#My Top 20 Favorite K-Pop Albums

[bonniehooper]

Top Picks of 2023

My Top 20 Favorite K-Pop Albums - #8: Jungkook “Golden”

Release Date: November 3rd, 2023

Favorite Tracks: "3D", "Closer to You", "Seven", "Standing Next to You", "Yes or No", "Please Don't Change", "Hate You", and "Somebody"

[idkhonestlyy404]

SAMS/EAPS/LAES Music taste headcannons

☀️🌑🌎 in no particular order☀️🌑🌎

hyper specific because with head cannons its go big or GO HOME! (if you see me namedrop a song/musician its a recommendation/hj)

Sun- pop songs n' jazz, primarily romance, plays them in the daycare with a small bluetooth speaker and on request lets kids suggest songs to play to. (its not a loud speaker, if the kids don't like it they can just step ten feet away and its basically static)

does listen to some spicy songs but has multiple safe guards that a playlist with them in it never gets played in the daycare. (one time Moon was told to play some taylor swift or something and it started blasting Unholy)

memorizes every single song he listens to. listens to 20 songs on repeat every single day and never gets bored of them.

has dozens of playlists, 4 songs in each one. (except for the one for the daycare with like at least 40) and that playlist is constantly being reworked because it's not organized enough

specific bands he listens to; um.. like top ten spotify list idk I don't listen to pop music much, only time I do is when my dad forces the radio in the car instead of me choosing me silly music

Moon- Indie rock and glam rock are his top hits but he likes other rock genres, blasts the volume real high (plays it in his head) to the point if your like a regular human walking past him you can make out the lyrics just with a tad bit of distortion

literally cannot work without music

because of how loud he blasts it he cannot focus on work.

low hanging fruit but he listens to Seb Lowe n' mother mother

has one playlist (the 'liked' songs playlist) has over 500 songs, 34 hours, and can switch on a dime from the above category to a Latin chant that sounds vaguely Shakespearian / Christian

Earth-k-pop/pop girly, listens to sillyies music at home n trying to sleep but cannot at the daycare because she wants to make sure she can hear when children need her and since a lot of her songs are energetic she feels it will distract her.

has a lot of favorite musicians, cannot pick one, either listens to every single song in every one of their albums (regardless if they like all the songs or if its a minority/ one album they like, they are loyal!) or listens to one song and loves the vibe but PHYSICALLY CANNOT listen to another.

another low hanging fruit but she listens to barbie movie OSTs

prefers to listen to music with a headset (the pastel ones with cat ears) instead of playing it in her head because it makes the music feel like its around her than inside playing in her mind

Lunar-k pop, literally the same thing as earth since the only / first time he encountered a music genre he liked (HATED the loud headbang of Moon's songs) was when he was at Earths house.

maybe did use to like Moons music but listening to it when trying to sleep gave him the most eldritch nightmares known to man

listens to music to sleep, that's the only time he listens to songs..

during nap time in the daycare he dozes off with the children, he has to physically restrain himself from playing black pink while the other children are sleeping. (insert the making deal with rez thumbnail but Rez is his Spotify app)

started listening to other types of songs since the playlists earth has have started getting old after a few months, discovered he likes indie folk and certain country songs.

has a song literally named GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE (by the narcissist cookbook) that he, again, only listens to when starting to sleep despite probably needing that as his alarm clock's tone.

Eclipse- anything with a sick beat + a mind melting meaning, like Saint Bernard by Lincoln, I Am an Island by Phemiec, Cannibal by Neathen Apollo. ect. listens to songs to decompress and simmer in thoughts.

only listens to sad/angry songs

not because those are the emotion he dwells on the most, he just likes the vibe that sad/suffering songs tend to have.

..yah its also that.

Solar- k-pop girl band girly, Chappell roan, bit of folk and synth pop?, Eclipse didn't design his new body with the function to do things inside the head, he uses his phone to listen to music.

listens to music when working, lowered however so he can focus.

the music doesn't make a difference, he tunes it out after the first five minutes. he probably listens to music to make sure his phone didn't fall out his pocket/ has enough battery incase of emergency situations where he needs to be called

for the first week alive again he had to use wired ear buds because the wireless ones were being shipped, he HATED them because when he crouched to reach something or got forbit do some precise mechanics below eye level it would get in the way.

Jack-we already have a canonical answer to that >o w >o but uh, probably some intense dream pop, neo-psychedelia, and indie pop.

Solar was the one to set up jacks Spotify (he is just using Solar's) just so jack wouldn't listen to anything too explicit.

Solar put the daycare theme on there as a joke because he knows Jack gets frustrated listening to that dundundundun over and OVER in the daycare, somehow fixed the music burnout problem?? jack started voluntarily listening to that daycare theme playlist every single day

the daycare playlist has one song and that is the daycare theme on repeat for 3 hours.

Ruin- I know the low hanging fruit is Hamilton but I have some real suggestions, hyper pop, country and folk pop, and yeah, basically anything from 1990's/classical/theatrical

has a theater kid playlist that goes from Regina George to Tom lehrer so quick and he giggles when it goes from LET THE WORLD BURN to hehe I'm so happy Ima end ww3 : DDD hehe mom look at me! dropping! a! bomb! on! the! capital! of! Britain!

in the same playlist he has Will Wood and Tom Cardy

every week he has a new favorite song (he cycles through them too fast) this week it was Unsweetened lemonade by Amelie Farren, last week it was Rum Sum Sum no I will not elaborate.

when making playlists he just adds a bunch of recommended songs and then listen to them later, when making a 1920's playlist he heard 'you are my sunshine' and started tearing up because he immediately imagined it being about him and his Monty.. 'don't take my sunshine away from me' ..yeah.

has the most absurd playlist names but at the same time those are the best themed ones, they are available to the public. he knows their vibes are impeccable, he wishes there to be a treasure hunt for his great taste in music

Dazzle- likes piano music, though doesn't like listening to music in general since she'd prefer watching a video with music or just a video in general. visuals are importent.

EAPS Sun- Hyper pop (Ruin recommended it to him), that is all he listens to.

doesn't understand volume modulators and blasts it LOUD. like, not intentionally, it doesn't sound too loud to him but it's like the entire daycare can hear him blasting I <3 Harajuku by Alice Longyu Gao , Fraxiom

also does not play it in his mind, he thinks he is, hes just using his speakers.

Moon has physically begged Eclipse to silence the speakers and automatically make his spotify play in his head because of the amount of times Sun would just blast some foul things not understanding the meaning infront of children (webcore! by kwite as an example)

EAPS Moon- exact opposite of Sun, took the opposite side of Ruins taste profile, the classical stuff, though you cannot bring him to enjoy anything musical related. think, Bernadette by Elle Cordova, I'm always chasing rainbows by Judy garland.

very chill songs, Ruin tried to ease him in with one of Tom lehrers calmer songs (be prepared) but he didn't like the vibe.

he'd probably be down to try other genres, especially rock. that one seems cool to him, the teens like it. he just assumes anything negative would activate his KC even though he knows thats not how that works.

Puppet- mixed bag, either country romance/breakup songs or anime OST's (I know thats low hanging fruit I literally got no read on Puppet on that front of things.)

would like the Orion experience, though when one of the orion songs come on they (she? plz correct me but I am not sure on Puppets pronouns, isn't Puppet trans?) get whiplash because Orions voice is similar to theirs

[freakin-fries101]

Day two: Favorite album(s)

I narrowed it down to my (in no particular order, I can't really choose) top 3:

GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2

I really enjoy the fact that they are mixing things up (literally) and trying to incorporate new sounds into their style.

I enjoy the contrast with their previous work this album as a whole feels more "relaxed" and chill in a way.

I also enjoy the fact that the themes of the lyrics are more adult. As they should be, they're men in their mid 20s.

By the way, this is the first ever k-pop album I own a physical copy of.

GOLDEN HOUR: Part.1

Fun fact: it was my first album release as a fan AND it was released on my birthday. Do I consider it a birthday gift? Yes. Is this one of the reasons why this album is on this list? Yes Maybe a little bit.

First of all Blind is in it and that's one of my favorite Ateez songs ever. Latinteez for the win!

Other than that I think the reason I like this album so much is really similar to GOLDEN HOUR: Part. 2. It's evident to me they were/are experimenting with different genres and trying to incorporating it to their own. As a listener I really enjoy this discovery process.

ZERO: FEVER EPILOGUE

The combo Turbolence-Be with you-The real is a killer one for me. With the orchestral version of Wonderland and Answer and the Wave Overture? Chef kiss.

