MAESTRO! (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 16)

A massive guide to all things 17 IS RIGHT HERE! Hope breaks 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!

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!

Best New Music: April 2024

A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artists!

iHAARTRadio

Thorough breakdowns of the latest 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. Plus: a major change that threatens North American tours, the sentencing of someone who extorted a BTS fan, the latest “K-pop is past its prime” debate, the detention of girl group members in Bali, and even MORE of the latest headlines!

Best New Music: March 2024

A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, P-pop, and T-pop artists!

minisode 3: TOMORROW Explainer

Throughout this in-depth guide to The Little Prince, Hope draws attention to the parallels TXT make to it in their new 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!

DREAM()SCAPE Theory Time!

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!

Best New Music: February 2024

A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, and T-pop artists!

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!

LE SSERAFIM's New Era

Hope uses the movie Black Swan as a starting point for understanding the messages in LE SSERAFIM’s new mini-album, EASY; assesses the ways the group’s new songs build on the foundation of their older ones; describes how the poem “Good Bones” is uniquely incorporated into the group’s story; and overall shows why LE SSERAFIM’s discography remains as praiseworthy, resonant, and thoughtful as ever!

Still Monster (Energy)

A short overview of times the makers of Monster Energy (aka Monster Beverage Corporation) sued entities who used the word “Monster” in branding, the latest example being K-pop rookie girl group BABYMONSTER. Other news covered in this episode: TikTok’s feud with Universal Music Group, all the things that went wrong at end-of-year awards shows, a crusade against lip-synching, publication of a shocking video, big updates for BLACKPINK as solo artists, and much more!

Best New Music: January 2024

A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, and T-pop artists!

Hi, It'z Me Again

After explaining the reason for this show’s hiatus and what the future of 17 Carat K-Pop looks like, Hope makes seventeen predictions for 2024 (mostly K-pop-related, but some more general ones too)!

K-Pop Year in Review

After revisiting her 2023 predictions, Hope recaps both the year in K-pop headlines and in episodes of this podcast, while adding new commentary and story updates!

Best Non-K-Pop Releases of 2023

Fifty different artists from the worlds of J-pop, C-pop, T-pop, and P-pop who released the most interesting, creative, and/or overall excellent music in 2023!

Best Songs of 2023

A guide to the best songs of the year from Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai artists!

Best Albums of 2023

A fast-paced guide to over 100 of 2023’s best albums released by Korean, Japanese, and Chinese artists!

Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2023

The best music videos released by Korean artists this year, a list revealed in the form of a guessing game!

Best New Music: November 2023

A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artists!

"STAY Tuned," Ep. 17

Hope covers a WIDE range of news stories related to the music industry, starting with recent (separate) lawsuits involving Genius and the team behind Internet Archive. Around the 17-minute mark is a brief guide to the past, present, and future of music streaming. Spotify’s heated departure from Uruguay is discussed starting around the 23-minute mark, followed by an explainer about recent Harry Styles demo “leaks” and the scramble to buy them. Lastly, around the 33-minute mark is a lightning round of other music-related news, with stories about everything from Grimes to gum!

Phantom of the BOPera

HYBE and MBC’s olive-branch moment, BLACKPINK’s visit to Buckingham Palace, interesting data about how English language in K-pop songs has changed, FIFTY FIFTY updates, SEVENTEEN’s UNESCO Youth Forum speeches, and even more of the latest K-pop news!

Gyubin Interview

Artist-to-watch Gyubin addresses her “super rookie” label, shares why she admires IU, explains why she’s content with not clearly defining her musical style, and more!

ORANGE BLOOD Album Guide

Hope decodes all of ENHYPEN’s ORANGE BLOOD pre-release material: the concept trailer and other video teasers, the pictures, and even the tracklist! From the context behind some key words to the details from ENHYPEN’s live shows that reappear in the teaser videos, this is an in-depth look at how ENHYPEN’s newest era is picking up where the last one left off - and adding intriguing new plot twists!

ROCK-STAR Celebration!

Thoughts and theories about everything related to Stray Kids’ new album and corresponding videos: what the clown characters represent, how different parts of the multiverse influence each other, what to make of the “SKZFLIX” and “LALALALA” video endings, how new Stray Kids songs relate to older ones, and so much more!

Best New Music: October 2023

A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, T-pop, and C-pop artists!

The Star Seekers: The Ultimate Guide

A comprehensive overview of TXT’s Webtoon: a guide to the characters and themes, an episode-by-episode summary, and a look at the many nods to TXT’s music videos that are present throughout the series!

"FATE" World Tour & Webtoon Recaps

After summarizing each chapter and the core themes of ENHYPEN’s Webtoon, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR (in the first twenty minutes of this episode), Hope reviews the “FATE” World Tour and points out all of the references the group’s live show made to both their Webtoon and music video world!

SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN (17 Talk, Vol. 15)

A track-by-track guide to SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN, a rundown of all the Easter eggs in the “God of Music” video, and a summary of how SEVENTEEN’s new album is an excellent tribute to their past, present, and future!

QueenKARD

This episode covers an ENORMOUS amount of K-pop and J-pop news in under an hour: Song and Show of the Summer poll results, a monumental day in J-pop history, DPR LIVE’s rebranding, celebrity lawsuits (involving accusations of everything from real estate fraud to illegal ambulance usage), Jennie’s official recognition as a fashion icon, FIFTY FIFTY agency-dispute-related updates, the most interesting anecdotes from Mr. Bang’s recent Bloomberg interview, and even more!

Fact Check (NCT Talk, Vol. 20)

Why the NCT Cinematic Universe is like an asterisk, how the characters NCT 127 play in the “Fact Checkmate” murder mystery special have more in common with their music video characters than it first seems, all the hidden references in the “Deities of Seoul” video, and so much more! This is the ultimate deep dive for theorizing about NCT 127’s Fact Check album and its corresponding videos!

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and... 

Hope shares her first impressions of TXT’s new album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, points out all the “Chasing That Feeling” music video details worth flagging, and explains how the “FREEFALL Era” seamlessly picks up where The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION left off! 


Around the 1-minute mark: a TXT Music Video Universe storyline refresher. Around the 18-19-minute mark: reacting to and reviewing the new album and video. Around the 33-minute mark: a character refresher that highlights the similarities between TXT’s music video characters and Webtoon ones, further proven through “Chasing That Feeling”!

DPR IAN's Cinematic ​Universe

Sometimes goofy and sometimes gruesome, but always rich with symbolism and mysterious twists, the DPR IAN Music Video Universe is unlike any other. This episode celebrates this bizarre, mesmerizing, chock-full narrative in its entirety! Hope offers a full guide to the storyline, shares her theories about the plots and symbols, and recalls what led to her own descent down the DPR rabbit hole!

Best New Music: September 2023

A ranking and review of the best new music from Korean and Japanese artists!

Loossemble (LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 9)

Through both song lyrics and the “Sensitive” music video, this episode recaps the many ways Loossemble keep the symbolism of the "LOONAverse" relevant, the music video storyline ongoing, and the overall spirit of LOONA alive and well!

Naomi Klein, "NEXUS," and New Worlds

Naomi Klein has an excellent new book out called Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World. It’s about the existential angst that comes with being constantly mistaken for an “Other Naomi,” who says and does things to which Klein is vehemently opposed. Klein’s writing explores much more than the emotional effects of getting a reputation for what someone else says and does, though. She questions how solid her own identity is if people can easily mistake her for someone with only surface-level commonalities, and she takes readers with her down a research rabbit hole into the ways a “Double” has appeared throughout book and movie plots. Hope explores these references through a new lens: the “SMCU”! aespa’s digital alter egos, U-KNOW’s dimension-hopping “NEXUS” short film, TAEMIN’s and KAI’s multiple selves… the SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe is filled with examples of clones! Part book review, part pop-culture-history-meets-psychology-meets-philosophy course, and part "SMCU" theorizing, this unique episode explains why uncanny resemblances are unnerving, what one’s “shadow self” symbolizes, and how pop culture can be a tool for better understanding both one’s self and one’s anti-self!

K-Pop Merch History

The past, present, and possible future of K-pop light sticks, photo cards, cup sleeves, and more! This episode is both a guide to K-pop merchandise and some thoughts on the best and most creative K-pop album packaging and light sticks ever!

ALWAYS YOURS (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 14)

How do SEVENTEEN manage to incorporate nods to ALL of their previous musical eras into one new music video?! How does “Ima” both continue their music video story and offer hints about its future? And how do their characters live like crosses between Don Quixote and Truman Burbank?! Hope answers these questions by breaking down the lyrics of SEVENTEEN’s new songs and symbolic moments throughout the “Ima” music video! But before assessing the fictional narrative, Hope spends a few minutes reflecting on the story’s very real components and what about SEVENTEEN’s musical storytelling resonates so deeply for her, specifically as an autistic person.

Best New Music: August 2023

After a ranking and review of the twenty best new releases of the past month, Hope shares a TON of honorable mentions! Get ready to take notes and get updated on all the must-hear new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and beyond!

aespa's "SYNK : HYPER LINE" Concert...

After sharing the highlights and lowlights of aespa’s Chicago tour stop, Hope covers new twists in the FIFTY FIFTY agency drama, a disappointing fandom name announcement, interesting details about 2024 from HYBE’s latest press conference, a peek behind the curtain into JUN’s creative process, and more K-pop updates!

Jam Jam(boree)

Although this year’s World Scout Jamboree was filled with problems (including criminal charges, dangerous weather, accusations of poor planning, a blame game, and tension with sports superfans), there were also moments when South Korean businesses and places of worship stepped up and tried to still give scouts special memories. This episode covers both the highs and lows of this year’s Jamboree and its K-pop concert finale. Then, this episode tackles some other recent news stories: the latest in FIFTY FIFTY’s legal battle, suppression of a documentary, some SEVENTEEN updates, and more.

Golden Age (NCT Talk, Vol. 19)

After reviewing each song on the NCT 2023 album Golden Age, Hope brings up TONS of theories about hidden messages in the “Golden Age” music video and in the album’s teasers! She also shares some interesting anecdotes about the famous Beethoven piece that inspired the song “Golden Age”!

ISTJ (NCT Talk, Vol. 18)

Hope decodes the “7 DREAM Production : Stranger Seven” short film, connects NCT DREAM’s latest video story developments to the larger “SMCU” storyline, and reviews ISTJ track by track!

Best New Music: Girl Group Special!

This episode covers the girl groups with the best K-pop and J-pop releases of July: NewJeans, ITZY, NiziU, ODD EYE CIRCLE, MISAMO, and KISS OF LIFE!

Best New Music: July 2023

A ranking and review of the best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!

ASAPpeal

New twists in the legal sagas regarding FIFTY FIFTY, EXO-CBX, and others, a fake HYBE employee’s sentencing, new K-pop concert movies, a big moment in J-pop fan-meeting history, BLACKPINK updates, NewJeans’ latest feats, and more of the latest headlines from the worlds of K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop!

BTS Book Recap (Part 2)

This second part of a guide to Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS covers the backstories of specific BTS songs, touching moments when the members showed their true brotherhood, what went through their minds as they debated contract renewals, and more.

BTS Book Recap

Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is so jam-packed with interesting anecdotes about BTS and big-picture insights into the world of K-pop overall that it deserves a two-part recap! This first part covers Big Hit Entertainment’s humble beginnings, rap feuds, an uncharacteristic outburst from “Mr. Bang,” the context behind some make-or-break live performances, and other pivotal moments in the timeline of BTS.

