Every once in a while my 2017 commitment to trying to listen to as much Korean music as possible actually pays dividends. From time to time you may see me …
Read More »Samuel returns with edible “Candy”, but potential might be best realized in a group
Before he was known as part of the ‘Avengers Team’ on ‘Produce 101‘, Samuel was one half of underrated retro act 1Punch. Debuting in early 2015, the one-and-done duo released …
Read More »Red Velvet excel on the fresh, diverse, and ultimately replayable “Peek-A-Boo”
Red Velvet are back with “Peek-A-Boo“, aiming to provide a ray of light before the misery of winter truly begins in the world of musical releases. Fortunately, they deliver on …
Read More »WANNA ONE perform admirably on “Beautiful” but are hamstrung with a mediocre song
Though they’ve only been around for just over three months, Wanna One already feel like a vital part of the current K-pop landscape. Their big personalities have been especially welcome …
Read More »Block B’s “Shall We Dance” fails to realize potential due to black hole of a hook
Block B has maintained a certain level of success (especially as soloists) over the past two years, but it feels like their group work has lost some of its momentum …
Read More »MONSTA X find their fun side again on the ridiculously-titled, “Dramarama”
With “Dramarama“, I think MONSTA X have given K-pop its most awesome song title of the year. The word alone is so ridiculously overblown, conjuring a sense of rock opera …
Read More »MV Lessons: Gugudan’s “Chococo” shows drug use is OK in Korea if directing music videos
Sejeong & The Nuguettes are back with the music video for “Chococo” to teach us all a lesson about Korean society. Basically that despite appearing to be against all kinds …
Read More »Super Junior combine retro & modern on well-produced, musical-esque “Black Suit”
As part of their preparations for their first comeback in over two years, Super Junior have been releasing a documentary series online. If you’ve been watching, you’ll already have a …
Read More »Seventeen effectively meld their core identity with harder edge in energetic “Clap”
Though the emotional EDM of May’s “Don’t Wanna Cry“ was far from Seventeen‘s usual sound, it ended up being one of the year’s biggest growers. And as the group led …
Read More »EXID are back on track with the diverse & funky “DDD”, get an assist from Missy Elliott
EXID are back with “DDD” after changing things up a bit during their previous comeback with “Night Rather Than Day“ to mixed results both in terms of music and response. …
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