There’s a certain kind of song I don’t write much about on this blog. These are usually ballads from established solo acts. Try as I might, I just can’t muster up much to say about most ballads. This isn’t to say someone like Yesung isn’t worthy of critique and praise, but with so many releases … Continue reading
Tag Archives: sm
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from September 27 – October 3
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (October 4, 2026)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
TEN: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of September 2026
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. September 2026 Overall Thoughts I don’t usually have great expectations for September in K-pop. It tends … Continue reading
Song Review: XngHan&Xoul – High Beam
Earlier this year, XngHan&Xoul released a big dance banger as part of a successful mini album that traversed the breadth of this exciting genre. For me, this set him up as an artist to watch and someone who might bring back some of the high-octane sounds I used to love in K-pop. Now, it’s time … Continue reading
S.E.S: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
SUPER JUNIOR-D&E: A Career In Song Ratings
There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from September 13 – 19
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (September 20, 2026)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from September 6 – 12
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (September 13, 2026)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Song Review: Hearts2Hearts – Moonride
Brand sponsorships are plentiful in K-pop, and every once and a while they result in an original song and music video. Such is the case with Hearts2Hearts’s team-up with Kia. The “moon” in Moonride refers to a new dark trim offered by the company and makes me expect an equally beguiling song. Alas, this Moonride … Continue reading
Song Review: Minho (SHINee) – Make It Hot
SHINee released one of the best albums (and songs!) of the year back in June and seemed to snatch all of K-pop’s momentum going into an underwhelming summer of releases. Now, Minho is back with his own track and album, playing to his strengths on the catchy Make It Hot. As teasers for this song … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from August 30 – September 5
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of August 2026
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. August 2026 Overall Thoughts The less said about August, the better. These past few monthly round-ups … Continue reading
Song Review: Girls’ Generation-HRS – Skibidi
Apart from solo tracks, the members of Girls’ Generation haven’t released new material together since 2022. They’ve worked in sub-units in the past, but not nearly as often as agency peers Super Junior. It’s refreshing, then, to see them debut a new unit nineteen years into their career. HRS consists of members Hyoyeon, Yuri and … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from August 23 – 29
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. But each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And even more than that, I’ll attempt to rank them from my least-to-most-liked. I invite you to share … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (August 30, 2026)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Song Review: RIIZE – Sunburst
I’ve got a bone to pick with whoever schedules summer releases. I know summer technically extends most of the way through September, but why on earth wouldn’t you drop a song called “Sunburst” at the beginning of the season when listeners can get the most out of it? To be fair, Sunburst has been available … Continue reading