Profiles in Music
As he sets out on his first European tour, LEE MINHYUK considers what makes him such a dynamic idol. “HUTA reflects the kind of artist I admire and aspire to be. My performances are filled with explosive energy,” he says in this new interview.
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.
Critically Speaking
BoA is parting ways with SM Entertainment after 25 years together. But in an industry known for it’s speed, will her pioneering influence finally be acknowledged?
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
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….
In Her New Music, DEVYN Is Finally Embracing Her Most “Authentic Self”
Korean-American artist DEVYN spent years being a muse for others ideas. Now she is fully in control of her voice and artistic identity.
Inside a Rapidly Shifting K-Pop Landscape, aespa Welcomes Us To Their World
When they debuted, aespa was known for concepts that pushed K-Pop to its limits. Now on the heels of several daring singles, the group has turned inward.
On His New EP, Korean Singer-Songwriter adore (아도레) Embraces The Sunlight
adore might be an independent artist, but that has never tempered his ambitions to release heartfelt, gorgeous music.
CHUNG HA Recorded “Bare&Rare, Pt. 2”. Will It Be Released?
K-Pop soloist Chungha planned to release “Bare&Rare”, a two-part album, in 2022. But plans stalled after the release of Part 1. Now she’s left her company.
The Unexpected Catharsis of TOMORROW X TOGETHER’S Japanese Releases
Though they’re popular for their Korean releases, TOMORROW X TOGETHER’S hidden gems lie in the emotional complexity of their Japanese discography.
Can CRAXY Escape “NUGUDOM”?
CRAXY’s new single “NUGUDOM” critiques an industry and fandoms that rewards the richest companies. But can they break free of the label?
Headlining His First Concert and Poised for a Breakthrough: Meet BNZA
Flying under the radar for years, Toronto’s BNZA is on the edge of mainstream success. “I want this work to be a little beacon of confidence for the next generation,” he says in this exclusive interview.
Want to hear the future of Atlanta’s KHip-Hop Scene? Listen to OSIX.
OSIX is an up-and-coming rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Together with VISION MUSIC, he is shifting the sound of the South’s KHip-Hop scene.
Singer-Songwriter ABOUT Once Felt He Was Cursed. Now He Sees His Potential.
ABOUT is an indie darling who’s spent over a decade recording music that describes his pain. “I always say that my music is cry together music,” he says in this exclusive interivew.
Making Way for Kwon Ji-Yong
Six years ago BIGBANG’s G-Dragon released his last EP “KWON JI-YONG” and with each year it’s meaning of reclaiming the rapper’s personhood has only grown.
K-Pop Rookies TRENDZ Are Breaking Free on “NEW DAYZ”
TRENDZ arrive with a new comeback and the finale of the “Blue Set Chapter”.
South Korea’s Wunderkind SHAUN Announces “On the Road” Tour
SHAUN burst into unexpected worldwide fame with “Way Back Home”. Now he’s touring North America for the first time.
B.K Studied K-Pop’s Greatest Stars. Now He’s Ready To Be One.
Atlanta’s BK spent years studying from the best in K-Pop. Now he’s ready to show how far he can go.
GEMINI on Inspirations and What To Expect at the “Still Blue” Tour
On the heels of his first North American tour, GEMINI talks about the inspirations for his first album “Still Blue” and what fans can expect from his tour.
BOBO.XX and Tablo Collaborate on the “Crazy Skater Punk” Single “Pain”
BOBO.XX and Tablo, two dynamos working on the peripheral of the K-Pop industry drop their first collaboration together this Friday.
SHINee’s Key is the Anti-Hero of K-Pop
Armed with a repackaged album named “KILLER”, SHINee’s Key reminds us that the most complicated heroes are often the best.
P1Harmony Make History As the First K-Pop Group to Play Nashville’s Opry House
For their first time in Nashville, P1Harmony came as winners and proved K-Pop can go anywhere.
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[INTERVIEW] JUNNY On Why The Upcoming ‘blanc’ Tour Inspires Him
In this exclusive interview, Junny chats about his upcoming tour and the diverse musical influences that led him to find his voice.
The Visionary Work of SHINee’s Taemin
Before enlisting in the military, SHINee’s Taemin released several masterful albums and challenged every perception we had of him.
How GOT7’s Jinyoung Found His Voice on “Chapter 0: WITH”
Jinyoung’s debut solo EP solidifies a shift that the actor began years ago towards an artist who takes challenging work. Here, he let the questions of growing older linger.