Seoulbeats

Founded in 2008, Seoulbeats has been a platform for reflections on Korean entertainment. We're interested in not only the news, but what the news implicates about the culture. We love our pop, and we also love analyzing it. The Seoulbeats team is a dedicated group of writers who are interested in the larger picture in pop.

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For Your Viewing Pleasure: Understated Elegance

Welcome back to another instalment of For Your Viewing Pleasure, where we take time out of the week to curate a set of photos from the K-pop

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"Hyuna has never been too shy to show off a revealing outfit while engaging in a sexy dance routine. While she does have choreography for the performance version of the song, the MV is noticeably missing that section."

Hyuna’s Vocals Take Center Stage with “Q&A”

Throughout Hyuna’s 17 years in the K-pop industry, she has kept her signature sound and image. Hyuna is best known for her bratty vocals, su

[seoulbeatscom]

For Your Viewing Pleasure: A Splash of Sentiment

Welcome back to another installment of For Your Viewing Pleasure, where we take time out of the week to curate a set of photos from the K-po

[seoulbeatscom]

Seventeen Cleverly and Confidently Assert Their Artistry in "Maestro" "in a world in which seemingly anything can be created with artificial intelligence, who is the artist?"

Seventeen Cleverly and Confidently Assert Their Artistry in “Maestro”

Ahead of their ninth anniversary, Seventeen released an anthology album, 17 is Right Here. They have chosen “Maestro” to lead off this proje

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Hyuna's Vocals Take Center Stage with "Q&A"

Despite moving to an agency focused on rappers, Hyuna decided to tune up her vocals that her own rapping skills have long overshadowed. Melodically, “Q&A”, her lead single, is a simple song with an underwhelming chorus. On the other hand, it showcases Hyuna’s vocals like you have never heard before, which is a great start to a new direction in her music career.

Hyuna’s Vocals Take Center Stage with “Q&A”

Throughout Hyuna’s 17 years in the K-pop industry, she has kept her signature sound and image. Hyuna is best known for her bratty vocals, su

[seoulbeatscom]

Seventeen Cleverly and Confidently Assert Their Artistry in "Maestro"

The presence of the samples, while mostly subtle, conveys that no matter how much Seventeen experiments, they are still Seventeen. Apt for the 17 is Right Here album, “Maestro” is both retrospective and futuristic. 

Seventeen Cleverly and Confidently Assert Their Artistry in “Maestro”

Ahead of their ninth anniversary, Seventeen released an anthology album, 17 is Right Here. They have chosen “Maestro” to lead off this proje

[seoulbeatscom]

BoyNextDoor Opt for Surrealism in “Earth, Wind & Fire”

“Earth, Wind & Fire” also plays with visual components and mediums like texture, proportion, and real versus CGI objects and imagery to emphasize the MV’s unconventional nature.

The juxtaposition of these visual elements directly impacts how each scene appears once the background, members, and objects around them are layered on top of each other, creating surrealist vignettes that defy expectations of a realistic reality—something that viewers are usedto seeing in BoyNextDoor’s MVs. 

BoyNextDoor Opt for Surrealism in “Earth, Wind & Fire”

Thanks to rookie group BoyNextDoor, the phrase “Earth, Wind & Fire” is about to take on a whole new meaning. Known for their down-to-earth c

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'Yuq1' Highlights Yuqi's Weaknesses

"-in her efforts to prove herself, Yuqi has fallen into the trap that many find themselves in when striking out on their own– it’s not only strengths that can get exposed, but weaknesses. And unfortunately, Yuq1 is putting Yuqi’s weaknesses on full display."