Best New Music: June 2023

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop releases!

The ODD EYE CIRCLEs in Your Favor

The highs and lows of TWICE’s Chicago concert, a breakdown of FIFTY FIFTY’s agency problems, survey results about BTS fan loyalty compared to that of other fandoms, a guide to the upcoming movies and TV shows all K-pop fans should know about, and more coverage of the latest headlines!

Best Albums of 2023 So Far

A guide to the best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop albums of the year so far!

Best K-Pop Videos of 2023 So Far

The 50 greatest K-pop music videos of the year so far, revealed in the form of a guessing game!

Best Songs of 2023 So Far

In the form of a guessing game, this episode covers over 150 of the best songs released this year so far from the worlds of K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and more!

Blooming Daze

A timeline covering all the twists and turns in EXO-CBX’s recent lawsuit. Plus: what to expect from KCON 2023, BIGBANG status updates, the end of LOONA's contracts, and more of the latest headlines!

JOOHONEY's Journey

MONSTA X’s JOOHONEY addresses feeling trapped in darkness in MIXTAPE [PSYCHE] and finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel in LIGHTS. Together, these releases tell a moving story about going through tough times and coming out on the other side with a desire to make that struggle lighter for those who are still in it. This episode looks closely at the lyrics from MIXTAPE [PSYCHE] that prove JOOHONEY can empathize with those who feel stuck, hopeless, and alone, the lyrics from LIGHTS that show his healing and newfound insights, and other details about JOOHONEY's work that show how he has evolved into a stronger and wiser person.

LE SSERAFIM 101

Come for the guide to LE SSERAFIM and their discography, stay for the storytime! After an overview of LE SSERAFIM's catalog and an explanation for why they are so popular, Hope tells the classic tales that inspired one of the group's songs: Psyche and Bluebeard!

Ten Years with BTS

A celebration of BTS's 10-year career in four different ways! First, an A-to-Z recap of fandom lingo! Second, starting around the 5-minute mark, the best BTS song starting with each letter of the alphabet! The third part, starting around the 14-minute mark, covers a significant moment in the group's career corresponding with each letter of the alphabet! The final round of "The ABCs of BTS," starting around the 32-minute mark, focuses on pieces of pop culture from which the group has drawn inspiration (movies, books, works of art, and more)!

5-STAR Celebration!

After sharing some thoughts and theories about the “5-STAR” trailer, the “S-Class” music video, and those videos' nods to past eras, Hope gives a track-by-track recap of Stray Kids’ new album: the funniest lyrics, interesting dual meanings, and surprising behind-the-scenes facts!

Taeyong's Time to Shine!

In the first half of this episode, Hope reacts to SHALALA, covers each song's meaning, and decodes the "T or Y" videos! Then, she provides a guide to TAEYONG's previous solo releases, from OSTs to SoundCloud tracks! 

Best New Music: May 2023

A ranking and review of the 20 best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and P-pop releases!

SM 3.Whoa

What went wrong with E’LAST’s North American tour, how BLACKPINK ticket prices led to legal disputes, some intriguing and overlooked details in the “SM 3.0” announcements, the debate over the Lee Seung Gi Law, details about Rain’s new movie, and more of the latest K-pop/music industry headlines!

ENHYPEN's Epic Tales

A guide to all the major references, from Bach to Greek mythology, in ENHYPEN’s DARK BLOOD mini-album! That analysis comes after a recap of ENHYPEN’s Webtoon, DARK MOON : THE BLOOD ALTAR, and a re-interpretation of some past music video details in light of the Webtoon’s context.

D-DAY Deep Dive

A track-by-track analysis of Agust D’s D-DAY album, interpretations of the “AMYGDALA” and “Haegeum” music videos, and an assessment of the profound social commentary underlying all of SUGA’s work.

PURPLE KISS!

Meet multitalented, underrated girl group PURPLE KISS! In addition to a catchy discography, this group astounds with the ways the members weave spellbinding stories that balance cuteness with kookiness, fun with feelings, and humanity with supernatural traits. This episode follows their mystical narrative in its entirety, told through both lyrics and music videos!

NCT Talk, Vol. 17: DOJAEJUNG & The...

Part one of this episode: a recap of the highs and lows of NCT DREAM’s Chicago tour stop! Part two: the most noteworthy aspects of NCT DOJAEJUNG’s debut, from hidden details in their videos to the best song lyrics!

Sphere I Am

The past month in news: ENHYPEN's odd new gig, controversy over TV show hires, the best of Coachella, the most interesting comments in Mr. Bang's Billboard cover story, a rapper's ban from Hong Kong, rumors swirling over an award show's cancellation, a heated Reddit discussion, and SO much more!

Best New Music: April 2023

A ranking and review of the 20 best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and P-pop releases!

K-Pop Talk with Krysta Youngs

Singer-songwriter and founder of The Haus of Creativity Krysta Youngs talks about writing for BIGHIT artists, a song that almost went to BLACKPINK, working on “The View” by Stray Kids, experiences with songwriting camps, and more!

Billlie's World 2.0

After decoding all the clues in the Billage of perception: chapter three and the corresponding track videos, Hope presents several theories about Billlie’s musical world. She comes to several conclusions about Billlie Love’s true identity, what really happens at the 11th hour, why the group actually DOESN’T want to succeed in finding Billlie Love, and how the books the videos feature provide big hints!

"DARK BLOOD" Recap

Hope flags all the notable details in ENHYPEN’s “DARK BLOOD” comeback trailer and theorizes about what their next era has in store!

Autism and the Power of Music

Hope was a guest speaker at her alma mater for Autism Acceptance Month! This episode features the recording of her speech, which covers personal anecdotes related to the soundtrack of her life (SEVENTEEN, BTS, TXT…) and advice for those who want to be better allies to autistic people. 

Note: the oral and written versions of this speech differ; the presentation was not a word-for-word recitation. Follow this link to read the official text!

FML (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 13)

A close reading of each song on SEVENTEEN’s new mini-album, all the hidden details in the “Life in a minute” video, and seventeen key parallels SEVENTEEN’s new era has to their previous ones!

Remembering Moonbin

A look at the life and legacy of the incomparable Moon Bin.

ELHAE: An Artist You "Need to Know"!

R&B artist ELHAE opens up about going independent, collaborating with I.M and Crush, the art forms besides music that inspire him, and what he has planned for the rest of the year!

Best New Music: March 2023 (Part 2)

A ton of honorable mentions for the best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop releases!

Best New Music: March 2023 (Part 1)

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop and J-pop releases!

"STAY Tuned," Ep. 16

A flash mob at a funeral, a connection between metal singers and bats, a bad-on-purpose orchestra, a first-of-its-kind, immersive music venue that K-pop artists ought to perform in, and more random music-related stories!

K-Pop Talk with Max Cho

In addition to managing Nick Lee (whose production credits include Jimin’s “Set Me Free Pt.2,” SEVENTEEN’s “Ash,” and CL’s ALPHA), Max Cho has global aspirations for his management company, Cho & Co. In this episode, Hope talks to him about these plans, his experiences working with K-pop artists, the “wedding ring analogy” he uses to explain his management philosophy, parallels between working on movies and music, and more!

"That was a Remake?!"

On countless occasions, K-pop songs have interpolated, sampled, remixed, or otherwise drawn inspiration from other songs. This episode features the stories behind the most iconic, strangest, funniest, and most surprising examples!

Best K-Pop x J-Pop

A guide to the best J-pop albums, songs, and music videos released by K-pop artists!

K-Pop News Recap: March 2023

A wild weekend for Roblox, cult accusations, THAT GQ profile, Mr. Bang’s candid CNN interview, chaos on set of The Idol, alleged military service evasion, exciting graphic novel news… SO MUCH has happened in the world of K-pop over the past few weeks, and it’s time to break down all the major headlines!

C-Pop 101

A brief overview of C-pop industry milestones and unforgettable moments, the ways many forms of music originated in China, the biggest stars in the C-pop world, the ways C-pop and K-pop differ, and heated reactions to the Hallyu wave among C-pop fans.

P-Pop and T-Pop 101

How did the T-pop (Thai pop) and P-pop (Pinoy pop) industries get started? How do they differ from K-pop? What do their futures look like? Which T-pop and P-pop stars stand out the most? This episode answers all these questions and more, followed by some interesting facts about the Hallyu wave across Asia!

J-Pop's Past, Present, and Future

From the origins of karaoke to the ways J-pop laid the groundwork for K-pop boy bands, the Japanese music industry is filled with groundbreaking moments and surprising twists and turns. This episode chronologically walks through the biggest ones: a dramatic prank on fans who believed a rumor about their favorite band breaking up, the introduction of Winter Sonata to a Japanese audience, the time Lady Gaga's attempt to promote J-pop was shut down, and so many more!

Celebrating LOONA

Regardless of what LOONA’s future looks like, it is worth celebrating all they have accomplished so far; they have left an irreplaceable mark on the world of K-pop and proved the vast storytelling potential of music. While past episodes of “LOONAverse Talk” covered LOONA’s story through music video recaps, today’s episode covers their story through song lyrics and album commentary. When looking at LOONA’s commentary on their own work over the years, the life lessons in their work become clear, and the answer to “What’s the big deal about LOONA?” becomes obvious!

aespa Short Film 3 Recap

A quick recap of aespa’s “Girls (Don’t you know I’m a Savage?)” short film and the terms to remember to understand KWANGYA and the SMCU!

Best New Music: February 2023

A ranking and review of the twenty best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and P-pop artists!

NCT Tok(ay-)yo

Part one of this episode goes over the twists and turns in the HYBE/SM Entertainment saga since the release of the episode called “HYBEs and Lows." Hope then summarizes what big plans SM Entertainment revealed in their "SM 3.0" video presentations. Part two is a rapid-fire roundup of miscellaneous K-pop news from throughout February!

Guess the K-Pop Song, Vol. 2

Same game as last time, different K-pop songs to guess by the English lyrics! Give yourself one half point every time you guess an artist's name or the song title correctly and one full point if you guess both correctly. If you play in a group, the winner is the person with the highest score at the end of the fifty rounds. No artist appears in this game more than once. Good luck!

SO MANY New Music Recommendations!

After finishing up the “Best of January” countdown with numbers 5 - 1, Hope shares over 70 MORE K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop recommendations released within the past few months!

HYBEs and Lows

A LOT of massive business decisions were just made by the biggest K-pop companies! Why has there been so much confusion surrounding SM Entertainment’s leadership shake-up? Why did HYBE recently acquire Quality Control and become one of SM Entertainment’s largest shareholders? What do recent trends in the broader music industry, such as artists selling their catalogs, have to do with HYBE’s and SM Entertainment’s mindsets? This episode breaks down the answers to these questions and many more.

Best New Music: Jan. 2023 & Dec. 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best releases from December 2022, followed by a separate ranking and review of the twenty best releases from January 2023!

Strawberry and Epik High's Mindset

Upon closer look, the album Strawberry offers much more substance and insight than it first appears to; it is another remarkable addition to Epik High's discography. This episode covers seventeen details worth reflecting on and pausing to appreciate about it, from the album cover's meaning to the most poetic lyrics!

TXT's Neverland

While the episode called "The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide" breaks down the Easter eggs in TXT's teaser content and sources of literary inspiration for their latest comeback, this episode analyzes the album itself. The most insightful lyrics in each song, the stories told by the album as a whole, hidden symbols in the "Sugar Rush Ride" music video, and much more is covered!

