Just yesterday, I wrote about a solo track from Infinite’s Sungyeol but did so mainly out of loyalty. The song itself did very little for me. Flash forward twenty four hours and we’re in the exact same boat. This time, it’s the solo debut (!) from one of Golden Child’s main vocalists, Choi Sungyun — … Continue reading
Sadly, it’s been a long time since I’ve been interested in any Infinite-related music. If you would have shown me that statement a decade ago I would’ve been shocked, but their newer material just hasn’t lived up to the potential we know they have. However, as a longtime fan I still feel loyal to the … Continue reading
It’s a very slow week (month) for K-pop, so while I might not usually cover a “track video” like the one promoting Kang Daniel’s new song Backseat Promises, a dearth of new material has forced my hand. But sometimes, a forced hand can be a gift in disguise. I’m glad I gave this track a … Continue reading
With over 5,000 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
In addition to his career as a singer, Daesung has continued to be a reliable variety star — especially with his own YouTube series. This takes advantage of his jovial side, which wasn’t always allowed to flourish as part of his group’s more serious hip-hop work. After a serious comeback of his own earlier this … Continue reading
It’s time to say “farewell, for now” to NCT’s Doyoung. He enlisted yesterday, alongside fellow member Jungwoo. And like Jungwoo, he’s released a parting gift for fans in the form or a digital single. Unfortunately, he won’t be promoting this on music shows but Promise (늦은 말) still stands as a welcome balm for those … Continue reading
We’re knee-deep in wintery releases this month, and SM Entertainment has always been a huge fan of the snow-draped ballad or festive midtempo. WayV are the latest to deliver a winter-themed album, though title track Eternal White (白色定格) is malleable enough to play all year. Rather than throw sleighbells at the song, Eternal White is … Continue reading
ALLDAY PROJECT have been one of the year’s biggest success stories, and they’ve been pretty successful on my own playlist as well. After a rough start, Famous grew on me immensely and last month’s pre-release One More Time was an instant hit. In general, I find co-ed groups pretty exciting and it’s been nice to … Continue reading
Most people know Yim Siwan as one of Korea’s leading actors, but once upon a time he was also in boy group ZE:A. If nothing else, I’d love for this review to be an excuse for readers to go back to ZE:A’s discography, which is truly one of K-pop’s most underrated. We simply don’t get … Continue reading
We’ve officially reached the point where numerous Boys II Planet contestants start to release their first post-show music. Just this week, we’ve had the pre-debut of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, a long-awaited comeback for participants VERIVERY and the solo debut of Chuei Li Yu, who came in tenth place during the series’ finale. My only questions … Continue reading
To my great continual regret, I “recapped” the entirety of this year’s Boys II Planet, though these write-ups became shorter and less enthused as the series went on. If you want to read the perspective of someone losing interest in real time, I guess I’d recommend you check them out. Otherwise, you’re probably safe to … Continue reading
It’s about time for K-pop to start unveiling its special winter songs. We haven’t had too many yet this year. tripleS released a track video last week and Rainbow18 stealthily dropped an unpromoted, Sweetune-produced (!) carol that even passed me by. Now, fromis_9 have taken the baton with White Memories (하얀 그리움), their soundtrack to … Continue reading
Fresh off the members’ participation in Boys II Planet (none of them made the final group), VERIVERY are hoping to pull a Nu’est and re-emerge with new material and a vaulted level of success. Time will tell if that will happen. K-pop is fickle and the guys have been away since 2023. However, Jellyfish Entertainment … Continue reading
Greatest Hits compilations are rare in K-pop. In fact, I think Japan is the only music market where they’re still commonly released. Nevertheless, SNSD’s Taeyeon has just released a twenty-three track anthology (including a not-as-good 2025 mix of her best song Time Lapse). To celebrate this album, she’s also unveiled new song Panorama (인사). Taeyeon … Continue reading
Cha Eunwoo’s recently released Saturday Preacher was the rare song review on this blog that garnered absolutely no engagement (ie: comments) from readers. That tells me something, and it’s a contrast I’ve long suspected: Cha Eunwoo the actor and variety star? Mega success. Cha Eunwoo the solo singer? Pleasant but uncompelling. It also tells me … Continue reading
This business of finally releasing your solo debut days before you enlist in the military is kind of frustrating, right? It’s like, “Here’s all this potential. Now, buh-bye!” NCT’s Jungwoo was a late addition to the group, yet his age (and of course, nationality), means he’s next in line for an enlistment hiatus. Before that, … Continue reading
Stray Kids almost always follow up their title tracks with additional videos, but this time they’ve designated Divine (신선놀음) as a double title track, complimenting the relatively subdued Do It that premiered alongside the mixtape. I’ve seen quite a few fans say they prefer this one, and it certainly leaves more of an impression. Where … Continue reading
The K-pop industry continues to churn out new generations of bands, which is refreshing in a global market where rock music isn’t often at the forefront. THE SSYNDROME are most notable through association. They’re the first act since Dreamcatcher to come from Dreamcatcher Company. Their ‘double S’ name also suggests that you must make a … Continue reading
What we now know as modern K-pop emerged at a time when new jack swing was a dominant musical force around the world. This has tied the genre to the industry ever since, with so many idol acts replicating the sound over the years. One of the earliest new jack swing successes was duo Deux, … Continue reading
There have been a few acts this year who have subverted my expectations in great ways. Leading that pack are NOWZ, who rebranded from “Nowadays” earlier this year and have finally been given great material. Both Fly To The Youth and Everglow were fantastic summer highlights and converted me into a fast fan. Now, they’re … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 