When it comes to K-pop choreography, I tend to focus on routines that feel iconic or eye-catching. The industry is stuffed with strong dancers, and I’m certainly not qualified to offer a technical breakdown. So with that in mind, here are the ten K-pop choreos that lingered in my mind throughout 2022. 2022 END-OF-YEAR MASTERPOST … Continue reading
Tag Archives: treasure
The Top 10 K-Pop Music Videos of 2022
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 2022. 2022 YEAR-END MASTERPOST Honorable Mentions: ENHYPEN – Blessed-Cursed Onew – Dice IVE – After Like PSY … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Artists of 2022
This year, I’m going to flip things around and honor my top ten K-pop artists before turning to the rookies tomorrow. While 2022 offered many strong debuts, I just wasn’t as thrilled by many of the industry’s established artists. That makes today’s countdown a bit easier to compile. As usual, the criteria is built around … Continue reading
The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2022 (Day Three: 30-21)
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2022 (Day One: 50-41)
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of November 2022
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. November 2022 Overall Thoughts The calendar may show one month left in 2022, but the year … Continue reading
Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2022: YG ENTERTAINMENT
This feature has gradually shifted from a December to a November tradition, leaving more space for next month’s sprawling end-of-year countdowns. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at many of K-pop’s biggest agencies and offering my thoughts about how their 2022 went. Following SM Entertainment‘s analysis earlier this week, it’s time to dive … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of October 2022
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 2022 Overall Thoughts First off, I want to recognize Korea’s national period of mourning and … Continue reading
Song Review: Treasure – VolKno (Choi Hyunsuk x Yoshi x Haruto Unit)
Treasure’s new mini album feels a little looser and livelier than usual. I like this side of them – and of YG artists in general. Immediately following the EDM party-starter Hello, we have a hard left turn into rock-fueled hip-hop. Sub-unit track VolKno is a tour de force of the group’s talents, opening another new … Continue reading
Song Review: Treasure – Hello
Last time we heard from Treasure, they had re-invented their slow jam Darari into a rollicking pop rock banger. That version appears on their new album, which also sees the members taking greater creative control. Thankfully, this results in a dynamic blend of upbeat sounds that recall standout eras in YG Entertainment’s past. Title track … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of May 2022
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. May 2022 Overall Thoughts So… we’re almost halfway through 2022 and…. hmmm. Compared to the songs … Continue reading
Song Review: Treasure – Darari (Remix)
Sometimes a song arrangement can make all the difference. Back in January, Darari was released on Treasure’s newest mini album. It was a fine – but forgettable – mid-tempo, casting a subdued groove that spotlighted the guys’ vocals. Now, a remixed rock version has been released as follow-up promotion. Suddenly, the song has my complete … Continue reading
Song Review: Treasure – JIKJIN
After a debut album stuffed with title tracks, I fear Treasure have entered the second stage of YG Entertainment’s “artist development”: radio silence, peppered by the odd comeback here and there. JIKJIN (직진) is the first title track from the group in over a year, and comes paired with a big budget music video and … Continue reading
Unwrapping 2021’s K-pop Holiday Tracks
Imagine a big bushy Christmas tree — or replace that with whatever decoration or tradition matches your wintertime festivities. Underneath are packages galore, each containing a winter-themed K-pop track. Some have been unwrapped early (Stray Kids’ Christmas EveL, Billlie’s Snowy Night, ONEUS/ONEWE’s Stay) but there are still plenty to go. After furiously opening each gift, … Continue reading
Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2021: YG ENTERTAINMENT
It’s not quite December yet, but I’m going to kick off this annual feature a little early this year! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at many of K-pop’s biggest agencies and offering my thoughts about how their 2021 went. Next up is YG Entertainment. As usual, the thoughts are my own and … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of March 2021
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. March 2021 Overall Thoughts I’ve heard whispers around social media lamenting that 2021 has been a … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Treasure – Beautiful
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. Treasure have an admirable roster of … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of January 2021
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. January 2021 Overall Thoughts It’s the start of a new year, and new possibilities when it … Continue reading
Song Review: Treasure – My Treasure
YG Entertainment’s Treasure blitzed the K-pop market last year with the release of three singles. Throughout this process, they developed a malleable hip-hop sound, though many of their tracks had challenges bringing together disparate genres in a compelling way. For the release of their first full album, the guys have opted for a lighter, more … Continue reading
2020 SBS Gayo Daejun: Recap & Best Performances
As has been the case with most of the Gayos of the past few years, SBS’s Gayo Daejun was a bit dull tonight. Performing without a live audience has its ups and downs, and the best moments of the show were when the production really embraced the potential of the circumstances it had been dealt. … Continue reading