Cyberlovin' the New Era
I’ve decided to write a recap of the most important K-Pop comebacks and debuts so far this year. And by “most important” I mean ones that I noticed and listened to.
Let’s start off with Apink and Love me more. I did not know about this. I just saw it pop up in the comeback list. I probably listened to it, decided it’s too schmaltzy, and turned it off. But Apink has some certified bangers in their discography: Eung Eung and So sick are worth checking out. As is Dumhdurum. There was also single release by the main vocalist, but it never came up in my algo-playlist, probably not much marketing behind it.
Chuu, XO my cyberlove. Meh. Chuu is great, but this comeback is too whatever. On the other hand, Cocktail Dress on the same album is actually cool. Should have decided on that to be the main single. Ah well, she’s still cool in my book.
Kiiikiii, New Era. Mmmmm-no. I liked Dancing Alone and I do me, as well as Groundwork. Groundwork almost sounds like industrial pop, it’s really weird and some of its harshness must have made its way into this comeback. But better check out Dancing and I do me, they’re fun throwback-pop.
Billlie, Cloud Palace. I can’t remember this one, either too schmaltz-infused or generic. It doesn’t ring a bell.
I-dle, Mono. Not an I-dle fan, although Minnie’s solo album last year (?) was fun. I know the leader of the group writes all the songs, that’s probably why the lyrics make little sense or are ass. Can’t get excited about this one.
Misamo, Confetti. Ah, a Twice sub-unit. Didn’t listen. Of all the Twice spin-offs, Nayeon’s solo output is probably the only one I like.
Tame Impala x JENNIE, Dracula Remix. Didn’t know about this one, will listen to it. I like Dracula, and Jennie’s stuff can also be good. No clue what’s happening on this remix, maybe she sings the lines? Who knows.
Ive, Bang Bang. This is music for pre-schoolers, not knocking it but also not the target demographic.
Chung Ha, Save Me. As a Chung Ha fan, I did not hear about this. A comeback? Probably also a schmaltz-factor involved, and I skipped. Her dance tracks are banger.
Hearts 2 Hearts, Rude. Yeah, one of the best K-Pop tracks this year. Funky dance-music, very good. Good Pop!
Nmixx, Tic Tic. I think this is the one with the video in Brazil on the wagon, also it features a Brazilian artist. No likey.
Just a reminder, I don’t spellcheck this shit, so if you get angry about grammar and mistakes, just be happy you’re not reading AI. OK?
Black Pink, Go. Ah, this one is very dancey. There’s recently been a couple of club-heavy K-Pop comebacks, a trend? Why. What does marketing know that I don’t? Whatever, I don’t care much about it. I like Jennie’s and Lisa’s output, Black Pink can probably do whatever at this point.
IRENE, My biggest fan. BEST ALBUM THIS YEAR!!!. No, but really, I can’t see anyone surpassing the entire album. This is clever, well made, charismatic singer, everything. Very good.
Kiss of Life, Who is she. Yeah, this is good. They can sing, they’ve got spunk, spoonk, bing, and goonk. I can’t think of another K-Pop group that does american R’n’B infused songs this well.
Le Sserafim, Celebration. This sounds like a song entry for Eurovision song contest. Honestly, if Korea would compete in that, they’d win every year. They perfected its campiness, and actually took it serious.
Babymonster, Choom. Haven’t listened to it yet, although Babymonster makes the most supermarket/radio-friendly songs. It’s the kind of stuff you hear when walking through shopping malls. I like some of it, even!
This concludes my recap. I forgot about 500+ groups. Just get out there yourself, google “Fuck my shit up K-Pop”, and start digging. Enjoy.
