Profiles in Music

The Dreams That Shaped ROCKY

On the second anniversary of his solo debut and in his most wide-ranging interview to-date, ROCKY reflects on the most meaningful moments of his career that began with a debut in ASTRO

Profiles in Music

8TURN Knows They’re Stronger Together

In a wide-ranging interview, the members of 8TURN look back at life before they became idols and consider how years of teamwork prepared them for their riskiest comeback yet.

Profiles in Music

ASTRO’s ZOONIZINI (MJ and JINJIN) Still Feel Like Rookies

MJ and JINJIN of ASTRO’s new subunit ZOONIZINI know that second-chance debuts like this are rare — even more so with your best friend. They’re not taking it for granted.

Listening Booth

Sarah Kang’s Second Act

On her poignant third album and her first since becoming a mother, Sarah Kang considers what makes a life well-lived.

On the Ground

From Houston, A Radical Pop Star Arrives

For his first sold-out performance in Houston, Texas, Fujii Kaze presented himself as a pop star unconcerned with mainstream conventions.

In-depth profiles about leading independent Asian musicians.

the roookies

A person with dark hair is performing on stage, holding a microphone and wearing a guitar strap across their shoulder. The image has a motion blur effect with streaks of red and purple light against a black background.

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.

Four young adults standing together outdoors with a scenic hilly landscape in the background, dressed casually.

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.

Young woman with long black hair wearing a white tank top and jewelry, leaning against a pastel blue window with textured glass panels.

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.

Profiles in Music

On 'RE:BORN’, VIXX’s Ken Takes Flight

For the past ten years, KEN has challenged himself as an actor and musician. On his latest project, he reflects on why he is just now coming into his own.

THE MAD SCIENTIST

Hikaru Utada’s Science Fiction retrospective, reviewed

Profiles in Music

The Blueprint of Crystal Kay

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

A woman with short blonde hair looking down, sitting outdoors near a pool with empty bleachers in the background, during sunset.

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.

With ‘One in a Million’, The Women of TWICE Finally Share Their Stories

In a revealing new documentary, the members share why a decade of TWICE was never guaranteed.

Young woman with long dark hair wearing a yellow sweatshirt, smiling, and holding up a peace sign in front of a mirror.

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….

Michael H 10/20/22 Michael H 10/20/22

Underrated For Years, N.Flying Find Their Place in K-Pop with “Dearest”.

N.Flying releases a final album- for now- before military enlistments begin and finally find a seat at the K-Pop table.

Michael H 10/13/22 Michael H 10/13/22

[ALBUM REVIEW]: Baekho Returns, This Time as a Soloist

Baekho’s group NU’EST was often overlooked. “Absolute Zero” makes a case for his relevance.

Michael H 10/7/22 Michael H 10/7/22

INTERVIEW: XENZU is an Alien Superstar

Dripping with Beijing glamour and armed with a sickening EP, XENZU is one of the most exciting artists to emerge in pop music. But she’s ready to take over the world.

Michael H 10/6/22 Michael H 10/6/22

SEULGI Cranks Up the Intensity on “28 Reasons”

The dynamic vocalist from Red Velvet digs deep into heartbreak and rage to create her first EP.

Michael H 10/4/22 Michael H 10/4/22

BoA in Japan: Soft Powers and Teenage Dreams

This is the first major analysis of BoA’s breakthrough in Japan that examines why her success ignited the globalization of K-Pop and Korean pop culture.

Michael H 9/22/22 Michael H 9/22/22

INTERVIEW: The Artistry of SUNMI

With the “GOOD GIRL GONE MAD TOUR”, SUNMI is eager to share a side she’s been mining since her debut: Her artistry.

Michael H 9/20/22 Michael H 9/20/22

INTERVIEW: Jay Chang’s Imaginative, Musical World

As he prepares to debut under FM Entertainment, Jay Chang both experiments and returns to his musical roots.

Michael H 9/19/22 Michael H 9/19/22

INTERVIEW: Beomhan Wants to be the Biggest K-Pop Idol in the World

In this exclusive interview, FM Entertainment trainee Beomhan shares stories from his childhood on Coney Island and his drive to succeed at all costs.

Michael H 9/18/22 Michael H 9/18/22

MUSTB Returns with a Mature Image in “La Señorita”

For their third single album, MUSTB are eager to display a sexier image.

Michael H 9/15/22 Michael H 9/15/22

JUNNY Brings Cathartic Intimacy to the BLANC Tour

On the heels of his debut album, JUNNY brings emotional catharsis to his first tour.

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The Visionary Work of f(x)’s ‘4 Walls’

Often overlooked in favor of ‘Pink Tape’, f(x)’s ‘4 Walls’ is a visionary work of art.

Michael H 9/6/22 Michael H 9/6/22

Taeyeon in the Sky

After fifteen years in the industry, Taeyeon is not afraid to speak up for herself, and her music has never soared higher.

Michael H 9/2/22 Michael H 9/2/22

How DKB Arrived At Their First Music Show Nomination

After two years of hard work, DKB landed their first music show nomination with “24/7”. Now the group is tasked with building on their gradual momentum.

Michael H 8/26/22 Michael H 8/26/22

How Soobin and Arin Raised the Bar at ‘Music Bank’

Soobin and Arin were only MCs at Music Bank for a year and a half. But they remade the show in their image.

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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.

Michael H 8/15/22 Michael H 8/15/22

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.

Michael H 8/12/22 Michael H 8/12/22

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.