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All of the articles and podcast episodes released throughout the year! Best of the Year The Top 50 K-Pop Music Videos of 2024, Part 1 (No. 50 - 26) The Top 50 K-Pop Music Videos of 2024, Part 2 (No. 25 - 1) The 150 Best Songs of 2024 The Top 100 Albums of 2024, Part 1 (No. 100 - 75) The Top 100 Albums of 2024, Part 2 (No. 74 - 51) The Top 100 Albums of 2024, Part 3 (No. 50 - 26) The Top 100 Albums of 2024, Part 4 (No. 25 - 1) Deep-Dive Essays Reimagining the “Boy Next Door” ENHYPEN’s “FATE” and “FATE+” Storytelling SEVENTEEN’s “RIGHT HERE” Tour: A Bittersweet Reflection SEVENTEEN Want You to “SPILL THE FEELS” The Timelessness of SEVENTEEN More SEVENTEEN essays ATE Review: An Explosive Expansion of the Stray Kids Universe TAEYONG’s Purposeful Playfulness The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY is Deeper Than You Think TXT’s Take on The Little Prince TXT’s “ACT : PROMISE” World Tour Review: The Long Version An In- “Depth” Look at YUTA’s Album Shorter Reviews IU’s “HEREH” World Tour Review: Unsurprising Talent and Surprising Warmth TXT’s “ACT : PROMISE” World Tour Review: The Short Version P1Harmony Return with a New Kind of “SAD SONG” Best of January 2024: AB6IX, BABYMONSTER, COME, EVNNE, GARNiDELiA, (G)I-DLE, Hui, iScream, ITZY, IU, Jeff Satur, JEONG SEWOON, milet, NARIN, NAQT VANE, Sakurazaka46, SEOLA, TWS, yama, and YENA Best of February 2024: A.C.E, Cha Eun-Woo, CRAVITY, Daichi Miura, DK, from20, INI, IU, Jeff Satur, LE SSERAFIM, LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE, LIM KIM, Moon Byul, NCT WISH, P1Harmony, Sakurazaka46, TAEYONG, TEN, TRI.BE, and TWICE Best of March 2024: BINI, CHUNG HA, DAY6, Diana Wang, ExWHYZ, ILLIT, j-hope, Kim Sawol, MAZZEL, NCT DREAM, PURPLE KISS, SCANDAL, Seori, SUPER★DRAGON, UNIS, UVERworld, WENDY, xikers, yanaginagi, and YooA Best of April 2024: BABYMONSTER, BOYNEXTDOOR, BREIMEN, DOYOUNG, EPEX, GADORO, HIROMITSU KITAYAMA, Ian Chan, IVE, KISS OF LIFE, LA POEM, May J., ONEWE, ONF, SEVENTEEN, Solar, TXT, Vicky Chen, Xdinary Heroes, and YUQI Best of May 2024: aespa, ARTMS, ATEEZ, Bodyslam & Jeff Satur, D.O., E’LAST, ENHYPEN, HANRORO, imase, Kenshi Yonezu, MC Jin, MY FIRST STORY, RM, Sheena Ringo, SUHO, TRiDENT, tripleS, Violette Wautier, YOOK SUNGJAE, and Yves Best of June 2024: AKMU, ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHUU, DPR IAN, ENJIN, Epik High, H1-KEY, JxW, Kimberley Chen, LISA, NAYEON, PRETZELLE, Red Velvet, RIIZE, SAAY, Sakurazaka46, STU48, WayV, WOOAH, and YUKI Best of July 2024: Ayumu Imazu, THE BOYZ, Dreamcatcher, DUSTCELL, ENHYPEN, ExWHYZ, (G)I-DLE, Jimin, KAVE, Misako Uno, MIYAVI, Monkey Majik, NCT 127, NiziU, OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM, ONE OK ROCK, STAYC, Stray Kids, TWICE, and Vicky Chen & W.M.L Best of August 2024: AB6IX, BE:FIRST, BiTE A SHOCK, CHANYEOL, COPTER & PUNCH from 4EVE, THE FIV5 & Karn The Parkinnson & Jorin from 4EVE, go!go!vanillas, imase, JAEHYUN, Kenshi Yonezu, LE SSERAFIM, Nerd Connection, OH MY GIRL, ONE OR EIGHT, PENOMECO, SF9, THE SPELLBOUND, TAEMIN, UNIS, and ZEROBASEONE Best of September 2024: anti-talent, BAEKHYUN, BAND-MAID, BOYNEXTDOOR, FUMON, HWASA, Ian Chan, JINHO, KANGDANIEL, KEY, Loossemble, P1Harmony, Sakurazaka46, Seiya Matsumuro, TZUYU, VK Blanka, xikers, YENA, YEONJUN, and Younha Best of October 2024: aespa, Billlie, THE BOYZ, Bryn, CNBLUE, f5ve, John Park, KISS OF LIFE, LEECHANGSUB, Li Ronghao, MIRROR, MIYAVI, Nissy, PURPLE KISS, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Sakurazaka46, SEVENTEEN, WOOSUNG, Xdinary Heroes, and YUTA Best of November 2024: Bii, EPEX, GOOD BYE APRIL, HEIZE, Jin, KAVE, KnowKnow, MISAMO, NCT DREAM, Stray Kids, SUNGJIN, Sunnee, TAEYEON, TRiDENT, TXT, XG, Yang Da Il, YAOCHEN, Younha, and Yves Interviews UNIS on What Their Music Means to Them Hui Talks About His Hopes and “Hmm BOP”! YOUNG POSSE’s Much-Deserved Confidence BEWAVE on Tunes, Travel, and Teamwork Grizzly Talks “Gorgeous,” Goals, and More oceanfromtheblue’s True