FROM HOUSTON, ONEW EMPHASIZES HAPPINESS AND FREEDOM

In his first U.S. tour as a soloist, ONEW chose to meet fans with a surprisingly intimate, stripped back concert.

82MAJOR BREAK THE RULES ON ‘SILENCE SYNDROME’

In a new interview, the group reflects on what sets them apart from others and how they’re preparing for a massive North American tour.

TEEN TOP’S NIEL TAKES CONTROL

NIEL never had time to think about what kind of artist he wanted to be. Now as a CEO of his own company, the singer has the freedom to find out.

the rookies

In-depth profiles about leading independent Asian musicians.

Minh Is Just Beginning to Find His Potential

For the past four months, Minh’s music has made gains on streaming services. In his first interview, he reflects on his new EP’s momentum and why he became a self-made musician.

On “Mediocre At Best”, Pluto Koi Is Packing Up His Insecurities

Pluto Koi used to be known as a hopeless romantic. Now he wants you a more complex version of himself.

Yel Is Turning Her Best Memories Into Works of Art

The California-based singer-songwriter makes dreamy, romantic music that is becoming a smash hit on streaming services.

THE MAD SCIENTIST

Hikaru Utada’s Science Fiction retrospective, reviewed

KESHI’S DEFIANT COACHELLA PERFORMANCE

Bouncing back after a challenging year, keshi gave a ferocious performance that jolted life back into his second album Requiem.

critically speaking

Essays from the frontlines of K-Pop and beyond.

From Rain to Kai, San and from20: How Male Sexuality Has Evolved in K-Pop

A new generation of male idols are embracing a fluid view of sexuality. It’s a major course correction from years’ past.

NewJeans Was the Future of K-Pop. Can KATSEYE Revolutionize That Vision?

A year ago, HYBE’s flagship girl group NewJeans declared war on the company. Now, a new girl group is looking to conceptualize HYBE’s vision for K-Pop without the “K”.

BoA in Japan: Soft Powers and Teenage Dreams

In 2001, BoA was the first of her kind: a K-Pop star landing number one’s in Japan. Her success transformed K-Pop into a global super power.

Essential reading from the API music scene

infinite scroll

Michael H 6/10/25 Michael H 6/10/25

Can CRAVITY Rebrand Into a Hitmaking Group?

CRAVITY has struggled to find an audience and an identity since debut. This week, their company announced a rebranding. But what if the solution is to give members more control?

Michael H 6/4/25 Michael H 6/4/25

From Houston, ONEW Emphasizes Happiness and Freedom

In his first U.S. tour as a soloist, ONEW chose to meet fans with a surprisingly intimate, stripped back concert.

Michael H 5/30/25 Michael H 5/30/25

82MAJOR Break the Rules on ‘SILENCE SYNDROME’

In a new interview, the group reflects on what sets them apart from others and how they’re preparing for a massive North American tour.

Michael H 5/27/25 Michael H 5/27/25

Meet WEST OF EDEN, A Giant Group Much Larger Than it’s Four Artists

The Seattle-based group succeeds because of their strong friendship and an extremely creative team of designers, producers, and artists.

Michael H 5/19/25 Michael H 5/19/25

With ‘NOW Project’, MONSTA X Comes Full Circle

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the group released a digital album with re-recordings of music made while their leader SHOWNU enlisted in the military. The new music shows how transgressive MONSTA X has become since debut.

Michael H 5/15/25 Michael H 5/15/25

pryme! Code Switched So Hard He Became A Musician

Growing up, pryme! learned how to fit into other peoples’ expectations for him. As he’s begun to release music and find an audience, pryme! says, “I can be seen.”

Michael H 5/8/25 Michael H 5/8/25

NewJeans Was the Future of K-Pop. Can KATSEYE Revolutionize That Vision?

A year ago, HYBE’s flagship girl group NewJeans declared war on the company. Now, a new girl group is looking to conceptualize HYBE’s vision for K-Pop without the “K”.

Michael H 5/1/25 Michael H 5/1/25

TEEN TOP’s NIEL Takes an Important Step Forward with “SHE”

NIEL never had time to think about what kind of artist he wanted to be. Now as a CEO of his own company, the singer has the freedom to find out.

Michael H 4/29/25 Michael H 4/29/25

Lyle Kam’s Catharsis Chasing Recollections

After six years of releasing music, Kam wondered how he could outdo himself. The result is a new EP, out next week, titled re:collections. “Every song could be a single,” he says in this interview.

Michael H 4/25/25 Michael H 4/25/25

Minh Is Just Beginning To Find His Potential

For the past four months, Minh’s music has made gains on streaming services. In his first interview, he reflects on his new EP’s momentum and why he became a self-made musician.

Michael H 4/24/25 Michael H 4/24/25

Everybody Wants Aura Like JENNIE

In a fiery Coachella solo performance, JENNIE offered a new perspective on how to be a global pop star.

Michael H 4/21/25 Michael H 4/21/25

Keshi’s Defiant Coachella Performance

Bouncing back after a challenging year, keshi gave a ferocious performance that jolted life back into his second album Requiem .

Michael H 4/15/25 Michael H 4/15/25

From Rain to Kai, ATEEZ’s San and from20: How Male Sexuality Has Evolved in K-Pop

A new generation of male idols are embracing a fluid view of sexuality. It’s a major course correction from years past.

Michael H 4/11/25 Michael H 4/11/25

Away From The K-Pop Machine, ONEW Is His Own Maestro

The singer begins his first North American tour on April 24th, and over the past year, has released the most freewheeling music of his career.

Michael H 3/30/25 Michael H 3/30/25

brynne Wasn’t Supposed To Make This Album

For months, brynne has been working on a project that has a strikingly independent and experimental sound. But is he ready to release a debut album into the world?

Michael H 2/19/25 Michael H 2/19/25

The Mad Scientist: Hikaru Utada’s ‘SCIENCE FICTION’, Reviewed

Hikaru Utada’s twenty-five year retrospective project SCIENCE FICTION makes a case for the singer being one of Japan’s most forward-thinking, experimental artists.