T-ara Brought Disco to K-pop on 2011’s ‘John Travolta Wannabe’
John Travolta Wannabe shows why K-pop attracts people from all walks of life, and why T-ara became a force to be reckoned with.
k-pop
7 BTS Japanese Tracks You Should Know Beyond ‘BTS, The Best’
BTS’ original Japanese tracks could fill a compilation, even if the curation of BTS, The Best is a good representation of the Korean group as a crossover act.
BTS Own the Brand of Joy Pop Like No Other in “Butter”
BTS’ “Butter” drives on nostalgic funk-pop instrumentals, undeniable positive vibes, catchy and relatively easy lyrics to sing along.
The Metaphysical Dream of BTS’ SUGA aka Min Yoon-gi
In Min Yoon-gi’s (BTS’ SUGA) music there’s a common idea floating of his dreams, even if he hasn’t identified them, or found a way to coexist with them peacefully.
BTS Master the Art of Timeless, Universal Songwriting with ‘BE’
BE is the album in which BTS's sound crosses over to cement the type of legacy they're building – one that started in youth and is very proudly Korean, but that makes sense for any age or place.
BTS’ “Dynamite” Defies the West Much More Than It Bends to It
It's easy to depict the song's all English lyrics and music video tribute to Western pop culture icons as searching for Western validation, but "Dynamite" hints mostly at the type of semiotic disruption that BTS has been notable for.
How BTS Always Leave You Wanting More
K-pop boy band BTS are masterful at creating a separation between their public personas and their private lives. This mythology leaves a void that fans willingly fill.
The New Empire Has Risen: ‘New Kings of the World’
Author Fatima Bhutto profiles the new arbiters of mass culture: Bollywood, Dizi, and K-pop, in her engaging cultural studies/travelogue, New Kings of the World.
Culture Is Not Innocent: An Interview with Fatima Bhutto
Fatima Bhutto discusses her new book on pop culture from the Global South, which goes above and beyond, among other things, the "sluggish, bloated, less urgent" films dominating Hollywood.
Feeling Over the Moon About a Tiffany Young Love-Fest
Transforming from K-pop girl group member to mainstream pop solo artist, Tiffany Young makes an impressive impression on North America with her first major headlining tour that's leaving fans screaming for more.
Psy: Chiljip Psy-da
For his first proper release since the viral success of 2012's "Gangnam Style", South Korean entertainer Psy sets out to prove he can do it again on his seventh album.
“Music Is Colorblind”: An Interview with MFBTY
As one of Korea's biggest rap groups, MFBTY still strive for a universal themes relatable to a worldwide audience, and with Wondaland, they may reach their biggest audience yet.