It’s been over three years since Lee Hi’s last comeback, so the fact that I’m writing about her at all feels like a minor miracle. But, this long hiatus carries with it a very real danger. The longer fans wait, the higher expectations rise. After three years, the desire for a momentous, iconic song only … Continue reading
Another day, another 2019 debut. OnlyOneOf’s claim to fame comes via a connection with much-hyped girl group LOONA. The guys were initially cobbled together within the same agency, Blockberry Creative, and share a creative director in Jaden Jeong. They’ve since transferred to a new agency, and don’t seem to be pursuing the solo-tracks-before-group-tracks strategy that … Continue reading
For a debut group with some notoriety (member Shihyun was a contestant in Produce 101, after all), We In The Zone’s roll-out has been surprisingly muted. Their agency didn’t even announce a track list before their mini album was released today. No music video teaser, either. This lackluster promotion doesn’t seem to bode well for … Continue reading
During their debut last year, D-CRUNCH displayed tons of potential but never gained much attention outside of a niche group of listeners. When I think of the best that their music has to offer, my mind immediately conjures impressive instrumentals and hard-hitting hip-hop hooks. New single Are You Ready (작당모의) gets one half of that … Continue reading
Idol rock back IZ have been active here and there, releasing one mini album each year since their debut in 2017. None of their title tracks really sound the same, which has made it difficult for them to cultivate a solid fan base. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t be writing about them now if … Continue reading
Over the course of three digital singles, Hyolyn became one of 2018’s most magnetic solo performers. Dally, See Sea and Bae were all completely different in style, yet each mastered its intended sound. Because of this, I had high expectations for Hyolyn’s first 2019 work, the grammatically frustrating youknowbetter (니가 더 잘 알잖아). Making things … Continue reading
After debuting in January, Cherry Bullet have made a quick return with new single Really Really (네가 참 좋아). Q&A became something of a sleeper hit, establishing a bright, rhythmic sound for the group. But, the real test comes now, as the girls try to secure their success with a track that betters their previous … Continue reading
To me, a knockout debut should immediately establish a group’s identity. It should convince me that there’s a spot for them in an overcrowded marketplace. And, at its finest, a debut should offer something new. 2019 has seen a few debuts like this, but boy group AB6IX have yet to carve out their personal style. … Continue reading
I’ve been surprised by just how many sound-alike ballads the post-Wanna One K-pop landscape has produced so far, but Kim Jaehwan’s Begin Again (안녕하세요) doesn’t surprise me at all. I never expected that he would debut with anything but a ballad (though his mini album showcases a welcome versatility that should be explored further). As … Continue reading
JYP Entertainment has been on such a roll lately. Their all-killer, no-filler 2019 singles run has been strong enough that they even had me excited for new GOT7 music. If you’ve been reading The Bias List long enough, you’ll know that GOT7 have often become the punching bags for my trend-related complaints over the past … Continue reading
Last year, my favorite Seventeen song wasn’t a Korean title track at all. It was their first original Japanese single, Call Call Call, which harnessed the guitar-fueled dance pop sound that I love most from the group. Because of this, anticipation was high for new J-pop track Happy Ending. It’s been exactly a year since … Continue reading
I wasn’t too kind with BVNDIT’s debut single Hocus Pocus, but it wasn’t because it was an objectively bad song. It just felt devoid of any unique point — like musical wallpaper that blended with every other like-minded, tropical-pop offering of the past few years. Luckily, BVNDIT have made a very quick turnaround with their … Continue reading
Though the girls have more or less denied it, there’s a chance that Me & You may be EXID’s final Korean title track — at least in the group’s current incarnation. This speculation comes after members Hani and Jeonghwa chose not to renew their contracts with Banana Culture Entertainment. Cross-agency reunions are not unheard of … Continue reading
Though most Weki Meki singles have ended up growing on me, they tend to have a knockoff quality that makes them feel like lesser versions of other girl group material. Almost two years in, I’ve yet to understand what kind of sound Weki Meki is meant to have. Many describe their title tracks as “messy,” … Continue reading
Taeyeon made her solo Japanese debut last year with the pretty — but extremely safe — Stay. That song jettisoned the funky backbone of Korean single Something New for straightforward, feel-good balladry. Judging from new single Voice, this middle-of-the-road pop style seems to be her go-to J-pop sound. There’s nothing wrong with a little adult … Continue reading
Lim Jimin made waves as part of musical competition The Fan, nearly making it to the final. Along with ITZY’s Yeji (who also competed), it was a foregone conclusion that he’d eventually be part of an idol group once the show was finished. I anticipate that his agency will take their time cobbling together their … Continue reading
Each time I write about an Eric Nam track, the first word that comes to my mind is “amiable.” It’s the perfect descriptor for his crisp pop sound. His music is inherently enjoyable — sometimes smooth, sometimes jubilant, but never demanding. It’s the K-pop equivalent of easy listening, and that doesn’t have to be a … Continue reading
As you might have guessed from reading my glowing end-of-year coverage, Golden Child have become my personal bias group from this new generation of K-pop. So what happens when my favorite group releases a song based on one of my least favorite genres? To be fair, Spring Again (그러다 봄) isn’t really an official comeback. … Continue reading
Musically, boy group Spectrum had a pretty solid 2018. Their sound borrowed heavily from current trends, but by sticking with production team Code 9, their burgeoning discography felt cohesive. It’s a shame, then, that they’re still largely unknown by K-pop fans. Such is the struggle for rookie groups from small agencies. Without the benefit of … Continue reading
It goes without saying that Nu’est’s career has been anything but typical. Their phoenix from the ashes story is the stuff of K-pop legends, and it all culminates today with their first full-group album in almost three years. After a highly successful 2017-18 in the form of sub-unit Nu’est W, the group’s reunion is also … Continue reading