[gimmethatgg]

I'm bored so here are my top 20 favourite Britney songs as long as a carefully curated playlist with all of her essential tracks:

Britney Spears rose to fame with her debut single "...Baby One More Time," becoming a global teen idol and one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Known for her catchy pop hits, elaborate performances, and influential music videos, she played a key role in shaping the teen pop revival. Despite personal and legal struggles, she remains an iconic figure in pop culture and a symbol of resilience and artistic impact and one of my favourite artists of all time.

I've centered this blog mostly around video games and K-pop girl groups but divas like Britney have always been amongst my favourites and I really miss her music so this is a small tribute to her amazing catalogue of bangers.

If you have a friend who wants to get into Britney or maybe you want to brainwash them to get into Britney's music, show them this post, trust me 🤣

20. Boys

“Boys” is a funky, mid-tempo pop track from Britney's 2001 album Britney, later released in a remixed version featuring Pharrell Williams for the Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack in 2002. Blending R&B influences with playful, flirtatious lyrics, the song showcases a more mature, sultry side of Spears and highlights production from The Neptunes. While not one of her biggest chart hits, “Boys” became a fan favorite and was noted for its sleek production and confident vibe.

19. Till the World Ends

“Till the World Ends” is a high-energy dance-pop and electropop single from Britney's 2011 album Femme Fatale, co-written by Kesha and produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin. With its apocalyptic party theme, infectious beat, and chant-like chorus, the song became a club anthem and a commercial success, peaking in the top 10 of multiple charts worldwide. It was praised for its bold production and was accompanied by a post-apocalyptic-themed music video that matched its explosive energy.

18. I Wanna Go

“I Wanna Go” is an upbeat dance-pop single from Femme Fatale, known for its catchy whistle hook, rebellious lyrics, and energetic production by Max Martin and Shellback. The song expresses a desire for freedom and uninhibited fun, reflecting a carefree, defiant spirit. Its quirky music video, featuring Britney lashing out at paparazzi and robot attackers, added to its playful appeal, helping it become a commercial hit and fan favorite.

17. Do Somethin'

“Do Somethin’” is a sassy, uptempo pop track released in 2005 as a single from her compilation / remix album Greatest Hits: My Prerogative. Marked by edgy lyrics and an assertive tone, the song encourages listeners to take action and not stay idle, reflecting Britney’s confident and rebellious image. Though not released in the U.S. initially, it gained international success and featured a self-directed music video where Britney portrays a bold alter ego, further cementing her role as a pop provocateur.

16. Circus

“Circus” is a theatrical electropop song, released in 2008 as the title track and second single from her album Circus. The track uses a circus metaphor to depict Britney as the center of attention and in control of her performance, blending confident lyrics with bold production by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. Its dramatic style, pulsing beat, and captivating music video showcasing elaborate choreography and visual spectacle reinforced her comeback narrative and became a commercial and critical success.

15. Do You Wanna Come Over?

“Do You Wanna Come Over?” is a playful and flirtatious electro-pop track from her 2016 album Glory. Produced by Mattman & Robin with c-writing by Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter, the song features a funky guitar riff, catchy vocal hooks, and chanting background vocals that create an inviting, party-ready vibe. It was praised for its fun, laid-back energy and marked a return to a more mature and experimental sound in Britney’s discography.

14. (Drop Dead) Beautiful

“(Drop Dead) Beautiful” is a seductive electro-pop and R&B-influenced track by Britney from Femme Fatale, featuring rapper Sabi. Built around a heavy beat and sultry lyrics celebrating physical attraction, the song blends confident, provocative vocals with slick production by Benny Blanco, Ammo, and JMIKE. Its bold attitude and flirtatious tone made it a standout fan favorite, further emphasizing the album’s edgy, club-ready aesthetic.

13. Break the Ice

“Break the Ice” is a sleek electro-R&B and dance-pop single from her 2007 album Blackout, known for its icy synths, breathy vocals, and futuristic production by Danja. Lyrically, it invites a romantic reconnection, blending vulnerability with sensuality. Though released during a turbulent period in Britney's life, the song was well-received for its innovative sound and was accompanied by an anime-style music video that added to its cool, cybernetic vibe.

12. If U Seek Amy

“If U Seek Amy” is a cheeky and provocative electropop song from Circus, produced by Max Martin. Built around a playful double entendre in its title and chorus, the song blends catchy hooks with bold, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that sparked controversy and radio censorship debates. Its mix of mischief, pop polish, and clever wordplay made it a standout hit, reinforcing Britney's image as a pop provocateur unafraid to stir conversation.

11. S&M

Ok, I'm kinda cheating here I know but Rihanna and Britney's remix of "S&M" is a provocative, high-energy electropop track that blends bold, sexually charged lyrics with pounding club beats, celebrating themes of dominance, pleasure, and taboo fantasies. Britney's added verses complement Rihanna's original with a playful, rebellious tone, making the remix a standout collaboration that amplifies the song's edgy and unapologetic attitude.

10. 3

"3" is an uptempo electropop song with cheeky, suggestive lyrics about a threesome, blending playful innuendo with a pulsing dance beat and catchy chorus. Released as a standalone single from her greatest hits compilation The Singles Collection in 2009, the track showcases Britney’s provocative pop persona and quickly became a chart-topping hit.

9. Me Against the Music

"Me Against the Music," featuring Madonna, is a fast-paced dance-pop track that fuses hip hop and funk influences, centered around themes of liberation, self-expression, and the irresistible pull of the dance floor. Released in 2003 as the lead single from In the Zone, the song marks a shift toward a more mature and edgy sound in Britney’s career, with the duet highlighting both artists' commanding presence.

8. Work Bitch

"Work Bitch" is a high-energy EDM and dance-pop anthem that delivers a fierce, motivational message about ambition, luxury, and self-discipline, with Britney commanding listeners to work hard if they want success, fame, and glamour. Released in 2013 as the lead single from her album Britney Jean, the song features aggressive beats, bold lyrics, and a confident, empowering tone.

7. Womanizer

"Womanizer" is a catchy, synth-driven electropop track that calls out a charming yet deceitful man, with Britney confidently exposing his manipulative ways. Released in 2008 as the lead single from her album Circus, the song marked a powerful comeback, pairing empowering lyrics with a hypnotic hook and sleek production.

6. I'm a Slave 4 U

"I'm a Slave 4 U" is a sultry, R&B-influenced dance track that explores themes of sexual liberation and surrender to desire, marking a bold transformation from her earlier teen pop image. Released in 2001 as the lead single from her self-titled third album, the song features steamy production by The Neptunes and showcases a more mature, provocative side of Britney.

5. Toxic

"Toxic" is a sleek, genre-blending pop track known for its dramatic strings, futuristic production, and seductive lyrics about the allure and danger of a passionate, addictive relationship. Released in 2004 as a single from In the Zone, the song became one of Britney’s most iconic hits, praised for its bold sound and daring, high-gloss music video.

4. Breathe on Me

"Breathe on Me" is a sensual, downtempo electro-pop track that explores intimacy and erotic tension through breathy vocals, minimalistic production, and a hypnotic, atmospheric beat. Featured on In the Zone, the song emphasizes mood and allure over explicitness, highlighting a more mature and experimental side of Britney’s artistry.

3. Outrageous

"Outrageous" is a playful, urban-influenced pop track that celebrates indulgence, fame, and sensuality with flirtatious lyrics and a slick, hip hop-inspired beat. Released as part of In the Zone, the song captures Britney’s bold, confident persona and was originally planned as a single before plans were halted due to an injury during its music video shoot.

2. Get Naked (I Got a Plan)

"Get Naked (I Got a Plan)" is a provocative, futuristic electro-pop track driven by pulsating beats, whispered vocals, and seductive lyrics about lust and physical desire. Featured on her 2007 album Blackout, the song reflects the album's edgy, club-ready sound and showcases Britney's bold embrace of electronic experimentation and sensual themes.

Some honourable mentions before getting to my favourite song ever:

"Showdown"

"Lace and Leather"

"Up n' Down"

"Oops!... I Did It Again"

1. Gimme More

“Gimme More” from Blackout blends electro-pop and urban dance beats and is known for its provocative lyrics, hypnotic production, and the iconic opening line, “It’s Britney, bitch.” It reflects themes of fame, desire, and media scrutiny, and became a commercial hit, symbolizing Spears’ resilience during a tumultuous period in her personal life.

So that's it. Go ahead and tell me your faves!

