In an interview done in collaboration with KOHAI, HOHYUN considers why he’s drawn to superheroes and how a determination to succeed has fueled him since he was a teenager.
Profiles in Music
CSR Is Still Worth Believing In
After two years, the beloved girl group returns with a new digital single. The members admit they’re nervous but, as their leader DUNA explains, “More than anything, I really want to hear MAEUM’s fan chants again after so long.”
Profiles in Music
From Seattle, an inside look at the making of keanu.’s third album blush., and why it was almost never released at all.
Profiles in Music
Following the release of his debut EP Love before Me, A.C.E’s LEE JI HAM explains why he decided to challenge himself to reveal “the emotions I buried deep inside” through music.
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 THE HUTAZONE
In his first major profile interview, BTOB’s 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.
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.
A Bittersweet Farewell to ZEROBASEONE
From Seoul, the popular boy group hold a final encore concert and say goodbye as the group splits in half.
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….
POW Believes Tenderness Is Your Strength
In a new interview, the members reflect on why their new EP Being Tender is such a powerful statement for a boy group to make. “Many men think showing tenderness means showing weakness,” the group’s leader Yorch says, “but I want to say that being tender doesn’t equal being weak.”
Minh Comes Full Circle with ‘amends’
To make his new EP, Minh returns to the music he always wanted to create. In doing so, he makes a case for being a leading voice in independent music.
What Is HITGS’ Secret to Having CHARIZZMA?
In a new, lighthearted interview, HITGS members share what’s in their bag, talk summer style, and explain how you can get CHARIZZMA.
82MAJOR Play Brain Rot Q&A While On The ‘82SYNDROME’ Tour
Whose photocards do 82MAJOR want to collect? Is boba tea or party in the Hollywood Hills more gnarly? From Nashville, your favorite boy group plays Brain Rot Q&A.
With ‘Dare to Crave’, CRAVITY Is Reborn
After years off struggling to find their place in K-Pop, CRAVITY launches a thrillingly effective rebrand.
BLACKSWAN’s NVee Is Defying the Odds — And Making History
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.
82MAJOR’s Tour Is Unlike Any You’ll Experience This Summer
At 82MAJOR’s first North American tour, the six-member boy group demonstrated why they should not be overlooked as one of the most exciting acts of the year.
Can CRAVITY Rebrand Into a Hitmaking Group?
CRAVITY has struggled to find an audience and an identity since debut. This week, their company announced a rebranding. But what if the solution is to give members more control?
From Houston, ONEW Emphasizes Happiness and Freedom
In his first U.S. tour as a soloist, ONEW chose to meet fans with a surprisingly intimate, stripped back concert.
82MAJOR Break the Rules on ‘SILENCE SYNDROME’
In a new interview, the group reflects on what sets them apart from others and how they’re preparing for a massive North American tour.
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, and artists.
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.