At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
Tag Archives: yena
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (November 30, 2025)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Yena, Lee Hi, Diva, Kara, The Boyz
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
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from July 27 – August 2
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of July 2025
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 2025 Overall Thoughts In the context of this year, the past two months have been … Continue reading
Song Review: Yena – Being A Good Girl Hurts
With last year’s NEMONEMO, Choi Yena took on the mantle of quirky K-pop performer formerly held by groups like Orange Caramel and Crayon Pop. With so many acts proclaiming their badassery in the most serious way possible, a little irreverence is more important than ever. She’s also got a rocker-girl aesthetic, and new single Being … Continue reading
2024 Year-End K-Pop Recap (& Honorable Mentions)
The next few weeks on The Bias List will be stuffed with all manner of end-of-year countdowns. From K-pop to J-pop to global pop to dramas, it’ll all be covered. This is a fun way to tie a bow on the year and celebrate all the things I loved in 2024. These countdowns kick off … Continue reading
Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2024: WM / YUEHUA / 143
After taking a look at K-pop’s biggest agencies, I’d like to turn my attention to the smaller (but still important) players in the K-pop game, three at a time. Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on K-Pop’s biggest agencies, this is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not privy to any business-related financial information beyond what … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of September 2024
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. September 2024 Overall Thoughts While the first half of 2024 was quite strong, these past few … Continue reading
Song Review: Yena – NEMONEMO
Choi Yena has straddled the line between rock chick and quirky popstress, often combining the two for a bubbly sound that capitalizes on her colorful personality. New single NEMONEMO (네모네모) dives full-on into the quirk, delivering the kind of a hyperactive dance track more commonly heard in J-pop. It won’t be for everyone, but the … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (February 11, 2024)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Song Review: Yena – DNA
In a period without many new K-pop releases, a few Japanese tracks from Korean artists are picking up the slack. First up is Yena’s DNA. Though it’s not her first foray into the J-pop market, this is the first original single she’s promoting there. Her pop/rock concept is well suited to Japanese tastes given the … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of January 2024
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
Song Review: Yena – Good Morning
Yena’s last comeback stirred up some controversy thanks to its ill-conceived title, but the song itself found her sticking to her mid-00’s pop/rock sound. I’ve got to give her kudos for finding a lane and staying with it. It’s refreshing to know what to expect from her music and helps build a cohesive catalog. New … Continue reading
Song Review: Yena – Hate Rodrigo (ft. Yuqi)
Days after pre-releasing Wicked Love, Yena has made her official comeback with Hate Rodrigo. The title of this song has stirred plenty of online chatter. Is she dissing Olivia Rodrigo? Is this a loving reference? Did Olivia herself have a hand in it? I have to give it to Yena’s team. They know how to … Continue reading
Song Review: Yena – Wicked Love
Before making her official comeback next week, Yena has pre-released the album’s final track Wicked Love alongside a dance-heavy music video. The song is a hard swerve from the bubbly pop that’s characterized most of her solo discography so far. I’ll never complain about getting extra material, but Wicked Love doesn’t excite me about the … Continue reading
Song Review: Yena – Love War (ft. BE’O)
Yuehua Entertainment has become known for drastic concept shifts. Both Everglow and Tempest have made major sonic u-turns between comebacks, and now it’s time for soloist Yena to tackle something new. Obviously, it’s beneficial for artists to stretch the limits of their sound and evolve as their career goes on. But during a debut year, … Continue reading
2022 MBC Gayo Daejejeon (Song Festival): Recap & Best Performances
It’s time for K-pop’s final year-end festival of they year! As usual, MBC’s Gayo Daejejeon coincides with New Year’s Eve, pausing midway through for a countdown to 2023. Although HYBE artists were absent from the festival again this year, MBC’s Gayo tends to include a greater variety of genres than the other festivals. We had … 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
2022 KBS Gayo Daechukje (Song Festival): Recap & Best Performances
To be honest, you may or may not see recaps for future end-of-year festivals this December. I’d like to write about all three big nights if possible, but over the past few years these events have become so boring and predictable. Basically, acts emerge with some dramatic intro (swords, pyrotechnics, flags, etc) before performing a … Continue reading