Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe Sunmi has never released a full-length album until now. If we count her time with Wonder Girls, she’s been an active idol for eighteen years and a soloist for twelve. It’s a shame this album couldn’t have emerged when she was knocking out back-to-back classics like Heroine and Siren, but it’s … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
It’s been over a year since we last heard from Sunmi, and even longer since she’s released anything more than a digital single. An album is reportedly in the works, but before that we have another standalone song with Blue!, which continues the softer sound of last year’s Balloon In Love. K-pop’s in this weird … Continue reading
If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of K-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers. EL CAPITXN … Continue reading
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. June 2024 Overall Thoughts It’s been awhile since I’ve said this, but K-pop is in a … Continue reading
For a time between 2017 and 2021, Sunmi delivered at least one mega-banger a year, cementing herself as one of K-pop’s most consistent soloists. The past two years have been less compelling, with 2022’s Heart Burn and 2023’s Stranger feeling like lesser versions of superior Sunmi tracks. New single Balloon In Love marks a sonic … Continue reading
A new Sunmi single is something to be excited about, even if last year’s Heartburn didn’t do much for me. After a brief foray with different producers, she’s reunited with longtime collaborator Frants for Stranger. The song mashes together many of her musical hallmarks to create an odd, ungainly product. There’s half of a good … Continue reading
Sunmi releases new music so infrequently that even an under-the-radar duet like Lights Out (불이꺼지고) fills me with excitement. The song pairs her with popular rapper BE’O, whose performance here is halfway between a rap and croon. That fits the vibe of the track, which is smooth and unbothered by any need to deliver more … Continue reading
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. June 2022 Overall Thoughts I’ll be publishing my top songs of the first half of 2022 … Continue reading
Last time Sunmi graced us with a summer song at the start of the season, it came in the form of the glorious Pporappippam. That’s a high bar to match, and new single Heart Burn (열이올라요) doesn’t really try. Rather than offer another retro banger, the track takes a subdued, moody route – two descriptors … Continue reading
You simply can’t have a great K-pop comeback without eye-catching choreography. With each passing year, it’s become more vital to the industry. Dance routines are excellent for a variety of reasons, ranging from intricate “how did they do that?!?” moments to simple point moves that become trendy touchstones. This list covers both of these extremes … Continue reading
While I don’t incorporate a song’s video into the reviews on this blog, I’m definitely not immune to a striking visual. Music videos are a vital part of the industry, and it’s time to celebrate my favorites of 2021. 2021 YEAR-END MASTERPOST Honorable Mentions: ONEWE – Rain To Be U-Know – Thank U Kingdom – … Continue reading
Over the past couple years, KBS has moved their song festival forward to mid-December. I’ve got a bone to pick with them when it comes to this change. I mean, don’t they know I’ve got a Top 50 Countdown to wrap up?? A pre-Winter Break nap to take??? Spare a thought for us bloggers, KBS! … Continue reading
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. October 2021 Overall Thoughts When I averaged all my song ratings of October, I was surprised … Continue reading
Several days after announcing her online concert, Sunmi surprise-released new CF single Go Or Stop. The song is “inspired” by KIA, presumably because cars go and… stop? Whatever the motivation, it’s always great to hear new music from Sunmi. Go Or Stop pairs her with frequent collaborator Frants, and comes close to being a real … Continue reading
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 2021 Overall Thoughts When it comes to new music, I often mention the “expectations game.” … Continue reading
A K-pop group’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I’m so happy to have an … Continue reading
It’s been almost three years since Sunmi released anything more than a digital single, making her new 1/6 mini album quite the milestone. Thus far, her discography is best summed up as: “quality over quantity.” Even so, songs like Heroine, Siren and Pporappippam made her a staple in the upper reaches of my end-of-year singles … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 