As much as NCT 127 is known as a multi-genre master, the act’s recent single “Kick It” is perhaps the best encapsulation of its dynamic, bravado nature. Released on the band’s previous “Neo Zone” album in March, the boisterous song, tightly packed with shouted vocals, bass-heavy beats and airtight production, is heavily themed on “Bruce Lee” and martial art concept. Read as “Hero” in its Korean title, “Kick It” so explicit

K-pop May 27, 2020

When Taeyeon’s latest single “Happy” reached local charts’ top tier earlier in May, fans reveled in the long-awaited joy. The song was originally scheduled for release in March, but it was postponed after the singer’s father passed away on that same day. So when the song was finally out on May 4, fans flooded her social media with blessings and support, but there was also a special someone to whom it felt to the happiest. “When I heard the tragic news, obv

K-pop May 21, 2020

NCT 127 pulled zero punches with its new single, another powerful anthem that stays true to the group’s dynamic nature.  "Punch," released Tuesday evening, has been featured on “#127 Neo Zone: The Final Round,” the repackage album of the group’s second full-length album.  Also being promoted as the album’s lead track, “Punch” is a fierce urban soul hip-hop track that overflows with powerful synths, throbbing bass and industrial beat

K-pop May 19, 2020

Having spent a remarkable year in K-pop, TXT returned with its brand new single “Can’t You See Me?” that touches on the group’s struggle and growth as a youth band. The newest boy band from BTS’ agency Big Hit Entertainment, TXT unveiled the new song during its online media showcase that was livestreamed on YouTube on Monday. “Can’t You See Me?” fronts the group’s “The Dream Chapter: Eternity” EP, which is the third part of it

K-pop May 18, 2020

Bol4 released the new single “Leo,” featuring Baekhyun of EXO, on Thursday. Released as one of two lead tracks from the one-man band’s upcoming “Youth Diary II” EP, “Leo” is a relaxing love song that fits this warm spring season. Balanced by jazz piano and string ensemble sounds, the mellifluous song teems with an array of instruments, adding layer to the lighthearted melody. Read as “Butterfly and Cat” by its Korean title, “Leo”

K-pop May 7, 2020

Ready to reign K-pop charts, IU’s new single “Eight,” featuring Suga of BTS, was released Wednesday evening. The much-anticipated song has been co-written and composed by the singer-songwriter and the BTS member, who’s not only served as a producer but also lent his vocal for the track. Its title refers to the age of the two musicians, as both are 28 (Korean age). “As musicians of the same age, the two singers could relate to one another and create their own uni

K-pop May 6, 2020

With an unbridled spirit, exceptional sound and dedication to music, Stella Jang is the kind of a musician who immediately attracts attention.  Reflecting her down-to-earth personality, her music used to revolve around ordinary topics people could easily relate to. Her lyrics were remarkably outspoken, creative and witty, so they almost felt like a diary written by the singer-songwriter herself. Having turned 30 this year in Korean age, Jang said that her music, however, inevitably had t

K-pop April 27, 2020

In less than a month since it started, TOO may have become one of the busiest, must-watch rookie groups on the scene. After being created on Mnet audition program “To Be World Klass,” the 10-piece rookie group, whose name stands for “Ten Oriented Orchestra,” debuted with the “Reason for Being: Benevolence” EP and single “Magnolia” on April 1. Consisting of leader Jaeyun, Chihoon, Donggeon, Chan, Jisu, Minsu, J.You, Kyungho, Jerome and Woonggi, the

K-pop April 23, 2020

Apink released a new single, “Dumhdurum,” Monday. “Dumhdurum” leads “Look,” the group’s ninth EP since its start in 2011. The dance-driven song, which blends an Asian sound with a Spanish vibe, was written by famous K-pop producer duo Black Eyed Pilseung, the mastermind behind Apink’s previous hits “I’m So Sick” and “Eung Eung.”  Thriving on the addictive hook “Dumhdurum rumhdururum,” the song is abo

K-pop April 13, 2020

(G)I-dle returned with new album Monday, sending message of self-confidence. Six-piece act (G)I-dle’s third EP is fronted by lead track “Oh My God,” a dynamic urban hip-hop track that switches between various rhythms and melodies. Written and composed by bandleader Soyeon, the dynamic song alludes self-confidence, the main topic of the album, to complex feelings of love. “I believe that our (team) confidence comes from believing in myself,” explained Soyeon duri

K-pop April 7, 2020

Over the last few weeks, the novel coronavirus pandemic has brought the K-pop scene to an unprecedented standstill. Most concerts and meetup events, both at home and abroad, have been cancelled or postponed, while weekly TV shows are being held without audiences. The prolonged COVID-19 crisis may be taking a heavy toll on the whole K-pop industry, but small and midsized music labels in particular are feeling the pinch, as their business model relies heavily on tickets, physical albums and forei

K-pop April 2, 2020

Suho of EXO released his first solo album, “Self-Portrait,” on Monday, hoping to connect with the audience through the most personal side of himself. “As a solo artist, I wanted to make music that captured the color and musicality of Kim Jun-myeon (Suho’s given name), not the one I had shown through EXO as a group. I do feel burdened, but excitement outruns nervousness,” Suho said in a statement. The six-track EP is fronted by lead track “Let’s Love,

K-pop March 30, 2020

NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” made an unprecedented effort for BTS’ premiere performance of its new single “On” last month. The production team booked New York’s Grand Central Terminal, one of the busiest transit hubs anyway. The station was shut down to keep filming top-secret. And a crew of 180 people moved with extra scrutiny to pull off the landmark show solely dedicated to BTS. For the five-minute spectacle, the whole arrangemen

K-pop March 27, 2020

Having joined the competitive K-pop scene just last month, DKB has already proven itself as a breakout rookie group, equipped with rebellious energy and various talents. The nine-member act is the first boy band under Brave Entertainment in eight years, an agency founded by K-pop hit maker Brave Brothers. An abbreviation of “Dark Brown Eyes,” referring to “nine Asian brown-eyed boys stretching out to the world,” DKB debuted with its first EP “Youth” and lead

K-pop March 25, 2020

Jeongmin, now an accomplished singer-songwriter, used to live in the glitz and glam, wear heavy makeup and dance in front of thousands of crowds. For eight years, he was a vocalist for the now-defunct K-pop act Boyfriend, signed under one of the major K-pop labels, Starship Entertainment. Since 2011, the youthful six-piece boy band had a promising start with numerous hits like “I’ll Be There” and “Janus,” especially flourishing in Japan. But just like many K-pop a

K-pop March 23, 2020