Profiles in Music
A.C.E’s JUNHEE’s Next Bold Move
JUNHEE never imagined he’d be a CEO of his own company. But now, with a debut album coming out in September under his own label, the leader is looking back at a wildly successful year. “I think life has a way of leading you down unexpected paths,” he says in this new interview.
Profiles in Music
The Trailblazer
In his follow up to blanc, JUNNY set out to make “an R&B version of an opera”. The result is an ambitious album that defies convention and never plays it safe.
Listening Booth
X FACTOR
A decade into their career, MONSTA X are at a creative peak with their new EP THE X.
In-depth profiles about leading independent Asian musicians.
the roookies
Minh Is Just Beginning to Find His Potential
For the past four months, Minh’s music has made gains on streaming services. In his first interview, he reflects on his new EP’s momentum and why he became a self-made musician.
Meet West of Eden, A Giant Group Much Larger Than It’s Four Artists
The Seattle-based group succeeds because of their strong friendship and an extremely creative team of designers, producers, videographers, photographers and artists.
Yel Is Turning Her Best Memories Into Works of Art
The California-based singer-songwriter makes dreamy, romantic music that is becoming a smash hit on streaming services.
Hikaru Utada’s Science Fiction retrospective, reviewed
Profiles in Music
After more than 25 years in the industry, Crystal Kay is regarded as a pioneer of J-R&B and J-Pop. Now, about to embark on her first North American tour, she is just beginning to grapple with the meaning of her legacy.
Essays from the frontlines of K-Pop and beyond.
critically speaking
From Rain to Kai, San and from20: How Male Sexuality Has Evolved in K-Pop
A new generation of male idols are embracing a fluid view of sexuality. It’s a major course correction from years’ past.
NewJeans Was the Future of K-Pop. Can KATSEYE Revolutionize That Vision?
A year ago, HYBE’s flagship girl group NewJeans declared war on the company. Now, a new girl group is looking to conceptualize HYBE’s vision for K-Pop without the “K”.
BoA in Japan: Soft Powers and Teenage Dreams
In 2001, BoA was the first of her kind: a K-Pop star landing number one’s in Japan. Her success transformed K-Pop into a global super power.
Essential reading from the API music scene
and all the rest….
Call Her Jin-ri
For many of us, Sulli is an enigma. But her last EP “Goblin” provide clues to wha a deep-thinking, introspective pop star she was.
Kim Woojin’s Dream Is Meeting CUBS
Kim Woojin reflects on his first European tour and how special it was to meet CUBS for the first time.
What OMEGA X Teach Us About Never Giving Up
OMEGA X pulls together eleven veteran idols from disbanded groups for a new kind of supergroup: one built on second chances. This fall you can meet them on their first US tour.
Sunmi Leans Into the Wild and the Weird
WIth “Heart Burn”, SUNMI explores a woman driven to madness by the summer heat — and love.
With ‘blanc’, JUNNY Wants To Show You His Artistic Colors
In an exclusive interview with Bias Wrecker, JUNNY talks his inspirations, new music, and what gives him hope.
Girls Generation Is Forever
Girls Generation returns fifteen years after their debut for an album that honors and furthers their legacy as the leaders of K-Pop.
ATEEZ Will Lead You to the Light
ATEEZ’s latest album offers an encouragement to Atiny to embrace who they are and to be loud about it.
Tomorrow x Together Write Their Own History at Lollapalooza
Tomorrow x Together’s triumphant set at Lollapalooza writes them into the cannon of K-Pop history.
JUNNY, In Full Color
JUNNY moved to Korea at 21 to pursue a career in music. Now he’s touring North America for the first time.
“We Lit Up the Stage”: Brave Girls meet FEARLESS on first US Tour
Only one year ago Brave Girls were close to disbanding. Now they are touring the United States in a career renaissance.
Wendy, In the Eye of Her Storm
In 2019 Wendy suffered several injuries after a fall. Two years later she returned with an album that transformed her pain into a hope for laughter.
Golden Child Burn the Stage in ATL
Golcha visit ATL for the first time with their Meet & Live tour.
Woojin Is Still Dreaming
Woojin’s Still Dream tour opens this week. Learn about the story that inspired it.
Jay B Wants to Become the Wind
In one year, Jay B worked to secure the rights to GOT7 ‘s trademark name and released three unique bodies of work. Now he prefers to be in nature.
DKB Brings the Heat to ATL’s Center stage
DKB reminds us why sometimes the best concerts can occur in hot concert halls.
The Year We Were “Jopping”: The Wild Story of SuperM
In 2019, SuperM was hailed as “The Avengers of K-Pop” but their debut single “Jopping” suggested something far from the mainstream.
The Reverse Engineered Success of Eric Nam
Ten years ago, Eric Nam traveled to South Korea for a shot at making it in music. But to find himself, he had to return home. This year, he released an album that declares a pop-star fully in control of his future.
How “FEVER EPILOGUE” Made ATEEZ a Force to be Reckoned With
Six months after competing on Kingdom, ATEEZ released an album that showed their interior world and spoke honestly about mental health.
What (G)I-DLE’s “TOMBOY” Tells Us About K-Pop’s Globalization
(G)I-DLE’s hit single “TOMBOY” represents a unique crossroads the K-Pop industry finds itself in as it races towards global domination.
GOT7 Return For Their Encore
When GOT7 left JYPE in 2020, many fans believed they would disband. But then something extraordinary happened: GOT7 not only stayed together, but released a new album that assures us they are here to stay.