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
Nearly a year after covering Turbo’s 90’s hit Black Cat Nero, ATEEZ have teamed with the group’s frontman, Kim Jong Kook, for an old-school summer song. This project includes an online variety series and a fun, fan service music video. It also marks the return of ATEEZ member Mingi, who has been absent from the … Continue reading
I don’t usually write about song covers, but ATEEZ and Halloween seem like too good a match to pass up. Several months ago, they reinvented Turbo’s 90’s hit Black Cat as part of the series Immortal Songs. Now, they’ve recorded a proper studio version and paired it with a big-budget performance video. The result is … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! Which … Continue reading
One of k-pop’s best-selling and most successful acts, Turbo took over the 90’s with their high energy blend of techno and pop. Buoyed by Kim Jong Kook’s unmistakable vocals, Turbo songs sound like nothing else out there. Many modern fans may be more familiar with Jong Kook as a variety personality, but before his stint … Continue reading
Though primarily focused on a trendy (at the time) high energy dance pop, Turbo has always shown the potential for a more retro-inspired sound. Their 90’s mega-hit Twist King was entirely indebted to this nostalgic appeal, and in some ways Hot Sugar (뜨거운 설탕) feels like its successor. Of course, flash forward twenty years and … Continue reading
It’s that time of year again! 2016 marked my second KCON, with a super solid line-up of performers that caused the concert side of things to sell out, and skyrocketed attendance for the convention. The past three days were a series of definite highs and lows, so read on to hear my thoughts. Convention Let’s … Continue reading
I know enough about the history of kpop to understand how big of an influence Turbo had back in the early to mid nineties, and what a big deal it is for them to come back after such a long time. However, what I’ve heard from their 90’s output has been difficult to enjoy. Having … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 