Casual reviews of KPOP songs, music videos & dances
Author: kpopreviewed
Hi, my name is Tony and I am the man behind the site, kpopreviewed. Currently an university student who wants to introduce people to KPOP and if you are already into KPOP, different groups and bands.
The final review for 2025 is an album review for TWS’ LAST BELL, the group’s first single album. This single album dropped at the end of November 2024, alongside the music video for Last Festival (the single’s title track).
LAST BELL impressively closed out a big year for TWS, which included their debut withplot twist and their first comeback, If I’m S, Can You Be My N?. There was no skippable song on the single album, with all songs being quite enjoyable. I highly recommend this single album for you, if you haven’t heard of it yet, want to get into a new group or find a new song, or just want to listen to some good music to end off 2025. More recently, TWS returned with two mini-albums this year – one featuring COUNTDOWN (which has been nominated for Best Dance Performance (Male Group) of 2025) and OVERDRIVE.
LAST BELL Album Cover
1. Highlight (너의이름) – Opening up this single album is Highlight, which is an upbeat synth-pop track with soft and sweet vocals from the members. I enjoyed the familiarity of the melodies in the choruses, as well as the warmth that the members add via their vocal work. Altogether, Highlight sounds like a pleasant dance number to round out the year with. (9/10)
3. Comma, (점대신쉼표를그려) – Comma, is quite a groovy track, thanks to the groovy bass guitar and percussive elements that make up the instrumental. This is already a great start for a fun and exciting song. But there was more to Comma, than just that. I really liked the bridge, where the funkiness concentrated and a slight retro influence came into play alongside the rapping. The smooth vocals throughout the track and the catchiness of the hook were also standout elements in Comma,. Definitely my pick for the best song on this single album. (10/10)
Welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 4 of December 2025, which spans from December 21 to December 27, 2025.
If you have not yet done so, make sure to cast your vote for the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards! If you haven’t checked out the nominees yet, you can do so by clicking this link. You can also find a link to the vote form in the same post, or if you want to vote straight away, click this link.
I am also preparing the KPOPREVIEWED Choice post for the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards, which is scheduled for tomorrow. However, knowing how I have been operating this year, it might be slightly delayed by a day or two. Just know it is coming and will be published by the end of the week.
Until then, here is the Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 4 of December 2025.
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 of the past week is, once again, BABYMONSTER’s SUPA DUPA LUV.
The Chart
Stray Kids’ DO IT is in the top spot again this past week for the third week in a row (and four weeks overall). Congratulations again to Stray Kids!
ATEEZ is nominated for Best Male Group, Best Stage Presence and Best Visuals in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Ice On My Teeth (Olive Alive Ver.) is nominated for Best Remixed Track, Lemon Drop is nominated for Best Music Video, while In Your Fantasy is nominated for Best Concept, Best Electronic Song and Best International Song by a Korean Artist (English). Support ATEEZ, Ice On My Teeth, Lemon Drop and In Your Fantasy by voting here today.
Part 2 of the GOLDEN HOUR series by ATEEZ is the next album to be reviewed. The group’s 11th mini-album to date was released in mid-November 2024 and features 6 tracks, including the title track Ice On My Teeth. Overall, this was a very strong mini-album from ATEEZ, with some standout songs in the second half. As such, I highly recommend you check out GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2.
Before GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2, ATEEZ released GOLDEN HOUR: Part.1 (led by the single WORK) in 2024. More recently, ATEEZ also returned with GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 (featuring Lemon Drop) in June 2025, before re-releasing the mini-album in July 2025 as GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3‘In Your Fantasy Edition’ with the single In Your Fantasy leading the mini-album.
GOLDEN HOUR Part 2 Album Cover
1. DEEP DIVE – Up first is the hip-hop DEEP DIVE. The synth work is cool – I particularly liked the etching synths in the background of HONGJOONG’s rapping at the end of the song. However, I would have liked the song more had the beat gone a little harder. I like the autotune filtering of the vocals, which helped keep them and the song lowkey. This very much complements the message of being in a state of being held down (not by choice, but constantly to the point that they know how to adapt in such situations). (7.5/10)
2. Scene 1: Value – Scene 1: Value is a predominantly instrumental track that starts off with some creepy and haunting orchestral and accordion music, which felt perfect for the introduction to a haunted house. I also believe there was some humming alongside this (though it might be an instrument). In piecing together the elements of this comeback, I think this track is intended for the mansion location in ATEEZ’s Ice On My Teeth music video (see the music video below). But in true ATEEZ fashion, the latter half of the track swaps out the orchestra and humming for a faint sample of the violins used in Ice On My Teeth, pounding (but very satisfying beats), and the slightly rapped line of ‘Great minds think alike’.
