Girl group LOVEONE debuted late last year but I haven’t yet written about them on this blog. In fact, dig just under the surface and there are many under-the-radar acts that have never received a write-up. Most of these have great intentions but are hamstrung by a limited budget and agencies that are too risk-averse … Continue reading
Over the past few months, G-Dragon’s variety series Good Day has aired globally on Disney+ alongside its Korean terrestrial broadcast. I watched the first episode, but as much as I enjoy G-Dragon as an artist I find his current iteration quite uncomfortable as a TV personality. But even from one episode, I got the gist … Continue reading
1. Lucky To Be Loved // 2. Countdown! // 3. Random Play // 4. Freestyle // 5. Now Playing // 6. Go Back RANDOM PLAY Going into this album, I was keeping my fingers crossed for another song like last year’s hey! hey!. I’ll probably be hoping for that each time TWS make a comeback … Continue reading
I don’t follow YOUNITE closely enough to be familiar with any members or have much stake in the group, but they often surprise me with the strength of their material. No matter what anyone says, last year’s goofy Geekin is a major highlight that’s still a blast to listen to today. However, the new jack … Continue reading
1. Lucky To Be Loved // 2. Countdown! // 3. Random Play // 4. Freestyle // 5. Now Playing // 6. Go Back LUCKY TO BE LOVED The overriding feeling among blog readers seems to be that I’m absolutely crazy for loving TWS’s new single Countdown, but I promise you this is no PSYOP or … Continue reading
Kai’s been teasing the release of his new album with several songs, both of which took dance elements and subdued them to a leisurely pace. All the while, I’ve had to make peace with the fact that Kai clearly wants something different from his solo work than I’d expect. Title track Wait On Me continues … Continue reading
Even though Apink’s annual anniversary releases aren’t promoted beyond a simple behind-the-scenes video, they’re still worth writing about based on the group’s stature alone. Unlike so many of their peers, Apink are still active fourteen (!) years after their debut. And, I appreciate that these celebratory singles aren’t the kind of drippy ballad most groups … Continue reading
On the surface, Waltz is Ryugujo’s first anime theme — an important milestone for any J-pop group. However, the song is meaningful in other ways as well. It’s been announced that this will be the final Ryugujo song written by their producer and mentor Avu-chan. This news elicited and honest-to-god gasp from me when I … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Listening to NCT Wish’s new mini … Continue reading
I love being able to spotlight a severely under-the-radar act on this blog. Epic Travels quietly debuted last year but have since added member Sangil (formerly of Snuper!). If you need a catch-up on Snuper’s extraordinary singles run, this blog will be a great resource. Epic Travels’ new video for Tab Tab currently has just … Continue reading
Girl group UNIS were one of a handful of survival series spawned groups who made their debut last year. Their two title tracks were solid but unspectacular. If you were to ask me to hum either one of them today, I don’t think I could do it. New single Swicy aims to lodge itself in … Continue reading
J-pop promotion schedules can be a bit weird, especially when compared to K-pop’s tightly-wound logistics. &TEAM’s new single doesn’t officially come out until next week (at which point the full music video will be unveiled), but they’ve pre-released it alongside a performance video today. Since the full audio is out, this seems as good a … Continue reading
It’s getting more difficult to decide which songs to write a review for on this blog. NiziU’s b-side What If (만약이라는 건 없어) is promoted by a “track video” today, which is basically a different term for a (somewhat budget) music video. I’m not sure whether the group will be performing this on music shows … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. This has been an extremely mediocre … Continue reading
As a longtime fan, it’s been thrilling watching from20 and Hello Gloom’s Way Better transform from idea to boutique agency, swiftly collecting new artists like Pokémon. Their roster now holds five individual acts and today we have a new single from the one who started it all: from20. From20’s music has been remarkably consistent so … Continue reading
Beyond a return to fantastic songs, the number one aspect I’ve been missing in current girl groups is energy. STAYC’s Bebe managed to overcome a spoken-word chorus through sheer, explosive verve, proving that a blazing dance beat can make up for so-so melodies. The same can be said about Kep1er’s new Japanese single Yum. Even … Continue reading
Bigbang’s Daseung has been plugging away at his solo career during the past few years, but his most notable turn came as a guest artist on G-Dragon’s chart-topping Home Sweet Home. The thirst for a Bigbang comeback is real, even if it means seeing the group as a trio. While we wait for that possibility, … Continue reading
Close Your Eyes is a new boy group formed through the audition series Project 7, which came to my attention because of contestant Shin Jaewon who had previously debuted with The Wind. Jaewon didn’t end up becoming part of the group, meaning I’m not familiar with any of the actual members. Unlike most survival show … Continue reading
Last spring, Mamamoo’s Solar dipped her feet into a more upbeat dance sound with the club-ready Colors. In general, the Mamamoo members have done a nice job experimenting with their solo material. And when you’ve got vocals as strong as they do, you can get away with interpreting just about any genre. This sense of … Continue reading
Most of the acts who participated on last year’s Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace made quick comebacks soon after the series concluded. However, Tempest took their time, finally emerging with new music nearly five months later. Unfreeze arrives about a year since 2024’s Lighthouse and is their first Korean comeback after becoming a sextet. … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 