Profiles in Music
A.C.E’s JUNHEE’s Next Bold Move
JUNHEE never imagined he’d be a CEO of his own company. But now, with a debut album coming out in September under his own label, the leader is looking back at a wildly successful year. “I think life has a way of leading you down unexpected paths,” he says in this new interview.
Profiles in Music
The Trailblazer
In his follow up to blanc, JUNNY set out to make “an R&B version of an opera”. The result is an ambitious album that defies convention and never plays it safe.
Listening Booth
X FACTOR
A decade into their career, MONSTA X are at a creative peak with their new EP THE X.
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.

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.
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”.
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….
With ‘NOW Project’, MONSTA X Comes Full Circle
To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the group released a digital album with re-recordings of music made while their leader SHOWNU enlisted in the military. The new music shows how transgressive MONSTA X has become since debut.

pryme! Code Switched So Hard He Became A Musician
Growing up, pryme! learned how to fit into other peoples’ expectations for him. As he’s begun to release music and find an audience, pryme! says, “I can be seen.”

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”.

TEEN TOP’s NIEL Takes an Important Step Forward with “SHE”
NIEL never had time to think about what kind of artist he wanted to be. Now as a CEO of his own company, the singer has the freedom to find out.

Lyle Kam’s Catharsis Chasing Recollections
After six years of releasing music, Kam wondered how he could outdo himself. The result is a new EP, out next week, titled re:collections. “Every song could be a single,” he says in this interview.
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.

Everybody Wants Aura Like JENNIE
In a fiery Coachella solo performance, JENNIE offered a new perspective on how to be a global pop star.

Keshi’s Defiant Coachella Performance
Bouncing back after a challenging year, keshi gave a ferocious performance that jolted life back into his second album Requiem .

From Rain to Kai, ATEEZ’s 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.

Away From The K-Pop Machine, ONEW Is His Own Maestro
The singer begins his first North American tour on April 24th, and over the past year, has released the most freewheeling music of his career.

brynne Wasn’t Supposed To Make This Album
For months, brynne has been working on a project that has a strikingly independent and experimental sound. But is he ready to release a debut album into the world?

The Mad Scientist: Hikaru Utada’s ‘SCIENCE FICTION’, Reviewed
Hikaru Utada’s twenty-five year retrospective project SCIENCE FICTION makes a case for the singer being one of Japan’s most forward-thinking, experimental artists.

There Is No Limit for C.Y. Ing
The singer walked away from pursuing a career in music in 2024. Now he’s ready to talk about why it was important to forge his own path.

“Requiem” Tests The Limits of keshi’s Power
Requiem was supposed to shoot keshi into superstardom. How far has it taken him?

brynne Isn’t Quite Ready To Leave Behind His Hometown
On his new single “hometown”, brynne admits that he’s scared to grow up.

HOHYUN’s Houston Homecoming
HOHYUN’s first hometown show in Houston was a homecoming and a reconnection with his past.
Don’t Disturb BNZA’s Peace
In a new interview, the R&B singer reflects on his “hectic” year and a fresh single about taking time for yourself. "It’s a song about keeping your inner peace,” he says.

Being An Outsider Didn’t Silence hevel. It Empowered Them.
Growing up, the Korean musician was taught to never express their emotions. For their forthcoming album, hevel does the exact opposite.

A Re-Introduction From AVENU, Three Years in the Making
The multi-faceted artist’s journey from filmmaker to musician was a winding path. For his forthcoming EP, AVENU has found his vision.

A Triumphant Return for BIGBANG and G-DRAGON
Nearly a decade after their last performance together, BIGBANG returns more resilient than ever.