In an interview done in collaboration with KOHAI, HOHYUN considers why he’s drawn to superheroes and how a determination to succeed has fueled him since he was a teenager.
Profiles in Music
CSR Is Still Worth Believing In
After two years, the beloved girl group returns with a new digital single. The members admit they’re nervous but, as their leader DUNA explains, “More than anything, I really want to hear MAEUM’s fan chants again after so long.”
Profiles in Music
From Seattle, an inside look at the making of keanu.’s third album blush., and why it was almost never released at all.
Profiles in Music
Following the release of his debut EP Love before Me, A.C.E’s LEE JI HAM explains why he decided to challenge himself to reveal “the emotions I buried deep inside” through music.
Listening Booth
On ‘TYPHOON,’ Luke Chiang Knows Good Things Take Time
The singer’s debut album comes nearly six years after a health issue nearly torpedoed his career. It’s worth the wait.
Profiles in Music
IN THE HUTAZONE
In his first major profile interview, BTOB’s LEE MINHYUK considers what makes him such a dynamic idol. “HUTA reflects the kind of artist I admire and aspire to be. My performances are filled with explosive energy,” he says in this new interview.
In-depth profiles about leading independent Asian musicians.
the roookies
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.
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, videographers, photographers and artists.
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.
Profiles in Music
KANG YUCHAN and from20 Enter a New Era With WAY BETTER
When KANG YUCHAN joined HELLO GLOOM and from20’s company WAY BETTER, the friends saw a possibility to chart a new path for idols. “Maybe,” from20 theorizes, “we could flip the whole culture.”
Hikaru Utada’s Science Fiction retrospective,
reviewed.
Profiles in Music
After more than 25 years in the industry, Crystal Kay is regarded as a pioneer of J-R&B and J-Pop. Now, about to embark on her first North American tour, she is just beginning to grapple with the meaning of her legacy.
Essays from the frontlines of K-Pop and beyond.
critically speaking
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.
A Bittersweet Farewell to ZEROBASEONE
From Seoul, the popular boy group hold a final encore concert and say goodbye as the group splits in half.
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
and all the rest….
CSR Is Still Worth Believing In
After two years, the beloved girl group returns with a new digital single. The members admit they’re nervous but, as their leader DUNA explains, “More than anything, I really want to hear MAEUM’s fan chants again after so long.”
VVS On Creating Their Own Path, Outside of K-pop’s Mainstream
VVS is growing its fanbase in a refreshingly organic way with the help of its indie label: meeting fans face to face, one tour stop at a time. “I think at some point we’ll shine enough for someone to recognize us,” LAYON says.
BLACKSWAN’s Gabi Is Learning How to be Brave
In her first major interview since joining the global girl group BLACKSWAN, Gabi recounts her unexpected journey to becoming an idol — and why it’s so hard to be herself.
A.C.E’s LEE JI HAM Doesn’t Believe In Limiting Himself
Following the release of his debut EP Love before Me, A.C.E’s LEE JI HAM explains why he decided to challenge himself reveal “the emotions I buried deep inside” through music.
A Bittersweet End To ZEROBASEONE
From Seoul, the popular boy group hold a final encore concert and say goodbye as the group splits in half.
How fragments Transformed One Week of Collaboration Into a Debut EP
During the last week of 2025, ten independent musicians gathered on Discord voice chats and late night hangouts to create the ambitious and wildly experimental EP, super swag music.
Why HOHYUN Wants To Be an Authentic Superhero
In a new interview done in collaboration with KOHAI, the singer-songwriter considers why he’s drawn to superheroes and how a determination to succeed has fueled him since he was a teenager.
Meet WAKER, the K-pop Group Given a Second Shot at Success
Before joining the team, many of the group’s members had given up on their dream of becoming an idol. Now promoting their third album, the members look back at the long road to debuting as WAKER.
On ‘TYPHOON,’ Luke Chiang Knows Good Things Take Time
The singer’s debut album comes nearly six years after a health issue nearly torpedoed his career. It’s worth the wait.
8TURN Wants You To Find Your Power In Their New Single “Bruise”
The members of 8TURN reflect on their new single and what “bruises” they’ve had to accept about themselves.
Is CORTIS Ready For Megastardom?
Less than six months after their monster debut, no rookie group is transforming K-pop like CORTIS. Their fame is a new reality for the group’s young members.
Sylo Is Trying To Get As Intimate As Possible
As he embarks on a North American tour, the singer-songwriter reflects on why he’s struggled to find a place in music. But he says, “No matter what mold I fit myself into, it always ends up on the other side sounding like me, like Sylo.”
WEST OF EDEN’s keanu.’s Near-Miss Record
From Seattle, an inside look at the making of keanu.’s third album blush., and why it was almost never released at all.
In K-pop, Few Groups Shatter Stereotypes Like 1VERSE
The boy group has become one of fifth gen’s most promising rookie groups without changing much about themselves. With their new single “WABIF” and an upcoming world tour, 1VERSE is proving that idols can be remarkably relatable, too.
What Would K-pop Be Without BoA?
BoA is parting ways with SM Entertainment after 25 years together. But in an industry known for it’s speed, will her pioneering influence finally be acknowledged?
IN THE HUTAZONE: LEE MINHYUK on His European Tour and New Album
As he sets out on his first European tour, LEE MINHYUK considers what makes him such a dynamic idol. “HUTA reflects the kind of artist I admire and aspire to be. My performances are filled with explosive energy,” he says in this new interview.
KANG YUCHAN and from20 Enter a New Era With WAY BETTER
When KANG YUCHAN joined HELLO GLOOM and from20’s company WAY BETTER, the friends saw a possibility to chart a new path for idols. “Maybe,” from20 theorizes, “we could flip the whole culture.”
How BNZA Locked In For His Most Successful Year Yet
Though he began as a musician, BNZA has channeled his creativity into several successful creative ventures. This year, he returned to focusing on music with some of the best results yet.
JUSTB’s Thrilling New Swerve Outside of K-pop: ‘SNOW ANGEL’, Reviewed
The boy group’s fierce new EP tests whether K-pop can contain their ambitions.
The Dreams That Shaped The Soloist, ROCKY
On the second anniversary of his solo debut and in his most wide-ranging interview yet, ROCKY reflects on the most meaningful moments of his decade-long career.