Twice’s Hare Hare has been kicking around digital spaces for a few weeks, but I’ve held off writing about it in a J-pop round-up because I knew the music video was just around the corner. Today, we have the visuals to accompany this bouncy dance track. Hare Hare is modern Twice, through and through. It … Continue reading
BOYNEXTDOOR have approached their debut in a similar way to NewJeans, releasing a series of songs and music videos in the lead up to their single album. It’s an exciting way to unveil new talent, though the rollout hasn’t felt nearly as buzzy this time around. After a strong opening salvo, I was less impressed … Continue reading
AB6IX offered an sleek, fashionable vision when they first debuted in 2019, but as the years have gone on I’ve struggled to maintain excitement in their music. Part of this is down to lack of consistency. They’ve struggled to maintain a definable sound and musical perspective, which makes a lot of their work feel generic. … Continue reading
The most notable aspect of CIX’s Save Me, Kill Me is its music video, which brings back the “drama storyline” approach many older K-pop mvs used to favor. It’s angsty and over-the-top and grabs attention. Unfortunately, this drama needs a better soundtrack. Save Me, Kill Me is a real slog. It’s like BTS’s I Need … Continue reading
The Faker Club is providing necessary counterprogramming for mainstream K-pop trends. Its artists from20 and Hello Gloom have delivered some of my favorite songs of the year, simply by opting for sounds and structures that are hard to find elsewhere. Eyes On Me is another winner. If you’ve perused any of my “Global Round-Up” posts, … 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. Dreamcatcher can always be counted on … Continue reading
BOYNEXTDOOR’s extended roll-out continues with their second pre-release One And Only. I liked their first song just fine, even if it felt a bit unassuming given the powerful backing of Zico + HYBE. I’m heartened to see a big-name boy group debut with music that has a lighter, bouncier touch. But, One And Only delivers … Continue reading
With over 4,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
With the K-pop market as crowded as it is, there are bound to be plenty of groups whose music becomes difficult to distinguish from their peers. Secret Number fall into this category, with a discography that constantly changes style. I can’t point to any element that makes them stick out from the pack, even if … Continue reading
Some of my favorite Dreamcatcher tracks meld the group’s rock sound with borderline-cheesy, stadium-ready melodies. Songs like Fly High and Over The Sky veer closer to “anthem territory” and bring the sense of drama I crave in a great rock track. New single BONVOYAGE harnesses a similar energy, even if its execution doesn’t quite find … Continue reading
Upon the release of LE SSERAFIM’s most recent album, the track Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife seemed to spark a lot of online discussion. So, I’m not surprised it’s been given a music video and follow-up promotions. While Unforgiven attacks with its central catchphrase, Eve maintains the stylish — almost monotone — air of … Continue reading
I don’t always cover new Jay Park music on the blog, but Candy offers the kind of funk-pop sound I tend to be interested in. It also pairs him with vocalist Zion.T — a name we don’t hear all that often anymore. They make a powerful duo, even if Candy sets its ambitions relatively low. … Continue reading
Though KARD are quite successful in various parts of the world, they’ve expressed a desire to cement their fanbase in Korea. As one of the industry’s only co-ed groups, they seem perfectly poised to fill a gap in the market. But after the many high points of their initial rollout, I’ve struggled to connect with … Continue reading
2022 delivered a host of newly-debuted girl groups, and this year seems poised to do the same for boy groups. One of 2023’s most anticipated debuts is BOYNEXTDOOR — the first idol act under Zico’s KOZ Entertainment, with the backing of K-pop overlords HYBE. Their upcoming single album promises three promoted tracks, and today we … Continue reading
While it might not be fair or realistic, I’ll always compare idol-rappers-turned-soloists to Bigbang’s G-Dragon. That’s a product of my age, but it’s also testament to how compelling and genre-blending GD’s work was. He wrote the template, and you can feel his influence all over songs like Joohoney’s debut solo single Freedom. At the risk … Continue reading
After a promising April, the K-pop industry has me back in the doldrums. Too many songs are feeling disposable these days — catchy and stylish but lacking the indelible melodies and striking centerpieces that forge a long-enduring classic. “Fast fashion” has never felt so apt a descriptor for the industry, and ENHYPEN’s new Bite Me … Continue reading
Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve written about Blackswan! This group has suffered more member changes than I can count, and the current line-up is another refresh from their 2021 configuration. Only leader Fatou remains. This constant change makes it difficult to feel any kinship toward Blackswan. You don’t want to get too … Continue reading
ATBO are one of a few newer boy groups whose music feels interchangeable to me. They’ve delivered one unique highlight, but their ever-changing sound is very much “Boy Group 101.” It’s as if their singles discography is a collection of songs from the concept round of an audition show. They could be performed by anyone. … Continue reading
Last week, I called Avu-chan’s Year 0, Class 0 the best audition show I’d ever seen. That feeling has only intensified with time. And, it’s bolstered my interest in Ryugujo — the group formed through the series. They’re a self-proclaimed “alternative” act, which essentially means their music has a unique perspective and sound. Both songs … Continue reading
After a super-strong pre-debut single, I’ve struggled to connect with anything else rookie group YOUNITE has released. Like so many current boy groups, their music so far feels like a lukewarm blend of tropes and trends without memorable songwriting to back it up. New single Waterfall hearkens back to the lighter sound palette of their … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 