Song Review: aespa – Dirty Work
Review

Song Review: aespa – Dirty Work

One of 2024’s biggest success stories was SM Entertainment’s reigning girl group aespa. Going into the year they were already very popular, but the trio of Supernova, Armageddon and Whiplash jolted them to a new level, becoming ubiquitous hits that still have a hold on the charts months later. Rather than return with a brand … Continue reading

Song Review: Hearts2Hearts – Style
Review

Song Review: Hearts2Hearts – Style

Prior to Hearts2Hearts’ debut earlier this year, many K-pop fans were hoping they’d be branded as a new generation’s answer to SNSD. This has less to do with the girls themselves than fans’ longing for the high quality pop music and monocultural reach of SM Entertainment’s earlier generations. However, Hearts2Hearts went more niche with the … Continue reading

Song Review: Doyoung (NCT) – Memory
Review

Song Review: Doyoung (NCT) – Memory

On this busy comeback day, NCT’s Doyoung stands as the sole male performer in a flock of competing girl groups/bands. Memory (안녕, 우주) comes from his second solo album and sees him continuing the sound he established on the first. His rich voice is well suited to OST-style music, sacrificing edge for comforting emotion. Because … Continue reading

Battle of the B-Sides: g.o.d, Red Velvet, GOT7, SF9, Dreamcatcher
Feature

Battle of the B-Sides: g.o.d, Red Velvet, GOT7, SF9, Dreamcatcher

K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading