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 …
Read More »[Review] Boyfriend’s “Sunshower” is an overly sentimental, paint-by-number anniversary song
Boyfriend are the latest group to find themselves at that precarious seven year mark, where contracts are up and the guys are forced to decide whether to stick together or …
Read More »[Review] Bolbbalgan4 get poppier with “Travel” to create a summer classic
Bolbbalgan4 have been an absolute force in the Korean music scene ever since their 2016 breakout hit “Galaxy“. Yet even as their music has become ubiquitous, I’ve continued to consider …
Read More »[Review] VICTON try hand at emulating “Spring Day” with “Time Of Sorrow” but miss the mark
Despite releasing a steady stream of material since their debut in late 2016, Victon have never really connected with me. That’s not a critique of the guys themselves, it’s just …
Read More »[Review] UNI.T’s “No More” is a slice of summery reggae-pop & the vocals don’t hurt
Comparing the debuts of UNI.T and UNB encapsulates the K-pop scene as a whole. Both groups hail from KBS’s survival series ‘The Unit‘, but there’s clearly been a stronger promotional …
Read More »[Review] N.Flying manage to make a more reserved sound work on “How R U Today”
If any group might have been spared the effects of K-pop’s prolonged tropical love affair, I assumed it would be one like N.Flying. Since reemerging with new member Hweseung last …
Read More »[Review] Kanto bucks expectations and surprises with funky and refreshing “Salty”
Despite not being your typical idol, rapper Kanto was one of the many acts to compete in KBS’s ‘The Unit‘ rebooting series. Though he failed to make the show’s debuting group, …
Read More »[Review] Produce 48’s version of “Pick Me” is still cheesy, overblown, and glorious
In the short time since it’s been on the air, ‘Produce 101‘ has spawned its own mini-genre of hyperactive, multitracked pop anthem. Whether it’s Midas-T, Ryan S. Jhun, or now …
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