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….
Why XG Is a New Kind of Global Girl Group
As K-Pop expands, new groups are emerging that feature members of several different identities. XG, a seven member girl group from Japan, is leading the charge.
On “ICKY”, KARD Refuse to Be Conventional
A co-ed K-Pop group shouldn’t be unusual in K-Pop. But KARD are breaking boundaries with their new mini-album “ICKY”.
Semmi Wants His Music to Heal You
Korean American Semmi hasn’t even debuted yet. But he has a hell of a story to share behind his first single “RIP”.
MUSTB’s Next Chapter Begins with “ROYALTY”
MUSTB discussed their new single “ROYALTY” and why this is a new chapter for the group.
melatonin boy’s Playlist of Reckless Youth
Quick-witted, self-assured, and entirely self-made, melatonin boy is confident about the artist he’s becoming. But first, he wants to tell you about his past.
Gifted Their Trademark, INFINITE Now Has Artistic Freedom
Reunited for the first time in four years, INFINITE has something they’ve long craved: Complete control over their careers.
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.