My introduction to Beautiful Jin was on the ‘Winter Dreams‘ compilation album. That’s when I learned that Beautiful Jin was also the vocal and guitarist for 24 Hours. His vocals …
Read More »[Review] WANNA ONE deserve better than frustratingly generic, “Light”
These ‘Produce 101‘ groups are so frustrating. The program compiles such a talented and likable collection of performers, only to undermine that potential with frustratingly generic material. Wanna One’s outstanding …
Read More »Deep Cuts: INFINITE, iKON, Chungha, SF9
Deep Cuts will just be a feature where the best Korean songs that don’t get promoted will be revealed. Simple enough, right? Right. Now if you want an idea of …
Read More »[Review] WJMK’s “Strong” is a lot of fun but in a rather generic sense
Earlier this year, Pepsi brought together a quartet of ‘Produce 101‘ alumni for the addictive 80s pastiche “Love It Live It“. This unit (YDPP) proved to be more fun than …
Read More »[Review] BTS continue their surge forward with quality ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ album
I’m admittedly a fan of BTS‘s body of work to this point, but that can be a double-edged sword in a way, at least in the sense that expectations ride …
Read More »[Review] Rookie group NTB showcases some potential with “Dramatic” debut
With the constant influx of rookie groups to K-pop’s already crowded marketplace, you’d think you’d want to give your act a unique name that helps them stand out. New boy …
Read More »[Review] LOONA YYXY adds an actual chorus to a familiar formula on delightful “Love4eva”
LOONA‘s 500th sub-unit, LOONA YYXY, consists of members Yves, Chuu, Go Won, and Olivia Hye. Notably, their debut with “Love4eva” also has contributions from Grimes, though unless she worked on …
Read More »[Review] 24K’s “Bonnie N Clyde” is a lot of noise just for the sake of being noisy
Oh, 24K. We’ve had a rough history together. For every impressive “Only You“, there’s been a disappointing “Bingo“. I appreciate this group’s passion and I respect any idol act who contributes to …
Read More »[Review] AOA’s “Bingle Bangle” is solid summer fun, but oddly lifeless chorus holds it back
So many veteran idol groups have gone through changes these past few years — some of them losing members and some disbanding altogether. Seventeen months after their last comeback, AOA …
Read More »[Review] SHINee set high bar for trilogy refreshing & galvanizing “Good Evening”
Three years ago this month, SHINee released their masterful “View“, which would go on to become one of 2015’s most enduring songs of summer and jump-start K-pop’s fascination with 90s …
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