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[Review] BOOMPALA – LE SSERAFIM

May 23, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged LE SSERAFIMLeave a comment

After teasing their comeback a couple of weeks back with the EDM track CELEBRATION, LE SSERAFIM officially dropped their 2nd studio album, Pureflow Pt. 1, yesterday, led by the title track BOOMPALA.

No matter how many times I have heard BOOMPALA since its release yesterday, I am a bit lost and confused with the new song. On one hand, you have the track sampling the Macarena. The original is super fun, and BOOMPALA maintains that aspect to do it justice, even though it’s been high-pitched in this song. But at the same time, the track tries to create its own catchy, fun moment by building on the sampled Macarena with the spoken “BOOMPALA”, which has some earworminess to it, but its delivery does not have an ounce of brightness or excitement like the Macarena. LE SSERAFIM and BOOMPALA’s producers then try to add some melodic vocal lines, but they don’t add much to the song’s memorability. Elsewhere in the song, the verses don’t have much staying power, and the instrumental was a mixed bag (though best at its fullest). Overall, BOOMPALA tries to do a couple of things that I am not sure land with me.

The track expresses the message “that fear may be just an illusion depending on the perspective or attitude” (based on SOOMPI’s article). The music video shows the members and other people moving from different emotional states to a state of zen and at peace. I really liked the video’s colourful moments and overall vibrancy, which match the energy from the song’s instrumental and the summery period that South Korea is approaching.

The performance was very fun and energetic, so props to the members for pulling this off. With the song building on the Macarena, it would make sense for it to be a part of the performance. The ‘BOOMPALA‘ parts added variety and additional fun to the performance.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 7.4/10

[Review] Suddenly – I.O.I

May 21, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged I.O.ILeave a comment

I.O.I, the first group formed from a survival reality show (Produce 101), celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Quite amazing how 10 years have passed. Whilst active, I.O.I gave us Dream Girls, Whatta Man (Good Man) and the massive hit Very Very Very. Per their temporary contract, the group disbanded after less than a year. However, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, the group (sans Mina and Jieqiong) regrouped to release their 3rd mini-album, I.O.I : Loop, and its title track, Suddenly (갑자기).

While I appreciate Suddenly as a reunion song that brings back one of the biggest girl groups of their day, it just doesn’t hit as hard as their past tracks. I.O.I switches up their iconic Very Very Very cutesy sound for a much more mature profile, which makes sense after 10 years. To be fair, I didn’t expect them to replicate the exact same sound from when they were last active. However, I did hope for some energy and vibrancy. In making Suddenly more mature, the producers also made it extremely beige and dull. The synthpop instrumental does bring back a straightforward disco-retro sound, which was something that I liked about Suddenly. But the chorus and its melodies are surprisingly flat, lacking the excitement to draw me into the song. And there isn’t much to remember Suddenly by in the verses. The vocals were pleasant, but again, no one stood out to me in the track. Overall, Suddenly was good, but a missed opportunity for I.O.I to deliver something that truly celebrates their milestone.

The music video carries forward the retro vibes that Suddenly gives off, looking like it was shot with an old-style camera, with the occasional flickering dot in the footage that reminds me of a similar effect seen in older movies. A beige filter also appears to have been applied to reflect the song’s beige feel. Aside from that, not much else is going on in the video. I did appreciate seeing the 9 members again and wished that they had included some sort of reference to the other two members who couldn’t be part of this reunion.

There was a gracefulness to the performance which made the routine look really pretty and feel mature. All of this complemented the song quite well.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] TOP 5 – ZEROBASEONE

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged ZEROBASEONELeave a comment

ZEROBASEONE has undoubtedly had a busy early 2026 with the release of their Re-Flow single album (led by LOVEPOCALYPSE), their final concerts as a 9-member lineup and contract negotiations (which led to four members, Zhanghao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin, departing to re-debut as a separate group named AND2BLE later this year). Moving forward, ZEROBASEONE continues as a 5-member group, with Kim Jiwoong, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook. Their 6th mini-album, Ascend-, dropped just yesterday and features the title track TOP 5.

