After returning from the military, Baekhyun (mostly) parted ways with SM Entertainment and set up his own label INB100. He’s not the first SM artist to do so, and likely won’t be the last. With this newfound freedom, he’s made his long awaited comeback with the synth grooves of Pineapple Slice. Looking at this song … Continue reading
Though it has obvious commercial firepower behind it, Teddy and Kush’s The Black Label has also developed a reputation for infrequent comebacks and — at times — dated production choices. With all the talent involved, it’s a bit surprising how little the agency actually does. That work schedule will be tested with the debut of … Continue reading
I’ve been hot and cold on xikers’ music so far, usually finding at least one b-side I enjoy but often wishing their title tracks went a different direction. Making matters worse, I found the preview of new single Witch (위치) the least compelling clip on their album’s highlight medley, forgoing their freewheeling rock energy for … Continue reading
As the Twice members slowly begin to develop solo careers, it’s interesting to see which girls release music first. Nayeon has become the most prolific, delivering two solo albums. Leader Jihyo also made a solo debut last summer. Now, Tzuyu is the next to follow in their footsteps. As a casual fan, I’m not familiar … Continue reading
EXO’s Chanyeol made his comeback last week, but he’s already back again with follow-up single… Back Again. While Black Out took a subdued rock approach, Back Again dives into a more boisterous 90’s sound. It’s a much more interesting song, pulling together several distinct segments. Back Again almost feels like a mash-up. The rapped verses … Continue reading
L5ST are a newly debuted group from Macaroni Media — one of the most enjoyable K-pop company names we’re heard in some time. They’re also set to appear on Abema’s upcoming Re:Born series. I guess being “born” once through debut isn’t enough these days! Their first single Only One sees them tackling a light rock … Continue reading
Yerin has been GFriend’s most prolific soloist, dropping an album every year since 2022. Her light pop sound isn’t completely dissimilar from her former group, though the music keeps its ambitions pretty slight. New single Wavy continues her solo evolution, capturing a late-summer burst of energy. Wavy might be the best fit for Yerin yet. … Continue reading
Idol bands are more popular than ever and ONEWE have been part of this wave since their re-debut in 2019. They’re immensely talented, yet I’ve often wished their music would go bigger and bolder. Many past singles favored a soft, melancholic sound. This matches well with frontman Yonghoon’s evocative vocals, but there’s no harm in … Continue reading
Today marks a year since RIIZE’s debut, celebrated with special epilogue single Combo. Rather than making several distinct comebacks, the past twelve months have seen the group gradually build their debut mini album. Their music may not have a distinct genre focus, but they’ve managed to traverse a variety of sounds with panache. It’s hard … Continue reading
It goes without saying that I adore Taemin and his music, but my biggest frustration with his solo output is how often it tends to favor murky atmosphere and sluggish arrangements. He clearly enjoys this subdued tempo, and it allows for great spotlight on his choreography in a fluid, artistic way. But being a huge … Continue reading
September is the month of SHINee solos, with three of four members releasing music or mvs over the next few weeks. It’s interesting to hear what they’re up to under new management, and for Onew the change seems to have ignited a sense of groove. When I think of his solo work, I’m more liable … Continue reading
Last August, the three-member Limelight released one of 2023’s strongest singles. The shimmering Madeleine offered counterprogramming to current girl group trends, harnessing a full-throated melody over propulsive production. Now, the group has rebranded as MADEIN and added four members (including Mashiro and Yeseo who had previously promoted as Kep1er). This member upgrade demands equally exciting … 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 didn’t have elevated anticipation for … Continue reading
Nine years into their career, it’s amazing how immensely popular DAY6 have become. Their 2019 title track Time Of Our Life has (rightfully) become a sleeper hit on the charts, while newest single Welcome To The Show has also experienced a boomerang over the past few months. The group boasts a robust back catalog, and … Continue reading
With mega-hit songs like aespa’s Supernova and TWS’s Plot Twist sucking up the oxygen for female and male idol groups this year, we can’t forget to mention the incredible fortunes of QWER’s latest single TBH. Hailing from a little-known subsidiary, this all-female rock group has been lodged in the top ten for much of 2024. … Continue reading
Loossemble have carved out a niche for themselves within the extended post-LOONA universe. Thus far, their music has delivered a blend of slick and trendy, never reinventing the wheel but always making it stylish and cool. New single TTYL fits very strongly as part of this year’s sonic landscape. To me, it sounds like an … Continue reading
No K-pop group has grown on me more in 2024 than BOYNEXTDOOR. How’s that for a triple-rhyming statement? Seriously, though… when they debuted last year I wasn’t sure what to make of them, but with each comeback my interest and appreciation grew until I retroactively loved their entire discography. That’s a testament to the importance … Continue reading
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
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 2024 Overall Thoughts Over the past few years, the month of August has trended toward … Continue reading
It’s been over a year since WEi last made a comeback with the summery Overdrive, but new single LOVE2YOU feels like it starts right from where that song left off. Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a few more bursts of sunshine before the seasons change. LOVE2YOU … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 