I’m a Woollim mega-fan, but I’ve been deliberately silent about the agency’s upcoming activity because I’m quite annoyed with the current state of affairs. Whether driven by budget, scheduling or staffing, it feels like Woollim has left us supporters in a lurch. Its artists have essentially gone M.I.A since mid-November and the upcoming enlistment of … Continue reading
I enjoyed Trendz’s last single Vagabond quite a bit, even if it pitched them as a younger iteration of ATEEZ. The guys have begun working with that group’s old producer Leez and it definitely shows in the music! But, Leez is an immensely talented composer so I’m happy his work lives on regardless of which … Continue reading
I’m a bit ashamed to admit I’d never heard of So!YoON! prior to the announcement of this collaboration with BTS’s RM. I don’t follow the Korean indie scene closely, but she seems to have carved out a nice niche both as a soloist and frontwoman of band Se So Neon. From what I can gather, … Continue reading
Prior to his solo debut in 2020, I had imagined this huge Michael Jackson style career for Kai. Big songs, showstopping performances and tons of theatricality. Reality hasn’t played out like that, as he seems more intent on pursuing vibey tracks that lean further into R&B. This is absolutely fine (who am I to tell … Continue reading
I’ve been a little hard on NMIXX’s music thus far, but it pushes a lot of my buttons in a bad way. I appreciate the ambition it takes to meld multiple sounds (and songs!) into one. I just don’t think the execution has been there. The music hasn’t showcased the group’s talent in a way … Continue reading
Though it may not deliver a song as instantly classic as Ubu Love or The Answer, Naniwa Danshi’s new single is probably their most consistent since their 2021 debut. It’s spearheaded by two promoted tracks, with Special Kiss getting most of the attention. I enjoy that song for what it is, but it’s a bit … 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. Collapsedone is quickly becoming one of … Continue reading
In what feels like the longest tease ever, TAN first released a short version of Fix You alongside their debut in March of last year. On the one-year anniversary of that debut, the guys have finally followed through and unleashed the full song and music video. The result plays pretty much how you’d expect, complete … Continue reading
Pixy have undergone quite a transformation in my eyes, moving from noisy drop-style music to funky experimentations that offer a fresh voice in K-pop’s girl group landscape. New single Karma feels like a distillation of all these sounds… for better or worse. It has its standout moments, but they’re undercut by a jarring drop that … Continue reading
Twice’s graceful metamorphosis into their current pop sound marks one of K-pop’s most satisfying evolutions. The group has always created great music, but they’ve managed to mature in a way that feels fresh, fun and natural. When it comes to pop groups, the goal is really quite simple: consistently release strong music and promote it … Continue reading
Fresh off a successful group comeback, Kara’s Nicole is back with her own solo single. She’s become the most musically prolific of the group and holds a special place on my bias list because of her solo work with production team Sweetune (check out her 2016 J-pop album Bliss if you haven’t!). Unfortunately, all good … 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. As I mentioned when writing about … Continue reading
Thus far, Yuju’s solo career has played out exactly as I feared it might. Her voice was the anchor to many a great GFriend song, providing a powerful sense of drama worth looking forward to. There’s nothing I love more than a dynamite vocalist tackling a big dance track. But, her ambitions seem to lie … Continue reading
Cherry Bullet have made a habit of returning exactly once a year with a song that gains many admirers but never quite breaks them into a new level of success. This is FNC Entertainment’s fault more than anything. Unless you’re BLACKPINK, you can’t expect much from once-a-year comebacks. The group has been around for four … Continue reading
K-pop’s boy group landscape has become increasingly baffling to me. Back in 2020/2021, I would have scoffed if you told me CRAVITY would become one of the most reliable purveyors of bright, upbeat pop music. But, the guys have ditched the “skrrt skrrt” energy of their past and opted for a musical makeover. From last … Continue reading
After nearly a year since his last mini album, SHINee’s Onew is back with the release of his first full-length effort. He’s the latest SHINee member to deliver new music before the group’s promised spring comeback. Thus far, his solo sound has incorporated a soft, adult contemporary sheen that fits his beautiful vocal color. It … 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. My favorite OnlyOneOf track from last … Continue reading
Two weeks ago, Snow Man released the first half of their upcoming double a-side on YouTube. The excellent Tapestry was made available in full, allowing listeners to indulge in the song’s satisfying builds without unnecessary edits. The rock-fueled W follows suit, unfurling the full track alongside a striking video. As far as I’m concerned, the … Continue reading
We’ve entered the era of BTS enlistments, with Jin leaving late last year and J-Hope scheduled to depart soon. Before he does, he’s teamed with another “J” — American rapper J. Cole — for On The Street. This pairing transforms the song into more than a typical “farewell for now” stopgap before hiatus. And though … Continue reading
OnlyOneOf spent the bulk of 2022 unveiling their Underground Idol series – a collection of interconnected solo tracks that displayed the versatility of the members as it embraced a variety of genres. This project won them new fans and strengthened their existing fan base, raising expectations for the inevitable group comeback. A pair of Japanese … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 