[rimouskis]

omg now all i want to know is everything about your music taste. what do u like. how do u curate playlists or do u listen only straight thru albums? if you had to pick your five favorite genres and one song from each genre, what songs and genres would u pick? what genre do you feel like u listen to the least? the most ? what's the three most fascinating albums you've ever listened to. i need to know 🫧🎶

I sincerely believe the question is more “what DON’T I like”!

Alright this is a fun way to spend my Friday night in after walking 8 miles today and then doing dinner with friends ahahah so 1. Thank you for this and 2. Let’s go through this point by point:

1. What do I like? Man… I like a lot of music. I’ve gone through phases in my life: I was raised on my dad’s love of 80s/90s rock (think INXS, U2, Melissa Etheridge, Peter Gabriel), I discovered KISS FM in middle school and was a fiend for Top 50 pop then (the pussycat dolls were my everything back then lol isn’t it hilarious that I didn’t figure out I was gay until my 20s. also timbaland was consistently on my favorite songs.)

then in seventh grade I did a heel turn and got really into metal after my older cousin lent me his iPod at thanksgiving (I really liked Disturbed’s album Ten Thousand Fists)... then within the same year I did an even MORE hilarious, second heel turn and discovered K-pop, which I lived & breathed for like two years (my favorite band was SHINee; I still sometimes pop into the K-pop world to sample what’s coming out these days, though I don’t know the new generation of bands well).

THEN in high school the indie alt pop phenomenon hit and I was all in on the bands of the time… bastille, alt j, the 1975 (before they really blew up, #hipster), glass animals, lorde, walk the moon, chvrches, x ambassadors, the naked and the famous, halsey, grouplove, milky chance… like, if it was on tumblr, I was listening to it, hahaha.

Then in college I got really into alternative music, like chelsea wolfe and susanne sundfør and son lux and ms mr.

In adulthood I find that all this musical influence has meant that I like all kinds of music. I like trashy pop country. I like heavy rock. I like top 50 pop. I like rap. I like hyperpop. I like 80s synth pop. I like indie folk. I like it all, man. I have been in a pretty heavy rock era for the last, like… four, five years, though, so I think I probably primarily register as a rock listener, and if we were to get even more granular, I really love guitar-forward rock.

2. I’m a HUGE user of playlists. Spotify is the only streaming service I pay for, and I’ll pay for it for many many years, I imagine, haha.

I have over 100 playlists on there and really enjoy curating them as a little art form for myself. I rarely listen to albums, which I kind of think is too bad, because I DO think the album ~as a cohesive piece of art~ is kind of becoming a lost art in the age of streaming, and I’m not helping the cause at all.

But, on the flip side, playlist curation is a really enjoyable form of curatorial art, imo, and I deeply love and appreciate it. I love making playlists for anything and everything. One of my favorite playlist I’ve ever made is actually a reylo playlist, lol. I also made a killer Batman playlist after seeing rpattz’s batman, and I have some good old check please playlists as well. Fun fun stuff.

3. This is HARD but okay, I can do this…

Alt/indie rock: “Change For You” by Friday Pilots Club

Pop punk: “Why Do I?” By Set It Off

Electronic: “Fake” by Mystery Skulls (BUT A VERY VERY VERY CLOSE SECOND IS “DANCEFLOOR” by NOISY and Charlotte Plank)

Folk: “Leaf Off/The Cave” by José González

Rock: “Thrown Away” by VAST

Since three of those are rock/rockish offshoots (I am who I am, sorry), I’ll give you a few more divergent others:

rap would be “Boss Bitch” by Doja Cat OR “Von den fernen Bergen” by Ali As

house would be “Derezzed” by Daft Punk

disco would be “You Win Again” by The Bee Gees [my dad loves disco lol so… so do I]

country would be any and all Orville Peck [though normally my country tastes veer WAY WAY WAY trashy country pop lol sorry but it’s catchy]

and my pop pick is obviously Most Perfect Pop Song Of All Time, “Lonely Dancers” by Conan Gray

4. The genre I listen the least to is R&B, probably. I wasn’t raised listening to it and I’ve never really gained a taste for it, even though other genres I wasn’t raised listening to (country and rap, for example) DID grow on me. That being said, I really enjoy THEY., who is technically categorized as R&B.

Like I said earlier, I was really raised on rock music and I think that foundationally I am just a Rock Music Kinda Gal. I love guitars so much, man. But a close second is probably pop. Just as I was created to love guitars, so too was I created to love synths.

5. What makes an album “fascinating”? 🤔 I think this is hard, because first and foremost I am not an album listener, but also I don’t think I examine my music through a critical lens of fascination. I usually operate on a pure “how-much-straight-up-dopamine-is-being-poured-into-my-system?” scale when it comes to music, haha. Like, I’m not even primarily a listener of lyrics. I pay attention to the music first.

That being said…

Album 01 is going to be “Strange Trails” by Lord Huron. To be very, very annoying: I was into Lord Huron since their first album, and when they blew up due to a song from "Strange Trails" getting included in the TV show 13 Reasons Why, I was very annoyed because I think their sonic output shifted, and for the worse.

Anyways, I maintain that their first two albums are as close to perfect as albums get, and “Strange Trails” is what I find to be their strongest narrative album. There’s a whole storyline through the album that follows a fictional character Ben, the frontman, created. There was a comic book to accompany the album too, and I think the storyline is very lovely and I love some tragic love and magic wrapped into my music:) My favorite song off of “Strange Trails” is “Fool for Love.”

Album 02 is going to be “Bad Blood” by Bastille, which I also find to be Bastille’s finest work. Dan Smith wrote all these songs by himself in his den and—I really believe—perfectly embodied and channeled the sound of the 2010s indie moment. The entire album is so strong, and not only is it so strong that it doesn’t have any skips… even the EXTENDED version, “All This Bad Blood,” has no skips. Whatever Dan was fermenting in the lead up to “Bad Blood”’s release, it was pure gold. Nothing else quite captures the feeling of it being 2012 as much as this album. My favorite song off off “Bad Blood” is “Icarus” <3

Album 03 is going to be “Dream Machine” by Des Rocs. Des is on a one-man cocaine-fueled mission from God to bring back hard glam rock and I sincerely could not support his mission more. He constantly churns out bangers (his EPs “Martyr Parade” and “Let the Vultures In” are also worth checking out) but I found his songwriting to be simply ~exceptional~ on “Dream Machine.” I think he’s wonderful at writing evocative, classic-rock inspired lyrics that read as poetry to me:) From “Natural Born Thriller”:

Roll, thunder, roll / Riding like a freight train down on the tip of your tongue

Rattle in your bones / Shockwave ripping through the sky, in and out of your lungs

Love, lock and load / Fire in your eyes and you’re ready when the fever gonna come

Way down the road / Big wheels turning to the rhythm of the blood-red sun

Half a man and half apocalypse / The chase, the thrill, that you cannot resist

Day and night, every time / That one there is a natural-born thriller

Like MAN... that’s poetry in action to me. That’s just good writing. I also find the lyrics and storytelling of “In the Night” fantastic, and “Dream Machine” is such a perfect tone-setting, atmosphere-building track for that album to open on. It’s just one of the best constructed albums I’ve heard, full of bangers. My favorite song off it is probably “Natural Born Thriller.”

Damn that took me like two hours to get through, mostly because I got to experience the joy of scrolling through all my music and painfully selecting a few. This was delightful. Thank you, anon!

[jimin-bangtan]

Jimin Breaks Glass Ceiling?

Does this explain BigHit's underwhelming excitement for Jimin's achievements?

So according to this article (excerpt below), BTS was led to be concerned that if any one of them were to hit Hot100 #1 and appear to be more popular than the other members, the band would be in danger of disbanding? They were told that historically this was how it worked? So does this explain the overall under-reaction to JMs Hot100 #1 and other achievements and perhaps explain JKs quick & sudden motivation to action? So JM, instead of being happy, was concerned because he was led to believe that he might be the cause of a disbandment problem? (Maybe causing the decision to not show the celebratory cakes?) Then JK either a) wanted to take the "heat" off JM for being labeled the 'cause of a possible disbandment' and/or b) JK was now free to hit as high as he could because the glass ceiling had been broken? JK, who had been struggling over his album up until then, may have been worried & demotivated by the belief that if he put something out and it was a hit, he would have been labeled the cause of the possible disbandment?  Sooo, since the group ended up re-signing contracts instead of disbanding, it turns out that JM (with BTS) actually paved the way - even if unintentionally - and JK was now free to act? So according to PDogg, JM did, in fact, “end KPop” with the release of his album? Am I reading this right? 🤔🙂💜

~ See my Jimin's Production Diary Documentary & As Information Unfolds posts for more thoughts on this.

