Rocker and TV variety personality Jung Joon Young has developed a pattern of crafting raucous alternative rock with his group Drug Restaurant (formerly JJY Band) and more traditional Korean balladry when it comes to his solo work. The latter approach gave us the incredibly Sympathy last year, and with new single Me And You he’s … Continue reading
Though it’s not likely to receive that same attention as BigBang‘s similarly scheduled roll-out in 2015, DAY6 are releasing a single and accompanying music video each month this year. It’s a remarkably exciting prospect, especially for a group who feels like they haven’t been allowed to release nearly enough material since their debut in 2015. January’s … Continue reading
On a certain level, I’ve often found Zion.T’s output to be frustrating. It would be hard to find anyone who would deny his influence on Korean music over the past couple of years. He has one of the most identifiable and iconic vocal tones in k-pop, and has almost single-handedly invented his own genre of neo-soul. … Continue reading
Ever since their debut, SM’s Red Velvet has existed in a somewhat awkward place between mainstream and experimental. Their music has borrowed elements from both extremes of their agency’s girl group output, but every time they score a song that feels like the perfect blend, they seem to take a step or two back with … Continue reading
I very rarely write about songs performed in English, but this being a super slow week in k-pop releases means that Gallant’s new song gets a mention. Of course, with Eric Nam and Tablo taking over two thirds of the track, Cave Me In is about as Korean as a Western pop song could be. … Continue reading
San E is one of those Korean artists who straddles the line between being a musician and a personality. Long-term, this is a huge asset, as it will allow him to seamlessly transition to hosting and variety jobs when the music dries up. But similar to Eric Nam (also known for his engaging personality), San … Continue reading
The k-pop career of American-born Jessi has been full of twists and turns. Beginning as a solo dance-pop artist over a decade ago, she then became the vocalist of hip-hop trio Lucky J before gaining massive notoriety as a rapper on the variety show Unpretty Rapstar. But throughout all her transformations, it feels like the … Continue reading
Honey Bee is one of those songs that’s just oozing potential from the get-go. Taking f(x)‘s Luna, EXID’s Hani and Mamamoo‘s Solar and setting them loose on a big diva pop track is definitely an exciting prospect. But as we learned with last year’s Triple T collaboration, big names don’t always mean quality songs. While … Continue reading
Though Zico remains Block B‘s biggest solo breakout, I’ve actually preferred the more playful, quirkier material released by Park Kyung. Both Ordinary Love and Inferiority Complex were dynamic, interesting pieces of hip-hop pop, and pairing his verses with female vocalists seemed to be a winning formula. New single When I’m With You (너 앞에서 나는) … Continue reading
Though Girls’ Generation‘s last comeback was about a year and a half ago, they’ve remained in the public consciousness through solo releases. The last few months have seen multiple releases by Taeyeon, Tiffany, Yoona and Hyoyeon, but now it’s youngest member Seohyun’s turn. Every solo SNSD track has been different, but they all seem to pull from … Continue reading
Teen Top‘s Niel has returned with his second solo mini album. His work has always reminded me of a lighter version of what Shinee‘s Taemin releases. They’re both clearly inspired by Michael Jackson, but Niel has an airier tone and seems to prefer a less aggressive r&b sound than Taemin’s go-for-broke dance assault. Love Affair … Continue reading
Solo female pop artists are incredibly difficult to launch in Korea. Just ask Shannon Williams, who really should be on her way to becoming the next BoA rather than fighting for her last chance on this season of K-Pop Star. As much as Korea loves its girl groups, that sentiment doesn’t seem to extend to … Continue reading
I’ve been pretty lukewarm toward Hello Venus’ latest singles, but their sporadic 2016 material seemed like more of a teaser for something bigger than actual comebacks. They’re a group I really want to like more than I do. Unfortunately, their sound has shifted so many times since their 2012 debut that it’s been hard to … Continue reading
For the first time in their career, girl group AOA have come back with double title tracks. This was a smart move, as it allows the girls to showcase more than one side of their sexy dance-pop. Unlike Excuse Me, which follows the classic Brave Brothers template that built the group’s successful sound, Bing Bing … Continue reading
The story behind BP Rania (formerly just Rania) is one of k-pop’s messiest. Originally formed by famed American producer Teddy Riley to straddle the line between Eastern and Western sensibilities, the group has since lost almost all of its original members and transformed into a completely different group. Rania has actually managed to lose more … Continue reading
K-Pop dance legend Uhm Jung Hwa has returned with double title tracks — her first new music in nearly a decade. After the subdued electro pop of Dreamer (see full review here), Watch Me Move feels like the slightly more anthemic offering. Opening with an electronic throb, the track’s slinky dance beat perfectly suits Jung … Continue reading
Ever since December of 2013, EXO has released a special winter album or single around the holidays. This is a smart move, as it lets the guys deliver a ballad title track during an appropriate time of the year. Ballads aren’t usually used as title tracks when it comes to massive idol groups, but with … Continue reading
It’s pretty ballsy for a k-pop group to title a new single “Rising Sun,” which instantly conjures memories of one of the genre’s undisputed classics. But while Beat Win have never really taken off domestically or internationally, they’ve given us a very strong run of diverse dance pop. So in essence, the title is in … Continue reading
Thunder (whose moniker sounds more like a stripper than a k-pop star), is branching out on his own with his first mini album since leaving boy group MBLAQ in 2014. To help him in his solo efforts, he’s enlisted Goo Hara, who’s also a former member of a group (this time the disbanded Kara). They team … Continue reading
Fresh off their debut in October, rookie Cube boy group Pentagon is making a quick comeback with second single Can You Feel It (감이 오지). Keeping them in the spotlight is a smart move, and there are enough musical through-lines between their two singles to begin to form a distinct identity for the group. In … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 