It’s time to flash back seven years to 2012, an era of huge choruses, thumping dance beats and an endless supply of sci-fi influenced music videos. 2012’s charms were endless, but here are fifty of the absolute best singles. To be eligible for this top fifty list, songs must have had a Korean release as … Continue reading
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on the Big Three agencies, this is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not privy to any business-related financial information beyond what any other fan would know. The purpose of these articles is to examine how well these agencies are serving their artists and the general k-pop fan-base. Before you … Continue reading
With over 2,300 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the brand new “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first … 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. January 2018 Overall Thoughts It’s a brand new year, which means all possibilities are on the … Continue reading
Only two days into the new year and one of my k-pop resolutions has been answered. I am firmly within the “keep k-pop weird” camp, even as many of Korea’s idol groups strive for a more internationally-minded sound that incorporates popular Western trends. A song concept like Wolf Baby‘s is something only k-pop could produce, … Continue reading
Hundreds (if not thousands) of songs are released each year in Korea, but only a fraction receive full title track promotion. This leaves behind many buried treasures in need of a spotlight. Here are forty of 2017’s best: NUMBERS 40-21 HERE + Make sure to check out the rest of the year-end countdowns here! 20. LOONA … Continue reading
Hundreds (if not thousands) of songs are released each year in Korea, but only a fraction receive full title track promotion. This leaves behind many buried treasures in need of a spotlight. Here are forty of 2017’s best: + Make sure to check out the rest of the year-end countdowns here! 40. TWICE – 24/7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTWsjLjCsA0 … Continue reading
For me, the arrival of rookie groups can often be more exciting than the work of their established peers. I love nothing more than discovering a new artist and witnessing their potential unfold as they grow. 2017 was a year without any major agency debuts, making the rookie field much more competitive. Like last year, … Continue reading
B.A.P have nearly replicated their prolific 2016, making another three comebacks this year. That constant work ethic has to be lauded, even if the material hasn’t always kept up the same level of consistency. New single Hands Up throws back to the group’s debut sound, marrying its modern verses to a gruff, 2012-era hook. This … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re kicking things off with the big one… the 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, songs must have had … Continue reading
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on the Big Three agencies, this is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not privy to any business-related financial information beyond what any other fan would know. The purpose of these articles is to examine how well these agencies are serving their artists and the general k-pop fan-base. Read Part … Continue reading
It took them awhile, but girl group Sonamoo have finally released two fantastic, back-to-back singles. This summer’s Friday Night was an unexpected, disco-infused treat, but I (아이) ups the ante by pulling influence from k-pop’s past. The song may have been produced by one half of the ubiquitous e.one production duo, but its dramatic, brass-spiked … Continue reading
TS Entertainment has been a real mixed bag when it comes to idol groups. Their first two, Secret and B.A.P, were huge hits — even if both have suffered from mismanagement and long hiatuses in recent years. But the agency has struggled to get girl group Sonamoo off the ground. And now they’re throwing a … Continue reading
Ever since their return in late 2015, B.A.P have blitzed Korea with a string of diverse genre comebacks, all in a bid to regain the hype that powered their first year after debut. This steady stream of releases has been something of a mixed bag, but you have to give it to the guys for … Continue reading
Ever since Bigbang‘s MADE project in 2015, multi-month single album campaigns have become an increasingly popular mode of promotion for k-pop acts. It can be an especially enticing idea for struggling groups, allowing them to keep their name in the spotlight for longer than a typical promotional period. But for every prolific DAY6, there is … Continue reading
Few k-pop groups have embraced a retro sound as wholeheartedly as Secret. Though they haven’t released any new material since 2014, they were a huge presence in the girl group landscape from 2010-2012 and have since gone on to have successful solo careers. While we wait (impatiently) for a reunion, here are their best title … Continue reading
Since their return in late 2015, B.A.P have swung wildly between concepts and tones, giving us lighter fare like Feel So Good and That’s My Jam sandwiched between the edgier Skydive and Young, Wild & Free. They’ve maintained a remarkably high quality throughout, and that doesn’t change with new single Wake Me Up. Wake Me Up … Continue reading
Of all the new generation girl groups, Sonamoo have had the hardest time distinguishing themselves from the pack. Over the course of three title tracks, the girls have given us some decent music, but it’s all been slavishly generic. It’s almost as if their agency doesn’t quite know what to do with them. Unfortunately, the … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re starting things off with the big one… the 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. Unlike last year, j-pop releases will be placed in their own countdown, … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 