P1Harmony Concert Review & News...

After recapping the highs and lows of P1Harmony’s Chicago concert, Hope recaps the month in K-pop news: are HyunA and DAWN really back together? What is and is not known about BLACKPINK’s contract statuses? What changes now that Scooter Braun is the sole CEO of HYBE America? Plus: a LOONA court case update, new TV programs to watch, Fashion Week sightings, and even more updates!

The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION...

The original story about “making a deal with the devil,” the adventures of a boy who could never grow up, and TXT’s music video storyline have MUCH more in common than it sounds! From specific symbols to abstract themes, these three stories share surprisingly similar messages about temptation, maturity, the messy process of finding oneself, struggling to see in shades of gray, and so much more. When all three stories combine, as they do for TXT’s “Name Chapter” era, the narrative power and resonance know no bounds! This deep dive not only clarifies what TXT’s musical world is really all about, but the profound reasons for incorporating folklore about the devil and Peter Pan into it.

Part one: a guide to Faust, Mephistopheles, and the variations in the tellings of the “selling one’s soul” story. Part two: a breakdown of the (unexpectedly dark) origin story of Peter Pan’s adventures and an explanation of Neverland’s true symbolism. Part three: an explainer as to how these stories relate to both each other and TXT’s music video universe.

Best of 2022: Listeners' Choice!

In the first half of this episode, Hope reveals the survey results from the show’s newsletter about the best in K-pop in 2022! In the second half, she shares 27 predictions about the K-pop industry in 2023 - and throws in some “manifesting into existence,” less-likely predictions too!

All Things NewJeans

Hope breaks down the ten reasons why K-pop girl group NewJeans has become such a massive success already, predicts how they will inspire new K-pop trends, and shares her theories about the meaning of their music videos!

NCT 127's "The Link" in Chicago Recap

After sharing the highs and lows of NCT 127's Chicago concert, Hope opens up about the unique ways she processes music as an autistic listener, how NCT 127's music affects her on a deeply personal level, and what it felt like to finally see this meaningful discography to her come to life!

SMTOWN 2023 Concert Review

After going over seventeen buzz-worthy aspects of the SM Entertainment New Year's Eve concert, Hope compares and contrasts the show to those of previous years and reads between the lines regarding what message the company sends with this show every year. Looking closely at the pre-show forum's content reveals much more about SM Entertainment's intended brand image than what meets the eye…

2023 K-Pop Preview & Predictions

After highlighting some things to look forward to in 2023, from tours to TV shows, Hope revisits her 2022 K-pop predictions and makes some guesses about 2023!

2022 K-Pop Year in Review

A year’s worth of K-pop news, broken down into seventeen categories! From the K-pop stars who rocked Fashion Month to the most buzzed-about legal cases, this episode recaps the best, worst, and overall most memorable moments in K-pop in 2022!

Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2022

From the cutest to the weirdest, these are the can't-miss K-pop music videos of 2022! 

Part One

Part Two

Best Albums of 2022

A guide to the 100 best K-pop/K-rock, J-pop/J-rock, and C-pop/C-rock albums of the year!

Best Songs of 2022

Over 150 of the best songs of 2022, revealed in the form of a guessing game!

"STAY Tuned," Ep. 15

In today's roundup of music news: what led up to the Taylor Swift ticket fiasco, the strange circumstances that allowed Ticketmaster to become such a superior force in the concert industry in the first place, a study about dancing rats, agencies changing their tune on TikTok, and more.

Best New K-Pop, J-Pop, & C-Pop: Nov. 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!

LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 7

After going over what happened before and after the decision to remove Chuu from LOONA, Hope shares the latest on a variety of other stories: Hook Entertainment's alleged wage theft, two recent disbandments, an incredible piece of Lisa fan art, the girl group trying out a "silent mosh pit" concept, and more.

DREAM (SEVENTEEN Talk, Vol. 12)

After a recap of all the biggest SEVENTEEN moments of 2022, Hope shares her theories about the hidden details in the "DREAM" music video (starting around the 7:28 mark), plus the ways the video perfectly concludes the "Be the Sun" era!

Dreamcatcher Story Updates & News

The first half of this episode: a quick and improved guide to Dreamcatcher’s music video world, with an emphasis on how the “MAISON” and “VISION” eras are related! The second half: a roundup of K-pop news coverage that includes awards shows’ controversies, exciting TV show premieres, and more!

SEULGI, TAEYONG, OMEGA X, and More

The first part of this episode dissects the lyrics to Taeyong’s new SoundCloud track, “FINE,” and the hidden details in SEULGI’s “28 Reasons” video! The second half is a big K-pop news roundup that covers OMEGA X’s mistreatment, key takeaways from HYBE’s latest community briefing, and more.

The Star Seekers: A Complete Guide (Pt. 2)

Part two of an in-depth recap of TXT’s Webtoon, The Star Seekers! This episode focuses on the parallels between TXT’s and Star One’s stories and the plot from chapters 18-30!

The Star Seekers: A Complete Guide (Pt. 1)

Part one of an in-depth recap of TXT’s Webtoon, The Star Seekers! This episode covers the story’s characters, plots, settings, symbols, themes, nods to TXT’s music videos, and most notable quotes from chapters 1-17!

Best New K-Pop, J-Pop, & J-Rock: Oct. 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best releases from last month!

RM's Favorite Art

This episode covers both specific artists and specific works of art RM of BTS (aka Kim Namjoon) has praised on social media and/or in interviews. From sculptures to paintings to video installations, RM has recommended a vast array of art, and each piece has a fascinating creator and unique story behind it!

ENHYPEN "MANIFESTO" Tour Review

After describing some standout moments from ENHYPEN’s recent Chicago concert, Hope walks through how ENHYPEN’s music video storyline parallels the story they brought to life on stage! The setlist order allowed for the core themes in ENHYPEN’s world-building to come into focus to a new and exciting extent!

Boot Kamp

What happened at KAMP, BTS’s enlistment news, some sudden tour cancellations, Jessi’s frustrating time in Europe, a unique trademark battle, and more coverage of and commentary on the latest K-pop headlines! Also, in a new “Shoutout of the Week” segment, Hope breaks down the meaning of JUN’s “LIMBO” and its music video!

MAXIDENT  Thoughts and Theories

A track-by-track review of MAXIDENT, a list of seventeen hidden details in the album's track videos, and a new, big-picture theory about how the latest additions to the Stray Kids Music Video Universe keep a past storyline going!

Best New K-Pop, J-Pop, & More: Sept. 2022

A ranking and review of the best new music from the worlds of K-pop, J-pop, J-rock, C-pop, and T-pop!

AChuu Nice

BLACKPINK’s VIP packages, the Crypto Arena’s recent announcement, K-pop stars’ Fashion Week takeover, a British company’s complaint against South Korean streaming services, and much more K-pop-related news.

2 Baddies Review (NCT Talk, Vol. 15)

A track-by-track breakdown of NCT 127’s 2 Baddies, followed by an explanation of the parallels between their new and past eras (especially “The Story of Favorite”)!

Billlie's World

A guide to all things Billlie: symbolism and themes in their short films, their music video storyline, the ways they draw inspiration from the book Matilda, and the ways Carl Jung’s psychoanalytic theories apply to their music video characters!

New K-Pop and J-Pop: Best of Aug. 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases from the past month!

Ahn Ye Eun Interview

Ahn Ye Eun gives the inside scoop on her music and videos, from the folklore she turns to for inspiration to the ways she uses costumes to tell stories!

Fallin' Pollen

Inside the downfall of Pollen and the company’s decision to cancel its SEVENTEEN-themed Vegas weekend. Plus: the VMAs, the MAMAs’ makeover, MONSTA X’s future plans, and more of the latest K-pop-related news.

Be the Sun Tour Review (17 Talk 11)

Seventeen things about SEVENTEEN’s Be the Sun Chicago tour stop worth discussing, from the setlist to the VCRs! After that recap, Hope compares and contrasts the Be the Sun and Ode to You tours to decide which show was better!

KCON LA 2022 Recap

Hope shares the highs and lows of her first-time KCON experience, the unique ways she experienced KCON as someone with crowd-related anxiety, advice for future KCON newbies, a review of day one’s concert, and more!

Jenny Lyric Interview

Singer-songwriter Jenny Lyric talks about the passion that goes into her work, how she's changed since being a member of CoCo Avenue, her future plans, the dream collaboration, and more!

"STAY Tuned," Ep. 14

An overview of the latest music-related news and studies: an underwater festival, a sports team's bizarre attempt to break a losing streak, a link discovered between music tastes and personality types, research on festival attendance changing the odds of helping a stranger, and much more!

Sir ISAC Newartist

What to expect from KCON 2022, what happened to an idol caught in a voice-phishing scam, what the BTS-themed Airbnb experience entails, thoughts on the VMA nominations, and more of the latest K-pop news and commentary!

Best New Music: July 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best new releases, including K-pop, J-rock, J-pop, T-pop, and more!

ATEEZ Story Updates

A guide to ATEEZ's new album, THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT! From revisiting certain themes in their song lyrics to bringing back certain symbols in their new music video, this episode looks at the many ways ATEEZ's newest chapter seamlessly expands on the previous ones - and introduces new clues about what comes next!

Nody Cika Interview

Nody Cika talks about songs that mean a lot to her, her time on The Voice of Korea, the pros and cons of being so hands-on in the making of her own music, and more! 

P1Harmony's Story

This guide to P1Harmony goes over the reasons for their popularity, the characters each member plays in their music videos, the messages their music has included since day one, the recurring symbols in their videos, and things to look out for as the "Harmony Era" story continues to unfold!

TXT Concert Story & The Latest...

After sharing some stories from TXT’s Chicago concert, Hope breaks down the latest K-pop headlines, including what Jessi’s departure from P NATION is really all about, why aespa continue to be ones to watch, what to make of metaverse-related group SUPERKIND, and more!

Best of June 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases of June 2022!

aespa and KWANGYA Guide, Vol. 2

Given the new context and clarity provided by aespa's new "Next Level" short film and "Girls" music video, this episode includes an updated, comprehensive glossary to all things KWANGYA and the SMCU, a revised character and setting guide, and new theories about the ways SM Entertainment artists' stories are intertwined!

Best Albums of 2022 So Far

A ranking and review of the fifty best K-pop and J-pop albums released in the first half of 2022!

MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive

The best lyrics on ENHYPEN's new album, details from this comeback's teaser videos and new music video that are easy to miss but important not to, the greater context behind the David and Goliath reference in "WALK THE LINE," and an overall breakdown of the messages ENHYPEN's musical world has sent and continues to send.

Happy Birthday Taeyong! (2022)

In honor of Lee Taeyong's birthday, here is a guide to his solo music, both official and unofficial (released on just YouTube or SoundCloud), a roundup of his most profound quotes, a brief reminder of his role in the SMCU, and more talk about all things Taeyong!

AB6IX Concert Review & More News

After reacting to and reviewing AB6IX’s Chicago show, Hope runs through the latest K-pop headlines: new tour announcements, the introduction of Namjoon into the Rick Riordan universe, the surprise KCON 2022 guest, the problem with some recent comments made about BTS’s hiatus, and more.

Best Songs of 2022 So Far

The 100 best K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop songs of 2022 so far, in no particular order!

LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 6

Hope breaks down seventeen noteworthy details about LOONA's new album, Summer Special [Flip That], from potential hints about the future of the LOONAverse to the ways the new album and music video nod back to LOONA's previous eras!

