Music, music, music
I'll be updating this page periodically to include music that's piquing my interest at the moment. What's that you say? Some of this music is old? Well, so am I. :-P
View ArticleBURDOCK Magazine Cover Story: BTS
BTS approaches their music as art, because that's what they want to create – something beautiful and meaningful that withstands the test of time.
View ArticleThe 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021
Teen Vogue asked 54 music writers to pick their favorite K-pop songs of 2021. I chose Monsta X's "One Day," which features gorgeous harmonies, along with heartbreaking lyrics that may make the listener...
View ArticleThe Epik Highs and Lows of Tablo
Had Tablo not experienced the alienation and toxicity of TaJinYo, Tablo’s music – and therefore Epik High’s, too – most likely would not have resulted in "Epik High Is Here 下 (Part 2)." From all those...
View ArticleATEEZ Do It All for the Fans
At their Chicago concert, ATEEZ had mentioned that they’ve now experienced the first snowfall of this tour. In South Korea, there is a romantic notion that who you spend the first snowfall with is...
View ArticleThe 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022
The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022, according to 79 journalists and pop culture writers ... including me! My pick of the year? Jin's "The Astronaut," which preceded the BTS member's military enlistment on...
View ArticleEpik High’s Tablo on Trauma, Triumph, and the Truth
A year ago, Tablo wasn't sure there would be another Epik High album. Now the Korean hip-hop star is ready to talk about it all — from their new EP, 'Strawberry,' to the trauma he faced from an online...
View Article“Suga: Road to D-Day”
"It's my dream to travel around the world and play with local musicians playing their traditional instruments," Suga says in his documentary Suga: Road to D-Day. "It's my dream to record them and make...
View ArticleSuga’s D-Day Concert Review: Agust D, Yoongi, and BTS Suga in One Glorious...
In the final moments of the concert, the cameras seem to multiply, his cadence intensifies, the lights flash like paparazzi light bulbs. On the giant screen, surveillance-style footage captures him at...
View ArticleThe 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music
What follows is not only the story of Korean popular music, and how it birthed the K-pop business, but also how a small peninsula nation learned how to make art in the face of colonialism and political...
View ArticleThe Rose, Lollapalooza & Rock ‘n’ Roll
"Our goal as artists is for everyone who comes to our shows — no matter what age, what gender — to feel included," said The Rose frontman Woosung. "That's the energy we want at our concerts. We want it...
View ArticleSistar19: Inside the K-Pop Duo’s Comeback
Hyolyn and Bora talk about their first new music in seven years, how K-pop has changed over the years, and their dreams for the future. My latest article in Rolling Stone magazine.
View ArticleIU’s Evocative “Love Wins All” Music Video (featuring V) is Thought-Provoking
It’s not easy for two well-known celebrities to immerse themselves in their roles so well that we don’t see them, but rather their characters. But watching IU's music video for "Love Wins All," I...
View ArticleTWICE is determined to keep rising — but they’ll never stop having fun
The K-pop sensations and TODAY’s latest cover stars open up about self-care, sisterhood, and their new project, “With YOU-th.”
View ArticleChung Ha Shares the Next Step in Her Evolution
"I knew that I had to have a comeback eventually, because I had promised my fans that I would,” says the adventurous K-pop star Chung Ha. “This is what I love to do"
View ArticleK.Will’s “No Sad Song For My Broken Heart” explores a one-sided gay relationship
It is easier for a cisgender man than a gay man to survive in a cutthroat society where the latter is unwelcome. This is true in just about any society, but especially so in South Korea where LGBTQ...
View ArticleBig Ocean: Meet the Deaf K-Pop Group That’s Breaking Barriers
Big Ocean's Hyunjin, Chanyeon, and Jiseok talk about their remarkable journey and what they want to do next. My latest exclusive for Rolling Stone.
View ArticleThe Making of Jin’s Sweeping “Another Level”
Jin's vocals on "Another Level" (from his debut EP "Happy") blew away co-songwriter Ben Samama.
View ArticleYoung Posse’s Music Video for “Cold” Addresses Abandonment & Objectification
The K-pop girl group Young Posse released the stunning music video for “Cold” on March 2. It’s by far one of the most meaningful videos I’ve watched in a long time — maybe since K. Will’s “No Sad Song...
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