4. Man on Fire – Whilst also lowkey, Man on Fire features some really cool bass beats, hollow percussion and twirling flutes to become one of the mini-album’s strongest contenders for memorable tracks. For the most part, this is what the verses mainly consist of. However, when it came to the choruses and the instrumental break, I liked how the other synths filled out the rest of the background, taking Man on Fire to a whole new level. Powerful vocals and dynamic rapping also help with this. These were also quite memorable. (10/10)
5. Selfish Waltz – I alluded earlier that there is more than one song for the most memorable track on the mini-album, and Selfish Waltz is the alternative contender. I find this a refreshing number, despite the song’s lyrics being about a toxic relationship. I really liked the R&B vibes that come at the end of the choruses – coming off the subtly groovy background, this aspect of Selfish Waltz hits hard and gives off such a mature vibe. With regard to that subtly groovy background, I really liked the trance-like setup and the layering of synths. Selfish Waltz also boasts strong vocals and rapping from the members. There was a lot to like in the song, and I liked it. (10/10)
6. Enough– Being a year after the album’s release, the most succinct way I found to describe Enough is ‘uplifting atmospheric rock’. There was an epic vibe to the song, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was also a genuine surprise to find out that most of the song’s lyrics were in English (sans a few lines at the final rap sequence shared by HONGJOONG and MINGI). Wished they’d gone all the way on that aspect, but that doesn’t diminish the quality of Enough. I felt some vocals were drowned out at certain points, and I wished this had been corrected. But Enough was also another memorable song and effort from ATEEZ. (9/10)
SUNGJIN is nominated for Best New Male Soloist, with Check Pattern nominated for Best Ballad in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support SUNGJIN and Check Pattern by voting today!
The next album up for review is SUNGJIN’s (from DAY6) debut studio album, 30. This album dropped in November 2024. The studio album features 10 tracks, including the title track, Check Pattern. For those who missed it, Check Pattern earned a 10/10 in my full review earlier this year (link below). I had high expectations that the album would be similar to it based on my listens back then when it was first dropped and throughout this year. And this review validates that expectation. 30 is definitely a fantastic album, filled with various kinds of ballads. SUNGJIN made sure most songs were engaging and captivating, either by his vocals or instrumentation.
In 2025, SUNGJIN regrouped with his fellow DAY6 members to release their fourth studio album, THE DECADE, to celebrate their 10-year career.
30 Album Cover
1. Covered In Love (동화속아이처럼) – Opening SUNGJIN’s debut studio album is Covered in Love, a nice and bright pop ballad that sounds very welcoming and warm. SUNGJIN’s vocals and the song’s melodies have such a pleasantness that helped make the song inviting to all. These also complement the fondness he expresses in the lyrics of love in his younger years. (9/10)
3. I Don’t Wanna Do Anything (아무것도안하고싶다) – I Don’t Wanna Do Anything is such a relatable song for me. The title basically says it all. SUNGJIN presents this indie pop ballad with effortless simplicity, without cutting any corners. I really liked the nasally tone he adopts throughout the track, and the instrumental was quite dreamy, up until the bridge, where the song picks up. I wish the final chorus had continued the momentum of the bridge rather than just returning to the original choruses we’d already heard. But what we got in the end was still very good. (9/10)
4. Nowhere You Are (어디에도없는널) – Nowhere You Are goes with laidback vibes in a rock ballad style track. While combining laidback vibes and a ballad can sound like a bore, the rock influences that come through and SUNGJIN’s raspy vocals make it engaging. For the former, I enjoyed the instrumental most when it was building upon itself. With regards to the latter, you can also hear the emotions behind SUNGJIN’s vocals and lyrics, which speak to remembering a former relationship in the present. (8/10)
5. as always (나무는결국겨울을견뎌낼거야) – as always is another rock ballad, but it is an amazing one. At its peak, the instrumental developed into an emotively powerful backing piece (with thanks to the electric guitar riffs in the background), taking as always to the next level. The same can be said about SUNGJIN’s vocals. For me, the pause in instrumentation was the best moment in the song. It was well placed to give the song a moment to consolidate what it had built up towards and give the final chorus a chance to be quite impactful. Both was delivered and gave as always a breathtaking moment. (10/10)
6. Wednesday Night – Wednesday Night was a short yet upbeat track. While I do appreciate the upbeat instrumentation and brightness that the track exudes, Wednesday Night was a bit of a blur for me. Apart from the noted points, I don’t remember too much from it. (7/10)
7. EASY – EASY is another short one, and it is also upbeat. But what makes EASY more likeable and memorable is the retro vibes in the rock track. These retro vibes remained throughout the song and, combined with SUNGJIN’s brighter vocals, helped make EASY quite an engaging track to tap my foot to. (9/10)
8. You Wake Me Up – You Make Me Up is another powerful ballad from SUNGJIN. Without a doubt, the power comes from SUNGJIN himself and the dynamic lines in the song. His raspy vocals just give You Make Me Up so much emotion and colour. The instrumentation was also a stunner, building alongside SUNGJIN’s powerful delivery. (10/10)
9. I Don’t Wanna Lose – If there is any song that really sells SUNGJIN’s vocals on this album, it would be I Don’t Wanna Lose. The raspiness that SUNGJIN uses to launch into the choruses and maintains in the rest of the centrepiece of the song was amazing. The pre-choruses see SUNGJIN stunningly build his vocals. The chanty bridge was also a highlight and felt just right for that moment. The rock ballad instrumentation also helped to heighten the appeal, emotions and SUNGJIN’s tone in the song. (10/10)
10. Memories – Closing out SUNGJIN’s debut studio album is the single Memories. It is another emotive ballad where SUNGJIN sings about coming to terms with the need to let go of an old relationship. His vocals deliver so much emotion in Memories – it is purely captivating to listen to. The organ and orchestral instruments really bring it all together to make it even more heart-wrenching. (9/10)
CHANYEOL’s debut mini-album is the furthest I’ll go back to review in this hyperfocus period on 2024 albums. The mini-album, titled BLACK OUT, was released in August 2024. It features the title track, Back Again, a pre-release single that shares the mini-album’s name, plus four additional songs. More on these songs below. But overall, BLACK OUT was a pleasant album from EXO’s main rapper.
