Author: Rahul M

Collaborations between K-pop stars and video games have become more common, which makes sense because I’d bet there is a lot of crossover between the fandoms. aespa’s new track with battle royale game PUBG goes beyond simple tie-in to include a full music video that sees the girls deposited in the game’s violent landscape. Musically, Dark Arts feels like a suitable extension to the group’s monotone Dirty Work from a few weeks ago. The energy is similar, even hinging on a spoken-word hook. However, there’s a little more going on here, from the skittering percussion to the melodic pre-chorus. And…

As Astro’s youngest member, Yoon Sanha has often been constrained by the concepts he’s able to attempt. Last year’s solo effort Dive also seemed a bit confused, attempting a darker makeover that didn’t fit well with his charm as a performer. New title track Extra Virgin gives him a funk makeover, similar to the sound of Astro sub-unit Jinjin & Rocky. This fresh energy feels much more engaging and lets Sanha display more colorful personality. Extra Virgin could certainly be more sprightly, but its percussive groove gives him plenty to work with. The beat even incorporates some rootsy rock flourishes.…

As always, it’s a Sistar summer, with groupmates Hyolyn and Soyou releasing new singles within a day of each other. Both ladies have delived summer classics on their own, yet nothing will ever compare to their incredible group work. Lately, Hyolyn has taken a more subdued approach to the season, relying on softer sounds to paint a summer mood. Any musical trend can wear out its welcome if it’s repeated for long enough. Such is the case with Afrobeats — a style that has been employed by just about every K-pop idol you can imagine. Hyolyn seems to love the…

SHINEE’s Onew continues his prolific solo run with his third full album today. This was preceded by pre-release Confidence, a song that was musically impressive but failed to pull me in on a gut level. Title track Animals is a more straightforward synthpop affair, reminiscent of some sounds you might find on a SHINee album. This also feels quite indebted to western pop, surging forward with a simple beat and uncluttered melody. It’s a predictable arrangement, even as the song occasionally stumbles into more experimental territory. Holding it all together is Onew’s inimitable voice. He doesn’t have much opportunity to…

“PROJECT 7” group CLOSE YOUR EYES has won their first music show trophy for their new title track “Snowy Summer”! On the July 15 episode of “The Show,” the candidates for first place were CLOSE YOUR EYES’ “Snowy Summer,” H1-KEY’s “Summer Was You,” and AHOF’s “Rendezvous.” CLOSE YOUR EYES ultimately took the win with a total of 6,002 points. Congratulations to CLOSE YOUR EYES! Watch their comeback performance and win below: Other performers on today’s show included VIVIZ, CRAVITY, H1-KEY, AHOF, n.SSign, NOWZ, RESCENE, NouerA, Baby DONT Cry, You Dayeon, Doha, and BLINGONE.  Check out their performances below! VIVIZ –…

KARA’s Kang Jiyoung and HIGHLIGHT’s Lee Gikwang’s upcoming action film “I KILL U” has announced its premiere date! “I Kill You” follows the story of Sun Woo, a former Taekwondo hopeful who appears in the media on behalf of chaebol Ji Yeon (both played by Kang Ji Young), who eerily resembles Sun Woo and gets accused of being the main culprit of a drunk hit-and-run accident. Lee Gikwang stars as Ji Yeon’s ambitious half-brother Ho Joong, who feels inferior to her but is determined to become their family’s heir. The newly released main poster features the bold English title “I KILL U” and hints…

Disney+’s upcoming series “Low Life” has offered a glimpse into the intriguing uncle-nephew chemistry between Ryu Seung Ryong and Yang Se Jong! Based on a webtoon, “Low Life” is a crime drama that follows a group of down-on-their-luck country folks as they chase after a sunken treasure ship beneath the sea. A newly released still captures Oh Gwan Seok (Ryu Seung Ryong), dressed in a suit, and Oh Hee Dong (Yang Se Jong) in a leather jacket, standing side by side at a seaside location. The two travel to Sinan, a small island in the southwest of South Korea, in…

Upcoming weekend drama “Our Golden Days” has revealed three points to look forward to ahead of its premiere! “Our Golden Days” is a generational family drama built around the idea that everyone has their own golden era—be it in the past, present, or future. The story explores how people encounter and reflect on those meaningful moments in life. Here are three key points to watch out for: 1. Father and son at the heart of generational conflict Lee Sang Chul (Chun Ho Jin) and Lee Ji Hyuk (Jung Il Woo) are set to portray a deeply realistic father-son clash. Ji…

ASTRO’s Yoon San Ha is finally back with a new solo album! On July 15 at 6 p.m. KST, Yoon San Ha dropped his second solo mini album “CHAMELEON” along with the music video for its title track “EXTRA VIRGIN.” “EXTRA VIRGIN” is a hybrid pop song that combines country-inspired chord progressions with heavy hip-hop rhythms. Yoon San Ha remarked, “It’s a bright song that captures a seasonal vibe, and I also wanted to sing something in the hip-hop genre, which is why I chose it. I thought that as I get older, I might not be able to pull…

ENA is partnering with production company TEO to launch “Salon de Idol: You Sure Talk a Lot” (literal title), a new spin-off of the hit YouTube show “Salon Drip”! “Salon de Idol: You Sure Talk a Lot” is a talk show where idols gather to engage in fierce debates over trivial topics. PD Lee Tae Kyung of TEO, who played a major role in the early days of “Salon Drip” and has worked on hit shows like “Amazing Saturday,” “HYEMILEEYECHAEPA,” and “My Name Is Gabriel,” will lead the production. SHINee’s Key and BTOB’s Changsub have been confirmed as MCs, adding to the excitement.…