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
![Song of the Winter? It Belongs to RIIZE’s “Love 119”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1705279844400-M9916OFMG87204C5WATZ/RIIZE-Love-119-concept-photos-documents-5.jpg)
Song of the Winter? It Belongs to RIIZE’s “Love 119”
The SM rookie group balances nostalgic flourishes and the pangs of first love in their latest comeback.
![With “Minimal”, Towenewest Continue to Experiment](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1704833497797-173TOWP4O7KB10KSMZIT/Screenshot+2024-01-09+at+2.47.03%E2%80%AFPM.png)
With “Minimal”, Towenewest Continue to Experiment
The innovative boy band is back with a new single and an appetite for pushing their music to the edge of pop.
![BOYNEXTDOOR Won K-Pop’s Award Season](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1704681691237-LD7WOKTUGXEWPQURCOU8/Screenshot+2024-01-07+at+8.35.23%E2%80%AFPM.png)
BOYNEXTDOOR Won K-Pop’s Award Season
In a season full of painstakingly choreographed stages, BOYNEXTDOOR stood apart simply by being themselves.
![Jessica Jung and Amber Liu’s Unexpected Collaboration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1704244982639-MIOOZWF6Y75EU43JR2XQ/jessica-get-it-got-it-good-ft.-amber-liu.jpg)
Jessica Jung and Amber Liu’s Unexpected Collaboration
In Jessica Jung and Amber Liu’s new single “Get It? Got It? Good” two outcasts from K-Pop come together to find common ground in new beginnings.
![Yel Is Turning Her Best Memories Into Works of Art](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1703976064705-P9ZY7GT6AFQZV61JWXP9/unnamed-4.jpg)
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.
![EXO’s “The First Snow” Is No. 1 — Ten Years After It’s Release](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1703262997244-134HDJNRJM2LI8XH0O6V/Screenshot+2023-12-22+at+10.36.22%E2%80%AFAM.png)
EXO’s “The First Snow” Is No. 1 — Ten Years After It’s Release
Why did a Christmas B-side from 2013 became the smash hit of the season? A TikTok dance challenge had something to do with it.
![Pluto Koi Writes Love Songs for Everyone](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1702748092079-ZRAVPUKJ0UWAAU4FGNC3/Screenshot+2023-12-16+at+11.26.43%E2%80%AFAM.png)
Pluto Koi Writes Love Songs for Everyone
The singer-songwriter once denied being a hopeless romantic. Now he’s embracing the term — and writing about all forms of love.
![K-Pop’s Highs and Lows in 2023](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1702530329609-99PYCWQGSC1CSMJFUI22/Screenshot+2023-12-13+at+11.05.19%E2%80%AFPM.png)
K-Pop’s Highs and Lows in 2023
A look back at the biggest stories and trends of the year.
![You’re Witnessing the Rise of G. Nine](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1702171350649-6ZSDNB8NDHWYNXA5BG1K/Screenshot+2023-12-08+at+5.38.56%E2%80%AFPM.png)
You’re Witnessing the Rise of G. Nine
After years of experimentation, the Korean singer-songwriter has found his place in music. But he says, “I'm not entirely satisfied with where I am right now. I know there's more to explore and accomplish as an artist.”
![Meet The Rising Stars Class of 2023](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1702071732999-DOOYE6E6FMG4A7HN182Q/Screenshot+2023-12-08+at+3.42.01%E2%80%AFPM.png)
Meet The Rising Stars Class of 2023
A look back at some of the most promising artists profiled on Bias Wrecker this year.
![The Best Independent Releases of 2023](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1701721953787-GYMWMMITP30RXS7I56TW/Rina+Sawayama+by+Dusana+Risovic+for+Lollapalooza+2023_DR108337-Enhanced-NR.jpg)
The Best Independent Releases of 2023
Ten albums or tracks that come from the bold vision of independent artists featured on Bias Wrecker in 2023.
![For Bobo.Xx’s First Show at the Forum, He Painted a Constellation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1701299540704-4C3ETZF43GR2KQ7G4G3N/Screenshot+2023-11-29+at+5.12.08%E2%80%AFPM.png)
For Bobo.Xx’s First Show at the Forum, He Painted a Constellation
“My mentality now is I wanna show everyone what I can do, break boundaries and conquer those new challenges for future generations to be even better than I am,” the rock star says following his opening slot for The Rose.
![On Validating Sulli’s Pain](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1700965284611-UBOBZS2OB72VS7UUFKD7/1684654750-fwknl3makaiiqin.jpg)
On Validating Sulli’s Pain
In the two part special “Persona: Sulli”, the late singer discusses in harrowing detail the trauma she experienced in the public eye.
![On “Smile! You’re On Camera”, Juju B. Goode Chooses Adventure](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1700856756986-YSS7MSVZQPW5HUPPDJ98/128A0137.jpg)
On “Smile! You’re On Camera”, Juju B. Goode Chooses Adventure
The singer-songwriter and producer’s debut album reinterprets K-Pop from his childhood, and defies categorization.
![No, Seunghan Shouldn’t Apologize.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1700714695201-A9DMCCWKPZRNSFI0Y9SG/4fd83cec-c6ae-40c2-97cb-48c34f18df76.jpg)
No, Seunghan Shouldn’t Apologize.
The idol cited a heavy mental burden and sense of responsibility as the reason for his departure. But he shouldn’t have to leave.
![Eric Nam and The Rose’s Dueling Perspectives](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1700271740142-RS06MM13OF0SLHL9E1LR/Screenshot+2023-11-17+at+7.31.38%E2%80%AFPM.png)
Eric Nam and The Rose’s Dueling Perspectives
On a dual track to artisitc freedom, Eric Nam and The Rose release two imaginative new albums.
![Outsiders in K-Pop? WayV Relishes in the Freedom](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1699568045949-HL7DK7KM1DM2FIEBLPVG/WayV-2nd-album-On-My-Youth-concept-photos-documents-1%281%29.jpg)
Outsiders in K-Pop? WayV Relishes in the Freedom
Chinese idols rarely find the same success as their Korean counterparts. With “On My Youth”, WayV navigate their own lane.
![ZEROBASEONE Inch Closer to Superstardom on “Melting Point”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1699390902451-G5P4KEBGV3ZIX6FEN9KY/Screenshot+2023-11-07+at+2.50.41%E2%80%AFPM.png)
ZEROBASEONE Inch Closer to Superstardom on “Melting Point”
Boys Planet was a pop culture phenomenon. Can ZB1 build momentum with “Melting Point”?
![The Thrilling Return of Taemin](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1698780430686-CH5BY8IUIWP527CVCSN7/Taemin-4th-mini-album-Guilty-concept-photos-documents-1.jpg)
The Thrilling Return of Taemin
“Guilty” is Taemin’s first EP since returning from the military. He’s as daring as ever — and has much more to say.
![jason chu’s Music Is For the Next Generation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/623a2fb8abca543f34ac1c9b/1698525496133-XZPPQF8F4AA8HR7727QV/Rooftop+3.jpg)
jason chu’s Music Is For the Next Generation
Rapper and activist jason chu creates music that explores Asian American history and identity. “I’m very aware of where I stand in history,” he says in this interview.
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)