This week on Bias Wrecker
Micah Yoo’s Singular Voice
Hailing from the Midwest suburbs, Micah Yoo’s debut EP is an honest, heartbreaking listen. In his first major interview, he details the process of making it and why he wants to show other Asian guys that it’s okay to not feel okay.
Also on the blog: A new interview Orion Song, plus a celebration of MONSTA X’s ninth anniversary.
Left/ above: Micah Yoo
![On “Nicole”, NIKI Wanted Us To Feel It All](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1719686860253-0V54M6XBZSIGR50GUBLH/000009020005-scaled.jpg)
On “Nicole”, NIKI Wanted Us To Feel It All
For the latest Reissues Project story, I look back at “Nicole”, an album that NIKI wrote for her younger self. But it’s themes of of self-worth and heartbreak resonate far beyond teenage years.
![HOHYUN’s First Headlining Concert Is A Moment Five Years in the Making ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1719248665377-RJ80QZ9BZCOTLWIFYWSG/Screenshot+2024-06-24+at+11.52.27%E2%80%AFAM.png)
HOHYUN’s First Headlining Concert Is A Moment Five Years in the Making
Billed as a visual experience for his debut album “DRAMA.”, the concert was a fiery debut for the singer-songwriter.
![On “Mediocre At Best”, Pluto Koi Is Packing Up His Insecurities](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1718389222151-6STTO0F55L8W1L8FO5EW/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+1.12.40%E2%80%AFPM.png)
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.
![How Taeyang Created a Modern Classic](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1717698539781-JM4FVQ4BRYF9EB6DNJ43/tumblr_inline_orjpwhWLDX1sf1r1d_500.jpg)
How Taeyang Created a Modern Classic
Ten years ago today, Taeyang released “Eyes, Nose, Lips”, a ballad that would become career defining for him and for a new generation of male vocalists.
![Kai Caden and Brynne Are Bringing NEXT WORLD Everywhere](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1717175178932-FTV18RCUBW4Z5T6JR5FX/Screenshot+2024-05-31+at+11.50.23%E2%80%AFAM.png)
Kai Caden and Brynne Are Bringing NEXT WORLD Everywhere
The collective’s mission is to empower and train artists. As a result, they’ve built one of the strongest artist-led communities in music.
![Micah Yoo Takes the Lead](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1716572850428-8JQ4DH1FARDZD1Y36HIE/ALBUM_COVER.jpg)
Micah Yoo Takes the Lead
The singer-songwriter grapples with how to love and be loved on his debut EP “Yellow”. He hopes you see yourself in his stories.
![BNZA Debuts New Project Band ben seasons](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1715794170773-OLQX7ZHZV0J3AIQUFF3M/Screenshot+2024-05-15+at+12.19.06%E2%80%AFPM.png)
BNZA Debuts New Project Band ben seasons
With his indie band ben seasons, BNZA explores a new genre — and proves he’s still unmatched as a musician.
![MONSTA X’s Provocative Portrayal of Masculinity](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1715738737690-WJ3S9YE8TSZNTJZRLE84/monsta-x-2.jpg)
MONSTA X’s Provocative Portrayal of Masculinity
In the 9 years since debut, MONSTA X have become a rare thing: A K-Pop group that is submervisive.
Orion Song Is Finding His Path
Orion Song describes himself as a “conscious R&B Asian American artist.” He’s just now begun to see how that means his music can be healing.
![The Punk Defiance of 2NE1](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1715036361773-R8PRGA37ZOMQMS8050AC/unnamed-1.jpg)
The Punk Defiance of 2NE1
The group debuted in 2009 with scathing comments about their looks and style. Fifteen years later, the group stands as a symbol of defiance and personal autonomy.
![15 Asian Musicians Who You Should Be Listening To, Right Now](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1714767048064-21LA6X8JPUKWNBGQJGFB/1.png)
15 Asian Musicians Who You Should Be Listening To, Right Now
Asian Heritage Month is a great opportunity to spotlight the dynamic work of Asian musicians. But these independent artists deserve your support year-round.
![What Is Driving The Hate Against LE SSERAFIM?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1714413886066-8T7VYTU56QLH893ALONE/Screenshot+2024-04-29+at+1.04.37%E2%80%AFPM.png)
What Is Driving The Hate Against LE SSERAFIM?
