SM Entertainment has been shaping K-pop industry since its establishment in 1995 by Lee Soo-man. Its strategic vision and strict idol training system have been instrumental in exporting Korean pop culture worldwide, driving the “Hallyu Wave” through the success of first-generation icons like H.O.T., S.E.S., and BoA. Over the decades, SM has expanded its global…
Category: Music
IVE’s Next Chapter: “IVE EMPATHY” and the Art of Reinvention – EP Review
Few groups in recent years have shaped the K-pop market quite like IVE. Since their debut in December 2021, the six-member act – comprising An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo – has established itself as a dominant force among girl groups. From their first release, ELEVEN, which topped domestic charts within a…
Lee Youngji Mesmerises Fans at Her First Solo London Show – Concert Review
From the early days of hip-hop, women have been integral to shaping the culture, yet they have often had to fight twice as hard for recognition. Legends like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Bahamadia, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, Lauryn Hill, and Missy Elliott laid the foundation for future generations, proving that women could hold their own…
Nosun’s Honest Story: Music, Struggle, and Personal Growth – Exclusive Interview
For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge fan of hip-hop, particularly the golden age, where the music was raw, unfiltered, and revolutionary. Bars were razor-sharp, beats were built on soul, funk, and jazz samples, and the culture was shifting the world. Of course, every region had its own flavour; New…
j-Hope Returns to the Stage and Takes Paris by Storm at the Le Gala Des Pièces Jaunes
It’s a bold statement to say someone is a natural-born star who was simply destined to be a performer, knowing from an early age that dancing and rapping were their true calling. Many can only dream of achieving what j-Hope has created for himself if they do. Starting as a dancer and eventually joining the…
BE:FIRST To Begin Their First World Tour in April, 2025
Japanese boy group BE: FIRST is soon to hit the road for their first-ever world tour, Who Is BE:FIRST? Tour. This 15-date headlining tour will kick off on April 22nd in Los Angeles, taking the seven-member group to cities across Asia, Europe, and North America, including major stops in New York, London, and Paris. The…
Catch The Young Bring Fresh Energy to the 90s hit “You, Always” by Mono
Catch The Young have started the year with a bang, releasing their cover of the 90s hit You, Always by Mono. With their youthful energy and sound, the band breathes new life into the classic, blending past and present in a way that appeals to music fans of all generations. First performed at their solo…
For CIX, Groove Comes Naturally: “THUNDER FEVER” Review
Quite like wrapped chocolate, with CIX, you know what you’re going to get. The well-rounded four piece make good use of what they have. Their voices sit nicely next to each other like siblings on a bench in a family photo; there is no standout timbre, but rather always a comfortableness to their sound. Cinema…
Victory on Stage: Rolling Quartz Shine on Their European Tour – Concert Review
The Korean indie rock and punk scene has always fascinated me. From SE SO NEON to Jannabi, and from Crying Nut to No Brain, I realised just how much this music market has to offer. One band that recently caught my attention is Rolling Quartz, thanks entirely to recommendations from my fellow journalist friends. After…
Thomas Ng on Finding His Voice and Inspiring a New Era of R&B – Exclusive Interview
Thomas Ng is a star in the making; he brings a fresh approach to R&B, combining personal stories with diverse musical influences. His sound draws from a mix of jazz, Motown, and rock, creating something timeless and new. Thomas’ introduction to music was far from conventional. Growing up, his mother enrolled him in dance classes,…
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