ZEROBASEONE delivers a sexy, mature early-00s hip-hop and R&B sound in TOP 5 that feels very nostalgic to me. I quite like this track, especially with a clever title that might also be a play on themselves as a 5-member group moving forward. The groovy instrumental earns big ticks from me. The speak-rap delivery that serves as a primary hook for TOP 5 also works really well with this early-2000s hip-hop/R&B sound, and I genuinely enjoyed its flow. I liked how each member had a chance to deliver the hook in this motif, allowing each member to really embrace TOP 5’s sound. Some of the hooks are back up with really nice melodic vocal lines that add a smooth texture to TOP 5 that again works perfectly with the nostalgic profile. I do feel like TOP 5 could have been longer. The 2.5-minute length made TOP 5 feel swift and straightforward, but I think ZEROBASEONE could have done a bit more with the track (e.g., the instrumental break was too brief). But besides that, I really enjoyed their new single.

That sexy, mature vibe from the song was well captured in the music video for the comeback. The use of the shade black was very stylish and chic. The lighting and grey set design helped to bolden the black outfits the members wore, emphasising their good looks and fit bodies. I also enjoyed the use of the foreground and background throughout the video, which adds cool depth. Definitely a cool music video that works extremely well with the song.

There was a lot of opportunity in the performance that ZEROBASEONE really took and seized. The song allows for a flirty component in the performance that matches the mature, sexy vibe I keep mentioning, and the group infused it at the right moment in the routine. There was also groove and smoothness to the song that the performance also took on board, allowing ZEROBASEONE to really showcase their dance capabilities.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.3/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 2 of May 2026

May 17, 2026Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged NMIXXLeave a comment

Welcome to the latest Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of May 2026, which spans from 10 to 16 May 2026. Again, not much to update you on, so let’s get right to the usual segments!

What else have I been listening to?

Each week, I spotlight a song not on the Weekly KPOP Charts that I’ve been listening to over the past week. This week’s feature is not a KPOP song. I do listen to songs from other countries from time to time. The song in question for the past week was T-ARA N4’s Jeon Won Diary.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

Each week, the top-ranked non-Korean Song on the Weekly KPOP Chart is spotlighted (as this is an area I haven’t been focusing on as much on my blog lately). The non-Korean song from the past week is, once again, NMIXX and Pabllo Vittar’s TIC TIC.

The Chart

NMIXX’s Heavy Serenade claimed the top spot on the charts this past week. Congratulations NMIXX!

Pos.	Title	Artist	Status
1	Heavy Serenade	NMIXX	(NEW)
2	WDA (Whole Different Animal)	aespa ft. G-DRAGON (BIGBANG)	(NEW)
3	ddok ddok ddok	BOYNEXTDOOR	(NEW)
4	AWAKE	CRAVITY	(=)
5	Mmchk	NEXZ	(▲ 6)
6	TNT	CORTIS	(=)
7	Crescendo	NMIXX	(▲ 12)
8	Key Beats	Keyveatz	(▲ 20)
9	All Ages	LUCY	(NEW)
10	Ice Cream	YUNA (ITZY)	(▼ 8)
11	REDRED	CORTIS	(▲ 10)
12	So Cute	HWASA (MAMAMOO)	(RE-ENTER)
13	WE WANNA GO	WANNA ONE	(NEW)
14	First Love Is A Curse	82MAJOR	(▲ 1)
15	CELEBRATION	LE SSERAFIM	(▲ 3)
16	No Tears On The Dancefloor	LEE CHAEYEON	(▲ 4)
17	POSE!	YOUNITE	(NEW)
18	GOD	AMPERS&ONE	(RE-ENTER)
19	Bodyelse	PARK JIHOON	(▼ 6)
20	Rush Rush	YUHZ	(NEW)
21	It’s Me	ILLIT	(▼ 12)
22	Bittersweet	Baby DON’T Cry	(RE-ENTER)
23	You, You	TWS	(▼ 20)
24	Stick With You	TXT	(▼ 23)
25	Who Is She?	KISS OF LIFE	(▼ 3)
26	Glow	XngHan&Xoul	(▼ 9)
27	Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart	AKMU	(RE-ENTER)
28	CEREMONY	QWER	(NEW)
29	UNCHILD	UNCHILD	(RE-ENTER)
30	Ode To Love	NCT WISH	(▼ 23)

[Album Review] From Real to Surreal (6th Mini Album) – HIGHLIGHT

May 16, 2026Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged HIGHLIGHTLeave a comment

The next album up for review is HIGHLIGHT’s 6th mini-album, From Real to Surreal, which was released a year ago. It is a short one, with just 4 songs making up its entirety – one of them being the title track Chains. Overall, this mini-album is fair but not their strongest effort to date.

