Chungha has been one of the bigger success stories from 2016’s ‘Produce 101‘ group I.O.I. While most other members have been reshuffled back into their respective groups, she embarked on …
Read More »Sunmi provides power and charisma for “Heroine”, which is a dramatic success
If there was one song in 2017 that I severely under-rated, it would be Sunmi’s “Gashina“. While I didn’t love it at first, the track became something of a national …
Read More »Monsta X revert back to rather basic basics in Japan with “Spotlight”
Sometimes it feels like Monsta X and I are on a constant seesaw. I’ll love one single, then dislike the next. To be fair, their hard-edged sound was not designed …
Read More »GIRLKIND’s “FANCI” is a refreshing debut concept that’s short on impact
With the cute bubblegum pop of Twice leading the girl group wave in Korea, it’s becoming harder to find new rookies debuting with anything but a cheerful image and sound. …
Read More »EXO’s dramatic, aggressive “Electric Kiss” is one of their best efforts in years
Japanese releases by K-pop artists can be very hit and miss, but if any agency has managed a consistently solid J-pop catalog for their artists, it’s SM Entertainment. They’ve nurtured …
Read More »Comments Of The Day: Oh won’t somebody think of EXP Edition?
So the other day I covered EXP Edition‘s latest venture, “Stress“, basically because I covered their start as a K-pop group borne out of a rather shitty thesis and how …
Read More »MXM’s “Diamond Girl” is a throwback to sleek 80s funk but it has timeless qualities
Lim Youngmin and Kim Donghyun of MXM became one of 2017’s best-selling rookies, even though their current configuration as a duo is only temporary until they join fellow ‘Produce 101‘ …
Read More »Dreamcatcher’s anniversary song “Full Moon” was a pleasantly aggressive surprise
Dreamcatcher recently released “Full Moon” for the fans to celebrate the group’s one-year anniversary. They’ve released ballads before, so I figured this would be a perfunctory one as well since …
Read More »Oh My Girl’s beautiful atmosphere on “Secret Garden” undercut by relatively flat melody
Back in 2016, it felt as if Oh My Girl were poised to become one of the leading acts of K-pop’s new wave of girl groups. They can still get …
Read More »Block B return with a rather pedestrian ballad in “Don’t Leave”
As Block B have progressed to a new stage in their career, their comebacks seem to alternate between the raucous hip-hop/pop of their past and more pensive balladry. November’s “Shall …
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