More recently, CHANYEOL returned with his second Korean mini-album, UPSIDE DOWN, in August 2025 and a Japanese mini-album, HIBI, in October 2025. CHANYEOL will also be returning as part of the EXO lineup in 2026.
2. Hasta La Vista – I quite enjoyed Hasta La Vista’s laid-back and chilled tone. To me, it felt like a neat song to have on in the background on a drive down the coast, with the windows down and you taking in all of the fresh air. The band instrumentation was nice and pleasant, while CHANYEOL’s raspy vocals brought a cool vibe to the track. The melodies were both easygoing and easy on the ears. (8/10)
3. Ease Up – Ease Up is another chilled song, going with an alternative pop instrumental. I find the instrumental for this track a little dull compared to the preceding track. That being said, it still carries forward CHANYEOL’s raspy vocals and easy-on-the-ears melodies, which are always a highlight for me. I also liked the high-pitched echo that follows some of his vocals, which is a nice element in Ease Up. (8/10)
5. I’m On Your Side Too – CHANYEOL continues to pick up the energy on the mini-album with punk rock instrumentation in I’m On Your Side Too. It starts off soft but develops into an impactful track. I quite enjoyed the soft “I’m on your side too” line that kicks off the chorus, which contrasts nicely with the oomph he follows through in the rest of the chorus, as well as the punk rock instrumentation. The rapping was a nice addition, adding to the punk appeal of the song. (9/10)
6. Clover – For his last song, Clover takes us into R&B territory with lo-fi beats. This is quite a dreamy listen and was extremely pleasant from the get-go to the very end. The exact same can be said about CHANYEOL’s vocals – there is less raspiness to his singing in Clover, and dreamy and pleasant descriptions do come to mind. The melodies also have a wavy effect, which makes Clover more likeable. (8/10)
JIN is nominated for Best Male Soloist, with the Japanese version of Falling (ft. TAKA) is nominated for Best International Song by a Korean Artist (Japanese) in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support JIN and Falling by voting today!
Over a year ago, JIN made his first solo comeback since his 2022 military enlistment with his first solo mini-album, HAPPY. It is finally time to review the mini-album and all the songs that are featured on it, including the pre-release I’ll Be There and the title track Running Wild (links below, as usual). Per my rating below, I am quite impressed with the entire mini-album, with half the songs on the mini-album earning a 10/10 rating from me. I will admit I am easy to satisfy, but JIN really blew me away with these tracks and HAPPY overall. A definite, highly recommended album from me.
Before HAPPY, JIN made his solo debut with the digital single The Astronaut. More recently, JIN made a quick solo comeback just 6 months after the release of this mini-album, the subject of this review, with his second mini-album ECHO and title track Don’t Say You Love Me.
3. Another Level – Throughout this year, I have been working to an ‘epic music’ playlist, which mainly consists of cinematic instrumentals or dramatic covers of songs. Upon relistening to Another Level for this post, this can easily fit into the scope of that playlist. The intensity and power of the rock instrumentation has a ‘keeps me on the edge of my seat’ vibe, and I appreciate that JIN gives it his all to keep up with the epic nature of the backing. I also like the calculated filtering of his vocals behind autotune, which just heightens the appeal of the song. (10/10)
4. Falling (네게닿을때까지) – I really enjoyed JIN’s vocals in Falling, especially the oomph he gives to the chorus. The rock instrumentation is straightforward and very pure, with the modern style really complementing JIN’s voice. A Japanese version of Falling was released shortly after the mini-album dropped, featuring TAKA (one of the song’s writers). For me, the Japanese version had a bit more impact, especially in the choruses, which is why I nominated it for Best International Song by a Korean Artist (Japanese) of 2025. But that doesn’t mean the Korean version is anything less. (10/10)
5. Heart on the Window (ft. WENDY of Red Velvet) – JIN moves us into a blend of acoustic and pop percussion territory with Heart on the Window. He also joins forces with WENDY, who, as we all know, is an amazing vocalist. JIN holds up well alongside WENDY – I did have a concern that he could have been outdone in his own song. But that didn’t occur. In fact, Heart on the Window did not disappoint. Their harmonies and the song’s melodies were beautiful. I did feel the song was rather short, and I felt JIN was only getting started by the time it wrapped up. (8/10)
6. I Will Come To You (그리움에) – Finishing up the mini-album is the ballad I Will Come To You. As a song written for fans by JIN himself, I recommend you check out the lyrics (and a translation, if Korean is not your native language). It was so lovely to read, and it put a smile on my face – I am sure fans find it a very warm hug from JIN. As for the ballad, it simply features JIN’s heartfelt vocals and a simple piano accompaniment. To me, this helped make I Will Come To You feel much more profound and made JIN sound much more present. (10/10)
NCT DREAM is nominated for Best Male Group and Best Dance Performance (Male Group) for CHILLER in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support NCT DREAM by voting today!