Excerpt from article:

Immediately after the news of BTS's voluntary military enlistment became known, there were concerns that the members' individual activities, a first for the music industry, could become a variable. This is because in the case of existing groups, there were many cases where the appearance of an unusually popular member led to the disbandment of the group. There was even concrete talk that BTS might disband if a member reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 through solo activities.It actually happened. In April 2023, Jimin ranked first on the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Like Crazy’. This is the first record for a K-pop solo artist. And in July, Jungkook also topped the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Seven’.Now that two members have reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is there a real risk of disbandment? The reality was the exact opposite of concerns. On September 20, 2023, Hive [Hybe] announced, “We have completed the board of directors’ resolution regarding the renewal of the exclusive contracts of the seven members of Big Hit Music’s artist BTS.”

UPDATE: In regard to PDogg’s claim that Jimin's album would "end KPop", Jimin became the first ever Korean soloist to have an album (his first!) to make the BillBoard200 end-of-year list [#193]. He earned a total of 13 rankings on various Billboard year-end charts, giving him the highest number of credits on those lists ever for a KPop artist in a single year (his favorite number 13 → 13 year-end entries for Park Jimin in 2023). Like Crazy achieved one billion streams on Spotify a year after charting #1 on the Billboard Hot100 chart, being 1 of only 2 K-soloists to ever achieve that.

[granvarones]

the 1980s marked a pivotal era in the rise of latino english-speaking recording pop artists who achieved mainstream success. this period witnessed the emergence of gloria estefan, menudo, and lisa lisa & the cult jam broke down barriers by blending dance-pop, soul, and electro music with latin rhythms. this captivating fusion created a path for a generation of young latino artists, including a teenage brenda k. starr to leave an indelible mark in the tapestry of pop music.

born brenda joy kaplan in new york city, a chance meeting with singer, actor, and activist harry belafonte on the set of the 1984 hip-hop movie “beat street,” landed a teenage brenda a role in the movie. the cameo garnered the attention of producer arthur baker who helped starr secure a record deal with mirage records.

brenda’s debut single, the pulsating “picking up the pieces,” was released in the summer of 1985 as the latin freestyle music genre was still taking shape. the song reached #10 billboard’s dance chart and #83 on the r&b chart. the success of the single made brenda one of the first latino breakout stars of the still-emerging freestyle genre.

by 1987, brenda signed with MCA records and released her eponymous sophomore effort. the album generated three charting singles, “breakfast in bed” (#6 latin, #18 dance), “what you see is what you get” (#6 dance, #24 pop), and the quiet storm classic “i still believe.” released in february 1988, the single ignited radio and propelled into the top 20 on billboard’s hot 100 and adult contemporary charts.

before i began to buy music with the money i earned from babysitting, i’d record my favorite songs from off the radio. whew, if that isn’t a generation x testimony, i don’t know what is. but i digress. 

one of the songs i remember recording was puerto rican pop singer brenda k. starr’s 1988 hit “i still believe.” i was living with my late aunt blanca in the spring of 1988, and we listened to power 99 fm’s quiet storm every night to record songs. one night, when “i still believe” began to play, blanca screamed, “record it!”

as the 90s dawned, brenda would experience personal and professional setbacks. the commercial viability of latin freestyle began to dissipate. many latino pop/dance artists found themselves banished from top 40 radio, and despite brenda’s multi-genre success, she had become primarily known as just the “friend who helped mariah carey secure a record contract.”

in the mid-90s, former latin freestyle artists india and marc anthony had successfully pivoted into salsa music as younger audiences re-discovered the genre. this opened a lane for brenda’s re-emergence as a salsa music sensation. her 1997 cover of myriam hernandez’s “herida” topped billboard’s tropical chart in the spring of 1997.

almost a decade after that summer with my aunt blanca, brenda’s music would have another family member screaming at me. in early 1997, my cousin evy called me at work to ask me if i remembered brenda k. starr. and of course, i did. she then said, “she is doing salsa now” and began to play “herida” over the phone. up until that point, salsa music was heard at family parties. but it took only one listen to brenda’s version of “herida” for me to run out and purchase her “te sigo esperando” album.

brenda’s album resonated with a new generation of fans and further showcased her ability to transcend and excel in multiple genres. in the years that followed, brenda continued to release and chart singles on the latin charts, including a 1999 salsa version of “i still believe.”

brenda k. starr’s musical odyssey continues. her journey from latin freestyle to her reinvention as salsa songstress has remained an enduring presence in her musical prowess. in just the past year, she has released two slammin’ freestyle tracks, “the only one i love” and “always remember,” and a pair of soaring salsa tracks, “quedate” and “soy otra mujer.”

a couple of months ago, i texted a friend a link to brenda’s latest freestyle single “always remember.” it is only now, as i write this, that i recognize how music brenda’s music has been something i shared with family and friends – for 35 years! whew, my gawd.

brenda k. starr is a luminary preserving the sounds of both latin freestyle and salsa music, genres with strong roots in puerto rican communities. her musical journey is a testament that great artists are not confined to boundaries. instead, they adapt, evolve, and continue contributing to the ever-evolving sound symphony. this is why i still believe in brenda k. starr.

[stfrancisprayer]

ALBUM TAG GAME!! 🧀

6 ALBUMS YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO + ONE TRACK FROM EACH ALBUM YOU'RE ESPECIALLY FOND OF thank you for the tag @dontirrigateme <3 if there is one thing i LOVEEEEE talking about it's the music i'm listening to...i'm a notorious single-track listener so i will provide you all with some thoughts about six of my favorite albums. YAPPING under the cut...

20 AÑOS - LUIS MIGUEL (1990)

💿 NOW PLAYING... ORO DE LEY i could actually gab about this album for hours...i have the CD ANDDDDD i heard some of it live 😈😈 all of the songs on this album scratch my brain just right and you know i love a little 80s revival moment. asking me to pick a favorite song from this album is like asking me to pick a favorite child but i've been on an "oro de ley" kick as of recently (especially the chopped + screwed version) so she gets the spotlight...but i am partial to any of the songs where luismi rey does his little "wooooAAAHHHHHH" which is like all of them. reccomend "alguien como tu" from the same album as well.

FOR YOU - TATSURO YAMASHITA (1982)

💿 NOW PLAYING... SPARKLE unfortunately most of his songs are not on streaming or youtube, but here's a soundcloud link to a full CD rip of the album. if you listen to this album and like it, promise me you'll listen to "melodies" (1983) next. tatsuro has yet to miss and what i love about this album is that it feels like midday summer driving with the windows down, hair still a little wet from a morning spent at the beach, when you look at the guy in the car next to you at the stoplight, he smiles and you smile back. absolute genius opening the album off with "sparkle", which feels like opening a window, and then you get hit with "music book", which is like dancing in the kitchen, the patio door is propped open, you've forgotten what you're cooking but who cares.

THE PERFECT RED VELVET REPACKAGE - RED VELVET (2018)

💿 NOW PLAYING... KINGDOM COME another album that i could talk about for hours. this is like an album that has fundamentally changed me....kingdom come is the kind of song that you kind of listen to with your whole body. red velvet INVENTED the word genre versatility, what i love about this album is that it hops back and forth between upbeat and mellow but the whole "velvet" rnb vibe they have going is bumping throughout the entire album. other favorites from the tracklist include "moonlight melody" and "i just", among others... i love the ReVe festival trilogy but in my fair and honest opinionné they have yet to top this. if you don't mind k-pop i'd seriously recommend this album, NO skips to be found and i checked everywhere.

SATURATION II - BROCKHAMPTON (2017)

💿 NOW PLAYING... SUNNY the relationship i have with brockhampton songs needs to be studied tbh...they were my lifeline during the thick of the 2020 p*nd*mic. love love love the bearface outros but when they do songs like sunny (think: swim, sister/nation, team, etc) they HIT....complicated thoughts here because i feel like the saturation trilogy kind of haunted the band after its release and you feel it in their music. that convo is for another post though. but i love sunny because it's one of those sun is setting, life is kind of shit right now but it's looking up sort of vibes. sat ii > sat iii > sat i, if you were curious. god save the boy band....

