Usually posts at 7 pm daily at GMT+8 unless I get busy with something!

I am a to-be university student who simply loves K-pop and wants to share my opinions on certain song releases. Usually, I write reviews on K-pop songs which I feel are particularly noteworthy. Hence, you will rarely see me write a review about a song which I heavily dislike, unless I feel that it is important to get my opinion out there. Songs which I consider genuinely ‘terrible’ would more likely get a review compared to something mediocre. Feel free to comment under my reviews so we can have a discussion!

Here, you can usually expect song reviews, but from time to time, I will also post album reviews, in-depth song breakdowns (for songs which I feel do something very interesting compared to most, and/or for more controversial releases), group reviews (when life gets hectic) and artist spotlights (for groups/soloists who I think are quite underrated and have a strong discography).

Criteria

Hooks – How memorable is the song? Does it ring in your head afterwards? How well-crafted are its melodies? If it is not particularly melodic, so the chants make you sing along or repel you from obnoxiousness?

10 – The song remains engaging from beginning to end, with only minor qualms that hinder from pure enjoyment. Usually, I am able to remember the song’s melody, sometimes lyrics, all throughout if I give the song this score. It is not a requirement, but the chances certainly go up!

9 – The song’s hooks are undeniably well-crafted, but something feels missing from fulfilling its full potential. Close, but not quite.

8 – Good hooks and decently engaging. However, nothing that really stands out, or inconsistent. Parts of the song may be really great, but others start veering into obnoxious territory.

7 – Hooks are flat, but not terrible. Often, songs I give this score are not bad per-se, but simply don’t enter my head afterwards. This can change over time.

6 or lower – I do not usually review songs with this score, but if so, then I must be personally mad at the song. Songs that are obnoxiously catchy would probably be here if I become irritated at the hooks.

Production – Refers to the instrumental that supports the vocals, as well as how well do the vocals/melody and instrumental complement each other.

10 – Usually, 10s go in two ways. The song is either very well produced, polished, and achieves exactly what it sets out to do, or it breaks boundaries that feels exciting and fresh. The vocal mixing and processing is also heavily considered in getting a 10, for example if I think the vocal processing was used with flair rather than seeming unnecessary.

9 – Great, but I would have some reservations about a few sections, or it does not fully realise itself.

8 – Strong effort, but songs rated here probably need to lean more into the either or both of the directions I mentioned in ’10’. Does not particularly stand out from the rest.

7 – Not bad, but issues get more evident. Sound quality is always an issue here, whether it be the in the samples or the mixing.

6 or lower – Might be decent in quality but the direction does not complement the song well or is simply quite obnoxious.

Vocal Delivery – Technically perfect delivery is not required to get a perfect score, but when the technique of the idol becomes a hinderance of making the song achieve its full potential, then the song will be penalised. Essentially, this is how much the idol sells the song.

Rap Delivery – See above.