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….
From Houston, Fujii Kaze Portrays a Radical Pop Star
For his first sold-out performance in Houston, Texas, Fujii Kaze presented himself as a pop star unconcerned with mainstream conventions.
What Being An Idol for 15 Years Taught TEEN TOP’s CHANGJO
CHANGJO has spent over half his life as an idol. In this new interview, one week away from turning 30 years old, he’s just begun to make sense of what he’s learned.
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.
8TURN Know They Are 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.
Sarah Kang’s Second Act: ‘before & after’, reviewed
On her poignant third album and her first since becoming a mother, Sarah Kang considers what makes a life well-lived.
On ‘MOST WANTED IN NORTH AMERICA’, P1Harmony Take a Victory Lap
The group is touring their new English language EP EX and are making a case for why they could be next to crossover into the mainstream.
P1Harmony Shoot for the Mainstream with ‘EX’
On a high-energy English-language debut, P1Harmony aims for international success with music that has a surprisingly progressive message.
The Great Interpreter: KEN’s ‘RE:BORN’, Reviewed
On his new EP, KEN uses two classic Korean songs to look back at his decade-long career. The result is heartfelt and inspiring.
On 'RE:BORN’, VIXX’s Ken Takes Flight
For the past ten years, KEN has challenged himself as an actor and musician. On his latest project, he reflects on why he is just now coming into his own.
‘Cerulean Verge’ Reviewed: WENDY’s Divine Inspiration
On her new EP, WENDY searches for a new way of seeing love — and herself.
‘The First Day & Night’ Reviewed: JUNHEE Is One of K-pop’s Most Ambitious Artists
JUNHEE spent years developing the concept for his debut album. The result is a stellar achievement that makes. a case for the singer being one of K-pop’s finest artists.
Nearly Ten Years Later, ASTRO’s ZOONIZINI (MJ and JINJIN) Still Feel Like Rookies
MJ and JINJIN of ASTRO’s new subunit ZOONIZINI know that second-chance debuts like this are rare — even more so with your best friend. They’re not taking it for granted.
Why WEST OF EDEN’s slone Believes Music Is Worth the Risk
For a long time, slone has questioned if he can make it as a musician. His community and fans are reminding him there’s a reason he’s meant for this.
‘THE X’ Reviewed: What Gives MONSTA X Their X Factor?
A decade into their career, MONSTA X are at a creative peak with their new EP ‘THE X’.
Inside The Debut of Queenz Eye’s Second Season
On the eve of a new beginning, senior and new Queenz Eye members admit they’re nervous. “But I want to tell them to believe in themselves,” the group’s leader Won Chae says in this new interview.
JUNNY Doesn’t Think of Himself as a Trailblazer. ‘null’ Suggests Otherwise.
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.
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.
The Infinite Joy and Wisdom of Dru Chen’s Sequel to ‘Mirror Work’
Dru Chen has spent a lifetime trying to embody self-acceptance. His new album details the work it took to get there.
The Poignant Irony of XngHan&Xoul’s “Waste No Time”
Nearly two years after he went on hiatus, Seunghan returns, rebranded as XngHan&Xoul, with a declaration that he has no time left to waste.
The Blueprint of Crystal Kay
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.