Their last album release was Switch On from 2024, led by the single BODY.

1. Chains (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Chains. (7/10)

2. Endless Ending (없는 엔딩) (Pre-Release Track) – HIGHLIGHT liken a past relationship to a completed movie in Endless Ending, where the story and ending of the movie is unchangeable, but the members are unable to let go and pondering on what could have been. The mid-tempo ballad sounds bittersweet with you consider the lyrics and emotional tinge featured in their vocals. Endless Ending was also released under their original name, BEAST, after getting the rights to their original name back from their previous company. This has led to fans theorizing that the song is a reflection upon their journey thus far. That story, particularly where they had to say goodbye to some people, is also fixed and they wonder what the alternative ending would be like had the story been different. (8/10)

3. Good Day To You – Next up is a dreamy, jazzy R&B number. I liked the brass elements and piano in the song, which just give Good Day To You such a golden and sultry vibe. HIGHLIGHT sound so nice throughout the track, with their vocals and the melodies they bring to life give the track its smoothness and velvetiness. Overall, Good Day To You gives off very sophisticated vibes. (8/10)

4. Follow Me – Follow Me is the type of song that I have been drawn toas of late. The energy from the rock elements in this pop track feels bold (relative to the rest of the mini-album) and dynamic. However, I personally would have liked for the chorus to go all out. I get a sense the producers held back, and so Follow Me wasn’t as explosive as it could have been. I think they did this to complement the slightly softer vocals and harmonies that HIGHLIGHT brought to the song. Nothing wrong with that, I just love the idea that HIGHLIGHT could have really delve into the pop rock genre. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.9/10

HIGHLIGHT’s teaser image for *From Real To Surreal*

[Review] ddok ddok ddok – BOYNEXTDOOR

May 16, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged BOYNEXTDOORLeave a comment

BOYNEXTDOOR will be making their official comeback early next month with their 1st studio album, HOME. But kicking off the promotions for the comeback is the pre-release single ddok ddok ddok (똑똑똑; ‘ddok’ being the Korean word that describes the knocking sound, which is very fitting song title for BOYNEXTDOOR – see their debut concept). It’s their first release since Hollywood Action last year.

While BOYNEXTDOOR isn’t unfamiliar with hip-hop, their take on the genre has been more vibrant, bright and fun. And this is what I quite like about them. Their music ends up different to other acts who also explore the same genre and their playful take makes it easier for their songs to become earwormy and memorable. ddok ddok ddok hears BOYNEXTDOOR attempt a completely different take on hip-hop than usual, with the instrumental swapping out playfulness for seriousness. While exploration of different sounds and styles definitely should be encouraged, it shouldn’t come at the expense of individuality and personality. Here, ddok ddok strips out BOYNEXTDOOR’s personality and opts for pretty much a plain hip-hop approach which doesn’t differentiate it from the other hip-hop acts. I will admit that the “ddok ddok ddok, BND/1,2,3” lines in the choruses are catchy. But beyond that, there isn’t much else to remember the song by. I don’t feel much from the rest of ddok ddok ddok. Nor their delivery, especially since I felt like the members blurred together into one person in this song. I do hope that ddok ddok ddok is just an isolated case – I have grown to like BOYNEXTDOOR’s music, and wish for their vibrant and fun take on hip-hop returns.

While the music itself doesn’t sit right with me, the music video does for a number of reasons. Firstly, the members themselves look really good throughout the video. Secondly, the members’ interactions (or lack thereof) with the people around them actually gives off a cool aesthetic in the video. Thirdly, when it came to the group scenes like in the choreography shots, it is interesting to see how one member is always the one in focus, while everyone else is doing their thing (either posing or dancing) alongside that one member, but their actions doesn’t distract or take the focus away from the member in the spotlight. Clever use of camera angles, lighting and use of space.

From the music video, the routine for ddok ddok ddok looks intense and sharp, particularly when it came to the choruses. Unfortunately, with the members trying to balance delivery of the song with microphones, the live stages so far haven’t reach the full potential that the music video promises. You can definitely feel and see a difference when it comes to their dance break towards the end of the song.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.6/10

[Review] WDA (Whole Different Animal) – aespa ft. G-DRAGON (BIGBANG)

May 15, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged aespa, G Dragon (BIGBANG)Leave a comment

2026 has delivered a surprise collaboration between aespa (a top girl group from SM Entertainment) and G-DRAGON (the leader and main rapper of BIGBANG). Their new single, WDA (which stands for Whole Different Animal), dropped on Monday this week and is the first of two title tracks from their upcoming Lemonade studio album. WDA is aespa’s first release since Rich Man and G-DRAGON’s first since Übermensch/Too Bad.