LE SSERAFIM was once one of the top girl groups in K-Pop. Then the trolls came for them.
![Blish Is Transforming His Trauma Into Art](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1714065534413-3AC5S53QV9YTXP3E6D9V/_%E1%84%82%E1%85%B0%E1%86%B7%E1%84%81%E1%85%B2%E1%86%BC__%E1%84%81%E1%85%A8%E1%86%BF__067A8828+-+%E1%84%87%E1%85%A9%E1%86%A8%E1%84%89%E1%85%A1%E1%84%87%E1%85%A9%E1%86%AB.jpg)
Blish Is Transforming His Trauma Into Art
The Korean producer makes his debut as a singer-songwriter with the album “Wanderland”. The work, he says, covers the most traumatic time of his life.
![On His New Single, Bobo.Xx Fires Up the Kerosene](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1713906234097-8NYHI3CZOZ8LRFAHPJCY/Screenshot+2024-04-23+at+3.33.23%E2%80%AFPM.png)
On His New Single, Bobo.Xx Fires Up the Kerosene
The punk singer rejects conformity and looks back at his trailblazing career with the new song “Kerosene”.
![Juju B. Goode Curates K-Oldies and Goodies on “GOODE radio”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1713213026840-FT2CXOHXOOMXRRHKD4QD/GOODERADIO1.png)
Juju B. Goode Curates K-Oldies and Goodies on “GOODE radio”
Live from LA’s Koreatown, Juju B. Goode and Saké by the Water present a collage of soul, jazz and overlooked Korean tunes.
![Is TOMORROW X TOGETHER Growing Up?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1712775284859-39KKY7M0QSL9OV5VGU1T/Screenshot+2024-04-10+at+1.54.33%E2%80%AFPM.png)
Is TOMORROW X TOGETHER Growing Up?
On their latest EP, “minisode 3: TOMORROW”, the group charts a turbulent road to adulthood.
![The Meaning of Jonghyun’s Stories](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1712595880851-3OGCJSILD35PSBQN398R/tumblr_oowvgmvfc51u22rjso1_1280.png)
The Meaning of Jonghyun’s Stories
A new look at Jonghyun’s poignant stories in celebration of what would have been the singer’s thirty-fourth birthday.
![Why RIIZE’s Seunghan Deserves Justice](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1712440841012-SDAT9JPRLDJOIXNZ8HIS/RIIZE-1st-Single-Album-Get-A-Guitar-Concept-Photos-documents-13.jpg)
Why RIIZE’s Seunghan Deserves Justice
As RIIZE gears up for a new comeback and their first tour, Seunghan continues to be excluded from group activities.
![Rina Sawayama’s Bold Advocacy for Women in Music ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1711906430294-B40GZ3GV6RK5K9Y9NFYD/Screenshot+2024-03-31+at+12.32.21%E2%80%AFPM.png)
Rina Sawayama’s Bold Advocacy for Women in Music
Misogyny in the music Industry is “an endemic”. Rina Sawayama wants to change that.
![MONSTA X Bet Big on An English Album. Then K-Pop Exploded.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1711570204441-BJG2YOYMOQFO9T0AN0YL/Screenshot+2024-03-27+at+2.38.50%E2%80%AFPM.png)
MONSTA X Bet Big on An English Album. Then K-Pop Exploded.
In early 2020, MONSTA X released their first English language album in a bid for North American success. Why is it still overlooked?
HOT COMEBACK:
Jessi Wants You To Pose
“I know you like what you see,” Jessi taunts in “ZOOM”, the latest single from the brash Jersey girl by way of South Korea.. Against an addictive horn and the refrain “Lights, camera, action,” Jessi brags, “I’m feelin’ like a million bucks” then reminds us. “Must be that million bucks!”
Jessi follows the trajectory she set with “What Kind of X”, when she growled, “I’m a different type of beast.” You’ve never encountered any woman like her, she warns. But Jessi stokes her K-Pop renegade status the most when she reminds us in “ZOOM”, “I don’t give a fuck because I’m a bad bitch.”
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/076ed562-2ef3-4d3f-bfe6-d00cdac3a20a/IMG_4010.jpeg)