‘Yuq1’ Highlights Yuqi’s Weaknesses

While G(i)-dle has often been associated with Soyeon’s firebrand songwriting, it’s not much of a secret that Minnie and Yuqi’s softer, more

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Week in Review, 4/22 to 4/28

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Bite Review: Kiss of Life’s “Midas Touch” is Pure Y2K Nostalgia, For Better and For Worse

Amidst the enormous pool of fourth and fifth generation K-pop talent, it’s not easy to make a splash. Despite coming from a small company, K

[seoulbeatscom]

J-Hope Returns to His Dance Roots to Resolve His Doubts with “Hope on the Street Vol. 1”

Influential dancer Boogaloo Kin, commenting on his participation in J-Hope’s new docuseries Hope on the Street, stated, “I didn’t agree to t

[seoulbeatscom]

Week In Review, 2/19 to 2/25

Le Ssserafim made it look “Easy” in latest MV. Keep an eye out for MV review!

IU got into some mischief with the help of DPR Ian in “Shopper.” Take a look at our review here!

J.Y.Park, Stray Kids, Itzy and Nmixx dropped “Like Magic.” 

Mamamoo’s MoonByul had listeners “Touchin&Movin” in her newest MV. 

Tri.be released new MV for “Diamond.”

Bibi’s colorful MV for “Sugar Rush” contained cameos from Yena and (G)-idle’s Soyeon. 

Got7 Yugyeom’s just needed “1 Minute” in his latest MV. 

A.C.E is prepared to give you everything in the new MV for “My Girl.”

Twice’s heart was burning in “One Spark.” 

Astro celebrated their 8th anniversary with a special single “Circles.”

AleXa returned with “Sick.”

Week In Review, 2/19 to 2/25

Welcome to another edition of SB Week in Review. Here’s all the news you might have missed over the past week: Headlines Shinsadong Tiger ha

[seoulbeatscom]

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Monochromatic Moments

Welcome back to another instalment of For Your Viewing Pleasure, where we take time out of the week to curate a set of photos from the K-pop

[seoulbeatscom]

The SB Mixtape, 02/22/2024: Back to the B(sides)

In the notoriously contentious waters of K-pop fandom, there are very few things that can bring a majority into agreement…but it is a truth

[seoulbeatscom]

Nana Tour: A Rediscovery of Seventeen

Whether it is pure coincidence or the result of extensive research by the PDs, Nana Tour bears many similarities to younger Seventeen. More specifically, many moments on Nana Tour are unexpectedly reminiscent of when they did 17TV, Seventeen Project, and Seventeen’s One Fine Day (13 Castaway Boys). In the best way possible, Nana Tour is far more nostalgic than it needs to be as a variety show.

Nana Tour: A Rediscovery of Seventeen

Thanks to DK’s lucky hands, Seventeen beat the odds to win the biggest prize on The Game Caterers to film their rendition of Youth Over Flow

[seoulbeatscom]

P1Harmony's "Killin' It": An Impressive Testament of Artistry and Evolution

Six mini albums to predate a first full-length album release may seem like overkill, but P1Harmony’s debut into LP territory couldn’t have come at a better time for the six-piece group, who debuted at the end of 2019. Known for their grungy, fierce sound, P1Harmony have spent their past four (going on five) years and six EPs experimenting, excelling, and growing into their musical style, which they showcase in its full, evolving glory on their latest, Killin’ It. 

Although “Killin’ It” isn’t too different from P1Harmony’s previous title tracks in terms of form, it feels especially novel in the members’ attitude-filled, but still playful, delivery of their pompous lines

P1Harmony’s “Killin’ It”: An Impressive Testament of Artistry and Evolution

Six mini albums to predate a first full-length album release may seem like overkill, but P1Harmony’s debut into LP territory couldn’t have c

[seoulbeatscom]

Ten Hypnotizes with "Nightwalker"

Several years after his debut in NCT, Ten has released his long-awaited debut solo album Ten, with the all-English title track “Nightwalker.” Ten has previously revealed various sides to his artistry: “Dream in a Dream”, for instance, displays his ease with contemporary dance and traditional elements, “Paint Me Naked” his brighter side, and “Birthday” his intensity and sensuality. His promotions for Ten involved a performance film for two B-sides, but “Nightwalker” is a foray into a narrative music video that still incorporates his dance talents.