T1419 are one of several rookies who have yet to win me over. I’m easily convinced if given a fantastic song or engaging performance, but both Asurabalbalta and Exit felt undercooked. The former hinged upon a noisy soundscape that failed to distinguish T1419 from the boy group pack, while the latter brought greater hip-hop focus … Continue reading
During VERIVERY’s debut year, their fun new jack swing sound set them apart from other rookies. It may not have built a huge fan base, but those of us who enjoyed it did so with a loyalty and enthusiasm that seems to be missing from their post-2020 work. Their Face It series unfolded as a … Continue reading
Brave Girls’ 2021 resurgence has been a perfect storm. Not only did it kick off because of one of their best singles, but this viral attention has led to a new era of music that surpasses their already-strong back catalog. June’s Chi Mat Ba Ram quickly grew into a bonafide song of summer, coupled with … Continue reading
Fresh off their Kingdom victory, Stray Kids have returned with their second full-length album. Not many K-pop groups release two full albums back-to-back, but I’m sure Stray Kids’ self-producing status leaves them with plenty of material to choose from. Although last year’s God’s Menu was a fun, memorable title track, its parent album was stuffed … Continue reading
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. I hate to admit it, but … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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 week in K-pop followed 2021 … Continue reading
One of the cool (and frustrating) things about the Johnny’s Entertainment system is its junior groups. Yes, all agencies have trainees waiting for debut, but Johnny’s Junior have their own televised performance show and their own songs. They also star in dramas, stage plays and variety. It’s a way to build fan bases and cut … Continue reading
One advantage of being a self-produced band is that you can release new music whenever you like. Irrelevant Answer (동문서답) is a special surprise single from Lucy, released alongside a lo-fi music video that focuses on the group’s performance. Without the gloss of a full-fledged comeback, the song feels more extraneous than essential. But, more … Continue reading
CRAVITY have had a very successful debut year, but I’ve yet to connect with any of their title tracks. Some of their b-sides and follow-up promotions have shown more promise, but the group’s sound seems stuck in this noisy, shouty style that takes promising concepts and upends them with ill-fitting breakdowns. This was especially apparent … Continue reading
When I first launched The Bias List, I hoped to build the kind of K-pop blog that I, as a fan, would want to read. I sought consistency, passion, and… yes… a certain level of bias. I didn’t want to be a glorified press release, automatically loving every piece of music for fear of disappointing … Continue reading
Military enlistment has always been part of K-pop’s boy group narrative, but in past generations these enlistments often occurred after a group had already reached their commercial peak (or ended their contract). This newer generation tends to have a slower, steadier rise in fan base, meaning that some members enlist just as their group is … Continue reading
WayV’s Ten has been a busy guy. After releasing his solo Paint Me Naked last week, he’s teaming with fellow WayV member YangYang for another English-language dance track. Low Low takes more influence from hip-hop, though the song doesn’t actually include any rap. Instead, it finds comfort in a breezy, head-nodding beat that matches well … Continue reading
CIX’s debut-era sound wasn’t for me, but they captured my attention with the bright, melodic Cinema. With the release of their first full album, the group continues to move toward a lighter style, even donning the age-old K-pop sailor suits for promo shots. While clichés like that don’t usually bode well, I appreciate the group’s … Continue reading
When TXT released 0X1=LOVESONG at the tail end of May, I wasn’t sure whether its catchy pop punk sound would fade quickly or grow into one of their strongest title tracks. Several months later, the song has exceeded all expectations, ranking among my favorite comebacks of 2021. It’s amazing how well this angsty sound fits … Continue reading
Nearly a year after covering Turbo’s 90’s hit Black Cat Nero, ATEEZ have teamed with the group’s frontman, Kim Jong Kook, for an old-school summer song. This project includes an online variety series and a fun, fan service music video. It also marks the return of ATEEZ member Mingi, who has been absent from the … Continue reading
With Queendom, Red Velvet have come off the longest hiatus of their career. It’s been over a year and a half since 2019’s Psycho. And while the girls have kept busy with solo projects, the unique Red Velvet sound has been missed. Momentous comebacks call for momentous songs, and Queendom’s dramatic title seems to promise … Continue reading
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Kis-My-Ft2 are celebrating their tenth anniversary, and that means it’s time for the requisite greatest hits package. Yes, Japan still does “greatest hits” albums – and they actually sell well! Kis-My-Ft2 remain my favorite Johnny’s group, though that’s as much to do with their entertaining personalities and interplay as the actual music. Still, I put … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. Unsurprisingly, The Boyz’ Thrill Ride has … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 