WDA is a hip-hop dance track with a really cool electronic-based instrumental. This aspect of the track was very textured and full of intense yet subtle energy. Paired with the member’s charisma, WDA sets itself up to be quite alluring. But beyond the ‘Whole Different Animal‘ repetition as its primary hook (courtesy of G-DRAGON himself), the track was largely forgettable and disappointing. The members, while having charisma as I already mentioned, simply talk their way through WDA. As a result, there aren’t any melodies or other hooks to remember the song by. I did like how G-DRAGON’s rapping in the bridge really concentrates the hip-hop sound mentioned earlier. But it was so brief, and I wished there was more to it. Overall, WDA brings together two strong and epic forces, but the final product just wasn’t as satisfying as you would have hoped it would be.

The music video for WDA was very intriguing and mysterious. Creepy at times, like that ‘street view’ shot to focus on KARINA at the start of the video. But it definitely shows the members off in a very industrial, stylish, and ‘don’t mess with me’ aesthetic. I also liked the unpolished, modern-day camera quality and the transitions between members during close-ups. All aspects of the music video looked super cool, making it a worthwhile watch despite the song.

The above can be said of the choreography accompanying this comeback. With their charisma and stage presence, as well as a strong command of the hip-hop motif, aespa delivers another memorable performance that you definitely need to check out.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] Heavy Serenade – NMIXX

May 14, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged NMIXX1 Comment

A couple of weeks back, NMIXX teased their comeback with the release of the music video for Crescendo. This week, they finally dropped the single alongside their 5th mini-album, Heavy Serenade. However, the official lead single from the mini-album shares its name with the mini-album. The new mini-album also serves as NMIXX’s first release since their strong Blue Valentine comeback.

I really enjoy the pretty and aesthetic sound NMIXX has been going for in Blue Valentine, Crescendo, and now Heavy Serenade. This style just reinvigorates the pop sound and gives it an impact that instantly leaves a good impression. However, Heavy Serenade is without its flaws. A recurring thought I had consistently had was that Heavy Serenade‘s overall sound could have been sharper. From the loudness of the instrumental in the chorus and some of the muffled delivery, I just think Heavy Serenade could have benefited from a cleaner sound. A really good example is the “We’re blooming” refrain at the end of the choruses – I thought it was really catchy, but it was undecipherable without lyrics. I also thought the rapping was awkward. However, there are some super-strong aspects of the song that should not be overlooked. There was great vocal delivery overall (SULYOON and LILY’s literal launch into the final chorus was epic) – you can feel the dreaminess side of the song through the vocals. I also really enjoyed how much oomph and power were behind the chorus and other parts of Heavy Serenade, which, again, adds impact and bolsters the song’s memorability. The contrast between hefty and pretty in the instrumental was another wonderfully interesting aspect of Heavy Serenade to reflect upon.

Based on the lyrics, which are about deep, definite love (lyrics meaning taken from SOOMPI), I assume the music video captures the members seeking various signs of love. From the power of music to signals, the members combine their efforts to find love in a grey and plain world. This is just my interpretation of the video, however, so I could be wrong. As for the ending, I do wonder if the snow outside hints at a future music video release for another side track or a comeback later in the year.

While I think the rapping is slightly awkward in Heavy Serenade, the choreography that accompanies JIWOO’s rapping was one of the boldest sequences in the routine. And I really enjoyed that part. I also enjoyed the prettiness of the routine that accompanies the “We’re blooming”, which definitely brings out that vibe from the song, as well. A great performance, overall.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.6/10

[Review] AWAKE – CRAVITY

May 12, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged CRAVITYLeave a comment

CRAVITY made their comeback 2 weeks ago with the single AWAKE from their ReDeFine mini-album, their 8th to date. It is their first Korean release since their Lemonade Fever and Dare to Crave: Epilogue repackaged album in November last year.