HIT VIBES - SAINT PEPSI (2013)

💿 NOW PLAYING... BETTER another album not on streaming but thankfully you can listen to it here! i had an EXTENDED future funk/city pop moment back when it was really at its peak and i still come back to it every so often. "better "is a really fun listen, it feels like a party condensed into a song to me....the sound effects are what really make it for me. saint pepsi is one of my more consistent future funk faves, check out "cherry pepsi" and "private caller" too, they've bot got that sort of mellow bump rythm to them and the bass is NASSTYYYY.....found myself checking out some of the samples just to listen to them isolated as well, he does a great job of picking samples might i add...great listen.

DECIDE - DJO (2022)

💿 NOW PLAYING... HALF LIFE i told yall i love a little 80s revival moment!! another no-skip album, mr. joe keery makes the chord progressions his BITCH and i think that's what really makes this album. gives notes of tame impala but is very synth electronica....i also love daft punk's "discovery" (2001) so this album speaks to me. i think that there's a persistent longing present in these songs and you can really feel it. still waiting on the tour to happen. tiktok has recently got a hold of "end of beginning" but i listened to this on the day it came out. so. stream "chateau (feel alright)"

thank you all for listening...if you made it this far i'm sending you a virtual cookie. paging anybody who has not been tagged to do this yet, tell me about your favs and tag me!! i love discovering new music i'm not very picky when it comes to genres. actual hbowar stuff coming soon, i promise. much luv

[snowangeldotmp3]

heyyy liv :) hope you had a good day!!

here are a lot of questions, sorry if there's too many lol

1, 9, 17, 20, 23, 32, 40, 44, 119

maddie!! don't even worry about it because i will answer them all 😤‼️

what is your favorite album?

oh god... that changes from time to time tbh... i can't ever have just ONE favorite. but if i have to choose my favorite album right now.. i'd say it's a toss up between Unreal Unearth by my man Hozier and Snow Angel by Renee Rapp!!!

9. what is your favorite live album?

i know she's controversial right now but this is such a fun live album. i don't listen to a lot of live albums tbh... </3 but if i have to pick a fave then this one is it!!!

17. favorite song right now?

dreamboat annie one of my fave albums!!! magic man is such a bop for me and it's always stuck in my head. it's stuck in my head RIGHT NOW. anyway. Heart slay.

20. what are too many songs for an album?

about to be a hypocrite bc the ariana album is like 33 songs but TO ME, PERSONALLY, unless it's a greatest hits collection of some sort, or a live album, i usually draw the line around 20 songs. 20 songs is a perfect amount of songs for an album and after that it's Pushing It just a bit...

23. what is your most played band of the year so far?

paramore!

32. who is your favorite singer?

how dare you make me choose. HOW DARE U!! but for the sake of this ask game i will say hayley williams.

40. song you want to see live?

look you don't understand. i need this song injected into my veins and i need to have an existential crisis in the crowd while joe keery sings. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!

44. romantic song

one of my absolute favorite billie holiday songs ever. <3

119. what kind of music did you grow up on?

top pop hits radio, christian top hits radio (k-love my enemy), older pre-9/11 country, and whoever my moms favorite singers were from the 80s!

music asks <3

[bonniehooper]

Top Picks of 2023

My Top 20 Favorite K-Pop Albums - #16: NewJeans “Get Up”

Release Date: July 21st, 2023

Favorite Tracks: "New Jeans", "Super Shy", "ETA", "Cool with You", "Get Up", and "ASAP"

[just-a-little-fangirl-love]

Structurally, I set up my reviews with the first paragraph going to background knowledge on the group/album/song, second paragraph is for the instrumentals, third is for the vocals, and fourth is for the music video. I may add an extra paragraph or two in there, depending on if I feel the need for them.

"I'm not sure how to classify this one. It'll get lost if I don't classify it like I normally would, but also, it'll get lost if I don't because it will be the only outlier. Although I did say that I might do earlier ones... Oh, well. The performance video came out this month, so I'm counting it as a release even though the song came out last year. I'll figure out classifications for it later when I get another song from last August. 

I have a soft spot for NINE.i. I love Turn It Off, so much in fact that it was a top listen alongside my ridiculous numbers for Face by NU'EST (800+ streams in the space of about three months. In my defense, I was trying to learn the words by reading the Hangeul, because I like making my life difficult). They have some adorably cute songs. And watching Seowon on Boys' Planet with his lovely, fantastic reactions be confused at how he's there is one of the highlights of that show. I would rewatch it just to watch him again. And after whatever legal troubles they were dealing with that are apparently resolved with the company, I'm just happy to see them posting things again. This is, what, two videos in the space of a week? I feel a little like I'm getting spoiled. Hurt originally came from the same album as Turn It Off and Highschool Love, two of my absolute favorite songs by NINE.i.

The beat is quick, and the synth and drums, which make up the majority of the instrumentals, are fairly standard, except for one thing. While the patterns repeat, they stutter briefly into something off-beat occasionally,  which is a good metaphor for how a breaking relationship literally makes you feel like the ground is breaking beneath you, leaving you with no support. Also, there's a triangle used. I can't tell you where because I get so distracted by the synth that I forget to listen to where it is. It's there. It's only used once. I can't decide if I want more, or if it's genius as is.

I don't know where fourth gen ended. Not a clue. I know where first gen ended. I know roughly where second gen ended. I know roughly where third Gen ended. I don't know about the end of fourth and the beginning of fifth, so I can't tell you if NINE.i with their March 2022 (another of my March debuts, and the first group I actually saw in person) are fourth or fifth gen K-Pop. I can tell you I don't think they do the shouting thing I don't like. They may have it in one of the couple of songs I haven't heard, but at that point, the proportions are fine for my taste. One or two songs out of their entire discography? Yeah. I'll live. Hurt is unusual because it doesn't even have rapping. It's purely vocal. I only know one of the members is definitely a rapper, but even he sings for this song. It's in the first verse. It makes me smile. There's one section that almost sounds like rap, but it's done with a melody, so I can't decide if it actually is rap or not. I wouldn't call it that, but then I'm easily weakest on differentiating between different kinds of rap. So I could be wrong. I'm better than I was. But the year of listening to music with rappers doesn't quite compete with the years of vocal training I've had. These voices aren't the most stunning or amazing that I've heard, but I have heard them live, and I know they were live because I heard them go off-key occasionally (I could also tell they were nervous, which was so endearing considering why I was watching them). Though, disclaimer, it wasn't egregiously off-key, and they had mostly stable vocals. Actually, they kind of remind me a little of like, a cross between Seventeen and P1Harmony. 

The thing I notice first and most strongly is the visual glitching, which fully goes in line with that sense of unbalancing I noted for the instrumentals. Those glitches are so cool. And even though this is a performance video, it's not one that is overly complicated. It also does a really good job of highlighting both group and individual performances, even though it seems like they're in a small space. Plus, the choreo that is now being shown off? Intricate. Precise. A little bit sexy. It's not a song for jumping and big movements, and so the choreo doesn't have them. But the details with the hands are impressive. This also could have been filmed in a large space, but the confinement adds to the sense of unbalance. All in all, this is a video that I hope gets a lot of attention. Not just because I really like the group, but because I think it deserves the attention."

[jiminsproof]

tag game ✨️

gosh so many lovelies tagged me in this one!! you GUYYS!!!! thank you @singingtillthemorn, @seoksao, @blueside-hobi, @joon-rkive, @minieggukie, @wistfulocean, @everysongends !! Sonja, Salma, Kaili, Elle, Kris, Heather, Amal, i hope each and every single one of you is having a lovely day, and i'm sending you a big hug!! loved getting to know more about you from your posts, too!! and i hope i haven't missed anyone's tag shhjgjkldlk

name: Natalia

sign: 🌞 Sagittarius,🌙 Taurus, ⬆️ Virgo

height: 169 cm/ 5'6'' (but listen i used the converter for the second one don't quote me on this)

time: 20:10

birthday: 11th Dec

favorite band/artist: idk how to even make this relatively succinct.......... ok so for kpop it's bangtan, ateez, stray kids, gidle, taemin...... otherwise i also love chelsea wolfe a lot.... dream theater the metal band of my life? royal blood, white lies, muse but also nothing but thieves and des rocs a lot lately...... romantic feelings for meg myers', emma ruth rundle's and agnes obel's music?? but also banks and florence + the machine and aurora and hey i also love men. post malone, hozier, hurts and even crazy stuff like hatari?? and i also have been to 7 riverside concerts and FFSSSSSSSS no

last movie: not a movie but i watched foals concert yesterday oh right i also love foals k word me

last show: does wanteez count?? also planning to start bad buddy tonight i'm so excited!!!!!

when i created this blog: february/march 2022?

