Profiles in Music
Meet WAKER, the K-pop Group Given a Second Shot at Success
Before joining the team, many of the group’s members had given up on their dream of becoming an idol. Now promoting their third album, the members look back at the long road to debuting as WAKER.
Profiles in Music
8TURN Wants You To Find Your Power
The members of 8TURN reflect on their new single and what “bruises” they’ve had to accept about themselves.
Q&A
In a new interview done in collaboration with KOHAI, the singer-songwriter considers why he’s drawn to superheroes and how a determination to succeed has fueled him since he was a teenager.
Listening Booth
On ‘TYPHOON,’ Luke Chiang Knows Good Things Take Time
The singer’s debut album comes nearly six years after a health issue nearly torpedoed his career. It’s worth the wait.
Profiles in Music
In K-pop, Few Groups Shatter Stereotypes Like 1VERSE
The boy group has become one of fifth gen’s most promising rookie groups without changing much about themselves. With their new single “WABIF” and an upcoming world tour, 1VERSE is proving that idols can be remarkably relatable, too.
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.
Profiles in Music
KANG YUCHAN and from20 Enter a New Era With WAY BETTER
When KANG YUCHAN joined HELLO GLOOM and from20’s company WAY BETTER, the friends saw a possibility to chart a new path for idols. “Maybe,” from20 theorizes, “we could flip the whole culture.”
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.
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.
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….
On Jay B’s “Tape: Press Pause” Tour, An Artist Experiments.
Jay B brings his “Tape: Press Pause” tour to Europe and the UK this December with a diverse output of music for fans.
The Courage of OMEGA X
The eleven members of OMEGA X detailed devastating claims of abuse at a press conference on Wednesday. They hope their story will inspire others to act.
BoA in Japan: Breakthrough
In the second installment of my “BoA in Japan” series, BoA makes history by hitting number one on the Japanese Oricon charts. But she struggles to adapt to life as a celebrity.
Woojin Brings Intimacy and Magic to His First Tour
On his first United States tour, Kim Woojin dreams big — and brings pop catharsis to his fans.
As VLIVE Shuts Down, Fans Become Archivists
Weverse announced this week that V-Live, the biggest archive of idol videos on the internet, will shut down on December 31. Fans are scrambling to archive videos.
Why JaeHan Deserves to Be Heard on “Right For Me”
A surprise song from OMEGA X’s leader JaeHan dropped this week. It’s worth listening to.
The Power of Friendship in ITZY’s “Boys Like You”
ITZY’s “Boys Like You” charts a concept they’ve built since the beginning: The importance of self-love and friendship.
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.
![[ALBUM REVIEW]: Baekho Returns, This Time as a Soloist](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1665683076098-Y1ZK5BEPKYE7OIOBLFDD/Baekho+absolute+zero.jpg)
[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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MUSTB Returns with a Mature Image in “La Señorita”
For their third single album, MUSTB are eager to display a sexier image.
JUNNY Brings Cathartic Intimacy to the BLANC Tour
On the heels of his debut album, JUNNY brings emotional catharsis to his first tour.
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.
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.
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.