Though still a very new group from a small agency, VAV have been lucky to pair with a-list composer/producer Ryan Jhun for their last string of singles. His involvement has brought a certain clout to their music, even if the songs themselves have been a bit of a mixed bag. But with the newly released … Continue reading
Shinee‘s Taemin has long been one of k-pop’s most arresting performers, and Japan has taken note of that as well. Last summer, he launched his solo j-pop career with the captivating Sayonara Hitori, which was later remade into Korean single Goodbye. For his 2017 follow-up, he hasn’t strayed too far from that sound, taking things … Continue reading
When it comes to songs, the k-pop landscape has been in a relatively safe, internationally-minded place for a while now. So when I saw that Stellar‘s new single was going to be called Archangels Of The Sephiroth (세피로트의 나무), my interest was instantly piqued. Not only is it a badass, obscure and off-the-wall title, but … Continue reading
Being a relatively new genre, modern k-pop has few acts that could rightly be considered legends, but I think it’s safe to say that BoA fits the bill. Active for seventeen years now, she’s conquered not only Korea but most of Southeast Asia as well. And now that she’s fresh off her stint as the … Continue reading
November’s Decalcomanie felt like a watershed moment for Mamamoo, giving them one of their biggest hits (and choruses) yet. It was always going to be a hard act to follow, but the group has an advantage this time around. After hits like Um Oh Ah Yeh and Mr. Ambiguous, Mamamoo have become somewhat synonymous with … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. NCT 127’s Cherry Bomb has already grown on me quite … Continue reading
Groups with numbers as part of their name can be tricky in the ever-changing world of k-pop. Nine Muses haven’t had nine members in some time, and now they’re all the way down to four. That’s not exactly “truth in advertising.” But with so many groups of their age disbanding, it’s a small miracle that … Continue reading
We don’t usually associate variety shows with grade-A k-pop releases, but Sister’s Slam Dunk surprised by providing one of May’s best singles with Unnies’ Right. And now it’s time for another similarly-pitched series to deliver. Idol Drama Operation Team may be a show centered around creating a Korean drama, but its cast is full of … Continue reading
Amidst everything going on with his band-mate T.O.P, G-Dragon made the right decision in releasing the emotive Untitled, 2014 as the first single from his new mini album. But this being G-Dragon, we knew we’d be getting at least one hip-hop hype track before the album campaign was over. The eye-catchingly titled Bullshit is the … Continue reading
As we’ve seen over the past few months, making it to a ten-year anniversary is no small feat when it comes to k-pop. FTIsland join a select few that have outlasted the threat of disbandment and roster changes and failing agencies. For that alone, they deserve immense respect. Even more kudos should be given for … Continue reading
At what point does a “joke” song become a “real” song? The last time comedy duo UV hit it big with a high profile collaboration was in 2011 with Itaewan Freedom featuring Park Jinyoung. That song is obviously intended as a parody of sorts, but it’s a dynamite pop track in its own right and … Continue reading
It seems like I’ve been writing about farewell songs much too frequently over the past several months. The Great 2017 Wave of Girl Group Disbandments is very real, and it’s not all that great. Sistar are the latest casualty, and a surprising, sudden loss for the dwindling handful of second generation idol groups that remain … Continue reading
Casual fans may recognize Solbi more for the steady stream of variety show appearances she’s made than her music, but she has a long history of crafting genre-pushing electro-pop just outside the k-pop mainstream. More recently, she’s fused this career with a performance-art style that capitalizes on her unique personality and perspective. Her jaw-dropping Music … Continue reading
After completing their four seasons album release concept, boy group Astro are back with new producers, a (slightly) new sound and the next evolution of their boy-next-door pop takeover. As someone who was a massive fan of their work with the Iggy/Youngbae producer team, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad … Continue reading
In the ever-evolving world of k-pop, it’s difficult to present a concept that feels truly unique. Yezi’s girl group Fiestar is a good example of this, careening from cute to sexy to quirky in all the expected ways (and providing some fantastic pop songs in the process). But while Fiestar hasn’t allowed Yezi much spotlight … Continue reading
Last week’s Spotlight by Sohee marked the first post-series release by a K-Pop Star Season 6 alumni. Hot on its heels is Kriesha Chu’s Trouble. Though the two were placed in the same group for the season’s last few episodes, they’re taking an opposite approach now that the show’s over. Sohee will be performing as … Continue reading
Debuts are always exciting, offering the chance for a rookie act to paint the first brushstrokes of what might become their sound. Beyond the hope for a strong, quality track, a debut is free from the kind of crushing expectations that can sometimes derail the comeback of more established artists. I went into A.C.E’s Cactus … Continue reading
While its ambitious release schedule seemed overbearing initially, it feels as if the LOONA project has started to gain traction with fans. The girls’ material itself has also seen an uptick in quality, with bigger budgets and more involving imagery. It will be fascinating to see how each of these girls assemble into their eventual group, … Continue reading
With a title like B-Day (벌떼), a song could easily devolve into cringe-worthy territory. But with the first of iKON’s double title tracks trying too hard to paint the guys as swagger-filled hip-hop legends, a little levity is welcome. And although B-Day doesn’t receive top billing on the group’s new single album, it’s by far … Continue reading
I was prepared to hate this. I could go on and on about how American/Western trends need to stay far away from k-pop, and how the tropical house sound in particular has felt stale for over a year, but I feel like I bring that up every few days anyway. Even when other k-pop artists … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 