I have a few “holy grails” in K-pop – comebacks I’ve wished for so long they seem impossible. BIGBANG’s return is one of these landmark moments. Hints of a comeback first emerged back in 2020, waylaid by the pandemic. Two years later, the group confirmed they would finally release new music, and I couldn’t have … Continue reading
Fresh off her release for the Universe app, IZ*ONE leader-turned-soloist Kwon Eunbi is back with her second mini album. Woollim Entertainment has paired her with a host of great songwriters, from the Newtype team (1Take, TAK and others) to Full8loom to Monotree. New single Glitch gives her an interesting sound to work with, taking its … 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. Kingdom and I have fallen into … 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. File BAE173’s Annoyed (짜증나게) under: obvious … 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. Oh My Girl’s album is incredibly … 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. True to NCT form, Glitch Mode … Continue reading
New boy group YOUNITE are set to debut next month. Before that, they’ve dropped a pre-debut track to ease us into their sound. Everybody fits within Brand New Music’s hip-hop style, offering a refreshingly warm and youthful take on the genre. I haven’t been too impressed with 2022’s debuts so far, but my eyes are … Continue reading
Thus far, INI have been a frustrating prospect. In my opinion, they haven’t been dealt a decent song yet. When the group’s line-up was announced on the finale of last year’s Produce 101 Japan, I was thrilled to see how many talented vocalists made the cut. But, songs like Call 119 have opted for far … Continue reading
In a girl group landscape filled with bombastic beats and shouty sing-talk, Oh My Girl are a welcome outlier. Their career is filled with quirky highlights, harnessing memorable hooks to craft a sound that moves from ethereal to whimsical and back again. Increased popularity has stolen a bit of this unique identity, but with peers … Continue reading
After debuting with a steady (and fun!) sound, VERIVERY’s music became more hit and miss. Fortunately, their last single Trigger was a big hit for me. Alongside an all-killer, no-filler mini album, their edgy electro reinvention had me ready to board the VERIVERY train once more. New single ‘O’ marks another sonic shift, but its … Continue reading
CRAVITY’s delayed comeback is marketed as the second half of their first full album, an interesting strategy that essentially amounts to two lengthy EPs. The group has released a wealth of music since their 2020 debut, but I haven’t connected with much of it. Their biggest hurdle has been a lack of unique musical identity, … Continue reading
It’s the year 2022 and Red Velvet’s “ReVe Festival” remains open for business. The group first unveiled the carnivalesque concept in 2019 but took a break for last year’s Queendom. Now, the festival queues are bustling once more as the ladies invite us to feel their rhythm. Given the song title, you might expect an … Continue reading
Each time I write about a Stray Kids comeback, it feels like the group’s popularity has grown by leaps and bounds. It’s daunting to watch these idol fanbases multiply. For my part, I’ve been a rather casual Stay. I loved their debut, absolutely adored their 2019 material and thought that 2020’s Go Live album was … 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. Brave Girls’ new mini album is … Continue reading
A Xia Junsu comeback is always cause for celebration. No matter what genre he tackles, Junsu’s captivating presence and commanding vocals demand attention. Last we heard from him, he indulged his dance pop side with 2020’s excellent Pit A Pat. With new single Hana (하나), he’s embraced “tropical” moombahton sounds – despite that genre no … Continue reading
Last time we heard from boy group WEi (Universe releases aside…), they gave us the upbeat, summery sounds of Bye Bye Bye. It was a sudden shift in style, embracing upbeat power pop rather than the angstier material they had debuted with. New track Too Bad follows this pattern, cementing the group’s transformation. And unsurprisingly, … Continue reading
Following the release of Japanese solo albums, the members of TVXQ (or Tohoshinki, as they’re known in Japan) have joined forces for new EP Epitaph. The guys haven’t released a full or mini album since 2019, making this feel like a momentous occasion. Here’s hoping their recent Japanese blitz is a harbinger for upcoming work … Continue reading
As popular as Monsta X have become, the members haven’t released much solo music. And when it comes to individual name recognition, I hadn’t expected Kihyun to get the push. As the main vocal, he’s more than deserving of solo spotlight. And rather than pursue the predictable route of a balladeer, debut single Voyager embraces … Continue reading
All good things must come to an end, and Nu’est have decided to bow out on their own terms. The release of Again, Spring (다시, 봄) marks their final single before disbandment, couched within a greatest hits album. It’s difficult writing about a song like this because the focus is directed more toward sentiment than … Continue reading
Brave Girls leveraged an unexpected resurgence to craft an extraordinary 2021. Both Chi Mat Ba Ram and After We Ride have quickly become classics (visiting my ‘top ten of the year’ countdown on their way!). Because of this, my expectations for any future work are sky-high. New single Thank You doesn’t do anything to dull … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 