Six young men, justb, dressed in colorful racing and streetwear jackets pose among car engines and tires in a dimly lit industrial setting.

Can JUSTB Change K-Pop?

When BAIN came out as gay onstage in LA in April, JUSTB’s members found themselves with something they’d never received before: Industry attention. But is the K-Pop industry ready to accept a group as outspoken as this one?

Minh Comes Full Circle with ‘amends’

Six male performers, 82major, on stage wearing red shirts and black pants, with one holding a microphone, performing behind black curtains with stage lighting.

Concert Review

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.

THE MAD SCIENTIST

Hikaru Utada’s Science Fiction retrospective, reviewed

A woman with curly blonde hair sitting on a boat, wearing a white dress, under a bridge with a city skyline in the background.

As one of the only Black idols in K-Pop, BLACKSWAN’s NVee sees the group as revolutionary. But she’s only recently considered the power of her own story. Now, she is ready to share it.

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.

Six women sitting on a couch in a dimly lit room with a red wall, a mirror, and a plant in the background. They are dressed in trendy, edgy clothing with various accessories.

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”.

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….

Growing Older with Jay B and Jinyoung’s JJ Project
Michael H Michael H

Growing Older with Jay B and Jinyoung’s JJ Project

In celebration of Jay B’s first European tour, I’m writing about some of his best eras. This week we are revisiting JJ Project, a unique group with GOT7’s Jinyoung that explored the concept of youth — and growing older.

Read More
The Courage of OMEGA X
Michael H Michael H

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.

Read More
BoA in Japan: Breakthrough
Michael H Michael H

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.

Read More
INTERVIEW: XENZU is an Alien Superstar
Michael H Michael H

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.

Read More