As it has been 2 weeks since its release, AWAKE has had the chance to build and grow on me. And this has allowed certain parts of AWAKE to proliferate and elements to stick out. Truthfully, I think the members’ delivery could have been stronger and more prominent. While I do appreciate their softer, calmer approach throughout the song, especially during the choruses when the synths really kick into gear, their delivery also feels held back from reaching its full potential in AWAKE. The same could be said about the rapping, particularly in the second verse. An edgy factor is definitely incorporated, but I think there was a missed opportunity to really amp it up and hit AWAKE out of the park. Anyhow, the melodies accompanying the English lines in both the pre-choruses and the choruses ended up being quite memorable aspects of AWAKE. The purity of the melodies in the case of the pre-choruses, and the plainer melodies in the case of the choruses, of this alternative pop song manages to stick out for me. As for the synths, I enjoyed their dark tones and cool textures. Quite a lot to like in AWAKE, but it could have been better if the members had a stronger presence.

Is this the first time a priest concept has been carried out in KPOP? I can’t remember if it has been done before, so points for uniqueness. Anyhow, AWAKE is about “the process of defining oneself again the moment an end becomes a new beginning” (taken from SOOMPI). The music video shows the members training to become priests in a world about to be attacked by dark forces. The members use their divine powers to protect themselves, but this sets off a series of events that bring about their end and derail their path. However, at the moment it all ends, we see the members again at the start of the video. The video uses a serpent creature on rail tracks to depict the constant path the members are on, which becomes ‘derailed’ and is ‘eaten’ by another snake in the midst of the video. But at the end of the video, it is revealed that the serpent continuously circles and enters the head of the other snake, suggesting that redefining oneself at the end will always create a new beginning.

I liked the intensity and the drive behind the performance. AWAKE showcases their dance skills, and the members made the stage a really worthwhile watch as a whole.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 1 of May 2026

May 10, 2026May 17, 2026Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged TXTLeave a comment

Welcome to the latest Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 1 of May 2026, which spans from 3 to 9 May 2026. Not much to update you on, so let’s get right to it!

What else have I been listening to?

Non-Korean Song of the Week

Each week, the top-ranked non-Korean Song on the Weekly KPOP Chart is spotlighted (as this is an area I haven’t been focusing on as much on my blog lately). The non-Korean song from the past week is NMIXX and Pabllo Vittar’s TIC TIC collaboration.

The Chart

TXT’s Stick With You is back in the top spot on the charts this past week. Congratulations TXT!

Pos.	Title	Artist	Status
1	Stick With You	TXT	(▲ 1)
2	Ice Cream	YUNA (ITZY)	(RE-ENTER)
3	You, You	TWS	(▼ 2)
4	AWAKE	CRAVITY	(▲ 10)
5	CHOOM	BABYMONSTER	(NEW)
6	TNT	CORTIS	(NEW)
7	Ode To Love	NCT WISH	(▲ 1)
8	Eye-Poppin’	KickFlip	(▲ 13)
9	It’s Me	ILLIT	(NEW)
10	X Room	Xdinary Heroes	(▲ 8)
11	Mmchk	NEXZ	(NEW)
12	Twenty	KickFlip	(RE-ENTER)
13	Bodyelse	PARK JI HOON	(NEW)
14	Sign	82MAJOR	(NEW)
15	First Love Is A Curse	YUJU	(▲ 9)
16	Girl	SOYOU	(NEW)
17	Glow	XngHan&Xoul	(NEW)
18	CELEBRATION	LE SSERAFIM	(▼ 14)
19	Crescendo	NMIXX	(▼ 13)
20	No Tears On The Dancefloor	LEE CHAEYEON	(▼ 15)
21	REDRED	CORTIS	(▼ 12)
22	Who Is She?	KISS OF LIFE	(▼ 3)
23	Sticky	NCT WISH	(NEW)
24	Rock Solid	TAEYONG (NCT) ft. Anderson.Paak	(RE-ENTER)
25	Rock Paper Scissors	B1A4	(▼ 12)
26	I’ll Be There	Kim Jaehwan	(NEW)
27	CPR	B1A4	(▼ 4)
28	Key Beats	Keyveatz	(NEW)
29	GOD	AMPERS&ONE	(RE-ENTER)
30	What’s A Girl To Do	DAYOUNG (WJSN)	(▼ 13)

[Review] TNT – CORTIS

May 9, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged CORTISLeave a comment

Just the other week, CORTIS started teasing their comeback with the single REDRED. Earlier this week, the group officially dropped their 2nd mini-album, GREENGREEN, which is led by the title track TNT. This is CORTIS’s first comeback since their widely successful debut with What You Want and a bunch of other singles from their Color Outside the Lines debut mini-album (which I have yet to, but will, review).