Colors TIOT’s Debut is Finally Here! Big Ocean and a More Inclusive K-Pop Future Sion Expands His Eccentric Discography BOL4 Talks All Things “Lips”! All About C-Pop Group Loong9 MayTree on A Cappella, Ambition, and America’s Got Talent U_Chae’s Journey Begins! Ai Tomioka: “I want to be the one who makes that magic” YUNGIN: “I’ve always been attracted to music that makes you feel” Meet the Multifaceted paulkyte! OuiOui on Cherishing the “Sparkle” in Themselves Redefining “Nerd Connections” Allow MIYA to Re-Introduce Herself! Sohyang Talks All Things Blessings UNXL’s Evolution Miyuu’s Personal Storytelling A Quick Q&A with Mei Semones “I strive to be a bridge that leads one culture to another”: Meet THE CHARM PARK! The Stories Behind Tomggg’s Special Songs umu: “I believe in the power of autobiographical music” CITI’s Singles and Stories JUNGSOOMIN’s Newest “Phasis” verycoybunny on Authenticity and Getting Out of a Slump Pagaehun: “I want to help people love each other” ROSESIA: “Everything I go through… seems to motivate me to work harder” HOA on Their Band Name, The Beatles, and Big Dreams YUDABINBAND on Skills, Strengths, and Shows DJ Sparrow’s Inspirations and New EP Get to Know Meriberry! TKdakurobuchi’s Big Dreams Inside nerdina’s Mind Introducing Riaan! GK Talks “IDC” and “Gangnam Pop” Introducing The ATIC! 1/N Plan to Make Music for Life Tasty Shop’s Endless “Summer Symphony” Ingyeong Choi’s Sincere Songs Yangsun Shares Her Stories and Style OSSH Talks New Music and Big Ambitions “I hope you'll join me on the rugged yet beautiful path ahead”: Get to Know Kris Main! The Stories Behind JANE POP’s Songs When K-Pop Meets AI Podcast Episodes MAESTRO! (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 16): A massive guide to all things 17 IS RIGHT HERE! I break down everything worth knowing about the compilation album’s four new songs and music videos: behind-the-scenes facts, Easter eggs, symbol interpretations, lyric breakdowns, parallels to past eras, and even summaries of the mythological stories (among others) that are mentioned in the lyrics! Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! All Things IU: From being a “Lost Child” to the “Winning” superstar that she is today, this episode chronologically recaps IU’s career and catalog! This is both a guide to IU for those unfamiliar with her work and a chance for long-time fans to recall key moments from each year since IU’s debut. From releasing music videos that put original spins on classic stories to releasing albums that spoke to an ever-expanding soundscape, she has proven again and again to have what it takes to earn and keep global admiration! Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! minisode 3: TOMORROW Explainer: Throughout this in-depth guide to The Little Prince, I draw attention to the parallels TXT make to it in their songs, short film, “Deja Vu” music video, and even teaser images. Simultaneously unpacking minisode 3: TOMORROW and The Little Prince reveals how complementary the stories are and how TXT’s world-building has actually been covering the same life lessons as The Little Prince for years now! Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! DREAM()SCAPE Theory Time! (NCT Talk, Vol. 21): Everything to know about NCT DREAM’s DREAM()SCAPE-era videos and images, from the overall plot to the specific nods to EXO’s story! Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! TY for TY Tracks: The ultimate guide to TAEYONG’s TAP Era: the best lyrics, the thematic parallels to the SHALALA Era, theories about the “TAP” music video, the hidden meanings in the teaser images and videos, and so much more! Stream the episode on Spotify here! Stream the episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream the episode elsewhere here! LE SSERAFIM’s New Era: I use the movie Black Swan as a starting point for understanding the messages in the mini-album EASY; assess the ways LE SSERAFIM’s newer songs build on the foundation of their older ones; describe how the poem “Good Bones” is uniquely incorporated into the group’s story; and overall show why LE SSERAFIM’s discography remains as praiseworthy, resonant, and thoughtful as ever! Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! Still Monster (Energy): Besides an overview of times the makers of Monster Energy (aka Monster Beverage Corporation) sued entities who used the word “Monster” in branding (including BABYMONSTER), I cover LOTS of other news: TikTok’s feud with Universal Music Group, what went wrong at end-of-2023 awards shows, the crusade against lip-synching, publication of a shocking video, and much more! Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! iHAARTRadio: In addition to MANY other headlines, I break down K-pop-company-related feuds, from the drama between HYBE and its subsidiaries to the lawsuit against a different “Big Four” company over its construction project failures. Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! Best New Music: April 2024 Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! Best New Music: March 2024 Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! Best New Music: February 2024 Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! Best New Music: January 2024 Stream this episode on Spotify here! Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here! Stream this episode elsewhere here! The Latest Miniseries from the Enthusiasts Podcast: “Tony Hsieh and the Quest for Happiness” While this five-part series is about one extraordinary man who deserves as much name recognition as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, it’s also about the many overlapping contexts that explain his successes, his tragic downward spiral, and his evergreen comments on how to be happy. Tony Hsieh spent his life studying and trying to create and spread happiness, implementing elements of rave culture, the Silicon Valley lifestyle, Howard-Hughes-level renovation ideas, and outside-the-box theories. The results: a shoe company where meetings were more like pep rallies, Tony’s llama obsession was apparent, and decor and toys abounded; a Vegas project set on creating the happiest city on Earth in just five years; a “Happiness Tour” that spread fun and games nationwide; and even more pursuits. However, Tony’s ambitious projects also brought chaos, misery, loneliness, and confusion to many - including, unbeknownst to some, himself. Each episode in this mini-series covers both Tony Hsieh’s life story and seemingly unrelated stories that took place simultaneously. At the end, the different puzzle pieces form a clear picture, one that shows what happiness is, was, and could be. Paywalled Bonus Posts Mr. Bang’s New Yorker Profile: 5 Takeaways A Guide to Literature References in K-Pop A Guide to TV & Movie References in K-Pop A Guide to Art References in K-Pop Honorable Mentions: Best Songs of 2023 Honorable Mentions: Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2023 Honorable Mentions: Best Albums of 2023 Even More Honorable Mentions for the Best of 2023! 100 of the Best K-Pop Halloween Songs 60 of the Best K-Pop Holiday-Themed Releases “Cheat Sheet” guides to… ENHYPEN’s ROMANCE : UNTOLD era IU’s Discography KWANGYA and the “SMCU” LE SSERAFIM’s EASY era NCT DREAM’s DREAM( )SCAPE era NMIXX’s Story 17 IS RIGHT HERE Each SEVENTEEN Member’s Role in SPILL THE FEELS Stray Kids’s ATE Era TAEYONG’s TAP era TXT’s minisode 3: TOMORROW era: Part one, part two, and part three Everything Else What’s Going on with the Eras Tour in Asia? PURPLE KISS Acapella Medley! K-Pop Idols Docuseries: The 10 Most Shocking Quotes NEW & IMPROVED: A Guide to TAEYONG’s Solo Music Trash Balloons and Loudspeakers? The Latest on ADOR’s Situation Why ADOR is Under Audit 9 Key Details in “Eyes on you” K-Pops: What We Know So Far TWICE’s Epic Week! P1Harmony Are Going Back on the Road! P1Harmony Keep “Killin’ It”! LE SSERAFIM Release New Headphones & Earbuds! View the Substack version of this piece here!
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