2018 felt like the year where Cosmic Girls really embraced their signature sound, resulting in a pair of spacey, synth-dripped title tracks that built on the potential they first displayed with 2016’s Secret. September’s excellent Save Me, Save You established a lofty precedent, and shot my anticipation sky-high for the follow-up. New single La La Love … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year and a half since we’ve last heard from KNK. They were one of the many groups screwed over by YG’s failed MIXNINE program, and the past year has seen them lose a member, part ways with their old agency and add a new face in the … Continue reading
Trilogies and series are all the rage in K-pop, but few have lasted as long as iKON’s New Kids. Barring their 2018 album Return, the group has been releasing tracks under this title for so long that they’re in danger of turning into old kids. But with the arrival of I’m OK, it seems as … Continue reading
Apink have never been out of the spotlight for long in Korea, but they enjoyed an unexpected bump last summer with the ear-catching I’m So Sick. Heading in an edgier dance direction turned out to be a boon for the girls, so it’s no surprise that new single %% (응응) once again enlists production team Black … Continue reading
Most of us first met M.O.N.T when they participated in YG’s survival series MIXNINE. They earned the nickname of “mountain idols” because their small agency was located in the mountainous countryside, creating quite a contrast from the otherwise Seoul-centered K-pop industry. That unique story, combined with their endearing personalities, made them a rookie to watch. … Continue reading
Japanese releases are often telegraphed weeks (and sometimes months) ahead of a time, but SM Entertainment artists seem to drop their J-pop music videos whenever they like. Sappy was only teased yesterday, and here it is today. That sense of spontaneity is kind of fun, and matches the adventurous structure of the song itself. Red … Continue reading
As the wait for a full f(x) comeback enters its fourth calendar year, each and every move by its members attracts interest from fans. However, most of the f(x)-related solo material has felt pretty un-f(x) in sound, which only seems to exacerbate listeners’ impatience. Luna offered a spark of similar energy with 2016’s Free Somebody, … Continue reading
N.Flying have had a rough go of it over the past month, with bassist Kwangjin leaving the group among accusations of inappropriate online conduct. This came just days before the group was scheduled to release the second track in their year-long Fly High project. Fly High seems to mirror the ambitious (and successful) 2017 promotions … Continue reading
With so many dramas in need of sappy, soaring soundtracks, Korea has got to be one of the biggest music markets for ballads. With so many being pumped out every year, it becomes difficult to stand out. A dynamite ballad can be such a cathartic experience — especially when delivered by a robust, dependable voice. … Continue reading
I feel pangs of guilt every time I sit down to write a review of Chungha’s music because I just can’t be very objective. I try hard not to be biased against artists or groups, even if their work has been universally awful. Chungha’s music has not been awful at all — it’s actually been … Continue reading
It’s a testament to Korea’s love affair with generic Western musical trends that Shaun’s Way Back Home became one of 2018’s biggest sleeper hits, despite the fact that it came from a virtually unknown artist and wasn’t even meant to be a title track. I could debate the actual quality of that song, but in … Continue reading
December is such a barren month for new K-pop releases, and what we do get tends to be an endless stream of ballads and mid-tempos. This languid pace makes it hard to drum up any excitement for a song like Candle Light (사랑한단 뜻이야). However, the track is significant for several reasons. Not only is … Continue reading
They say you’re hardest on the things you love the most, and I feel like I’ve been especially hard on TVXQ this year. At the outset of 2018, I would’ve predicted them having a huge presence on my end-of-year lists, but unfortunately they ended up being a no-show. This is mostly due to the direction … Continue reading
JYP Entertainment artists have been blitzing the Korean and Japanese markets this year. It’s hard to think of a more prolific agency, especially when you consider the ratio between JYP’s roster of artists and number of 2018 comebacks. Just like Twice, Stray Kids and DAY6, GOT7 must be exhausted. But, that didn’t stop them from … Continue reading
Seventeen’s special digital track Getting Closer (숨이 차) is a tricky one for me to review, because it’s not at all the musical direction I hope to see the guys take. Yet at the same time, I kind of dig the song itself. One of my biggest pet peeves with K-pop fandom is the constant … Continue reading
In the spring of 2017, Winner pulled themselves out of a slump (and added fuel to an already burning trend) with the tropical pop of Really Really. Despite an island-themed comeback later that summer, it was a sound they never completely followed up on. Instead, this April saw the arrival of Everyday — a polarizing … Continue reading
On paper, the combination of Yesung and Chungha seems like an odd one. You’ve got a member of Super Junior’s vocal line, and a soloist most strongly known for her dancing. Rather than draw on either of these strengths, Whatcha Doin’ splits the difference and winds up as a pleasant but forgettable affair. This isn’t … Continue reading
I debated whether or not to review Hair In The Air. It’s essentially a Korean-language cover of an American song, taken from the soundtrack of Trolls: The Beat Goes On Netflix series. And that original version is as insipid as it gets — an overly upbeat theme song that would instantly have me reaching for the … Continue reading
When writing about EXO’s excellent album track Gravity, I mentioned that I never judge their albums before hearing the repackage. After all, some of the group’s most iconic singles (Growl, Love Me Right) were the products of repackages. Even last year’s high-energy Power improved The War album by giving it an extra shot of anthemic … Continue reading
Twice have had a truly prolific 2018. With The Best Thing I Ever Did (올해 제일 잘한 일) acting as a capper, they’ve released seven official singles and a few additional music videos. Throughout it all, I’ve been consistent in wishing the girls would tackle new sounds. I realize how hypocritical this might come across, as … Continue reading