Next up on the hyper-focused 2024 albums yet to be reviewed is NCT DREAM’s DREAMSCAPE, which dropped mid-November 2024 and features the title track When I’m With You. Alongside the title track are 10 other tracks, including the pre-releases Flying Kiss and the group’s first English single Rains In Heaven (links below). There is a consistent theme of dreaminess in DREAMSCAPE, with many songs taking on this characteristic or leaning towards it (at the very least). It creates cohesion and works well with the album’s brighter themes (see more below). I agree with people when they say it isn’t NCT DREAM’s strongest work, but it is still a pleasant listen overall.
Previously, the group released their fifth mini-album, DREAM()SCAPE, which was a lot darker and focused on escaping pain and struggles. That mini-album was led by Smoothie. In contrast, this studio album (also titled DREAMSCAPE, without the brackets) is much brighter and focuses on freedom. More recently, the group released their fifth studio album, Go Back To The Future (led by singles BTTF and CHILLER) and their sixth mini-album Beat It Up (with the title track of the same name).
DREAMSCAPE Album Cover
1. INTRO: DREAMSCAPE – DREAMSCAPE, the studio album’s namesake, begins with some acoustic guitar before developing into a hyperpop track. While the synth work and vocal distortion partway through the song were very cool, I wish some of that acoustic guitar had remained in the track as it developed. This would have made DREAMSCAPE unique and potentially added to the dreamy tinge of the introductory track. Alongside the instrumentation are NCT DREAM’s fresh, youthful vocals, which added to that dreaminess. (8/10)
4. i hate fruits – NCT DREAM continues the dreamy motif through this pop track. i hate fruits liken the idea of being in love to fruits, with the idea of hating fruits (thus love) is because of how infatuated and centred their world becomes on their lover (though they caveat it with the line that they can never hate it). I really enjoyed the vocals in this one – this is what give i hate fruits its dreaminess. I am also super impressed with the way JISUNG and JAEMIN sound in the bridge – that was a highlight for me. (9/10)
5. No Escape – Hip-hop influences, darting synth work and pounding beats take over in No Escape. Together, these create a bold, edgy track that contrasts with the album’s dreamy motif. This style allows the rappers to showcase their capabilities (which they do extremely well), but I must also commend the smooth texture the vocalists give No Escape. They also contrast nicely with the song’s boldness and edginess. (8/10)
6. Best of Me– Best of Me sees NCT DREAM visit the 80s (perhaps a hint for their July 2025 album release?) synths to create a strong dance track that is reminiscent of past boy bands. The rapping was super edgy and bold in this track. For me, this undoubtedly became one of the song’s strongest drawing points, in my opinion. The rapping also ties in nicely with the chorus’s beat and rhythm, which was another highlight of the song. There were also some great ad-libs in this track. (9/10)
7. YOU (숲) – Through YOU, NCT DREAM continues with the album’s dreamy motif with a low-key synth-based instrumental and R&B vocals that are smooth and delicate. I enjoyed the pleasantness of this number. What is interesting about YOU is that the bridge features a retro, jazzy, hip-hop sequence. This was an unexpected change-up, but it still made the song fun and enjoyable. I also enjoyed the layering in the final chorus between vocals and rapping. (8/10)
8. Heavenly (하늘을 나는 꿈) – Right off the bat, the harmonies stood out in Heavenly for me. They are warm (the same can be said about the rest of the vocals) and remind me of some of their best works (like Broken Melodies). I liked the shouty rap style added to the song. It gave Heavenly extra oomph and created a very inclusive atmosphere to enjoy. Combined with the 80s synth-pop instrumentation, you have a wholesome track that is comforting and inviting. It is hard to fault this one, so there is only one possible rating for Heavenly. (10/10)
9. Night Poem (밤) – Night Poem is another R&B number that is pleasant and enjoyable. The soft, whispery “Bam” (which means ‘night’ in Korean) in the chorus was really beautiful, as was the wispy synth faintly heard in the background. I liked the emphasis they put on some of the lines in the second verse, and the rapping throughout the song provided a nice rhythm. The layering, especially towards the end, was a little standard and didn’t feel well utilised to give Night Poem that wow factor that great layering usually delivers. (7/10)
10. Off The Wall – Off The Wall is the album’s final new offering, bringing us a fun and playful, funky and groovy disco number. With how light and soft the instrumental turned out, Off The Wall is just so easy on the ears and light-hearted at the same time, making it an ideal single to blend with the rest of the album and give us a number to dance to. The vocals and rapping are so dynamic and robust, making it an absolute delight. (10/10)
Xdinary Heroes is nominated for Best Band Performance, Best Music Video and Best Band or Rock Song for Beautiful Life in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support Xdinary Heroes by voting today!
In the pursuit of the end of the year, I will be reviewing the remaining 2024 albums that I have yet to review. One of these is Xdinary Heroes’ LIVE AND FALL, their 5th mini-album, which was released in October 2024. Leading the mini-album is Night Before The End, two additional new songs and 4 (or 5 if you count the instrumental intro) singles from their Open ♭eta series released throughout June to September 2024. Put all of these songs together, and you have a mini-album full of a variety of rock styles. And it is a good variety of songs and styles to enjoy. It isn’t their strongest album release to date, but it is still worth checking out.
More recently, Xdinary Heroes released 2 mini-albums this year: Beautiful Mind (led by Beautiful Life) in March, and LXVE and DEATH (led by the single ICU) in October.