what i post: mostly bangtan, but also other k-pop stuff and dramas i'm currently watching. random text posts. i talk

other blogs: @sector1 - my ateez sideblog, @liquidsun-sets - my lit/art blog

do i get asks: yess!! thank you guys!!

followers: 106, ily all <3 (also that's a side note, but i'm really grateful that you guys are always so ready to strike a conversation with me, and i feel like i have spoken with so many of my moots it's crazy!! this blog is really an amazing space for me, and it's all thanks to you - THANK YOUUU BABIES!!!)

average hours of sleep: you never know. workdays it's usually around 6-7 (but also much less to 0 if things to do), my body always wants 10+, my personal record is 15 hours. yes, non-stop. no, i didn't feel bad afterwards. it felt amazing.

instruments: in Polish we say that you can play on sb's nerves, and that's all i got

what i'm wearing: black tank top and black sweatpants

dream job: ?????????????????????? happy

dream trip: florence, italy!! primarily for the uffizi. also need to get to the uk at some point and stay there like a month to see everything i want to see

favourite songs: let's talk ABOUT MY FAVOURITE SONGS RIGHT NOW. so i'm really into ateez comeback. guerrilla, sector 1, and cyberpunk are my faves. phase me by woosung finally got me! trying not to stan the rose now! svt's most recent album is great too, i've been blasting _world and cheers the most as title songs i think. currently on amsterdam by nothing but thieves kick too. and kard's most recent album. wait why there's so many again

anyways. tagging some of my lovely moots, please feel free to ignore, many of you might have already done it too!! wishing you a lovely week ily 💗: @minyoongislaysme, @kirbwoo, @ki-limepie, @shrimpmsg, @starlostjimin, @usertae, @rosegaming117, @hopeonthestreets, @kimchokejin, @sugaggukkie, @feeling-woozi, @jiminieology27, @platypusplayhere. 🌸

[staystats]

ODDINARY Poll Results!

On March 17, 2022, Stray Kids released their second full album, “ODDINARY”. A couple weeks later, STAYSTATS ran a poll (that pathetically lasted for a month, more or less) asking STAYs for their thoughts on the era in general!

Here are the results. 

In total, 50 STAYs participated in this poll. Of those 50 STAYs, 36 of them (72%) consider Stray Kids as their ult group, with 26 (13%) saying that they follow other K-Pop groups along with Stray Kids. There was also 1 casual listener of Stray Kids, so thank you to them for participating!

When asked to select their favorite song in “ODDINARY”, these results were returned. For roughly half of the survey period, “Charmer” had half the votes! Ultimately, it gained 17 votes (34%) total. “Venom” is in second place with 8 votes (16%) total, and to my surprise, the title track “MANIAC” tied with “Waiting for Us”, both receiving 7 votes (14% each). 

But what about their favorite parts in any of the songs in the album? Based on skimming through the comments, “Charmer”, “MANIAC”, “Muddy Waters”, and “Venom” appeared to have the most “killing” parts in the album! Some common answers included:

Changbin’s Pre-Chorus in “MANIAC” (”Poppin!”)

Rap Verses in “Muddy Waters” (more specifically, Felix’s beginning verse)

Hyunjin’s Rap in “Venom”

Changbin’s Beat-Boxing Rap in “Charmer”

Hyunjin’s “Ddang” in “FREEZE”

I also surveyed them on their favorite part of “MANIAC”’s choreography, but to nobody’s surprise, the pre-chorus (POPPIN) and chorus parts took the cake. 

Time to focus on the members! It’s common in the K-Pop industry to associate a group’s era with a member, so who in Stray Kids claims this era as theirs? Literally no surprise whatsoever, it’s Changbin with 11 votes (22%)! Lee Know takes second place with 10 votes (20%), and Bang Chan somehow got 0 votes...? #justiceforchan

And then I asked STAYs who had the best styling overall this era, to which Felix won with 13 votes (26%). Hyunjin comes second with 10 votes (20%), and Changbin follows with 8 votes (16%). I also asked them for their favorite outfit, but these results have been delayed for far too long, and I cannot force myself to look for specific outfits spanning across tons of performances online. Sorry!

But where does “MANIAC” fall on their list of masterful title tracks? Was it any good to begin with? The answer is yes. With only 2 people ranking the song below an 8 on a 1-10 scale (10 being best), it’s safe to say that Stray Kids really nailed this comeback! 20 STAYs (40%) ranked “MANIAC” with a perfect 10 out of 10!

The album in general also lines up with the previous data, as “ODDINARY” received overwhelming positive rankings! 22 STAYs (44%) gave the album a perfect 10, with only 3 (6%) giving it a 7, which was the lowest score given. 

How does “ODDINARY” fare with the rest of Stray Kid’s albums? I asked STAYs “Where does ‘ODDINARY’ fall if you were to rank the albums from best to worst?” After a brief skim through of the responses, a lot of STAYs did not put “ODDINARY” on top! Instead, they slid it in second or third place. Only a couple people, maybe 5 at most, put “ODDINARY” in the lower end of their rankings, though, so still pretty solid. There was also one or two who completely refused to rank the albums, and I think that says a lot about Stray Kid’s discography :)

Overall, the comments revolving around “ODDINARY” are extremely positive! Lots of STAYs pointed out how the album kept Stray Kid’s unique and authentic music while still taking a different approach on it, even saying how it sounds like 3RACHA’s predebut tracks. Quite a few mentioned the creativity put into the instrumentals and ad-libs, and generally stated how the album is cohesive and has no skips. 

Thank you to those who participated in this survey, and thank YOU for reading until the very end! Currently, I am hosting a small poll in correlation to pride month, and would love for you to participate too (even if you’re not LGBTQI+)! Hope you enjoyed this research project of mine :)

- - - - -

@starrynpy @seungrachas @gwynsapphire @blueprint-han @sunflowers-rae @yoongisleftearring @dimplesnanon @crispy-chan @bossuns @ificouldhelpyouforget @hanjesungs @wingkkun @skz-said-stay @elizalabs3 @deafeninghoundcreatorweasel @solarswonderland @aroseharder @yoongle-boongle @peachy-flxwer

[tomorrowxtogether]

The Unstoppable TXT

In another world, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)’s schedule for March 2021 would have been packed with in-person activities. March 4 was the two-year anniversary of the Korean boy band’s stratospheric debut, the mini-album The Dream Chapter: STAR, and in the K-pop world, anniversaries are a big deal. There would have been fan meetings and maybe even a commemorative live performance. Instead, with the COVID-19 pandemic severely limiting the scope of public life, the boy band’s five members focused on their already well-honed virtual fan activities, uploading their usual week's worth of nonstop content (dubbed "DREAM WEEK" this year) to their social channels. Other than that, they likely passed the milestone the way they say they’ve spent most days this past year: writing music, working out, and watching a lot of TV.

“I also eat ice cream with various toppings,” says Hueningkai, the youngest member of the group. Yeonjun, the oldest, tells cheesy dad jokes.

This is not to say that TXT have lost any momentum due to the pandemic; they’ve used it for inspiration. Consider the COVID-themed hit “We Lost the Summer,” from their October 2020 EP, Minisode1: Blue Hour, an anthem for every young adult whose life the pandemic put on hold. “Our favorite cafe is now locked shut,” the boys sing. “Hiding my sigh behind a stifling mask… A nightmarish week, another month, a year… We lost the summer, when we lost each other. Give us back our season.”

“I cannot listen to this song without crying, even though it sounds so optimistic,” one of the music video’s 17 million YouTube viewers commented. That emotional connection wasn’t a fluke; part of TXT’s appeal is the band’s willingness to explore darker corners of youth and modern life.

When TXT, made up of Soobin, 20; Yeonjun, 21; Beomgyu, 19; Taehyun, 19; and Hueningkai, 18, released their debut album, with an accompanying music video and live performance, they were under intense pressure to succeed. They were the first group to launch under Big Hit Entertainment, South Korea’s most prolific entertainment agency, since 2013, when it introduced BTS, the K-pop band that sold more music worldwide in 2020 than any other artist, including Taylor Swift. K-pop has been a booming industry in Korea since the ’90s, but it’s seeing more and more international demand with each passing year. K-pop generated more than $500 million in export revenue in 2018, according to a study released last year by the Korean government. Even amid the pandemic, the biggest K-pop groups saw their album sales increase in 2020. BTS sold more than 4 million copies of Map of the Soul: 7. Because it is so visible and, for some, lucrative, K-pop attracts far more aspiring stars than will become actual ones; some groups work tirelessly for years before they’re recognized domestically. Even the most successful groups with major labels backing them may not ever make it big in Western music markets.

