It was a long time coming, but EXO‘s first official sub-unit was an unqualified success this past October. Given the high quality of their first mini album, the emergence of new side track Crush U is definitely welcome. The song was released to promote NCSoft, a video game company, and is a collaboration with composer/singer … Continue reading
Nada is the latest act to utilize her newfound fame from variety show Unpretty Rapstar to jump start a solo career. Prior to her runner-up status on the series, she was known primarily as a member of girl group Wa$$up, though she had previously released a solo single as well. Wa$$up have had a hard … Continue reading
Ever since December of 2013, EXO has released a special winter album or single around the holidays. This is a smart move, as it lets the guys deliver a ballad title track during an appropriate time of the year. Ballads aren’t usually used as title tracks when it comes to massive idol groups, but with … Continue reading
Though it’s hard to gauge whether The East Light has made any meaningful impact on the k-pop scene thus far, they’ve been an unexpected highlight of the year for me. It’s refreshing to see a young group come on to shows like Music Bank playing instruments (or at the very least, miming them!) and tackling … Continue reading
Apink have come to the stage in their career where they can release anything and it will become, at the very least, a moderate hit. I’m sure this is the goal for any idol group, but it presents its own challenges as well. So often, veteran groups (both k-pop and otherwise) fall into the trap … Continue reading
Many k-pop fans have been clamoring for the emergence of a new co-ed group on the idol scene. They’ve been few and far between, with a pretty mixed track record when it comes to success. And then, seemingly out of nowhere come K.A.R.D — DSP Media’s ambitious new project. Whether they endure past the three singles … Continue reading
Swan songs have a particular aura around them, and although Last Dance may not be the last thing we ever hear from Bigbang as a group, it certainly feels like the end of something. As their final single released before years of staggered military conscription service, it’s at the very least the last song the … Continue reading
Originally scheduled for release in September of 2015, Bigbang‘s full Made album is finally here — though with only three new songs it feels more like a repackage than a full comeback. Even so, it marks the last we’ll hear from the group as a whole for quite some time, as members begin their mandatory … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Twice now, Pentagon have delivered an album track that’s stronger than … Continue reading
Solo careers are a tricky proposition. While a group can easily get by on the novelty of its member’s individual strengths and interactions, there has to purpose to a solo artist. What makes them different and unique enough to stand on their own? What need does their solo work fulfill that their group couldn’t replicate? … Continue reading
It’s pretty ballsy for a k-pop group to title a new single “Rising Sun,” which instantly conjures memories of one of the genre’s undisputed classics. But while Beat Win have never really taken off domestically or internationally, they’ve given us a very strong run of diverse dance pop. So in essence, the title is in … Continue reading
After hitting us with two uptempo Korean comebacks, sub-unit Double S 301 returns yet again with a softer sound suited to the winter months. New single Remove is notable for the fact that it was co-composed by member Heo Young-Saeng, who has previously done some excellent work on his own with producers Sweetune. As a song, … Continue reading
Thunder (whose moniker sounds more like a stripper than a k-pop star), is branching out on his own with his first mini album since leaving boy group MBLAQ in 2014. To help him in his solo efforts, he’s enlisted Goo Hara, who’s also a former member of a group (this time the disbanded Kara). They team … Continue reading
Although EXO debuted in Japan last year with a reworking of Korean track Love Me Right, Coming Over marks their first original single recorded in Japanese. In general, SM groups have a strong track record when it comes to their j-pop releases, and given that EXO is currently the agency’s most successful act, one would expect … Continue reading
Fresh off their debut in October, rookie Cube boy group Pentagon is making a quick comeback with second single Can You Feel It (감이 오지). Keeping them in the spotlight is a smart move, and there are enough musical through-lines between their two singles to begin to form a distinct identity for the group. In … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Seventeen’s albums are usually divided between the title track, one or … Continue reading
Heize first gained fame about a year ago by appearing on the second season of Unpretty Rapstar, but rather than follow an expected hip-hop trajectory since the show’s finale, she’s offered music that adds much more of a melodic, r&b influence. Taking this approach even further, Star (저 별) goes full-on ballad, showcasing Heize’s vocals over spare … Continue reading
Seventeen have quickly become one of the most reliable hit-makers in k-pop, regularly churning out the kind of dance pop that feels universal and classic — in line with trends, but pulling influences from multiple decades and genres. 2016 has been a big year for the group, cementing them at the top of the new … Continue reading
The holiday season is in full swing, as more and more festive, winter-inspired songs start to come out of Korea. Up next is girl group Laboum, who have been an incredibly consistent purveyor of quality material. They’re just waiting for that one big hit to break them into the mainstream. Winter Story (겨울동화) is unlikely … Continue reading
After receiving a boost of much-deserved spotlight for her dancing on summer series Hit The Stage, Hyoyeon is the latest Girls’ Generation member to get a crack at a solo single. And while distributing it digitally through the SM Station platform is a bit of a cop-out to those waiting for an accompanying mini album, … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 