Author: Rahul M

Someone needs to calculate just how many times the schoolboy/schoolgirl concept has been used in J-pop. That would be impossible, of course, as it’s become one of the industry’s leading tropes. It still works, partly because the idols themselves are young enough to sell it but mostly because it’s an experience the vast majority of their listeners have had or are currently part of. These concepts usually point towards a light, melodic pop sound so I can’t be too mad even if the visuals are derivative. HYBE’s newest Japanese boy group aoen debuted this spring with a fun but generic…

1. Head Shoulders Knees Toes // 2. Overdrive // 3. Hot Blue Shoes // 4. Caffeine Rush // 5. Overthinking // 6. Here For You HOT BLUE SHOES I’m not sure what a “hot blue shoe” is, but it definitely paints an image in your head. If you thought TWS got hip-hop out of their system on this album with Head Shoulders Knees Toes, you’re wrong. We’ve got a second hip-hop track here — with a rock twist. This isn’t my favorite sound for TWS, but there’s still plenty to enjoy here. The crunchy, guitar-focused instrumental does a lot of…

Bae Jinyoung’s already been through two idol groups in his career, debuting with Wanna One and later with CIX. After choosing not to re-sign his contract with the latter, he’s stepped out as a soloist. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard a Jinyouong solo track, but this time it feels different. Round & Round takes an old school approach, utilizing retro hip-hop beats to craft a funky outing. The verses feel almost freeform, composed of a series of colorful rap before we get a hint of melody during the pre-chorus. Unfortunately, this is all set-up for a truly awful…

MEOVV scored their first long-lasting hit with this spring’s Hands Up — a track that rose to the top thanks to its sheer catchiness and verve. It’s no surprise the group would seek to replicate that sound, and new single Burning Up enlists their usual squad of producers to craft a similar energy. Like Hands Up, Burning Up puts much of its focus on the beat. A steady pulse keeps things moving amidst a somewhat fractured arrangement. There are flashes of brilliance, most notably during the melodic pre-chorus that recalls excellent Teddy-produced works of the past. I keep waiting for…

Big5 Season 2 Members ProfileBig5 Türkiye is a Turkish survival show, created by the company, Hypers. The first season created the 6-member group, MANIFEST. The preparation season before the second season will be aired in October 23rd, 2025 and there will be 30 girls. The second season will start at 2026 with the 15 girls among the 30 girls and the second girl group from Big5 will debut in 2027.Judges: N/ACoaches: Burcu Koşar, Naz Gültekin, & Ali Fuat DeğirmenciDance Coaches: Berke Taşdelen & Ayşegül AşcıOfficial SNS:Instagram: @big5.turkiyeX: @big5turkiyeTikTok: @big5turkiyeYouTube: Big5 TürkiyeBig5 Türkiye Contestants:NazlıStage Name: NazlıBirth Name: Nazlı ÇoğanBirthday: January 2003Zodiac…

The ber months are finally upon us, and that doesn’t just mean pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, falling leaves, and rainy days. It also means it’s prime time to cozy up with warm and comforting shows before the transition to thrillers and horror during the spooky season (if that’s your thing). With whimsical autumn scenery and feel-good storylines, these five BL dramas are the perfect autumnal watch. There’s no better time than now to give BL a try if you aren’t already a devotee. Warning: Light plot spoilers! 1. “Blossom Campus” “Blossom Campus” has some of the prettiest autumn scenery you’ll…

Kim Young Dae has shared more insights into his role in TVING’s upcoming drama “Dear X”! Based on the webtoon of the same name, “Dear X” stars Kim You Jung as Baek Ah Jin, an A-list actress who climbs from rock bottom to the top of the industry by using others. During her ascent to the top, Baek Ah Jin hides her cruel true nature beneath a beautiful mask, leaving behind a trail of the people she stepped on as she clawed her way to fame and fortune. The series also captures the tragic, desperate love of Yoon Joon Seo…

The upcoming drama “Moon River” has unveiled character posters featuring its main leads! “Moon River” is a fantasy romance historical drama about Crown Prince Yi Kang (Kang Tae Oh), a man who has lost his smile, and merchant Park Dal Yi (Kim Se Jeong), a woman who has lost her memory. When their souls are mysteriously switched, the two are forced to live each other’s lives. Lee Shin Young plays Yi Woon, the cousin of Crown Prince Yi Kang. Yi Woon was once the crown prince but was deposed after an incident. Having no desire to reclaim power, he accepts…

tvN’s upcoming drama “Nice To Not Meet You” has unveiled new stills of Lee Jung Jae in character! “Nice To Not Meet You” is a romantic comedy about the love-hate relationship between Im Hyun Joon (Lee Jung Jae), an A-list actor who has lost touch with his roots, and Wi Jung Shin (Lim Ji Yeon), a justice-obsessed, award-winning political journalist who gets demoted to the entertainment desk. The newly released stills offer a glimpse into top star Im Hyun Joon’s life. After an unexpected opportunity, Im Hyun Joon took on the lead role of “Good Detective Kang Pil Gu.” From…

Jeon Yeo Been and Jin Young will be putting everything on the line to protect their kindergarten in “Ms. Incognito”! “Ms. Incognito” is a crime romance drama starring Jeon Yeo Been as Kim Yeong Ran, a female bodyguard who enters a contract marriage with a terminally ill chaebol chairman in the hopes of turning her life around. But when those eyeing the chairman’s vast fortune close in on her, she is forced to live under the new identity of Bu Se Mi for three months—setting the stage for dangerous twists and turns. Spoilers In the upcoming episode, Kim Yeong Ran…