Best Music Videos of 2022 So Far

A ranking of the top fifty best K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop music videos of the year so far, described in the form of a guessing game!

Thursday's Child Has Far To Go Go

A rapid-fire rundown of all the major headlines from the past few weeks in the world of K-pop: BTS announcing a break to focus on solo pursuits, Jisoo’s candid confession, big changes to the company behind LOONA’s world tour, Grammy Award changes, and much more.

An Early BTS Anniversary Special!

In honor of their comeback and approaching anniversary, Hope makes the case for the ten most definitive BTS songs of all time, shares her favorite quotes from BTS members, and much more!

Best New Music: May 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and T-pop releases!

Luvabstract Interview

A quick Q&A with Luvabstract about his new music, his stage name, music video concepts, and more! 

Hamingu Interview

A quick Q&A with Hamingu about his new single with Luvabstract, "SELECT," as well as the B-side, "Hint of Yellow"!

Don QuixoTaeyong

All of the K-pop 2022 USA summer tours announced so far, Johnny's Met Gala appearance, BLACKPINK's Rolling Stone interview series and cover shoot, the best and worst of this year's BBMAs, and more K-pop news updates and reactions!

SEVENTEEN is Back! (17 Talk, Vol. 10)

This episode describes seventeen things worth appreciating about SEVENTEEN's comeback! From hidden details in the "HOT" music video to the meaning of "DON QUIXOTE," this is a guide to all things Face the Sun!

Face the Sun Theories (17 Talk, Vol.9)

A close reading of all the Face the Sun Era teaser content, from Easter eggs in the teaser videos to the messages each SEVENTEEN member posted to their Instagram Stories on their solo teaser release days!

GROOVL1N USA Tour Recap

Hope recaps her experience at a GROOVL1N USA 2022 Tour stop in Chicago, in an extension of the thoughts laid out in the written review here!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 13

Today’s roundup of entertainment/music industry headlines: the fan who married Miku says the relationship has fallen apart, the first entirely-AI K-pop group debuts, a feud between producers and a special effects company, a new list reveals the most popular songs for the first dance at weddings, and more!

minisode 2: Thursday's Child...

This is part two of this week's TXT special! In addition to Hope's reaction to and review of minisode 2: Thursday's Child, she shares her theories about the hidden messages in the "Good Boy Gone Bad" music video, in the album's song lyrics, and even in this comeback's promotional pictures!

TXT Story Recap

This is the first part of a two-part TXT special! Part one reviews TXT’s music video storyline so far and offers new theories about their story, with particular emphasis on their 2021 releases.

JULE: The 17 Carat K-Pop Interview

JULE talks about his unique habit in the recording studio, his proudest work, reactions to his music, and much more! 

Best New K-Pop & J-Pop: April 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases from last month!

Love Theory of relativiTY

This episode starts off covering all things “Love Theory”! Hope breaks down the hidden references in the lyrics to TAEYONG and Wonstein’s new single, admits what the music video strangely reminds her of, and reveals some details about the making of the song! Then, Hope covers a variety of the latest K-pop headlines, including the clamor for Stray Kids concert tickets, the South Korean government’s plan to change the country’s aging system, HOT ISSUE’s disbandment, and more.

Darl+ing (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 8)

Hope decodes the “Darl+ing” lyrics, points out some hidden details in the “NEW RINGS CEREMONY” comeback trailer, reacts to POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE, and more!

Authentic: The Story Behind the...

In this conversation with Stephanie Kariuki, supervising producer at VICE, she and Hope discuss the making of the podcast Authentic: The Story of Tablo, the broader messages Tablo’s story sends, and the point of reporting on what “just happens online” in the first place. All episodes of Authentic are available now across all major podcast platforms!

RM's Recs, Ep. 5

Both BTS’s music and member RM’s book recommendations tell stories of courage, compassion, and community. This episode draws parallels between the ways in which those themes are addressed in BTS’s work (especially throughout the Map of the Soul Era) and in three books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, and The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm.

"Fade to BLACKPINK" Bonus Ep.

This episode covers many honorable mentions for the most significant movie references in K-pop songs and music videos!

Jamais Vu When She's with You

7Fates: CHAKHO Ep. 11 and 12, season two of Queendom so far, BTS’s Vegas takeover and Grammys performance, a new K-pop broadway show, and more coverage of and reactions to the latest K-pop headlines!

G-DRAGON's World

This deep dive into the pop culture references, social commentary, fashion statements, and other variables that make up G-DRAGON’s songs and music videos illustrates how his artistry has evolved and led him to become the world-renowned star he is today. In addition to better understanding his musical persona, G-DRAGON, this episode shines a light on Kwon Ji Yong, the man behind the character, and the increasingly frequent presence of Kwon Ji Yong sans alter ego in his work. 

Feel My Rhythm & Glitch Mode...

On this episode of “NCT Talk,” Hope shares the best lyrics in NCT DREAM’s new album, draws attention to hidden meanings in Red Velvet’s Feel My Rhythm and NCT DREAM’s Glitch Mode comeback content, and theorizes about the ways in which these groups’ roles in the SMCU are related!

Best of March 2022

A ranking and review of the 20 best new releases from the past month!

WOOJAE Interview

The multitalented musician WOOJAE opens up about his music, gives his rationale for NOT wanting to collaborate, shares some unexpected life advice, and much more!

American Song Contest, 7Fates...

A recap of 7Fates: CHAKHO episodes 7-10, everything you need to know about American Song Contest and AleXa’s role in it, Taeyong’s new song and YouTube channel, backlash to K-pop companies’ NFT-related plans, TXT’s unique new title, and more of the latest updates in the world of K-pop!

ODDINARY and the Evolution of...

This episode covers all things ODDINARY, from the best lyrics to the surprising ways the album and its corresponding videos nod back to previous Stray Kids releases!

The "Fade to BLACKPINK" Series

“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!

Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
Episode Four
Episode Five
Episode Six
Episode Seven: Coming Soon! 

Rolling Quartz Interview

Rolling Quartz discuss their musical influences, their new mini-album, and lots more! 

Best of February 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best new releases from the past month!

Guess the K-Pop Song

How this game works: Hope will read some English lyrics from a K-pop song. You can pause the game if you need more than the time allotted to think of your answer. Give yourself half of a point if you only guess the artist or the song correctly, and give yourself one point for that round if you guess both correctly. There are 50 rounds, and no K-pop artist shows up in more than one round. If playing with others, only the person who answers the correct answer the fastest gets the point or half-point for that round. Enjoy!

7Fates: CHAKHO Ep. 4-6 Recap

The first half of this episode recaps episodes 4, 5, and 6 of 7Fates: CHAKHO. The second half runs through all of the latest K-pop headlines: tons of in-person and livestream concert announcements, what we know so far about Queendom season two, and much more!

The Global Impacts of K-Pop Fans

The power of K-pop fan mobilization is hard to overstate. K-pop fans have helped change the political tides in Chile, revived a dying facet of Thailand's tourism industry, organized flash mobs as a form of protest, founded grassroots organizations to work on all sorts of issues, lobbied for certain legislation, and even created some of the first-ever fan-run sites. This power to make tangible change has been used for bad as well as good: K-pop "anti-fans" have mobilized to manufacture conspiratorial theories, attack members of different fandoms, and spread misinformation, all of which have caused "real world" harm. The bottom line: the power of K-pop fans extends well beyond the internet. This episode covers stories from the nineties up to the present day, from countries all over the world, that are prime examples of K-pop fans' concrete impacts- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Epik High is Still Here

A close reading of the lyrics in Epik High Is Here 下, Pt. 2 and the parallels to the references, metaphors, and overall themes in Pt. 1!

B.A.P Forever

From thought-provoking messages to a unique blend of musical influences, B.A.P is a remarkable group worthy of its lasting legacy. This episode follows a timeline of B.A.P’s career highs and lows, explores the best B.A.P song lyrics and music video storylines, and overall shows how B.A.P impacted the world of K-pop in ways that are still felt today.

K-Pop x Artwork

ATEEZ, BTS, CLC, IZ*ONE, LOONA… so many K-pop artists have incorporated famous works of art into their song lyrics and/or music videos! This episode provides seventeen examples and tells the stories behind the sculptures, paintings, and art installations referenced in K-pop!

Let's Play (Basket)ball

A recap of 7Fates: CHAKHO episodes two and three, HyunA and DAWN's engagement, Jimmy Kimmel's monologue criticism, a BTS version of Wordle, the surprising impact of BamBam's tweets, and even more K-pop headlines and commentary!

Best of January 2022

A ranking and review of the twenty best new music releases of the past month!

New K-Pop & J-Pop: Best of Dec. 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best releases that came out towards the end of 2021!

7Fates: DestJINy

A breakdown of the first episode of 7Fates: CHAKHO, the importance of Taemin’s recent disclosure, some thoughts on the new ATEEZ concert protocols, more big news for TYONGF, and more commentary on the latest K-pop news!

SMTOWN 2022 Concert Review

Hope recaps the best and worst parts of SMTOWN's 2022 New Year's Eve concert, compares her 2021 and 2022 reviews of the event, and shares some miscellaneous thoughts she had while watching the show!

AOMGDAs

The end of an era for both Jay Park and Jae from DAY6, exciting updates for TYONGF, highlights from Weverse Con, recent awards show wins, and more of the latest K-pop headlines!

2022 K-Pop Predictions

This episode covers seventeen topics, some of which are K-pop predictions for 2022 and some of which are reminders about what TV shows, music, and other new releases there are to look forward to this year!

aespa and KWANGYA 101

After a close reading of aespa's short film and music videos, Hope draws connections to other SM Entertainment artists' videos and to the stories told through SMTOWN's latest concert. Overall, this episode provides clarity on what the SMCU is all about and how different SM Entertainment artists fit into the same cinematic universe!

A Year's Worth of K-Pop News in...

This is a good episode to pause repeatedly and listen to with friends! Follow along as Hope asks what your favorite K-pop moments were this year and lists your options! From whose disbandment was the most upsetting to which magazine cover was the most iconic, this is a chance to reflect on the highs and lows of K-pop in 2021!

SMCU Next Year!

In this final news roundup of 2021, Hope gives an honest review of MONSTA X’s The Dreaming movie, revisits her K-pop predictions for 2021, recaps the MAMAs, and much more!

Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2021

Over 150 K-pop music video recommendations, discussed by category (quirky plot, aesthetically beautiful, etc.)! Listen until the end to find out which ones made the top 50 countdown!

Best K-Pop Albums of 2021

A ranking and review of the fifty best K-pop albums released this year!

Best Songs of 2021

The 150 best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop songs released this year, ranked!

Universe (NCT Talk, Vol. 12)

From the poem Johnny is seen reading to the numbers that keep popping up, this episode is a thorough guide to all the meaningful details in NCT's Universe Era teaser images and videos! It also serves as a breakdown of the ways NCT's newest chapter continues telling the story of the broader SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe!

James and the KAIant Peach

A chance to meet MONSTA X, the best parts of the BTS concerts at SoFi Stadium, some MAJOR SEVENTEEN news, the blacklist that was just made public, global Spotify Wrapped data, and more of the latest headlines.

Best K-Pop Moments of 2021

The seventeen most iconic moments in the world of K-pop in 2021!

Best of November 2021

 A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop and J-pop releases!