LIVE and FALL Album Cover
1. XH_World_75 – Xdinary Heroes begins the mini-album with a fantastic instrumental track, which was previously featured as a side track on their Open ♭eta v6.3 single release (alongside Save Me, also featured on this mini-album). XH_World_75 begins quite atmospheric at first, then develops into an emotive rock track, before ending briefly with some synths. It definitely sets the tone for what is to come on Live and Fall.
3. Save Me – As mentioned earlier, the songs released as part of Xdinary Heroes’ Open ♭eta are also featured on this mini-album. First up in the series on the mini-album is Save Me, released in August 2024. It is an alternative rock ballad in which Xdinary Heroes pour their emotions into an upbeat song. I quite liked the energy of this one when it was first released, as well as its straightforward nature (relative to the other songs featured on this mini-album). (8/10)
4. Boy Comics (소년만화) – The second song on this mini-album from the Open ♭eta series is Boy Comics, which was released in June 2024. If you also cast your mind back, I also nominated Xdinary Heroes for Best Band Performance of 2024 for the 2024 KPOPREVIEWED Awards based on Boy Comics. This was because of the intense, consistent energy Xdinary Heroes put behind the upbeat rock song, and the anthemic qualities the chorus exudes, both of which I really enjoyed since its initial release. Sure, it is another straightforward track, but why mess with something that works well? (9/10)
5. iNSTEAD! (ft. Yoon Do Hyun of YB) – Xdinary Heroes join forces with Yoon Do Hyun from YB for iNSTEAD!, the third single from their Open ♭eta series, to feature on the mini-album. This collaboration unexpectedly delivers a metal track with a screamo hook. As far as I can remember, this is new territory for the band and also KPOP in genre. While I liked the edgy energy and powerful intensity from the metal side of the song, I don’t think the screamo hook resonated much with me, as I hadn’t paid much attention to the song since its release, and it is simply not my style. Based on what I am hearing, Xdinary Heroes can rock this genre, just without the screamo centrepiece. (7/10)
6. FEELING NICE – FEELING NICE is one of the three new, fresh singles on the mini-album. It features an upbeat electro-rock instrumental that evokes punk and headbanging vibes. I liked the intensity of this song (especially from the get-go), as well as the consistency the vocalists brought to it as it shifts in tempo and other ways. (8/10)
7. XYMPHONY– Hands down, XYMPHONY is very much the song on the album. From the very intense rock energy to the sinister, striking piano in the background to the catchy melodies and hooks, XYMPHONY is bold and powerful. For me, this is the unique, individualistic style I am looking for in artists. With regards to the piano, JUNGSU gets his solo moments in the song, and those parts were quite beautiful and felt calming. I appreciate that it sounds like a lot is going on in the song (I won’t deny it), but if you like Xdinary Heroes’ music or style, then XYMPHONY is definitely the one you need to check out. (10/10)
8. LOVE andFEAR – LOVE and FEAR is the final track from the Open ♭eta series featured on this mini-album. It again puts rock energy in the forefront, with the head-banging and foot-tapping potential behind it very hard to deny. I really liked the build-up during the pre-chorus of LOVE and FEAR, as well as the launch into the chorus. The way all of this was handled was very clean and straightforward. As for the vocals, I could feel the yearning and desire behind them, which makes LOVE and FEAR more impactful alongside the song’s more anthemic moments. (8/10)
Overall Album Rating – 8.2/10
Unit teaser images of Xdinary Heroes for the LIVE and FALL album.Unit teaser images of Xdinary Heroes for the LIVE and FALL album.
Welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 3 of December 2025, which spans from December 14 to December 20, 2025.
ICYMI – I launched (albeit delayed by two days) the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards! If you haven’t checked out the nominees yet, you can do so by clicking this link. You can also find a link to the vote form to cast your vote in the same post, or if you want to vote straight away, click this link.
With regard to the rest of the year, the focus will be on album reviews for the remaining 2024 albums I have yet to review. I only have a few more to do, so I hope to finish them off this year and restart the 2025 album reviews in 2026. Apart from that, there won’t be any reviews of new releases until after the new year (tentative date: 5 January 2026). Plans for ‘Rookie Week’, which I promised a couple of weeks ago, will be postponed to a later week in January 2026.
Until then, here is the Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 3 of December 2025.
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 of the past week is BABYMONSTER’s SUPA DUPA LUV.
The Chart
Stray Kids’ DO IT is in the top spot again this past week for the second week in a row (and a third week overall). Congratulations again to Stray Kids!
While I am fully aware that MINHO has made a more recent solo comeback (TEMPO, a week ago), I have just been too busy and preoccupied to review it just yet. I will definitely get around to it in the new year (just not sure when). But I have managed to find some time to review MINHO’s 1st studio album, CALL BACK, which was released over a year ago. It features 10 songs in total, with the title track sharing the same name as the album. Overall, a consistently good album from MINHO, with a few gems to keep an ear out for.
