So, I sat down and watched all three days of the MAMA Awards this year. Well… almost all three days (there was definitely some fast-forwarding). After a few years being pretty resigned to the ceremony, I was curious this year because so much of my favorite 2024 music came from artists who were big enough … Continue reading
It’s that time of year again! While December is filled with year-end countdowns, I like to take a look back at some of K-pop’s biggest agencies during November. Before reading (especially if you’re new to the blog), it’s helpful to know that my grading focuses most heavily on music releases and how comebacks are managed … 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. July 2024 Overall Thoughts After a stellar June, July was always going to have a hard … Continue reading
This year’s KCON was bigger and better than ever, stretched out over three days and dozens of stages. It’s my eighth year attending so I feel like a veteran at this point, but each year’s a bit different. 2023 was a stressful experience in several ways so I wasn’t sure what to expect in 2024. … Continue reading
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
Whenever a new boy group debuts with a bright concept, it feels like we’re running against the clock before they inevitably shift toward edgier sounds. I’m not too worried about TWS in this regard, especially since their exceedingly bright title tracks have been huge chart successes. But when they do inevitably move on to new … Continue reading
While 2024 has delivered quite a few standout singles so far, I haven’t been as blown over by the albums. Still, I was surprised how many I was able to cobble together. Unlike in the past, I’m not distinguishing between mini and full albums, though albums must have at least four full songs to be … Continue reading
Wow, what a change a year can make! At this point in 2023, I was only able to pick a small handful of tracks to feature in my mid-year countdown, but 2024 has me spoiled for choice. My list is unusually long this time and probably won’t be all that surprising (barring one or two … 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
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. TWS’s Summer Beat is a varied … Continue reading
It usually takes me a song or two to fully warm up to a rookie group, and TWS’s Plot Twist was a slow-burn standout that compelled more and more as time went on. The exceptional hey! hey! officially sealed the deal, and now we’re on to the group’s second mini album Summer Beat. I love … Continue reading
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
Leading up to the release of their second mini album later this month, TWS are the latest group to drop a promoted pre-release single. Generally, these have been stronger than the actual title track, with TWS’s own Plot Twist being the obvious exception. That song has gone on to become a mammoth hit on both … 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. February 2024 Overall Thoughts Due to its positioning in the dead of winter and the cancelling … Continue reading
Watching TWS’s Plot Twist‘s unlikely rise to the top of the Korean charts has been an absolute joy. The digital charts tend to be a tough place for boy groups — especially rookies with a bright pop sound. However, the song has caught on and truly lived up to its name sake. This is a … 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 2024 Overall Thoughts Well, what a nice surprise this month has been! After many years … Continue reading
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
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. I’ve been quite addicted to TWS’s … Continue reading
January has already been stuffed with debuts, but TWS are surely the most hyped of all. They’re Pledis Entertainment’s first new boy group since Seventeen, buoyed by a similar brightness they’re calling “boyhood pop.” Pre-release Oh Mymy: 7s was a promising taste of this sound, though it was undercut by a threadbare chorus. Debut single … Continue reading
TWS are not set to debut until later this month, but as the first Pledis Entertainment boy group following the incredible success of Seventeen, many eyes are already on them. As a taste of their self-described “boyhood pop,” they’ve dropped a fun music video for pre-release Oh Mymy: 7s. The early Seventeen vibes are strong … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 