EXO were the second group featured in my “K-pop A-Z” project. In late 2019, I took a deep dive into their discography and reviewed each and every track. Because of this, any new material will also become part of that page, meaning it’s time for another “in-depth album review” for the newly-released Don’t Fight The … Continue reading
Back on release day, I mentioned how TXT’s 0X1=LOVESONG could “go either way” when it came to longevity. I’m happy to say the song has grown more addictive over the past two weeks – so much that it probably deserves a retroactive spot within my top three songs of May. Follow-up track Magic is also … Continue reading
Like so many debuts, Cube Entertainment’s LIGHTSUM includes members already familiar through survival series like Produce 48 and The Unit. But in K-pop’s overcrowded market, it takes more than familiarity to guarantee success. And with agency-mates (G)I-DLE as popular as ever, it’s important that LIGHTSUM’s music doesn’t overlap too much. Despite its uninspiring title, Vanilla … Continue reading
EXO were the second group featured in my “K-pop A-Z” project. In late 2019, I took a deep dive into their discography and reviewed each and every track. Because of this, any new material will also become part of that page, meaning it’s time for another “in-depth album review” for the newly-released Don’t Fight The … Continue reading
“Happy Birthday” is such an odd name for a pop song. It instantly conjures up one iconic melody, suited to a single day each year. When reading these two words, my mind certainly doesn’t imagine noisy EDM drops, but Woo Jinyoung seems intent on surprising. As part of boy group D1CE, his idol career has … Continue reading
To put it bluntly, I haven’t enjoyed a single song WEi have released since debut. But, idol groups are often at the whim of their producers, and switching collaborators can totally change a team’s sound. New single Bye Bye Bye pairs the guys with MosPick, who’ve proven themselves reliable purveyors of upbeat boy group pop. … Continue reading
Twice’s I Can’t Stop Me didn’t usher in the new wave of girl group synthpop I’d hoped for, but the song remains a high watermark in their discography. However, K-pop moves quickly and the girls are already exploring new genres. Alcohol-Free tackles summertime sounds, forgoing the season’s traditional K-pop tropes for a surprising blend of … Continue reading
EXO were the second group featured in my “K-pop A-Z” project. In late 2019, I took a deep dive into their discography and reviewed each and every track. Because of this, any new material will also become part of that page, meaning it’s time for another “in-depth album review” for the newly-released Don’t Fight The … Continue reading
Less that two years since the debut of CIX, C9 Entertainment have thrust another boy group onto the K-pop scene. I’m a bit surprised to see them emerge so early, but I guess the current idol landscape moves faster than ever. EPEX have already stirred up some controversy due to their album concept, which is … Continue reading
EXO were the second group featured in my “K-pop A-Z” project. In late 2019, I took a deep dive into their discography and reviewed each and every track. Because of this, any new material will also become part of that page, meaning it’s time for another “in-depth album review” for the newly-released Don’t Fight The … Continue reading
A year since their last comeback, idol band N.Flying have returned with their first full album. Full albums are a big deal in K-pop. At the very least, they represent a certain level of support from an act’s agency. But, they also offer the opportunity to stretch yourself and your sound across a wider expansion … Continue reading
Despite selling well, Ha Sungwoon’s comebacks never seem to garner all that much attention or discussion. But he’s been remarkably consistent, releasing a string of very strong singles. New track Sneakers (스니커즈) follows suit, harnessing a bright, optimistic melody perfectly suited for summer while managing to filter many of his influences into one consistent song. … Continue reading
With four members currently enlisted in the military, EXO have released their first album in nineteen months. Don’t Fight The Feeling arrives with much anticipation, including my own. As one of my gateways into K-pop, EXO hold a special place in my heart – so much that I’ve written about every single track they’ve released! … 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 debated whether or not to … Continue reading
Seemingly out of nowhere, NCT 127 announced a collaboration track with the talents behind independent label Amoeba Culture. It’s an unexpected pairing, but not an unwelcome one. With many of NCT’s tracks being outsourced to international talent, it’s satisfying to hear the group tackle a song crafted by well-known Korean producers. Save arrives courtesy of … Continue reading
Though summer doesn’t officially start until later this month, June always seems to kick off the beginning of K-pop’s summer concepts. Of all the groups to tackle this upbeat energy, I wouldn’t have expected GHOST9 to be the first out of the gate. Though I’ve enjoyed their singles run so far, their sound has been … 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’ve seen GWSN compared to f(x) … Continue reading
It’s quite rare for an idol group to release a ballad as title track. K-pop is wrapped up in performance (ie: choreography), making it difficult for ballads to check all the necessary comeback boxes. But, the Korean charts love a big, sentimental belter. And if any idol group is going to succeed without the dance … Continue reading
Though fans had to suffer through a long hiatus as he found his footing with a new agency, B.I has been prolific this year. Back in March, he released his debut solo single. That was followed by a pre-release last month, and now a full album. I suppose this is one of the benefits of … Continue reading
Over the past couple of years, Monsta X have settled into a nice little niche, releasing exactly the type of songs you’d expect of them. Of course, one person’s niche is another’s rut, and it’s been a while since I’ve been excited about a Monsta X title track. But with Gambler, the guys have taken … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 