TNT was a blur. No matter how many times I have listened to the song, I just haven’t been able to remember anything from TNT. I know it’s played, but it is so monotonous that it sounds all the same to me. While the grungy rock elements in the background held promise, TNT never developed instrumentally beyond its opening moments. The members’ contribution to the song was a mixed bag. Some of it had character. But, like the instrumentation, most of the members’ delivery lacked individuality and tone, leaving TNT without any appeal. The hooks were lacklustre, and TNT‘s short run time did not work in its favour. Overall, I am disappointed with TNT. CORTIS should have picked REDRED as its title track for the new mini-album and left it at that.

CORTIS is on the run from the masses in TNT‘s music video. It depicts societal pressure, as members dodge and avoid the idea of conforming with everyone else. The members are portrayed as your typical teenagers. And from their expressions, there is an element of thrill and excitement as they try to evade capture. Sometimes they are caught, but that just edges them the next day. At the very end of the video, I think we see the members turn around and go head-on with the crowd, showing their willingness to stand up for themselves.

The performance seems to build and play with the intensity of those grungy rock elements in TNT‘s background. Even without much else in the song, the members did a good job of commanding the stage, and this shows off their stage presence.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.1/10

[Album Review] Wait On Me (4th Mini Album) – KAI (EXO)

May 9, 2026May 9, 2026Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EXO, KAI (EXO)Leave a comment

Following the completion of his military enlistment in February 2025, KAI from EXO made a quick solo comeback with his 4th mini album, Wait On Me, in April of last year. It featured 7 songs in total, including the pre-release single Adult Swim and the lead single of the same name as the mini album. Wait On Me also serves as KAI’s first solo release since 2023’s Rover.

The Wait On Me mini album is not KAI’s strongest effort to date, but it is definitely up there. It just sits behind 2023’s Rover, which earned an 8.3/10 rating. That being said, Wait On Me did serve as a nice entrance for the 2025 summer period in a very KAI manner. More on each song below.

1. Wait On Me (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Wait On Me. (8/10)

2. Walls Don’t Talk – Click here for my review of Walls Don’t Talk. (7.5/10)

3. Pressure – The unexpected flute in the chorus, the deep, sultry rhythmic beats throughout the background and KAI’s alluring vocals made Pressure subtly intense and sensual. I really enjoyed the push he gives himself during the second verse. Slightly repetitive if I am being critical, but the short span of under 2:30 minutes prevents Pressure from being branded as boring. (9/10)

4. Ridin’ – Ridin’ is a very experimental and textural techno hip-hop track. It was quite a lot, so keeping KAI’s vocals either monotonous or low-key was pretty clever. It does come with some risks, such as the background overpowering KAI at some points. I did like the synthesiser that appeared in the earlier parts of Ridin’, and wish it had returned towards the end. It gave Ridin’ a shimmering feel that helped offset the heftier elements of the beat. (7/10)

5. Off and Away – I really enjoyed the Afro-beats in Off and Away. It made for a very chill, tropical-esque track without losing the R&B feel that KAI’s music tends to lean towards. It is also my favourite track off the mini-album. His vocal work throughout Off and Away was solid. I also really liked his shouty ad-libs at the end. It adds depth and a subtle edginess to the song, leaving a strong impression in Off and Away‘s final moments to remember. (10/10)

6. Adult Swim (Pre-Release Track) – Click here for my review of Adult Swim. (7/10)

7. Flight to Paris – Jersey Club beats, dreamy synths and piano come together to create a soft finale for Wait On Me. Throw in KAI’s airy vocals, and Flight to Paris is such a nice and pleasant track to ease us out of KAI’s first solo release since 2023. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Review] CHOOM – BABYMONSTER

May 9, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged BABYMONSTERLeave a comment

BABYMONSTER was one of the groups to make their comeback this week, with CHOOM, the title of both the lead single and their 3rd mini album. Following CHOOM, music videos for the other singles on the mini album have been confirmed, with one being released each month up until August. However, noting YG Entertainment’s track record, let’s wait and actually see the video drop before we get all excited. CHOOM follows on from their WE GO UP comeback from October last year.