The Power of DestineaJ

The seventeen best parts of SEVENTEEN's "Power of Love" online concerts, eaJ's surprising comments in a new interview, Sorn's exit from CLC, the latest court ruling in Samuel's case, why Baekhyun's YouTube videos were taken down, a fun competition show coming this December, BTS's big night at the AMAs, and even more K-pop news!

The Psychology of Fandom

This episode summarizes the findings from a variety of studies on the psychology of music preferences and the "fan economy." Why do some people love sad music? Are music tastes more biological or social? When do people "age out" of intentionally listening to new music? Which music preferences have been linked to vegetarianism?! This research answers all these questions and more!

Tour Choice

The "scammer-turned-millionaire" vying for a girl group member's attention, the new song drawing ire in China, the surprising rise of "Costco influencers" in Shanghai, the eye-popping profits from virtual merch sales, and more of the latest news related to K-pop, China, and the internet!

Seventeen Talk, Vol. 7

Choreography, spotlights, camera angle changes, makeup, clothes, color schemes, props, backgrounds, settings... these are just some of the many variables SEVENTEEN utilize to engage in effective “storyshowing,” as they put it. This episode takes a close look at some examples of "storyshowing" in their music videos, instances where every detail added to the delivery and impact of a message. From the perfect timing of a lipstick change to the text seen on the newspapers in one video, SEVENTEEN always manage to send messages through their music videos in new and intriguing ways.

The Noonday Demon

Both Andrew Solomon’s The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression and its predecessor, his wildly popular article in The New Yorker, are outstanding examples of how to discuss a mental illness with the care and depth it deserves. Rather than focus solely on personal experiences or the science behind depression, Solomon explores both and then some. He covers the philosophical, biological, personal, social, and various other dimensions of what living with depression is truly like, all the while finding ways to articulate the struggles that words often fail to encapsulate. After a brief introduction to a similar story, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, this episode focuses on The Noonday Demon and Solomon’s most profound quotes.

This is another installment in “RM’s Recs,” a series of episodes about the book recommendations made by RM of BTS!

K-Pop Music Show History

A timeline of significant changes to the six main K-pop music shows, TRL's parallel evolution, and memorable moments in K-pop music show history- for better and for worse!

Edward CulleNCT

Hope predicts who will win at the 2021 MAMAs and what Winwin’s future holds. Plus: the best Halloween costumes K-pop stars wore, all the major announcements made at HYBE’s and SM Entertainment’s latest briefings, the struggles KEY faced during his Bad Love comeback, and more coverage of the latest K-pop news.

New K-Pop & J-Pop: Best of Oct. 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and J-rock releases!

K-Dramas Past and Present

A brief history of K-dramas, a Squid Game primer, and an explanation of how and why Korean television became a massive hit globally.

Favorite (NCT Talk, Vol. 11)

Some big revelations about the SM Entertainment Music Video Universe and NCT 127's role in it! Plus: an overview of each chapter in "The Story of Favorite"!

Attacca (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 6)

This episode points out the many ways SEVENTEEN reference past albums and music videos in their new album, Attacca, and their new music video, "Rock with you." In addition to an initial reaction and review of this comeback, this episode also connects their new music to their previous musical eras. With a focus on lyrical storytelling, this episode covers the themes in SEVENTEEN's songs from 17 Carat to Attacca, highlighting the most profound lyrics and bringing attention to underrated B-sides along the way!

Epik High Prices

A theory for why BLACKPINK recently stopped accepting fan gifts, the Korean words just added to the Oxford English Dictionary, what went wrong with the BTS LA ticket presale, and more on the latest K-pop news.

Almond (RM's Recs, Ep. 3)

Gon has a tremendous amount of animosity towards Yunjae. First of all, Yunjae essentially takes Gon’s place during a family tragedy, adding even more strain to a tense relationship between Gon and his parents. Secondly, Gon is very in touch with his emotions and will do anything to mask them. He strives for the perceived toughness and apathy of Yunjae, who has a neurological condition that makes it difficult for him to interpret and express emotions and their associated behaviors. Yunjae is often the target of Gon’s rage, yet they manage to form an unlikely friendship. After Yunjae’s caretakers are stabbed by an unknown attacker, Gon is one of the main characters who fills their shoes, teaching Yunjae about the world and its many social norms. Their unique dynamics are further complicated as they endure public outbursts, a crush, “empathy training” that goes too far, brutal beatings, and a disappearance. Almond, by Won-Pyung Sohn, tells a powerful, gripping story about neurodivergent people, the ways people cope with intense feelings, and what it truly means to be human and find a sense of connection. In this episode of “RM’s Recs,” Hope summarizes Almond, breaks down the main characters’ many layers, shares the most powerful quotes, and opens up about the power of seeing oneself represented in literature in such a refreshingly nuanced way.

ENHYPEN's Dual Worlds

This new and improved guide to ENHYPEN’s music video universe shows how each of their intros, outros, and interludes come together to tell an intriguing story, how the mythological characters the band draws inspiration from fit perfectly with this comeback’s theme, and where ENHYPEN’s story goes from here!

Any1Harmony

Redone ratings for various K-pop albums, upcoming online and offline concerts, the best and worst of the Fact Music Awards, surprising statistics regarding the latest KCON:TACT viewership, and more of the latest K-pop news!

RM's Recs, Ep. 2: Utopias

What would it look like to live in a utopia? Would it be a place where no one has to make any sacrifices or compromises? If so, how would it be possible for its inhabitants to coexist peacefully? Can there ever be a perfect balancing of individual and communal wants and needs? This episode covers the plots and themes in several books that consider these questions and envision the "ideal" society. These different visions of the "perfect world" are then compared and contrasted to the fictional town of Omelas, a place discussed in the episode titled "BTStudy Guide #2: Omelas" and overtly referenced in BTS's music videos.

Best New K-Pop, J-Pop...Sept. 2021

A ranking and review of September's twenty best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!

The 2000 and Late Late Show

The future of LOONA, the underlying causes of ARMY’s disappointment with James Corden, China’s new restrictions on cartoons, behind-the-scenes details about the making of SEVENTEEN’s dance routines, and more!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 11

Why does it seem like so many artists nowadays are getting sued for copyright infringement? Why are more artists than ever adding writers to song credits after a song’s release? Is there a legal distinction between sampling and interpolating an artist’s work? The first half of this episode addresses these questions, with context from landmark lawsuits and experiments on the psychology of copying. The second half of this episode covers all sorts of tech and entertainment news, from the revival of a digital metal band to the app that wants to be “The Next Spotify”!

NCT yoUth

After arguing for and against certain additions to Rolling Stone’s new “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list, Hope shares the best excerpts from BTS’s UN speech, information about some IN-PERSON K-pop events coming up (!), and more of the latest K-pop news!

STICKER is Here! (NCT Talk, Vol. 10)

Hope reacts to and reviews NCT 127’s new album, STICKER, gives an overview of The Matrix, lists the reasons to believe The Matrix served as a massive source of inspiration for NCT’s concept, and dissects the many ways one of the band’s “Resonance” monologues can be interpreted, especially in light of the new additions to the NCT Music Video Universe!

RM's Recs, Ep. 1: The Classics

This is the first episode in a five-part series of guides to books RM from BTS has recommended! This episode focuses on his more popular book recommendations: The Catcher in the Rye, 1984, and The Stranger. In addition to plot and character summaries, the symbols and themes in the books are discussed, and parallels are drawn to the symbols and themes in BTS’s songs and music videos. Both these stories and BTS’s music send powerful messages about a fight for youth, love, and autonomy. Focusing on stories with these massively broad themes allows this episode to lay the groundwork for the next episode of “RM’s Recs,” which will have a narrower focus.

C.R.O.W.N 

After an abridged history of C-rock and C-pop that adds context to the current wave of restrictions on creative expression in China, Hope shares some of the best details in TXT’s series of PAPER magazine interviews, the latest on TS Entertainment’s closure, and more of the latest K-pop news.

Best of August 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases of the past month!

K-Pod Save the World

This episode begins with an overview of all the major headlines in China’s music and entertainment scene lately: the disbandment of a band after just four days, the disappearance of a famous billionaire, the banning of celebrity rankings, and more. Sociological and historical context is used to better understand why all these events are happening and what they all have in common. Part two of today’s episode unpacks the sources of ARMY’s anger at a recent BTS cover story and summarizes the legal fight that had to take place prior to releasing the “Butter” remix. After these major topics, the rest of the show covers a host of miscellaneous K-pop headlines from the past few weeks.

Music and Mythology

Countless times, K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artists have drawn inspiration from Greek mythology. This episode features seventeen examples, and it tells the corresponding origin stories of the gods, goddesses, and symbols they reference in their work.

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 10

The first-ever legislation that regulates the use of CGI social media stars, the company making medical equipment that replaces annoying beeping sounds with pleasant ones, a new reality show for Gen Z songwriters, and more of the latest headlines in the worlds of music and technology!

Do Re Miyavi Fa Solia

The reasons behind the shortest debut-to-disbandment period ever, a new Netflix film worth checking out, some updates on romances, and more of the latest K-pop and J-pop news!

NCT Talk, Vol. 9

Decoding the details in the first round of STICKER Era teasers!

Jolin Tsai's Galaxy

This episode covers a timeline of Jolin Tsai’s career, takes a close look at the meanings of the lyrics in her most profound songs, summarizes the plots of her best music videos, and overall pays tribute to an artist whose work is endlessly entertaining and inspiring.

On Your Mark, Get Set, (We) Go

On today’s news roundup episode, Hope predicts the futures of (G)I-DLE and CLC members, shares her VMAs dream scenarios, reveals the most interesting excerpts from a new set of Weverse magazine interviews, and much more!

BTStudy Guide #7: Haruki Murakami

 In Kafka on the Shore, a 15-year-old runs away from home and meets a cast of quirky characters, including Colonel Sanders, a man who talks to cats, and a woman who at one point reverts back into her younger self. In 1Q84, an assassin's life is forever linked to a ghostwriter's life, as they both run and hide from a common enemy. These stories might sound starkly different, but they have more themes in common than one would expect: a distortion of the concept of time and fears surrounding the breakdown of social norms, just to name a few. After comparing and contrasting the plots of and characters in these two stories, Hope compares and contrasts their themes with those present in BTS's music video universe. Part book review and part philosophy lesson, this conclusion of the "BTStudy Guides" series of episodes explains what the works of both BTS and Haruki Murakami are ultimately trying to say.

BTStudy Guide #6: Louder...

Louder Than Bombs is a film about grief, love, lies, and selective memory. The questions this movie provokes are also the ones provoked by the song “Louder Than Bombs” by BTS, as well as some BTS music videos. By understanding the many parallels in the ways this film and BTS’s work tell stories of life and loss, it becomes clear how BTS takes the heavy emotions communicated by movies and applies them to their own lives in powerful ways.

Back in the BLINK of an Eye

BABYMETAL's bizarre "disappearance," a K-pop company's response to plagiarism accusations, updates on legal cases, major changes to the Melon Charts, and more of the latest headlines.

ASTROBOTS

Commentary on a cool new fan contest, the BTS ad for Boston Dynamics, and more of the latest K-pop news stories.

Best of July 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!

BTStudy Guide #5: The Owl Service

This is the fifth episode in a 7-episode series that explores the literature and cinema BTS references in their music video universe! This episode summarizes both The Owl Service by Alan Garner and the Welsh myth on which it is based. By making sense of both versions of this story, the meaning of the “I Need U” chapter in BTS’s story becomes clearer.

