A K-pop act’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. tripleS’s first full album has a … Continue reading
Tag Archives: triples
Song Review: tripleS – Girls Never Die
It feels like tripleS have been dropping releases every other month, but this is actually their first comeback as a full group. Apart from last years’ Assemble, everything else has been performed in sub-units. Girls Never Die brings together all twenty four (!) members. With that level of participation, you might expect the track to … Continue reading
Song Review: tripleS Aria – Door
tripleS’s various sub-units have blitzed through several styles while maintaining the same general vibe. Now it’s time for a unit focused on balladry. It is the winter season, after all! Korea loves nothing more than a ballad during the cold winter months. tripleS Aria are happy to oblige, delivering the pretty — but dull — … Continue reading
Song Review: tripleS NXT – Just Do It
2023 may nearly be over, but fear not! The ever-expanding tripleS project won’t let the year end before unveiling another sub-unit. tripleS NXT is composed of members Park ShiOn, Lynn, Jeong HaYeon, and JooBin, each in their teens and debuting with the sprightly Just Do It. This song was revealed earlier in December, but today … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Rookies of 2023
Before I take a look at K-pop’s established artists, it’s time to spotlight this year’s fresh crop of talent! While 2022 was stuffed with girl group debuts, 2023 was dominated by boy groups. The ratio itself is pretty staggering, and much of this is likely due to the various spin-offs from MNET’s Boys Planet series. … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of October 2023
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 2023 Overall Thoughts Though it boasted a more exciting line-up of big-name comebacks, October felt … Continue reading
K-Pop Risers & Fallers: October 2023
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
Song Review: tripleS EVOLution – Invincible
Despite only releasing music for about a year, the tripleS universe has already spawned a sizable catalog. These releases have mostly been split into units, though the overall aesthetic is pretty similar across the different groups. Fans of this cohesive vibe will be delighted to see another new unit make their debut. For me, many … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of August 2023
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 2023 Overall Thoughts For the first time this year, I could have easily filled a … Continue reading
Song Review: tripleS LOVElution – Girls’ Capitalism
I’m gonna need a doctorate to keep all these tripleS sub-units straight, but one thing they all share is a dynamic sense of style. Even when the songs don’t quite hit me, I’m impressed by the vision behind this enterprise. It’s quite reminiscent of LOONA’s multi-year rollout — another Jaden Jeong project. LOVElution is the … Continue reading
Song Review: tripleS +(KR)ystal Eyes – Touch+ (ft. Sohyun)
The full title of this song review looks like a mathematical equation, revealing the complicated nature of the sprawling tripleS project. Touch+ is a b-side track from sub-unit +(KR)ystal Eyes, featuring member Sohyun who will be part of upcoming sub-unit LOVElution. Make sense? All these parentheses and plus signs belie the fact that Touch+ is … Continue reading
Song Review: tripleS +(KR)ystal Eyes – Cherry Talk
+(KR)ystal Eyes is not some weirdly-structured math formula… it’s the second sub-unit from sprawling girl group tripleS! Their debut album (and delayed mv) were quietly released this week, heralded by the stylish Cherry Talk. The TripleS rollout is giving me strong LOONA vibes, not only from its multiple sub-units but from the nature of the … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of February 2023
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. February 2023 Overall Thoughts I hate to say it, but my interest in K-pop is kind … Continue reading
K-Pop Risers & Fallers: February 2023
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
Buried Treasure: tripleS – New Look
A K-pop act’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. The debut album from tripleS is … Continue reading
Song Review: tripleS – Rising
After unveiling sub-unit Acid Angel from Asia last year, tripleS have officially made their full group debut with Rising. They’re the latest in a line of new girl groups drawing upon more subdued sounds to create a style that’s effortlessly cool – if not always instantly exciting. As with most of their album, Rising is … Continue reading
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 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: Acid Angel from Asia (tripleS) – Generation
Find a seat and take a deep breath for this one. “Acid Angel from Asia” is a pre-debut sub-unit from the upcoming 24-member girl group tripleS that combines the worlds of NFT and K-pop. These four members were voted to be part of the unit via something called “Grand Gravity,” and tripleS will soon spawn … Continue reading