2. Slow Down – MINHO asks for time to slow down so he can spend more time with his lover. I liked the combination of dreamy synths and trap elements in this R&B song, as well as the simple yet repetitive nature of the song’s title in the chorus. I also enjoyed the distortion in the bridge, which gave Slow Down a cooler effect. I also appreciate that Slow Down is only 2:46, yet it feels like a song that runs over 3:30. (8/10)
3. FIREWORKS (ft. SOHEE from RIIZE) – For FIREWORKS, I liked the funky and upbeat underlay in the instrumental. It creates a fun atmosphere that makes FIREWORKS quite enjoyable. MINHO’s deeper rapping vocals also add to this aspect of the song, but I also enjoyed the contrast with SOHEE’s higher-pitched vocals during the chorus and bridge. (8/10)
4. Came and Left Me – Chosen as the accompanying side track for promotions, Came and Left Me goes for a dance-pop style that is well catered to MINHO’s abilities and style. MINHO’s raspy vocals were definitely well-utilised. I also particularly enjoyed the percussion in the pre-chorus, the pronounced acoustic guitar riff throughout the song, and the punchy synth work. All of this comes together to create a simple yet effective track. (10/10)
5. Something About U – MINHO continues the dance style through Something About U, with the track going for an intense and synth-heavy dance track. The synths were wild, and I could hear something resembling an electric guitar at the end of the pre-choruses. MINHO delves further into this by featuring bass guitars as part of the backing for the chorus. While I do appreciate the intensity of Something About U, it could have done better with stronger hooks and melodies to really remember the song by. (8/10)
6. Round Kick – Round Kick features an awesome mix of instrumentation. There is just so much going on – synths, percussive, brass, drumming (of the retro nature) and probably a whole lot more. MINHO himself is also quite engaging throughout the track, serving as a constant throughout Round Kick. I liked how he served as a mechanism to tie everything together into one cohesive number, which was the impression I got towards the end of the song. But upon reflection and a closer listen, MINHO has been doing this from the start. (10/10)
7. Affection – MINHO steers us back into pure R&B territory with soft afrobeats being the song’s defining feature. Because of the soft afrobeats and MINHO’s deep vocals at play in Affection, the track has an alluring smoothness that makes it sound dreamy and hazy, which I quite liked. I would have liked more in terms of a hook or melody, but as is, it is also completely fine. (8/10)
8. I Don’t Miss You – Two things really stand out in this blend of R&B and pop. The first has to be the instrumental, particularly the pounding, dulled beat and prolific guitar work. The second is the combination of vocals and rapping throughout. Altogether, I Don’t Miss You is quite an engaging track.(9/10)
9. Because of You (ft. NINGNING of aespa) – The penultimate song of the studio album brings MINHO and NINGNING (from aespa) together. Similar to the other collaborative track on this album, I enjoyed the contrast between MINHO’s deep, raspy vocals and NINGNING’s refreshing, higher-pitched tone. The blend of the two was really nice, as was the acoustic-leaning instrumental. (9/10)
10. Would You Mind – Bringing the album to a close is Would You Mind. MINHO’s vocals throughout the song, particularly during the pre-choruses, were really well done. The dreamy instrumental that accompanies also has a nice, alluring R&B energy. That touch of brass at the end was quite unexpected, but really helped offset the potential for Would You Mind to be overly consistent. (8/10)
VIVIZ is nominated for Best Dance Performance (Female Group) of 2025 for La La Love Me in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support VIVZ by voting today!
In November 2024, VIVIZ made their comeback with their 5th mini-album, VOYAGE, led by the single Shhh!. Over a year later, here is my album review for VOYAGE. Overall, this is a mini-album that you should not miss from VIVIZ, in my opinion. Given that it has been a year since its release, I am sure you are all aware of this mini-album, but I am impressed with all but one track (i.e., the title track – reasons outlined in my full review – link below). Literally, I have given 2 out of 5 songs a perfect rating, with the other 2 tracks close to it.
VOYAGE followed their November 2023 mini-album VERSUS (led by MANIAC). Following VOYAGE, VIVIZ released their first studio album, A Montage of ( ), led by La La Love Me, in July 2025.
2. Cliché – Following the title track is this fusion of Latin and hip-hop influences. This alone is quite a unique combination, making Cliché stand out. But what I really enjoy about this track (and what wins me over) is the sophisticated vibe that both the combination and the members exude, which just makes Cliché sound so much better for me. It has always been hard for me to pinpoint an exact sequence or moment that I liked in the song, as the whole track just excels for me. (10/10)
3. Full Moon – For Full Moon, I enjoyed the soft vibes that come from the drum and bass instrumental and the melodies (with thanks to the sweet and rich vocals of VIVIZ). Both come together quite nicely to create an effortless listen. I think Full Moon could have been better with a more prominent bass presence to lift it to a whole new level. (8.5/10)
4. Hypnotize – VIVIZ gives us R&B in Hypnotize, and like the rest of the mini-album, I am totally loving it. I really enjoyed the dreaminess of the entire package that is Hypnotize, but also really enjoyed the contrasting nature of the synths and striking piano in the background at the same time. VIVIZ also manages to make Hypnotize sound and feel luxurious in all regards. This is another great track from the group! (10/10)
5. Love & Tears – Closing out this mini-album is the twinkling pop track, Love & Tears. Another sweet and beautiful track from the group, you can feel their gratitude and appreciation behind their vocals. I loved how they sang softly together in the end. I also liked the simple instrumentation – unfiltered and uncomplicated. A great way to end a mini-album. (9/10)
January is supposed to be a celebratory month for GFriend, as it serves as the anniversary of their debut. And while GFriend was strong enough to continue celebrating this for years to come, Source Music unexpectedly announced that the group would be disbanded in May 2021. Since then, Eunha, SinB, and Umji have redebuted as VIVIZ, YUJU and YERIN have debuted as solo artists, and SOWON has transitioned into acting. However, earlier this year, the former female group banded together to bring us Season of Memories to celebrate their 10th anniversary. It is also GFriend’s first release since MAGO in November 2020, which also (unknowingly at the time) served as their farewell song.