K-Pop Talk with H. Kenneth

Singer, songwriter, and producer H. Kenneth breaks down the making of “MY TREASURE” by TREASURE and “Ready to love” by SEVENTEEN! Plus, he gives hints about an upcoming K-pop release, shares a great Ed Sheeran quote about creativity, and lots more!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 9

 In today’s recap of the latest tech and entertainment news, Hope explains Netflix South Korea’s lawsuit, the reasons Minecraft became R-rated in South Korea, recent revelations about HYBE’s marketing strategies, and more.

Psylence of the Jams

Why “Gangnam Style” just got banned from gyms in South Korea, what the American Butter Institute thinks of “Butter” by BTS, why Taeyong’s new gig will be so beneficial for him, and more explanations and commentary on the latest K-pop stories!

LOONAverse Talk: Episode 5

A condensed, updated, and improved guide to the members, sub-units, and stories that make up the LOONAverse!

ExCALIbur

A look at the most interesting behind-the-scenes details and the most insightful quotes in SEVENTEEN’s latest interviews! Plus: aespa’s Hollywood moment, the end of a lawsuit, the way K-pop fans in Thailand are being a force for good, and more of the latest news stories!

Best of June 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop and J-pop releases!

Happy Birthday Taeyong!

In honor of Taeyong’s birthday, this clip show compiles past podcast segments about his solo music. Keep listening until the end to hear new commentary on his latest release, “Swimming Pool”!

The Boyz (II Men)

On today’s news roundup, Hope shares her takes on the K-pop episode of Dave, Boyz II Men’s plans for a promotional push in South Korea, three new fandom names, this year’s “Muster,” and more of the latest K-pop news!

Your Choice (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 5)

This episode serves as a complement to “The Artistry of SEVENTEEN,” an essay on the 17 Carat K-Pop website. Hope explains how SEVENTEEN’s new mini-album tells unique, layered stories and how it builds on the storytelling they began in their previous musical eras.

(D.O)n't Fight the Feeling

This episode explores the underlying messages in Taeyong’s new song, “Rose,” and RM’s new song, “Bicycle.” Plus: Hope reacts to EXO’s “Don’t Fight the Feeling” music video and recaps the past week in K-pop news! ​

The Name's X. MONSTA X

A quick update on the state of the MONSTA X Music Video Universe and predictions about where the story goes from here!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 8

A man accidentally ends up competing on a C-pop reality show, the first NFT marketplace in South Korea is a big success, and more of the latest tech and music headlines from around the world!

Best of May 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best new releases from K-pop and J-pop artists!

The One Where They Break More...

An overview of the biggest K-pop news of the past two weeks, from CL’s new gig to hidden details spotted in BTS’s “Butter” teaser poster and music video!

ENHYPEN 101

There are four main categories the themes discussed in ENHYPEN’s musical universe fit into: wealth and power, the passage of time, truth and perceptions, and love. These categories also apply to the band’s (both confirmed and potential) sources of literary inspiration, including The Great Gatsby, Hamlet, Demian, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and two of Shakespeare’s sonnets. From fearing the future to finding oneself, the lessons in these stories parallel the lessons in ENHYPEN’s music and videos. This episode explores those connections, and how ENHYPEN addresses this heavy subject matter with a fantastical, supernatural concept that is all their own.

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

Taemin's Encore

Building off of previous Taemin-dedicated episodes of the show, new theories are laid out about the dual roles Taemin plays in his music videos and where his characters’ stories go from here.

Mansae! (The Sequel)

BTS’s Rolling Stone profile, lots of recent management changes, SEVENTEEN’s busy June schedule, and more of the latest K-pop news.

NCT Talk, Vol. 8

After a track-by-track review of NCT DREAM’s new album, Hope lists the 27 most iconic moments in NCT/NCTzen history!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 7

Hope predicts which K-pop groups will plan to tour North America this fall, looks at how the financial statuses of the “Big Three” companies changed last year, and covers more of the latest headlines related to both K-pop and the music industry overall.

Sea-ing the Vision

Taeyong’s newest SoundCloud release, the three different K-pop audition shows that were recently announced, and more commentary on the latest trending topics in the world of K-pop!

Best of April 2021

A ranking and review of the top twenty best K-pop and J-pop singles, albums, and music videos released last month!

K-Pop Talk with Kat Moon

A conversation with journalist Kat Moon about a mix of light and serious topics, from PURPLE KISS to K-drama recommendations to how K-pop journalism can describe fans and their idols in the best, most accurate way.

PEN17

An idol’s clothing abruptly pulled out of an auction, a massive SEVENTEEN update, the mixed feelings that come with seemingly random K-pop band shoutouts on TV shows, and more of the latest K-pop discussion topics.

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 6

While covering the latest pop culture news stories, Hope makes the case against betting on Clubhouse’s longevity, tells the backstory of CGI influencer Miquela’s NFT drops, shares the most interesting quotes from an interview with a man who believes in a concept similar to the existence of parallel universes, and more!

BTStudy Guide #4: Magic Shop

This is the fourth episode in a 7-episode series that explores the literature and cinema BTS references in their music video universe! This episode explores the themes throughout both Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty and his research on the mind-body connection. The song “Magic Shop” by BTS is used to further explain Dr. Doty’s thoughts on the power of kindness to heal and the importance of de-stigmatizing mental health.

Answer: Lovin' It

The layers of meaning in Taeyong’s new song, a reaction to “Not Alone” by SEVENTEEN, the best parts of Bang Bang Con 2021, and more on the latest buzzed-about topics in the world of K-pop!

EXO 101

An updated and comprehensive guide to the characters, plots, theories, and symbols that make up the EXO Music Video Universe!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 5

An assessment of the toll a concert-less year has taken on music venues, the reasons to be optimistic about live music coming back before 2022, and the potential future of concerts. Will virtual shows still be popular post-pandemic? Plus: a TikTok film festival, significant investment changes in JYP and YG Entertainment, and more music industry-related headlines.

To Infinity and Beyond (LIVE)

After reacting to HOSHI’s and THE 8’s new singles and predicting what they mean for SEVENTEEN’s future, Hope covers the latest K-pop news, from artists’ 2021 plans to JBJ95’s management conflict to a new world record.

Bambamboozled

After breaking down the short-term and long-term implications of HYBE acquiring Ithaca Holdings, a range of K-pop news stories from the past week are discussed, from LABOUM’s big plans to the best April Fool’s Day pranks!

Autism and Fandom

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, Hope uses personal stories to describe five things allies to the autistic community should know, and she reflects on how being autistic shapes her feelings around and involvement in fandom culture.

Best of March 2021

A ranking and review of the best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!

OURphoria

On this week’s news recap, Hope reacts to Hoshi’s mixtape, highlights key takeaways from BTS’s recent TV appearances, theorizes about the “Film out” music video, and much more!

KCON:TACT Review

Six highlights and six lowlights from last week’s KCON:TACT, plus seventeen random thoughts that came from watching it.

K-Pop Talk with Andy Love

A conversation with songwriter Andy Love that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions and processes that go into making K-pop songs, J-pop songs, commercials, and TV show theme songs!

BTStudy Guide #3: Black Swan

This is the third episode in a 7-episode series that explores the literature and cinema BTS references in their music video universe! Today’s episode summarizes the characters and plot in the movie Black Swan, examines the film’s psychological and social commentary, and draws connections to the messages in BTS’s music and videos.

HYBE Hopes

The best lyrics from RM’s debut mixtape (revisited in honor of its six-year anniversary), the biggest reveals from Big Hit Entertainment’s latest press conference, and the latest news about BLACKPINK, TWICE, THE BOYZ, and more!

Rollin' on Like a Rollin' Stone

The big takeaways from the Grammys, why Taeyong’s new song matters so much, why Brave Girls is experiencing a long-overdue surge in popularity, and more!

BTStudy Guide #2: Omelas

This is the second episode in a 7-episode series that explores the literature and cinema BTS references in their music video universe! Today’s episode compares and contrasts the messages told through BTS’s “Spring Day” music video with "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin and Demian, the story discussed in BTStudy Guide #1!

BTStudy Guide #1: Demian

This is the first episode in a 7-episode series that explores the literature and cinema BTS references in their music video universe! Today, Hope breaks down the many ways BTS alludes to the characters, symbols, and themes in Demian by Herman Hesse throughout the “Wings” era music videos.

Seventeen Talk, Vol. 4

On today’s episode of “Seventeen Talk”: an analysis of the lyrics in Jun’s new album, an overview of Joshua’s docuseries episode, and a roundup of the latest SEVENTEEN headlines.

2 Cool 4 Remote Skool

In today’s K-pop news recap, Hope previews what to expect from Grammy performances this year, reacts to recent disbandments, and shares updates on tons of K-pop stars!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 4

This episode breaks down what NFTs are and why artists are using cryptocurrency more than ever, how some fans are already reserving tickets to post-COVID-19 concerts, what “COVID-safe festival” experiments entail, and lots more!

De(Spoti)fiance

Today’s episode covers a new K-pop edition of a video game, the “Spotify versus Kakao M” drama, why KCONTACT might make some last-minute lineup changes, the context underlying a radio station’s non-apology, and more.

ATEEZ's Return

Before reacting to ATEEZ’s new album, Hope unpacks the life lessons hidden throughout the symbols, plots, and monologues that make up ATEEZ’s discography and music video universe!

Best of February 2021

A ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop and J-pop singles, albums, and music videos from the past month!

Give it Up for SHINee!

This episode explores the evolution of SHINee’s image and music videos through a combination of personal, sociological, and philosophical lenses.

Dunjins and G-Dragons

Today’s topics include BTS’s connection to a LEGO llama, an up-and-coming app everyone will be talking about soon, an honest reaction to Mark Tuan’s new single, and lots more!

royalTY

A new K-pop docuseries, a music chart-related fraud scheme, a new BTS demo, and more of the latest K-pop headlines!

NCT Talk, Vol. 7

The movie references and other symbols connecting NCT’s and SHINee’s Music Video Universes, a review of NCT 127’s new album, and a personal story about NCT’s impact on Hope’s life.

Georgia on My Mindset

On today’s news recap: several major court case updates, Eric Nam’s new app, new insights into how BLACKPINK’s online concert was received around the world, new reality shows to look forward to, and much more!

The REOL Deal

This episode picks up right where the episode called “What’s I.N a Name” leaves off, telling the stories behind the most interesting K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artist and fandom names!

What's I.N a Name

The origin stories behind the best, the worst, and the overall most conversation-starting K-pop band and fandom names ever!

The Episode

A recap of BLACKPINK’s online concert, a deep dive into the positive impacts of BTS’s latest album on fans, an overview of the Seoul Music Awards, and much more!

Best K-Pop and J-Pop: January 2021

A ranking and review of the top 20 K-pop and J-pop singles, albums, and music videos of January 2021!

Seventeen Talk, Vol. 3

A review of SEVENTEEN’s online concert (and a theory about a hidden detail in it!), a recap of the fourth episode in SEVENTEEN’s docuseries, and an overview of the latest SEVENTEEN-related headlines!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 3

A sneak peek at BLACKPINK’s first online concert, a K-pop album analogy to understand what’s happening with GameStop’s stock, predictions about how post-coronavirus life will or will not change the entertainment industry, and more of the latest entertainment news!

127 Squad in Your Area

 On today’s headline roundup: a star’s feud with a neighbor that escalated quickly, the status of various bands whose contracts are about to expire, the good news hidden in the bad news about MONSTA X, and lots more!

Epik High is Here!

