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

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

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.”

THE MAD SCIENTIST

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

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….

The Trials and Bravery of LOONA
Michael H Michael H

The Trials and Bravery of LOONA

In June, LOONA announced their first world tour. Five months later their most popular member would be kicked out and nine members would file to terminate their contracts. What happened?

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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.

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