CHOOM, or ‘dance’ in Korean, goes for the bombastic flair and high energy through its synth instrumentation and hefty beats. But while it does hit that brief (it is a YG song, after all), the instrumentation feels pretty unmemorable. The only part of the background that sticks out for me is the guitar piece after the first chorus, as it is the only part of the CHOOM that feels unique. CHOOM also features underbaked hooks that don’t really make much of an impact, relying more on the already unmemorable instrumentation. Even the chant at the end (which has worked in some YG songs in the past) feels one-dimensional. As for the members, their delivery was strong as always. I am impressed with the rapping during the verses, and the vocals in the bridge were amazing. It is a pity that the material isn’t of the same high quality.

According to some media articles, CHOOM is about “uniting fans through dance”. But aside from the members, there isn’t much dancing throughout the video. We do see dancers in the song’s final moments, hyping the members and joining in on the choreography. But in the rest of the video, the background people were either frozen in time (in the case of the entire bank heist concept) or off to the side and barely in focus (in the case of the ballerinas – I haven’t included them with the dancers at the end because their presence felt more space-filler than intentional). I felt that, with such a message behind the song, the music video could have showcased more dancers and featured a wider range of dance styles to bring everyone together.

The choreography leans into that bombastic flair and high energy I mentioned earlier. I did like the vibrant, dynamic tone the members brought to the routine, especially in the chorus.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 6.9/10

[Review] CINEMA – Lee Know & Seungmin (Stray Kids)

May 6, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Lee Know (Stray Kids), Seungmin (Stray Kids), Stray Kids3 Comments

It has been over a year since Stray Kids released their single album, Mixtape: dominATE. Despite being a big fan of Stray Kids (I acknowledge I give them a lot more attention than any other group), I have yet to review any tracks from their Mixtape: dominATE. As the one-year anniversary has just passed, now would be a timely moment to review the tracks on it. The lead single is the Korean version of their 2024 Japanese single, GIANT (which I have yet to review but will do later). Alongside GIANT are unit tracks – this post focuses on Lee Know and Seungmin’s CINEMA. Links to the reviews of the other unit tracks (as they are released) are below the music video.

CINEMA is a rock ballad that opens with dramatic drumming and follows through with atmospheric vibes from the electric guitars. From there, the song slowly builds, introducing other band instrumentation to the backing, allowing the rock ballad profile to proliferate and intensify. Both Lee Know and Seungmin sound breathtaking and amazing throughout CINEMA. We all know Seungmin as the main vocalist of Stray Kids and as someone who can captivate audiences with his vocals. But Lee Know completely surprised me. The song showcases his improved vocals since his debut, and his ability to hold his own alongside a main vocalist is pretty remarkable. Both convey a hopeful, uplifting tone throughout CINEMA, delivering beautiful melodies and their vocal ad-libs and harmonies at the end give the track so much impact.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, CINEMA‘s music video depicts the pair’s journey to ‘the stadium’, where they perform CINEMA. We see snippets of them penning the song together and making the physical journey to ‘the stadium’. Despite their car breaking down, which also tests their relationship, the pair supports each other in their efforts to realise their goals and dreams to perform. The storyline can definitely be seen as a representation of Stray Kids’ journey thus far with the rest of their group and their fans (more on this soon). The idea of the final destination being called ‘the stadium’ might also be a reference to their world tour, where they have performed in stadiums across the globe, highlighting their success and where they are at in the present. The most abstract aspect of the music video is the post-apocalyptic setting, which, in my mind, represents starting from nothing. Both Lee Know and Seungmin acted well in the video, as well.

I am not factoring their stage performances of CINEMA into the final rating (as there isn’t a choreography for this release), but I really enjoyed the idea of their fan names at each leg of their world tour scrolling across the screen in an ‘ending credits’ type of fashion. Again, this highlights the importance of STAYs in their journey of being Stray Kids.

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 10/10

Burnin’ Tires – CHANGBIN & I.N | Truman – HAN & FELIX
ESCAPE – BANGCHAN & HYUNJIN | Cinema – LEE KNOW & SEUNGMIN

[Review] It’s Me – ILLIT

May 5, 2026Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged ILLITLeave a comment

Last week also saw the return of ILLIT, who made their comeback with the single It’s Me, and the mini-album Mamihlapinatapai. This is their first comeback since last November’s NOT SO CUTE anymore.