This episode explores the many layers of meaning in Epik High’s songs, the threads connecting their stories from their different musical eras, and the messages in their new album!

Seventeen Talk, Vol. 2

A recap of what happened in episodes 2 and 3 of SEVENTEEN’s docuseries and the big takeaways from the show so far!

A Guide to DREAMCATCHER

This episode breaks down all the Stephen King references, plot twists, symbols, and messages in DREAMCATCHER’s music videos, in chronological order!

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 2

A look at the current state of South Korea’s entertainment industry, from webtoon popularity to applications of artificial intelligence to upcoming Netflix releases!

AirB(I.N)B

A K-pop star’s new role in Succession, a company rivalry, STRAY KIDS' maknae’s shining moment, the “political campaign staff version of BTS,” and more of the latest headlines!

K-Pop Talk w/ Tushar Apte

Songwriter and producer Tushar Apte shares the stories behind songs from BTS, BLACKPINK, Lu Han, and more C-pop and K-pop stars!

NCT Talk, Vol. 6

In the first half of this episode, Hope recaps the symbols and storylines that are the most noteworthy from NCT music videos. In the second half, she shares her brand new theories about the roles of superpowers, time travel, and other concepts in the NCT Music Video Universe!

Blueming Hour

A quick recap of the latest K-pop headlines, from GOT7’s future to the Golden Disc Awards to TXT’s new gig!

A Guide to CIX

A guide to the K-pop boy band CIX, their discography’s layered meanings, their literary inspiration, and the messages of their music videos and short films!

Seventeen Talk, Vol. 1

In the first installment in a new series of episodes, Hope breaks down key quotes and moments from the first episode in SEVENTEEN’s docuseries and recaps some of the latest headlines about SEVENTEEN!

2021 K-Pop Predictions

Will GOT7 disband? Will I.O.I ever reunite? Which K-pop groups will make it big in 2021, and which ones won’t? Hope makes predictions in response to all these questions and more.

"STAY Tuned" Ep. 1

Today’s concert/music industry headlines: Ticketmaster’s loss in court, the uphill battle music venues will have to climb post-pandemic, K-pop virtual concerts to mark your calendars for, and more!

Stan Luna

 On today’s K-pop news roundup: a boy band getting caught in a worldwide scam, legal drama, disbandments, artists’ plans for 2021, new TV shows to look forward to, and much more!

SMTOWN Concert Review

Hope recaps the pros and cons of SM Entertainment’s “Culture Humanity” New Year’s Eve virtual concert and reacts to a post-concert discussion happening online about the event’s ratings.

The Year in Review

An overview of what the podcast 17 Carat K-Pop is all about, what topics have been covered so far, and what to expect on the show in 2021!

Best J-Pop & C-Pop of 2020

100 Japanese and Chinese music recommendations, ranging from music videos to singles to full albums!

Best K-Pop of 2020, Part 3

The 20 best K-pop albums of 2020, the 10 best English albums of 2020, and more music released this year that deserves a shoutout and more appreciation!

Best K-Pop of 2020, Part 2

After a K-pop news roundup and K-pop awards show reactions, Hope gives shoutouts to the honorable mentions for “Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2020”!

Best K-Pop of 2020, Part 1

A countdown of the top 50 best K-pop music videos of 2020!

Proud NCT U Grad

Hope revisits the predictions she made about the future of K-Pop at the end of 2019, shares her Spotify Wrapped data and why people are so curious about one another’s playlists, and adds important context to the story of this show’s past, present, and future. Plus: news stories about BTS, LOONA, 88Rising, BLACKPINK, STRAY KIDS, and many more!

Introducing Kai

In this episode, Hope shares her thoughts and theories about KAI’s debut solo EP, music video, and short film and explains his character’s place in the SM Entertainment Music Video Universe! Plus: the world’s longest music video, the latest uses of AI technology, and more news updates about both K-pop and the music industry as a whole.

NCT Talk, Vol. 5

This episode connects symbols and lyrics from Resonance Pt.2 to symbols and lyrics present throughout previous NCT releases. This episode also revisits and updates the music video theories laid out in previous NCT-dedicated episodes of the show and elaborates on the underlying messages in NCT’s storylines.

Be-T-Yes!!

A track-by-track breakdown of the creation and meaning of each song on Be, an overview of easter eggs from the Be album teasers, a BTS news roundup, and an application of a Pixar movie to explain the mass appeal of BTS’s music!

The History of Noraebang

This episode covers the history of karaoke, its particular cultural significance in Asia, and why promoting K-pop karaoke worldwide is an investment that can pay off on many levels. Plus: updates about BTS, TAEMIN, a new K-pop app, online concerts to look forward to, and more!

PSYche

In this week’s roundup of K-pop and music industry news stories: the latest 2021 concert plans, LOONA’s quirky new marketing tactic, PSY and J.Y. Park’s new show, BTS’s latest achievements, and MUCH more!

Taemin's Newest Act

Unpacking the layers of meaning within TAEMIN’s new album and music video, explaining the philosophical theory that inspired the album, and proposing new theories about the TAEMIN Music Video Universe!

MONSTA X IS BACK!

From “All In” to “Love Killa,” this episode covers the MONSTA X music video universe’s storylines in chronological order. This recap addresses character arcs, symbols and theories about their meanings, and predictions about where their story goes from here!

The SKai's the Limit

A recap of the Hyundai mini-movie-meets-commercial and what it means for the future of music marketing, a discussion about the best K-pop releases of October, a mega roundup of the latest K-pop news, and much more!

A Guide to the TXT Universe

From the TXT members’ pre-debut intro videos to their newest album, this episode breaks down the layered meanings of and the multiple inspirations behind each addition to the TXT music video storyline, in chronological order! Plus: parallels between TXT and BTS videos, what details to look for in future TXT videos, and a theory about the actual literary work that serves as TXT’s ultimate inspiration (hint: it’s NOT Alice in Wonderland)!

K-Pop Talk with STORYBOARDS

A conversation with singer / producer / songwriter STORYBOARDS about writing for EVERGLOW, the state of the music industry in 2020, the song that almost went to BTS, K-pop girl groups, and much more!

LOONAverse Talk: Ep. 4

Hope revisits her predictions about what the latest LOONA comeback would entail, predicts where the LOONAverse storyline goes from here, and clarifies which aspects of the LOONAverse are confirmed to be more than just fan theories.

Into the (Baseball) Diamond Life

This latest SEVENTEEN-dedicated episode of the show includes a track-by-track recap of SEVENTEEN’s newest album, theories about how their new songs and music video are connected to their previous releases, a list of seventeen things to keep an eye out for in both the current and future SEVENTEEN comebacks, and much more!

Thai Hopes

On today’s episode, Hope unpacks the potential of “T-Pop” to gain global popularity, reviews BTS’s virtual concert experience, highlights recent accomplishments of NCT and A.C.E, and much more!

Resonance Pt.1 is Here!!!

An overview of the symbols and messages you might have missed in the promotional images, lyrics, and music videos related to NCT’s new album!

A Colossal Recap

In today’s episode, Hope shares her thoughts on the BLACKPINK music video controversy, breaks down her new BTS theory that connects two of their musical eras, explains why everyone is wearing bucket hats these days, shares a story from Taiwan’s hip-hop scene, and much more!

To Bbi Bbi or Not To Bbi Bbi

The top 50 most iconic K-pop style moments of all time, for better or for worse! Plus: news updates about BTS, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, and more!

Spilling the OSTea

On today’s K-pop news and commentary roundup: the power of K-pop Twitter, Katy Perry’s comments about a potential collab with BLACKPINK, the latest words of wisdom from BTS, some potential hidden references in Seungkwan’s OST, and MUCH more!

The MPire Strikes Baek

After a quick recap of all the announcements made by SUPERM and NCT at recent press events and a review of Super One, Hope edits and adds some major updates to her theories about  these groups’ connected music video worlds, using clues found in the NCT 2020 teasers and in the latest SUPERM video!

The Art of the K-Pop Music Video

In this episode, Hope makes the case for viewing K-pop music videos as exceptional examples of why music videos will never be irrelevant, lists her top 21 picks for K-pop artists with the most compelling and re-watchable music videos, and explores the parallels between how the human mind benefits from dreaming compared to watching music videos!

New LOONAverse Update!

It’s time to unpack the hidden messages in the LOONA comeback teasers and recap key symbols and theories to keep in mind as the LOONAverse storyline continues to unfold! Plus, today’s K-pop headlines: a drive-in circus, a (G)I-DLE member’s new show, a jam-packed October comeback lineup, and much more!

On Wednesdays We Wear Pink...

Topics addressed on today’s episode include: ARMY’s latest good deed, Taeyong’s Vlives, GOT7 being quiet lately, plans for the 2021 Olympics, the new Billboard charts, and much more!

Here to STAY

Breaking down the meaning of the lyrics, videos, and overall messages in the new STRAY KIDS album, theorizing about connections between their newest music videos and their past ones, and explaining what makes STRAY KIDS so special!

Dynafortnite

How are a digital Burning Man festival, a food-less eatery, and KCON related?! This episode breaks down what each of these experiences has to do with changes in consumer expectations over time and uses this historical context to predict if KCON will ever go back to being offline (this topic starts around the 40-minute mark!). Plus: the latest K-pop online shows to mark your calendars for, an update on TikTok legal drama, a look at how popular Kakao has become, and more!

Taemin.

Reactions to and theories about TAEMIN’s new album and music video, a recap of his role throughout scenes in the SM Entertainment music video universe, and reasons why TAEMIN is simply the best solo artist! 

Plus, the latest headlines in the K-pop world: the new animated band, BLACKPINK’s album tracklist, CLC’s music video references, and more!

Goblinto the Rhythm

Hope gives a big thumbs-up to five news stories and new songs in the world of K-pop and a big thumbs-down to five others, announces newly recurring segments on the show, and tells the story of how fate led her to becoming a massive A.C.E fan!

It'z My Fave K-Pop Girl Groups

Hope lists 25 of the most underrated and/or unique K-pop girl groups of all time, breaks down the meanings in their music videos, and points out how female bands overall face excessive stereotyping.

Wonhomygod

Reacting to SUPERM's comeback, WONHO’s solo debut, BTS’s “Dynamite” teasers, and more! Plus: recapping Taiwan’s first 2020 arena concert and breaking down a recent trend in fan-idol interactions that may give a sneak peek at the future of fandom culture!

Today's LessON

A preview of a new mini-series (!!!), a look at the latest digital concert trends, a K-pop news update, and a brief history of the phrase “world music” and what makes it so problematic.

KCON Koverage Over Time

Hope conducted an original mini research project to quantify and analyze the ways in which KCON has been covered by the western media over the years. Here, she reveals the study’s results, recalls iconic KCON moments (for better and for worse...), and looks at KCON by the numbers over time. Plus: the latest news regarding BTS, SuperM Easter eggs, TikTok’s uncertain future, a “secret” rave, & more!

Tell Me Your Every Story

After catching up on the latest news in the world of K-pop, reacting to VMA nominees, and predicting the future of TikTok, Hope tells three classic stories that provided inspiration for BTS songs!.

ATEEZ's Wonderland

A breakdown of the ATEEZ music video universe and stories, as told through  lyrics, choreography, music videos, and lots of Wonderland symbolism!

House of KARDs

Theorizing about the symbolism, literature and philosophy references, and overall messages in the music video universes created by BTS, NCT, SUPERM, and SEVENTEEN!

