut mini album. As expected, it’s a down tempo affair. But like Infinite’s Sungkyu, he’s gone for a rock-tinged sound that helps differentiate his own music from that of his group’s. Given this … Continue reading
Laboum released one of my favorite girl group singles of 2017 with the upbeat Hwi Hwi. But rather than double down on this style of bubblegum pop, they’ve spent 2018 pursuing a more subdued, mid-tempo sound. July’s Between Us proved that they were a solid match for this musical transition, so it only makes sense … Continue reading
It’s December, which means we’ve entered the month of ballads and holiday releases. GOT7 are kicking things off with the sentimental Miracle, which spearheads a repackage of their latest album. Even if their music hasn’t always been to my taste lately, I’ve got to give it to the guys. Most repackages add two to four … Continue reading
The first time I heard Red Velvet’s Dumb Dumb back in 2015, I thought it was a complete mess. The song has since gone on to become one of my favorite tracks in the group’s discography. I mention this because new single RBB (Really Bad Boy) gave me the exact same impression upon first listen. … Continue reading
With their past few releases, rookie group The Boyz has begun to develop a high-energy, funk pop sound that reminds me of SHINee at their most upbeat. Both Giddy Up and Right Here point towards a style I’m eager to hear more of — especially given 2018’s trend of brooding mid-tempos. For that reason, it’s … Continue reading
A Mino solo album has been rumored nearly as long as Winner have been active as a group. We came close with his Show Me The Money tracks in 2015, and then his unit album with iKON’s Bobby in 2016. But now, YG Entertainment has finally delivered on their promise with the sprawling, twelve-track debut … Continue reading
I’m not sure how or why I missed out on writing a review of Nature’s August debut Allegro Cantabile. I liked the track quite a bit, and over the course of a few weeks it became one of those steadily growing earworms. Korea didn’t exactly agree, as the girls have struggled to gain a foothold … Continue reading
I’m a big fan of artists sticking with a small circle of producers for the bulk of their career. Even when their music branches into new terrain, this kind of collaborative loyalty results in a cohesive discography and signature style. This has been the case with EXID since debut. They’ve turned to producer Shinsadong Tiger … Continue reading
Despite debuting with one of 2017’s best dance tracks, Wanna One have slowly succumbed to the same fate as IOI. Their overseers clearly know that the Wanna One brand is more formidable than any actual song they might release, and this has resulted in a series of “that’ll do” singles instead of tracks that live … Continue reading
As the year draws to an end, it feels like we’re suddenly seeing more low-level (ie: not from a huge agency) debuts. The first time I heard The Man BLK’s name, I wondering if this was a reinvention of boy group BLK, who released one album late last year before disbanding. It turns out, the … Continue reading
In a sea change year for us older K-pop fans, BTOB are one of many established boy groups whose configuration has changed due to members beginning their mandatory military enlistment. Beautiful Pain (아름답고도 아프구나) is their first single as a six-member act, minus leader Eunkwang. Minhyuk is the next member scheduled for enlistment, at which … Continue reading
2018 has seen its share of trends, but the saddest has been groups having to make a comeback after the death of a member. First it was SHINee, then 100%, and now Spectrum. Only one single album into their career, Spectrum suddenly lost member Kim Dong Yoon. I can’t imagine how this would affect a … Continue reading
The last we heard from Eric Nam, he was trying on the tropical instrumental drop structure that K-pop has fallen so in love with these past few years. Honestly was a pleasant trifle of a pop song, but quickly forgotten. “Innocuous” is the name of the game when it comes to many of Nam’s songs, … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 