TXT made an impact right away. The Dream Chapter: STAR topped the iTunes charts in 44 countries, and the group swept all of the major K-pop new artist awards. TXT’s first studio album, The Dream Chapter: MAGIC, debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s World Albums Chart in November 2019. Considering that Big Hit is now one of the most powerful labels in the world, exposure was never going to be a problem for TXT. Talent wasn’t either: Like most K-pop stars, they have gone through rigorous training required and provided by their label. They are skilled singers, dancers, and rappers; Yeonjun’s talent in particular has been called “legendary.” The biggest hurdle for the group was distinguishing themselves artistically from their mega-hit “older brothers” BTS but also the rest of their musical peers.

K-pop is known for its cheerful, happy portrayals of youth. TXT have regularly deviated from that standard, straddling the line between shadow and light from the beginning. Their debut single in 2019, “Crown,” explores the loneliness of a boy who grows horns on his head, perceives himself as a monster alone in the world, and eventually finds comfort in friends who share his suffering. The heaviness of the lyrics is balanced out by a cheerful melody and colorful, eye-grabbing visuals.

The shadows in TXT’s music continue to evolve and became visible in the music video for “Eternally,” from their May 2020 mini-album, The Dream Chapter: ETERNITY. At more than 19 minutes long, it resembles a short horror film more than a pop video. The boys stand in the middle of an apocalyptic landscape of ruins, wander through dark corridors and infinite rows of doors, and even come across dead versions of themselves as they sing about the despair of being trapped in a “darkness that swallowed the scream,” in a “fragmented world” of nightmarish dreams.

“We didn’t know [the music video] would be over 19 minutes,” says Hueningkai. “As we kept shooting, the video expanded. I’m happy we were able to show new sides of ourselves. MOAs seemed to love it,” he says, referring to the TXT fans collectively called MOA, or “Moments of Alwaysness.” According to Allkpop, the name refers to “all of the moments that TXT and fans spend together always,” as well as the moments they share to create the unified dream referenced in the group’s album titles.

The songs explore the confusion of adolescence and the role friends play in getting you through it… as they’ve navigated the confusion of adolescence with their friends, and shared those experiences with their combined 22 million YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook followers. The group’s October 2020 EP, Minisode1: Blue Hour, peaked at No. 25 on Billboard200 and topped charts in Japan, the world’s second-highest grossing music market after the United States.

“We became trainees when we were in high school and middle school,” says Soobin, the 20-year-old leader of the group. “There were a lot of things we hadn’t experienced. So when we debuted, we faced a lot of difficult ordeals, thoughts, and tribulations for the first time, trying to resolve conflicts and learning about the world.”

“When we debuted, it was difficult for me to even stand on stage,” Hueningkai says, laughing. “It was particularly hard to look at the camera. I didn’t know where the [camera] lights were; I didn’t make good facial expressions.”

Beomgyu, who writes music as part of his pandemic self-care routine, fondly remembers the 2020 song “Maze in the Mirror.” “We composed it during our trainee days,” he says. “It was eventually included in the same album as ‘Eternally’ [in 2020]. When we recorded the song, we remembered all those times we’d had together, crying, laughing. That’s why this song was particularly special to us.”

He thinks sometimes about life before TXT. “I loved the moments of walking to [Big Hit] and walking back home. In spring, I loved the weather; after work, I loved seeing the crowds of people on the street. [Because of fame,] now that is gone.”

Taehyun, perhaps true to fans’ sense of him as “unbothered,” feels no such nostalgia. “I don’t really miss my life before debut,” he says. “I think I’m much happier now.”

If success has made some aspects of normal life harder for TXT members to access, that doesn’t prevent them from imagining what something as simple as a great date will look like after COVID: “Going to the amusement park. A stroll on the beach at night,” Beomgyu says. Soobin and Yeonjun chime in, “Same here!”

TXT’s third year together is about broadening their musical horizons. “We have to learn about music beyond the repertoires we like,” says Soobin, who is a major Bebe Rexha fan. “We’re making an effort to participate in composing and writing songs, and finding our own styles.” Part of that process includes regularly covering the work of other artists — Marteen’s “Sriracha,” Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next,” and others — on SoundCloud.

Taehyun, who says he likes “genres that mix hip-hop and rock,” learned the power of getting out of your comfort zone while making TXT’s first album in 2019. “I have loved listening to a variety of songs since the trainee days. But there was a particular song in the debut album, ‘Cat & Dog,’ that was challenging because I hadn’t rapped before. It was incredibly meaningful to tread the line between rapping and singing. After this experience, I started liking this kind of music.”

TXT couldn’t have debuted during a more uncertain time. No one knew the pandemic would disrupt the entire music industry, making live performance impossible and thus changing the way artists engage with fans. In a separate interview with Elite Daily published last May, Soobin said he was optimistic about the group’s ability to connect with fans amid social distancing: “Physical distance doesn’t equate to emotional distance.”

One year later, he’s even more convinced that music is a means of connection and understanding. “I get deeply comforted by listening to music,” he says now. “I’m still this way. I listen to songs I can relate to, and realize that there are so many people who feel like me. TXT also tries to make music that many people can empathize with. I hope we can keep creating lots of songs that comfort others, songs that they can relate to.”

The last two years have brought Yeonjun around to a similar sense of a larger purpose, which he didn’t always feel. “Whereas in the past, I kept running forward for my dreams, now I have members who dream together with me,” he says. “And we have fans who love us. For their sake, we want to work harder.”

[sodalitefully]

11, 37, 78 for the music asks 💜

11. How has your music taste changed in the last 5 years?

Ok five years ago I was... halfway through my freshman year of college so I would have been really into pink floyd and santana, so prog & psychedelic. That summer was a lot of beatles (but I think also sublime and of course always rhcp), then things got very 70s in the fall (supertramp and steve miller band) leading into the who in the winter. The rest of 2018 was a blend of things and then the dirt movie came out in early 2019. That spring I started listening to motley, to t. rex, and oddly also to k pop. GNR took over soon after that, and smkc (& dirty honey!) when I saw them in concert that summer, and my playlists got a lot heavier with some black sabbath/ozzy, some metallica, also the clash? things went on like that for a while and then around the summer of 2020 I was also listening to a lot of punk (mostly classic stuff, misfits were a big one). By 2021 there was some alter bridge/myles kennedy and mcr, a lot of halestorm and green day, and a pretty steady rotation of 90s-00s alt rock hits, and I'm so sorry for this unnecessarily detailed block of text 😂😂

37. An underrated song on your favorite album?

Idk if I have a fav album but rhcp's californication is up there, and get on top and road trippin are two of my favs that I don't hear on the radio! man I should listen to that album...

78. A song you like with a number in the title?

misfits, 20 eyes!

[p1harmonyofficial]

[📰] 20 Questions With P1Harmony: K-Pop Rookies on the High Energy of 'Disharmony: Break Out' Mini-Album

By Heran Mamo

Plus: See a full, translated video interview with the sextet exclusively on Billboard.

P1Harmony explore a wide range of topics and genres on their high-intensity mini-album Disharmony: Break Out, which was released April 20 as the follow-up to their first EP, Disharmony: Stand Out.

Named one of the rookie K-pop groups to watch in 2021 by Time, members Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul and Jongseob had a unique experience stepping into the spotlight for the first time: The sextet debuted in the Korean film P1H: The Beginning of a New World on Oct. 8, 2020, before releasing their debut EP, Disharmony: Stand Out, on Oct. 28. Starring in a film prior to releasing their own music allowed P1Harmony to be more comfortable and confident enhancing their choreography (their Billie Eilish medley choreography has amassed more than 1 million YouTube views) and even coming up with their own music video concepts.

To commemorate the release of Disharmony: Break Out, the members of P1Harmony answered Billboard’s 20 questions about how Korea shaped who they are, how their evolving sound shines through on their latest mini-album, and the meanings they've taken away from this project as well as what they hope their fans will too.

1. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?

Keeho: 5 Seconds of Summer, CD

Theo: BIGBANG’s MADE, CD

Jiung: Lee Moon Sae, cassette tape

Intak: Teen Top's "Miss Right," mp3

Soul: G-Dragon, CD

Jongseob: B.A.P’s "1004," CD

2. What was the first concert you saw?

Keeho: Ariana Grande’s The Listening Session

Theo: BIGBANG’s MADE Concert

Jiung: Lee Sun Hee’s Concert

Intak: Open Concert by KBS when I was 7!