To me, Season of Memories doesn’t offer that GFriend sound, which I remember being disappointed about. There would have been a significant benefit in revitalising GFriend’s signature sound, particularly for a single meant to celebrate their 10th anniversary. This would have helped keep the song in listeners’ minds longer (such as mine), and is probably why I have not written a review for it sooner. That being said, re-listening to Season of Memories for this review, it is a pretty release from the group. I really enjoyed the combination of the guitar and piano in the background. It felt very clean and is reminiscent of a soft pop JPOP release. I appreciated the subtle upbeatness, grooviness and brightness it brought to the song. As for the members, they sounded very pleasant throughout the track. I particularly enjoyed the harmonies that form part of Season of Memories‘ leading hook, and the crispness of SinB’s vocal-only sequence in the bridge. The melodies also had a pleasant quality, and I really appreciated the warmth in the member’s tone.
The music video sees GFRIEND aboard a train as time slows down, with all the members running into one another, running alongside and supporting each other – just like old times. And just like old times, we see the members regroup on stage. It would have been nice to see them back on a real stage, rather than some that appears AI-generated or added in post-production, as this would have better conveyed the nostalgia and symbolism of such a moment. But overall, it was a nice, pleasant music video that brought GFRIEND back to us in one video.
Just like the song and music video, the performance offers us the chance to see GFRIEND back on stage, and I am completely content with just that idea. It was a good performance, but lacked the distinct GFRIEND factor that they had in previous performances (though this can probably be put down to the song). I am sure, however, that fans are appreciative of the final part of the dance, which is a homage back to their Rough days.
Song – 8/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8/10
Welcome to the combined announcement of nominations and voting form post for the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards!
Like previous years, I have put forward the nominees to you, which I will announce today. 2025 was another challenging year to propose 5-6 nominees per category—so many other artists, songs, and performances deserve nominations. It was to the point where I had to expand some categories to 8 nominees! But per usual, there can be only one winner.
So, without further ado, I present the nominations for the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards.
There are a fair number of categories to cover, so I have split them over three pages under this post. You can find links to the pages at the top or bottom of each page or navigate to them via the numbers at the bottom of the page.
Best New Male Group of 2025 Nominees: AHOF, AxMxP, CLOSE YOUR EYES, CORTIS, IDID & KICKFLIP.Best New Female Group of 2025 Nominees: Baby DON’T Cry, HEARTS2HEARTS, ifeye, izna, KiiiKiii & KIIRASBest New Male Soloist of 2025 Nominees: BEOMGYU, HAECHAN, KANG YUCHAN, MARK, SUNGJIN, XNGHANBest New Female Soloist of 2025: CHAEYOUNG, DAYOUNG, IRENE, MINNIE, NANA, YEJI.
Best Subunit & Best Non-Korean Artist in KPOP of 2025
Best Subunit of 2025 Nominees: BSS, CxM (S.COUPS x MINGYU), HxW (HOSHI x WOOZI), Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI, UAU & ZOONIZINIBest Non-Korean Group in KPOP of 2025: &TEAM, KATSEYE, NIZIU, ONE OR EIGHT, WAYV & XG.
Most Underrated Artist & Rising Star of 2025
Most Underrated Artist of 2025 Nominees: 8TURN, AMPERS&ONE, CRAVITY, ifeye, RESCENE, XLOV Rising Star of 2025 Nominees: ALLDAY PROJECT, DAYOUNG, EVNNE, izna, NMIXX & WOODZ
Best Delivery (Band, Rap & Vocal Performance) of 2025
Best Band Performance of 2025 Nominees: AxMxP for I Did It, DAY6 for Maybe Tomorrow, LUCY for Where’s Your Love, N.FLYING for Everlasting, QWER for Dear & Xdinary Heroes for Beautiful Life.Best Rap Performance of 2025 Nominees: ASA & RUKA (of BABYMONSTER) for DRIP, CHANGBIN (Stray Kids) for BURNIN’ TIRES, G-DRAGON for TOO BAD, JENNIE for like JENNIE, MARK (NCT) for 1999 & PARK WOO JIN (AB6IX) for NAME TAG.Best Vocal Performance of 2025 Nominees: DOYOUNG for MEMORY, ONF for The Stranger, ROSÉ for toxic till the end, SEO EUNKWANG for Last Light, WENDY for Sunkiss & WOODZ for I’ll Never Love Again.
Best Soloists & Groups of 2025
Best CO-ED group of 2025 Nominees: ALLDAY PROJECT, KARD & SIKKOOBest Female Soloist of 2025 Nominees: JENNIE, JISOO, LISA, ROSÉ, TAEYEON & WENDYBest Male Soloist of 2025 Nominees: BAEKHYUN, G-DRAGON, JIN, J-HOPE, KAI & ONEW.Best Female Group of 2025 Nominees: aespa, BABYMONSTER, ILLIT, ITZY, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX & TWICEBest Male Group of 2025 Nominees: ATEEZ, BOYNEXTDOOR, ENHYPEN, NCT DREAM, TXT, Stray Kids, TWS & ZEROBASEONE
There are a fair number of categories to cover, so I have split them over three pages under this post. You can find links to the pages at the top or bottom of each page or navigate to them via the numbers at the bottom of the page.