BoA Fide Popstar

A look at each of the variables that combined to cause K-pop to dominate on YouTube and SM Entertainment’s marketing tactics to succeed beyond imagination. Historical, cultural, and social context is used to understand how the Hallyu wave swept the world, with a huge boost from SM Entertainment, and what makes K-pop videos so mesmerizing! Plus: news updates about BTS, BLACKPINK, About U, & more!

Oh My My My...

Unpacking how online fandom discourse presents itself these days and its problematic aspects. Plus: Hope’s latest album reviews, thoughts on socially distanced meet-and-greet formats, analysis of merch shopping habits that may permanently change, and much more.

K-Pop Talk with Riddhi...

A conversation with Rolling Stone India’s K-pop columnist, senior writer, and video producer Riddhi Chakraborty about the massive K-pop fan base in India, elements of K-pop reminiscent of Bollywood films, cultural appropriation in the K-pop industry, and much more.

Taeyong Me

Updates in breaking K-pop news stories about Newkidd, AOA, GOT7, BTS, TXT, and many more. Plus, the changing definitions of “clickbait” and “going viral,” which bring into question if there really is such a thing as authentically “going viral” in the first place.

Autism and K-Pop

In this episode, Hope reflects on her personal experiences as an autistic K-pop fan, how music affects her differently,  and how this unique moment in history is changing what the future of in-person K-pop fan events looks and feels like from her perspective.

K-Pop Talk with Jeff Benjamin

Today’s conversation with K-pop reporter Jeff Benjamin includes behind-the-scenes stories from interviewing K-pop stars, the elements of fair and beneficial K-pop media coverage, the newfound openness K-pop stars have about their mental health, and much more!

eaJ and Open Your Eyes

A short history of chart manipulation and other “pay-for-play” tactics. Plus, Hope covers the latest K-pop headlines about BLACKPINK, Jae from DAY6, MOMOLAND, SEVENTEEN, and more!

Lyla Lee and TXT

An exclusive Q&A with author Lyla Lee about her new K-pop novel, appreciating the lyrics in SEVENTEEN’s new album, recapping the latest bizarre marketing tactics being used in a social-distancing world, plus an extension of previous conversations about western media and its treatment of K-pop stars.

PurpleBeck Interview &...

An exclusive Q&A with PurpleBeck, followed by a recap of the best and worst moments of the first digital-only KCON week!

Hallyu and I

Exploring K-pop fandom identity from Europe to North America to Asia. Plus: a Bang Bang Con Live recap, the “Open Your Lobby” initiative, bizarre suggestions for socially distant concert crowds, and much more!

Dream (Ever)glow

The past, present, and future of Hallyu and other “waves” of musical influences around the world, along with explanations for why different music industries have not reached the same level of global success as the K-pop industry. Plus: critiques of a recent K-pop article, a SEVENTEEN docuseries easter egg, and more K-pop updates!

If I Could Turn Back Time...

A deep dive into the world of Miquela and similar CGI characters taking over music, fashion, and Instagram, what this all means for the future of the music industry and pop culture as a whole, and what influence vocaloids like Miku have on social media discourse. Plus: a WayV album review, the dream Map of the Soul Tour setlist, the latest wild new LOONA rumor, and more!

More and More Jungshook

Today on the show: the historical context behind the Jim Jones sample in D-2, a discussion about the intersection of music, politics, and social commentary, plus tons of updates on the world of K-pop.

The VIXX Universe, Explained

Some of the most bizarre Greek myths as seen represented in VIXX music videos, plus discussions about KCON going digital, “Sour Candy,” a K-pop subway ad debate, and much more!

Fantasia!

Hope announces the dream tracklist for a solo Taeyong mixtape, shares her thoughts on the Big Hit-PLEDIS merger, recaps iconic SEVENTEEN moments, adds updates to the MONSTA X storyline, and more!

BigHit the Road

Arguing in defense of TWICE, unpacking the greater cultural context behind the Lana Del Rey situation, and discussing roles of women in music overall. Plus: a SEVENTEEN docuseries review, reacting to D-2, concert livestream recaps, THAT alpaca story, & much more!

TikTok TikTok Getting Closer

Hope shares her unfiltered reactions to “UK-pop” and similar content, predicts the future of TikTok in shaping music trends, breaks down the profits of each of the “Big Three” companies, and much more!

iKCONic

The top five best C-pop music videos, the top seven best MONSTA X milestones, a handful of music recommendations, ideas for quarantine-era K-pop events, and much more!

I 5NALLY Understand

What are some plans for post-COVID concerts? Is an AI music takeover upon us?! What should BTS include in their quarantine album project? Plus: updates on legal drama, ATEEZ recognition, & much more!

That XX Factor

A review of a Taeyong livestream concert experience, a summary of the fascinating and unexpected changes the music/concert industry are experiencing right now, K-pop music video analyses, and more!

Episode Currently Unavailable

Recapping TWICELIGHTS and the SUPERM online concert, talking about some surprising new tour announcements, & much more!

Not By the Moonchild

Hope explores all kinds of formats artists are using to digitize and promote their content during the pandemic, discusses the disappointing side of fandom culture, and reacts to Lisa’s “meanness” as a mentor. Plus, criminal trial updates, an underrated EP recommendation, a GOT7 album review, a chance to call your idols, & more!

Nam Nation Rising 

Hope’s take on the CRAVITY/EXO plagiarism accusations, GOT7’s comeback, the best moments of Bang Bang Con, suggestions for digitizing the K-pop concert experience, & much more!

Monsta Xtra, Xtra!...

Topics in this episode: celebrating milestones of various K-pop artists, promoting K-pop releases to look forward to in the coming weeks, sharing uplifting news stories from around the world, and previewing future fan project ideas for viewers to join!

Into the LOONAverse

Hope breaks down the plots, lyrics, symbols, and theories from LOONA music videos, in chronological order! Plus she explains what the “Stan LOONA” Twitter trend is all about and what makes LOONA’s company stand out from the rest!

K-Pop Talk with Reiner

This episode features Hope’s interview with popular YouTuber and fellow K-pop fan Reiner Acuario! They discuss the best recent K-pop releases, K-pop 2020 predictions, thoughts on KCON LA, reactions to the "mainstreaming" of K-pop in the USA, and much more!

C-Pop vs J-Pop vs K-Pop (Part 2)

After an update on mood-boosting stories throughout the world, K-pop news alerts, and discussing a BIZARRE new marketing tactic, Hope gives C-pop and J-pop recommendations, discusses differences between those industries, and gives possible reasons for K-pop’s popularity in Europe.

Miku, Miquela, & More

Included in this episode: updates in the world of K-pop, reactions to industry insiders’ K-pop artist rankings, and a sneak peek at the content of Hope’s senior project on the world of CGI influencers and vocaloids!

QuaraNCTine

In the first-ever remote episode of the show, Hope lists the top 11 best K-pop albums of 2020 so far, gives podcast, book, TV show, YouTube, and music recommendations to keep you occupied, and lists ways people are coming together during this difficult time.

NCity in the House!

Who NCT is, song reviews, reasons to stan, things all NCTzens should know, factors affecting the success of the concept behind NCT, and everything else you ought to know about them!

If You're Happy and You Know...

Stories this week: the greatest music study you’ll ever hear about, a massive change to music ownership according to the legal system, recent changes in SM Entertainment, a coronavirus update with regards to the music industry, a BTS awards update, & even more!

I Repeat, STAY Tuned

Breaking down the meanings of STRAY KIDS' lyrics and music videos in chronological order, from “Hellevator” to “Levanter”!

Rain, Go Rain!

This episode includes NCT and BTS fangirling, a look at the legal and financial conflicts between K-pop stars and their management, the widespread effects of the coronavirus on the K-pop industry, and an urgent reminder to WASH YOUR HANDS AND STOP BEING RACIST!

7 or Nothing 

Time to talk about all the hidden references, highs and lows, symbolism, and emotions in Map of the Soul: 7!

GOTFans? GOT a Real...

A mix of stories this week about the K-pop and the western music scenes. In a perfect world, what would a K-pop festival lineup be? Who releases the best full-length K-pop albums? What the heck happened with the “Lovers and Friends Festival”?! Plus the strange-but-true story of a band who tricked venues into thinking hundreds of fans would show up to their shows (spoiler alert: that’s NOT what happened).

The EXO Music Video Universe

A walk through the EXO music video storyline, from “History” and “Mama” to “Obsession.” Plus: news updates about changes to Ticketmaster, the next NCT comeback, and more!

All About Luv, Parasite, and...

A MONSTA X English album review, reactions to Parasite and the USA remake of The Masked Singer, and a broader conversation about what it means for K-pop to be mainstream in the USA now.

The BTS Universe, Part 3

Unpacking the BTS music video characters, symbols, and storylines in chronological order!

The BTS Universe, Part 2

Unpacking the BTS music video characters, symbols, and storylines in chronological order!

The BTS Universe, Part 1

Unpacking the BTS music video characters, symbols, and storylines in chronological order!

MANSAE!

A SEVENTEEN Ode to You World Tour review, reacting to the BTS x Grammys backlash, and much more!

Goodbye, Au...

On the season one finale of 17 Carat K-Pop, Hope reveals her Spotify Wrapped results, reviews the MAMAs, and much more!

Just Like That, BAAM, There's...

How did Frozen 2 get in legal trouble?! Does MOMOLAND have a future?! Plus more news updates from the world of K-pop.

K-Pop: Best of 2019

Breaking down the best K-pop releases of 2019 and explaining why!

Honestly, You Need to Stan DAY6

Why Eric Nam, DAY6, and some other artists are poised to EXPLODE in popularity in the USA, plus more K-pop predictions for 2020!

Watch This Before Going To...

In this episode, Hope describes what to expect from and stories from K-pop concerts and other K-pop fan gatherings!

C-Pop vs J-Pop vs K-Pop

Discussion topics this week: why C-pop and J-pop aren't gaining the same level of popularity worldwide as K-pop, underrated C-pop and J-pop artists you need to know, and more!

K-Pop: Who to Stan

Stay strong D-CRUNCH! (G)I-DLE's bright future! An EMAs recap! And much more!

Missing Wonho

Breaking down the MONSTA X music video storyline in chronological order!

K-Pop Industry Likes and Dislikes

This week, Hope discusses some of the ups and downs in the K-pop industry, both for fans and for artists.

Wake Me Up, I am NOT in Noir!

Analyses and theories about the stories presented in K-pop music videos, from STRAY KIDS to SUNMI to TXT!

Why BTS is So Popular and...

Your primer for becoming a member of the BTS ARMY and the reasons to stay that way! (Part 2/2)

Why BTS is So Popular and...

Your primer for becoming a member of the BTS ARMY and the reasons to stay that way! (Part 1/2)

Everything YG Entertainment

Recapping highs and lows throughout YG Entertainment’s history, speculating about favoritism for particular K-pop groups in the industry, and addressing cultural differences in what constitutes a “scandal” for an idol.

All About SuperM

An intro to the members of SUPERM and explanation of the genius marketing strategies being used to promote this new super-group!

STAY Tuned!

A deep dive into JYP Entertainment: the dating lives of its artists, how mental health of its employees is viewed, and more.

Everything SM Entertainment

A deep dive into the history and music of SM Entertainment and its artists!

Intro to K-Pop

Why are coed K-Pop groups relatively rare? When did the K-pop industry begin? How has K-pop grown in popularity over the years? What's key to a winning K-pop song formula? Hope answers all these questions and much more!