In terms of sound profiles, It’s Me really stood out among last week’s releases. I think there is potential for It’s Me to be one of the more memorable wackier tracks (think Orange Caramel). However, the track’s short-term effect might derail that potential long-term outlook. The techno nature of the backing was definitely attention-grabbing, while the clangy texture, fast-paced tempo and hefty bass of the instrumental (particularly during the chorus) made It’s Me very dynamic. It is unique, fun, and memorable. I personally enjoyed this aspect of the song, even if it does limit what ILLIT could have done with the delivery of It’s Me. On that front, I am not exactly thrilled with where it landed. I am impressed by the pre-choruses, which have a pretty melody and vocal line. Definitely one of the better parts of It’s Me. As for the rest of the song, their vocals and delivery were definitely energetic and leaned into that cutesy side that ILLIT is known for. But the spoken motif for the rapping comes off as monotonous, and the “Who is your bias?” repetitive hook, whilst catchy upfront, has nowhere to go but to end up annoying. I already feel that endpoint becoming reality whilst having It’s Me on repeat for the purposes of this review.

I do bring up the reference to Orange Caramel deliberately, as part of ILLIT’s music video is set in a Chinese-style restaurant that gives me flashbacks to the Shanghai Romance music video. I liked that little throwback. Elsewhere in the video, I enjoyed the start where the members randomly come together from different places ahead of It’s Me chorus. I found the stop-motion funny, and how the other people in the neighbourhood were trying to avoid the members at one point. This leads into a taekwondo-style scene, which is a nice way to represent their Korean culture and identity in the music video.

That idea of It’s Me being potentially wackier releases in KPOP definitely comes through strongly in this comeback’s performance. I am loving that twist just before the chorus, as well as the foot-tapping, bouncy nature and sharp arm positions of the chorus. If it hasn’t already, I can totally see the routine becoming viral and dominating social media. I would be disappointed if it didn’t.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Weekly KPOP Chart] Week 5 of April 2026

May 4, 2026May 10, 2026Posted in Weekly ChartsTagged TWSLeave a comment

Welcome to the latest Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 5 of April 2026, which spans from 26 April to 2 May 2026.

I had a personal thing over the weekend, hence why this post is a little later than usual. But I should be back on the reviews tomorrow. But for now, here are the charts with Week 5 of April 2026.

What else have I been listening to?

I am ashamed to say I have yet to review both CIX’s THUNDER and WONDER YOU releases from last year. Those song reviews will be posted in the near future, so keep your eyes open for those reviews.

Non-Korean Song of the Week

Each week, the top-ranked non-Korean Song on the Weekly KPOP Chart is spotlighted (as this is an area I haven’t been focusing on as much on my blog lately). The non-Korean song from the past week is FIFTY FIFTY’s cover of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.

The Chart

TWS’s latest comeback single, You, You, took out the top spot on the charts this past week. Congratulations to TWS!

Pos.	Title	Artist	Status
1	You, You	TWS	(NEW)
2	Stick With You	TXT	(▼ 1)
3	Backtalk	EVNNE	(▲ 3)
4	CELEBRATION	LE SSERAFIM	(=)
5	No Tears On The Dancefloor	LEE CHAEYEON	(NEW)
6	Crescendo	NMIXX	(NEW)
7	Born Savage	PLAVE	(=)
8	Ode To Love	NCT WISH	(▼ 5)
9	REDRED	CORTIS	(▼ 7)
10	HMPH!	PLAVE & SOLE	(=)
11	POSE	CLOSE YOUR EYES	(NEW)
12	Voyager	Xdinary Heroes	(NEW)
13	Rock Paper Scissors	B1A4	(NEW)
14	AWAKE	CRAVITY	(NEW)
15	Good Day	DONGHAE (SUPER JUNIOR) ft. Jay Park & 1iL	(RE-ENTER)
16	UNCHILD	UNCHILD	(NEW)
17	What’s A Girl To Do	DAYOUNG (WJSN)	(▼ 9)
18	X Room	Xdinary Heroes	(RE-ENTER)
19	Who Is She	KISS OF LIFE	(▲ 3)
20	UNIQUE	P1Harmony	(▼ 5)
21	Eye-Poppin’	KickFlip	(▼ 16)
22	HAERise	DONGHAE (SUPER JUNIOR)	(NEW)
23	CPR	B1A4	(NEW)
24	First Love Is A Curse	YUJU	(NEW)
25	So Cute	HWASA (MAMAMOO)	(▼ 13)
26	Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart	AKMU	(▼ 1)
27	Wish You Were Here	FIFTY FIFTY	(NEW)
28	MUSEUM	OWIS	(▼ 18)
29	DESPERADO	T.O.P	(RE-ENTER)
30	KEYVITUP	KEYVITUP	(RE-ENTER)