While much has been written and/or documented about BTS’s unprecedented rise to global fame, most of these have been “unofficial” narratives designed to cash in on BTS’s popularity. Through their reality TV shows including In The Soop (2020 – ) as well as the documentary TV series, Bring the Soul (2019) and Break the Silence…
Category: K-pop
WayV Makes the Lights Go Brighter in London – Fan Meeting Review
On a blissfully sunny day in Hammersmith, London, five of the six-member pop group WayV assembled at the Eventim Apollo for the seventh stop of their “PHANTOM” fan meeting tour. A fan meeting tour, as the quintet demonstrated, is a regular concert tour with a twist; it includes various segments and more frequent breaks in…
Unveiling the Heart: Paul Kim on “Hangang” and His Collaboration with BIG Naughty
In the South Korean music industry, where talented artists emerge at a staggering pace, one name has managed to enchant listeners with his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics since his debut in 2014: Paul Kim. Now, with the release of his latest song “Hangang” (English translation: “Han River”), featuring the dynamic rapper BIG Naughty, Paul…
Seongjong of INFINITE Opens Up About His New Solo Release, “The One”, and His Upcoming European Showcase
After capturing the hearts of many as a member of the beloved K-pop group INFINITE, Lee Seongjong is now set to shine brightly as a solo artist. With his magnetic stage presence, Lee Seongjong has become a household name in the Korean music industry. Currently, he is embarking on a journey to take the world…
Evolution in Harmony: EPEX Explore Love and Growth in “Prelude of Love Chapter 2. Growing Pains.”
EPEX (이펙스) is an eight-member boy group under C9 Entertainment, consisting of WISH, KEUM, MU, A-MIN, BAEKSEUNG, AYDEN, YEWANG, and JEFF. The meaning of their group name is meant to signify that they are a “gathering of eight youths reaching eight different apexes.” It represents the eight members forming a collective, powerful team. They debuted on…
Gaho Opens Up About His Music and His Latest Release, “Diamond”
Like a perfectly cut diamond, everything in Gaho’s career is well-proportioned, and his multiple facets are positioned to create a brilliant sparkle. If you are new to Gaho’s music universe, just know that before embarking on his solo career, this 25-year-old musician and songwriter penned some of the most famous K-Drama OSTs. To understand the…
Me, Myself, I: Trauma, Memory and Identity in Agust D’s “D-Day” – Album Review
D-Day is the final album in what could be called Agust D’s “youth” trilogy which also consists of Agust D (15 August 2016) and D-2 (22 May 2020). Released on 21st April 2023, this is possibly Min Yoongi’s last music before compulsory military enlistment that all men in South Korea are required to do. Agust…
The Sands of Time: Agust D – “People Pt.2” (ft. IU) Song Review
“People Pt.2” (ft. IU) is the pre-release single from Agust D’s forthcoming ‘official’ debut album, D-Day, which will be released on 21st April. A prolific, versatile rapper and songwriter, Min Yoongi, has two nome de plume’s: Agust D and Suga (from BTS), and has collaborated with both Korean and Western musicians. “People Pt.2” is his…
TRENDZ Open Up About Their Latest Release “NEW DAYZ”, Their Journey to Becoming Idols, and Their Work as a Group
TRENDZ, an emerging K-pop boy group consisting of Havit, Leon, Yoonwoo, Hankook, ra.L, Eunil, and Yechan, debuted in 2022 with the EP Blue Set Chapter 1. Tracks, followed by Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice. And with their impeccable visual appeal, talent, and versatility, the group has definitely shown promise with their two aforementioned releases. In…
Lost in Time: “Like Crazy” MV Review (Jimin, Oui Kim, 2023)
“Like Crazy”, the single from Face, Jimin’s solo debut, is accompanied by a music video by Oui Kim, who also directed the music video for the pre-release single, “Set Me Free: Pt 2”. Oui Kim is one of South Korea’s leading creative directors and has shot videos for aespa, NCT127, KATIE, Zion.T and Red Velvet…
SHAUN Breaks Down His “Steal the Show” Single, His Collaboration with Jeff Satur, and His Music
When SHAUN, a South Korean singer-songwriter and producer, released Way Back Home in 2018, the lead single from his debut EP, Take, he took the music charts by storm. The song itself has a catchy melody and a simple, yet heartfelt, message. SHAUN’s vocals are soft and emotional often conveying a sense of longing. SHAUN…
A Long Journey Into Night: Jimin’s “FACE” EP Review
Jimin (Park Jimin) is part of the maknae line of global sensation BTS, he is the same age as V (Kim Taehyung) and two years older than Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook), the youngest of the group. While Jimin has released singles in the past, FACE is his debut as a soloist, and he is the first…
FIFTY FIFTY reflect on their new release “Cupid”, the songwriting process, and their inspiration
FIFTY FIFTY, a South Korean girl group consisting of Saena, Aran, Keena, and Sio, debuted in November last year. They grabbed the attention of an overseas audience when they released Higher, a single from their first EP, The Fifty. The song’s mid-tempo not only displayed the girls’ charming vocals but also showcased the group’s harmonies. …
Finding Order Within Chaos: A Review of Park Jimin’s “Set Me Free: Pt.2”
Jimin’s “Set Me Free: Part 2” is a spiritual successor and not a sequel to Agust D’s (Min Yoongi) “Interlude: Set Me Free” (which it was speculated to be from the title of the track), the ninth track on his second mixtape, D-2, which was released on the 22nd May 2020. A mere two minutes…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 