Soul: Teen Top’s Japan Concert

Jongseob: B.A.P Concert

3. What did your parents do for a living when you were a kid?

Keeho: [My mom] used to do work related to music, she was a musician. My dad used to work at a university as a counselor.

Theo: My mom is a hairstylist.

Jiung: My mom used to be a banker and my dad used to work at National Tax Service.

Intak: My mom is a [yoga] trainer or coach and my dad is a businessman.

Soul: I’m not sure.

Jongseob: My mom used to be a jazz dancer as well as an instructor and my dad used to work at National Dance Company of Korea.

4. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?

Keeho: Myself and acquaintances

Theo: Myself

Jiung: My rap and my vocal coach

Intak: My parents. They gave me full support, as well as the confidence to be able to pursue my dream.

Soul: Teen Top

Jongseob: B.A.P and my parents

5. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?

Keeho: The Grammys!

Theo: Our own world tour!

Jiung: To perform in front of a million people

Intak: To become a respected musician

Soul: To perform at a big music festival or a stadium, like Coachella

Jongseob: To perform until I can’t

6. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?

Keeho: It’s a place where I was able to gain my own confidence and learn the importance of being friendly [manners]. It’s also where I was able to experience a wide range of vocalists and their styles, which ultimately helped me shape and find my own vocal style.

Theo: It’s a place where I was able to live without any pressure or concerns.

Jiung: For me, my hometown is currently a place where I can find mental stability and state of relaxation. I reminiscence about my hometown quite frequently when I need to recoup and find mental stability.

Intak: I was raised in the rural part of Korea, so I was always close to nature and grew up playing in the valleys or riding gunny sacks in the mountains. I think that’s what helped me be at leisure.

Soul: It’s a place where I grew up without any hardships.

Jongseob: It was one of the most comfortable places in Korea with positive vibes and clean, refreshing air, which helped me find peace and ease.

7. What’s the last song you listened to?

Keeho: Ariana Grande’s "POV"

Theo: P1Harmony’s "End It"

Jiung: DPR IAN’s MITO

Soul: P1Harmony’s "Reset"

Jongseob: Penomeco’s Dry Flower

8. What’s your karaoke go-to?

Keeho: Alicia Keys, "If I Ain't Got You"

Theo: BIGBANG’s "BANG BANG BANG"

Intak: Bobby’s "YGGR"

Soul: I don’t go to karaoke haha

Jongseob: Beenzino’s "Dali, Van, Picasso"

9. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?

Keeho: Beyoncé

Theo: G-Dragon and Huh Gak

Jiung: Lee Sun Hee

Intak: Michael Jackson

Soul: Beyoncé

Jongseob: Post Malone

10. How has the pandemic affected your creative process?

Keeho: My source of inspiration has become very limited, as I don’t get to go to new places or meet new people.

Theo: I think because I couldn’t really go out, I was able to focus more on my craft.

Jiung: I was able to really dig deep into my work, writing lyrics and composing.

Intak: I didn't have a lot of ideas, but I also thought writing about COVID-19 could be a source of new ideas.

Soul: It was hard because I couldn’t really go to places that would usually help me get inspiration.

Jongseob: It was a bit difficult because I lacked having new experiences and meeting new people. My source of inspiration was also very limited, because I would just go to the same places.

11. How did starring in the film P1H: The Beginning of a New World prepare you for your debut as a K-pop boy band?

Keeho: I think it was a good opportunity for me to learn how to be more comfortable in front of the cameras.

Theo: I was able to gain confidence and felt a sense of pride knowing that we were the first ones to debut in a unique way with a full-length movie.

Jiung: I think it was a unique way of introducing us to the world and gave us the opportunity to learn how to be more focused and theatrical onstage.

Soul: It was a great experience, because it allowed me to learn the basic manners of the industry and the importance of staff members.

Jongseob: I think it helped us build a strong storyline and composition for our music. It will be easier to understand our music and its message if you watch the movie.

12. What do you want fans to take away from your mini-album Disharmony: Break Out?

Keeho: I believe it would depend and vary on how you interpret it, but we hope our listeners really enjoy our music.

Theo: I hope our fans and listeners gain confidence through our music, which is one of our strongest messages.

Jiung: I would like for our fans P1ece to really understand, take and gain everything from what we are trying to deliver in our message.

Intak: I would like for our fans to find the courage to speak up and have their own voice.

Soul: I just want our fans to be happy when they're listening to our music!

Jongseob: I think it depends on who is listening, but I hope our fans can take away anything and everything they can in a positive way and earn confidence as well.

13. Which song from Disharmony: Break Out is the most meaningful to you and why?

Keeho: I think it’s "If You Call Me" because it's a song that all six of us worked on together

Theo: I would like to pick "Reset," because I did so well in the studio while recording this song, so it means a lot to me.

Jiung: I’d say "Pyramid" because the lyrics "I’m on the top of the pyramid" helps me feel like I’m really the best and makes me want to live by that mindset. It definitely has become one of my favorite tracks.

Intak: I would pick "If You Call Me" for the same reason Keeho picked it. It’s a meaningful song to me because we all worked on it together as a team.

Soul: I think every single track on the album has a special meaning for me and because it’s all our songs, it’s a super difficult question to answer.

Jongseob: I think for me, our title track "Scared" is the most meaningful. The message of the song, which is not to be afraid to voice your own opinions and to live the life you want to live, is what I strongly believe in and that’s the kind of attitude I want to have.

14. Your debut EP Disharmony: Stand Out is much more hip-hop leaning, while your second features more R&B harmonies and EDM production while still refining the rap verses. What made you want to switch up your sound in only a manner of six months?

Keeho: I think we wanted to really make sure our message is being delivered clearly and strongly, so I think that’s why we picked tracks that were as strong with aggressive sounds.

Jiung: I don’t think we had a special moment or particular reason as to why we decided to do what. We just wanted to portray our feelings and thoughts that we felt at that moment while making music, and the time that we spent in between our albums, is what probably contributed to the change of sound as well.

Intak: As Keeho mentioned, I think we wanted to stand out a bit more with more clarity and distinct characteristics, which is what drove the aggressiveness and the slight change of sounds for this album.

15. Since you help choreograph and conceptualize your videos, what do you hope to convey in the accompanying visuals for Disharmony: Break Out?

Keeho: As you can see in our choreography for "Scared," we incorporated football into our routine. Football is a sport that is very aggressive and requires a lot of energy so we thought it was a good fit with our song. With these specific key points, we tried to really emphasize our message as well as our energy.

Jiung: I think our choreography, stage outfits, and concept all adds up and helps level up the intensity of the song as well as the message that we want to deliver. Our music video and choreography really turned out well, so I hope our fans appreciate and enjoy it!

16. Which artist is on your bucket list to collaborate with?

Keeho: Ariana Grande

Theo: BIGBANG, Taeyang, G.Soul, Dean

Jiung: Ty Dolla $ign

Intak: Justin Timberlake, A$AP Rocky

Soul: Les Twins

Jongseob: Penomeco, Smino

17. What’s one thing that even your most devoted fans don’t know about you?

Keeho: I really don’t like long nails. I just can’t stand it, so I tend to always keep my nails short.

Theo: I don’t really sweat. I don’t think I sweat at all.

Jiung: I have a habit of chewing the inside of my mouth, unintentionally.

Intak: My lips are naturally moisturized so I don’t need to use a lip balm to make them glossy!

Soul: I have dermographism, so even the slightest irritation like a scratch will leave a mark/scar for a while.

Jongseob: I have a slim waist and biggest feet of all members.

18. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?

Keeho: I don’t really cry, so I don’t think there’s a movie that ever made me cry.

Theo: The Korean movie Miracle in Cell No. 7 makes me cry every single time I watch it.

Jiung: Korean traditional children’s song "Daddy Cheer Up" makes me tear up.

Intak: I have a couple, but if I had to just pick one, it’d be the movie Forrest Gump.

Soul: I don’t cry like Keeho so I have never cried watching something and I just don’t like to watch sad movies.

Jongseob: "Falling Slowly"

19. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your pre-debut self?

Keeho: Don’t worry too much and work harder.

Theo: Think 100 times before acting on it.

Jiung: Are you truly sincere?

Intak: Enjoy life a bit more.

Soul: Be more emotionally stable.

Jongseob: It's never too late.

20. What does a successful 2021 look like for you?

Keeho: I hope to release as much music as we can!

Theo: I wish we can make at least 3 comebacks.

Jiung: I hope to gain more emotional peace and stability.

Intak: "Rookie of the Year" award!

Soul: There’s a necklace I really want to buy and I hope to buy it by the end of this year!