Married To The Music: K-pop Discography Deep Dives & Random Thoughts From A Longtime K-pop Fan (And Occasionally Her Friends)

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  • Lee Hyori #1/2: Kpop’s Greatest (And Most Underrated) Soloist?

    Lee Hyori was—and, frankly, still is—one of the most important soloists in k-pop history, second only to maybe Rain and BoA. She debuted as part of the 1st generation k-pop group Fin.K.L. in 1998 at age 21, older for the industry than is usual. She’s been making music for the last twenty years, and just…

  • CIX Deep Dive: Can K-pop Be ‘Cinema’?

    CIX stands for “Complete In X” (I have no idea what that means either), and is a part of the 4th generation of k-pop, having debuted in 2019. They debuted with five members: Seunghan, Yonghee, Hyunsuk, BX, and Bae Jinyoung (who left in 2024). Here are my credentials: None. Absolutely none. I’ve heard one song…

  • Infinite Deep Dive #2/2: All ‘The Eyes’ On You

    Here are my credentials (again): I don’t know much about Infinite. I’ve heard a few of their biggest hits and a couple songs by Woohyun, who’s also a soloist. I have a friend who’s a huge Inspirit, though, and so I figured this would be a good time to give them a chance (and also…

  • Favorite Groups

    These are my favorites, some since the beginning, some brand new, but all loved and unique. From an angsty rock band to the bubbliest bubblegum to ever grace a stage, they’ve taught me that the language of a great song isn’t as important as I once thought. My Top 3 of all-time are Dreamcatcher, SHINee,…

  • Oh My Girl Deep Dive #2/2: Proving Nature Has A Place In Pop

    Here are my credentials (again): I know more about Oh My Girl than a lot of the groups I’ve covered on this blog (though I recognize that’s not saying much). I watched the season of Queendom they were on and enjoyed their performances, I think I’ve heard most of their singles, and I’m a big…

  • Everglow Deep Dive: Stepping Out From The Sidelines

    Everglow is a 4th generation girl group under Yuehua Entertainment, who debuted in 2019. They have six members: E:U, Onda, Yiren, Shiyeon, Mia, and Aisha, and recently returned from a nearly two year hiatus. As of time of writing, they’re celebrating their sixth anniversary. Here are my credentials: Similarly to BLACKPINK, I was somewhat a…

  • Infinite Deep Dive #1/2: All ‘The Eyes’ On You

    INFINITE is approaching fifteen years in the k-pop industry (next year), which is no mean feat. They’re solidly in the second generation, debuting in 2010 with seven members: Sungkyu, Woohyun, Sungyeol. Sunjong, L, Dongwoo, and Hoya, the last of whom left the group in 2017. They’ve all left their previous company, Woollim Entertainment, but are…

  • Kpop Classics: Generation #5

    K-pop: A Starter Pack (Generation 5) Defined by social media and a more focused appeal to those outside of Korea. Very much run by girl groups. More minimalistic, light, and confident. You’ve probably seen them up on your recommendeds: Le Sserafim, New Jeans, IVE, and RIIZE, with songs like Fearless, Super Shy, I Am, and…

  • Kpop Classics: Generation #4

    K-pop: A Starter Pack (Generation 4) A darker era in the timeline, defined by trap, EDM, and so-called “girl crush”. Both a time of idols starting to have more creative control and inspiration from genres around the world. Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, TXT, and ATEEZ find popularity with songs like God’s Menu, Tomboy, Lovesong, and Halazia.…

  • Kpop Classics: Generation #3

    K-pop: A Starter Pack (Generation 1) A breakthrough to the West, with a separation into “cutesy”, or more poppy and childish, and “mature”, or more electronic-based and dark, groups. Most people’s introduction to k-pop: BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and Red Velvet, with songs like DNA, Boombayah, What Is Love, and Russian Roulette. 2013-2017. All Generations <–…

  • Kpop Classics: Generation #2

    K-pop: A Starter Pack (Generation 2) More organized, more smooth, more colorful; inspiration from disco and synth, and still with a bit of a fun edge. Really the start of the infamous trainee system. The birth of royalty: SHINee, SNSD, 2NE1, and Wonder Girls, with songs like Lucifer, Gee, Go Away, and Nobody. 2006-2012. See…

  • Kpop Classics: Generation #1

    K-pop: A Starter Pack (Generation 1) The beginning of it all, taking from American hip-hop, rock, R & B, and J-pop, with some definite social messaging and very little filter (for better or for worse). The legends–SHINHWA, Seo Taiji, S.E.S., and BoA–all got their start here, with songs like Perfect Man, Come Back Home, Be…