With over 2,600 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
How to review a song like Summer Night (여름밤)? I deliberately steer away from this kind of subdued acoustic-pop because there’s just not much to write about it. Yes, this is a song. Yes, it has some vocals and a melody and even some instruments. And yet, I come away from Yoona’s new single feeling … Continue reading
It’s been over three years since Lee Hi’s last comeback, so the fact that I’m writing about her at all feels like a minor miracle. But, this long hiatus carries with it a very real danger. The longer fans wait, the higher expectations rise. After three years, the desire for a momentous, iconic song only … Continue reading
As spring heads into summer, we’re beginning to hear follow-up title tracks from 2019’s January debuts. An artist’s second single is almost as important as their first. While you only get one chance to make a first impression, the K-pop market is fickle and fast-moving. Debut years are all about multiple comebacks and signature sounds. … Continue reading
This January, CLC out-(G)IDLE’d (G)-IDLE with the Soyeon-composed No. That quirky, attitude-driven track seemed to spark a sonic revolution in the group, drawing upon their charisma for an ear-catching performance. New single Me (美) harnesses that same vibe, but comes across as diminished returns. The first time through, it’s easy to compare Me to 4minute’s … Continue reading
Another day, another 2019 debut. OnlyOneOf’s claim to fame comes via a connection with much-hyped girl group LOONA. The guys were initially cobbled together within the same agency, Blockberry Creative, and share a creative director in Jaden Jeong. They’ve since transferred to a new agency, and don’t seem to be pursuing the solo-tracks-before-group-tracks strategy that … Continue reading
For a debut group with some notoriety (member Shihyun was a contestant in Produce 101, after all), We In The Zone’s roll-out has been surprisingly muted. Their agency didn’t even announce a track list before their mini album was released today. No music video teaser, either. This lackluster promotion doesn’t seem to bode well for … Continue reading
During their debut last year, D-CRUNCH displayed tons of potential but never gained much attention outside of a niche group of listeners. When I think of the best that their music has to offer, my mind immediately conjures impressive instrumentals and hard-hitting hip-hop hooks. New single Are You Ready (작당모의) gets one half of that … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. It’s been almost three years since I featured a GOT7 album … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. With NCT 127’s Superhuman hearkening back to second generation K-pop sounds, … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Of all the post-Wanna One projects, Kim Jaehwan has released my … Continue reading
Berry Good have just passed their fifth anniversary since debut, and they’ve been hanging on for all five of those years. Their 2016 work, in particular, deserved a much wider audience than it received. But no matter what they release, the girls have never been able to break through the competitive world of K-pop girl … Continue reading
One of the things that first drew me to K-pop was SM Entertainment’s SMP style. Characterized by its hybrid, genre-bashing nature, this musical philosophy was fueled by bombastic instrumentation and outrageous vocal arrangements. There wasn’t anything else like it at the time, and there still isn’t. As K-pop continues to blow up internationally, SM has … Continue reading
Idol rock back IZ have been active here and there, releasing one mini album each year since their debut in 2017. None of their title tracks really sound the same, which has made it difficult for them to cultivate a solid fan base. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t be writing about them now if … Continue reading
Over the course of three digital singles, Hyolyn became one of 2018’s most magnetic solo performers. Dally, See Sea and Bae were all completely different in style, yet each mastered its intended sound. Because of this, I had high expectations for Hyolyn’s first 2019 work, the grammatically frustrating youknowbetter (니가 더 잘 알잖아). Making things … Continue reading
After debuting in January, Cherry Bullet have made a quick return with new single Really Really (네가 참 좋아). Q&A became something of a sleeper hit, establishing a bright, rhythmic sound for the group. But, the real test comes now, as the girls try to secure their success with a track that betters their previous … Continue reading
To me, a knockout debut should immediately establish a group’s identity. It should convince me that there’s a spot for them in an overcrowded marketplace. And, at its finest, a debut should offer something new. 2019 has seen a few debuts like this, but boy group AB6IX have yet to carve out their personal style. … Continue reading
K-pop tends to cannibalize itself, which can muddle the meaning of “debut” when it comes to new groups. 3YE (pronounced “Third Eye” — because, of course it is) have debuted with their first digital single DMT (Do Ma Thing), but the members have already been active in the industry. All three were part of disbanded … Continue reading
I’ve been surprised by just how many sound-alike ballads the post-Wanna One K-pop landscape has produced so far, but Kim Jaehwan’s Begin Again (안녕하세요) doesn’t surprise me at all. I never expected that he would debut with anything but a ballad (though his mini album showcases a welcome versatility that should be explored further). As … Continue reading
I’ve always appreciated Woollim Entertainment’s ability to curate music that stays true to its artists’ personas. While so many others rush to jump on whatever’s popular at the moment, a group like Lovelyz slowly but surely crafts a cohesive discography that feels like an intentional body of work rather than a ‘try everything and see … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 