Heize has become something of an ‘it girl’ in Korea, rising to the top of the charts with each release. This is helped along by the nature of her music, which feels alternative by k-pop standards. Male soloists like Crush and Dean have found success with a softer blend of r&b, hip-hop and balladry, but … 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
While girl group Apink‘s first few years marked them as a reliably strong purveyor of sugary-sweet pop music, their last few releases have been mired in the same “been there, done that” feeling of repetition. They’re not a group that has ever pushed many boundaries musically or image-wise, but it may be time for a … 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
As the monthly LOONA releases have continued to roll out, the girls’ material has seemed to grow sleeker and more mature. With so many different sounds and genres touched upon, it’s exciting to imagine what the final group will actually look and sound like. Last month’s Eclipse was an intriguing peek into a more ethereal … Continue reading
Though he got his start as a member of SMent sub-unit Super Junior M, Henry has become more widely known for his appearances in variety, dramas and as a solo artist. Lately, he’s seemed to take more creative control over his output, delivering a series of digital tracks that have helped to remind listeners that … Continue reading