Welcome to the next Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of December 2025, which spans from December 7 to December 13, 2025.
As mentioned last week, I made a special announcement during the week – the annual KPOPREVIEWED Awards! I still have a bit of work to do on it to get it ready and go live tomorrow, so that will be the focus for the remainder of today. But check back tomorrowon 17 DECEMBER 2025 for the nominees and voting form, where you can cast your vote to decide who will win each category!
[UPDATE ON 15 DECEMBER 2025] The announcement of nominees and voting form will now be announced/published at midnight 17 December 2025 AEDT. I apologise for the delay.
Until then, here is the Weekly KPOP Chart post for Week 2 of December 2025.
What else am I 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 song is very recent, fromis_9’s LIKE YOU BETTER. More specifically, it is a pop-punk version of the song by an AI group, EVNFALL, that I found online, which I have been listening to on repeat.
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 of the past week is TXT’s Can’t Stop.
The Chart
Stray Kids’ DO IT is back in the top spot this past week. Congratulations again to Stray Kids!
Similar to JUNGWOO with SUGAR the other week, DOYOUNG also made a comeback the day after beginning his military service on 8 December 2025. The new single, titled Promise, follows his second studio album, SOAR, led by the single Memory.
Unsurprisingly, DOYOUNG offers Promise as a ballad, a parting gift for his fans while he goes on hiatus to express his gratitude for the love and support he has received. Given his past work, I trust DOYOUNG to deliver an engaging ballad. And he does just that in Promise. The vocal performance in this one is spectacular. DOYOUNG is a formidable vocalist, and so such a performance is definitely within expectation. I particularly liked how his vocals build in Promise, helping create the engaging song as hoped. The melodies were charming, and I liked how they gave Promise some variety, avoiding becoming an overly consistent ballad that just repeats the same elements a couple of times and then calls it a day. As for the instrumentation, the backing is more typical of a ballad, with piano, strings, and percussion. But it complements DOYOUNG by building alongside his vocals. Overall, Promise is a beautiful ballad which I am sure fans and listeners will find comforting.
The music video centres on DOYOUNG returning home (presumably after an extended absence), rediscovering an old houseplant, setting it aside, and then going on with his life. One rainy day, he hears something fall to the ground outside and discovers the houseplant there. He takes it back inside, realising that he has taken it for granted, and begins to look after and care for it. That includes drawing some eyes on the pot (cute) and bringing it around with him as he goes on about his daily life. When it comes time for him to leave again, he realises the conditions will be harsh for the plant, so he builds a contraption to control the plant’s climate. The plant gifts him a flower, which he puts on a ring and takes on his adventures outside the house. At the end, he returns home with the plant, and another flower is in bloom. I think the parallels between the houseplant and his fans throughout the video are apparent, particularly at the end, when his fans will be waiting for him upon his return from military enlistment.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 9/10 Overall Rating – 9/10
At the beginning of the month, VERIVERY made their first comeback in 2 years with their new single, RED (Beggin’). Their last comeback was in 2023 with Crazy Like That. Since then, one member (DONGHEON) completed his military service, 3 members (DONGHEON, GYEHYEON and KANGMIN) participated in Boys II Planet, and it was announced that most of the group re-signed with their current company (Jellyfish Entertainment) until the end of 2026.
VERIVERY’s comeback is fierce, aiming to make a strong impression after being absent from the industry. I wouldn’t be surprised if many fans and casual listeners had thought the group disappeared into the abyss, given that a 2-year hiatus period doesn’t bode well in the KPOP industry. Personally, I think VERIVERY has done well in this comeback. RED (Beggin’) is a fast-paced and robust drum-and-bass song, which features a familiar, yet memorable, interpolation of The Four Seasons’ Beggin’ in its chorus. I think this was a clever move from the producers, with something familiar in the mix that many people can latch onto. The vocal work was very clean and polished, while the rapping gives RED (Beggin’) a really nice kick. Altogether, these elements left quite an impression on me when I first checked out the song, and I have been digging it ever since. Perhaps more bass or possibly having the current bass feel a little fuller in RED (Beggin’) would have rounded out this song nicely.
According to the blurb in the YouTube description box, the music video opens with the group celebrating in the past, only for an alert to warn them of unidentified avian creatures approaching Earth. The music video then takes us to the present day, where VERIVERY find themselves stuck in the city, targeted by the avian creatures and unable to escape. Despite being on the run, VERIVERY do try to make the most of the situation by continuing filming ‘their youth’ as the final title card states. In the end, they board an elevator, which the blurb states ‘symboliz[es] a new future that awaits VERIVERY’. In addition to this storyline, I think we also see scenes where the avian creatures get to them, creating an alternative ‘what if’ scenario for the video to explore.
As for the performance, I thought it was good. I liked how they conveyed the fierceness of the song I mentioned earlier in their routine.
Song – 9/10 Music Video – 8/10 Performance – 8/10 Overall Rating – 8.5/10
KPOPREVIEWED 