In this episode of the, the hosts discuss the latest comebacks and highlight medleys from Seventeen, Riize, Red Velvet, Baekhyun and Monsta X. They explore the musical styles, emotional themes, and innovative approaches to highlight medleys, as well as the controversies surrounding certain concepts. 

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HIT REPLAYS:

• Baekhyun ‘No Problem’ https://youtu.be/aT-jUyik8yI?si=7X1ZLgxNapRO_zEt 
• RIIZE 라이즈 'Fly Up' MV https://youtu.be/vLUtHODdLzk?si=T9trz9vqJDyHrvDH 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to K-Pop Highlights

04:01 Baekhyun's Comeback and Musical Style

07:52 RYSE's New Album and Emotional Themes

10:53 Seventeen's Highlight Medley and Album Insights

15:44 Innovations in K-Pop Highlight Medleys

20:47 Red Velvet's Controversial Concepts

27:29 Monsta X's Re-recorded Tracks and Future Prospects

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In this episode the hosts discuss the rebranding of G-Idle to simply 'I-dle' and their new song 'Girlfriend'. They explore the implications of the name change, the themes presented in the music video, and the reactions from fans. The conversation also touches on the departure of member Soojin and how it has affected the group, as well as comparisons to other K-Pop groups and I-dle’s Future in the industry.

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:10 The Significance of the Name Change

05:08 Music Video Reaction: Girlfriend

06:58 Exploring Lyrics and Themes

09:51 Discussion on Provocative Content

13:02 Analyzing the Use of Language

15:37 The Shift from 'I' to 'We' in Identity

18:37 Conclusion and Future Directions

19:31 The Impact of Soojin's Departure

22:23 Re-recording Controversies in K-Pop

27:23 Fan Reactions to Rebranding and Erasure

31:38 The Future of G-Idle and Their Rebranding

37:54 Final Thoughts on G-Idle's Direction

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the, the hosts share their hit replays of the week & K-pop's presence at the 2025 Met Gala. The conversation highlights the intersection of K-Pop and Black Dandyism, exploring their fashion choices and the cultural significance behind them, cultural appropriation, and the future of K-Pop idols in the global fashion scene.

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HIT REPLAYS:

• ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) 'Loose' Official Lyric Video https://youtu.be/qr4oH_06IZM?si=dvTYhe91FibmzIZN 
• Toshinobu Kubota - Dance If You Want It (1988) https://youtu.be/ulCqwSjQ-t4?si=PavFWryVGDj1qwhL 
• LATATA (i-dle ver.) (LATATA (i-dle ver.)) https://youtu.be/rxlQ5OgscMo?si=CwW_r2Wumoh0T7Gi 

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:35 Enhypen Hit Replay

03:49 Toshinobu Kubota Hit Replay

07:55 I-dle Hit Replay

12:36 Deep Dive into the 2025 Met Gala

14:30 Expectations Going Into The Event

17:41 Asian Representation at the Met Gala

20:35 Conclusion and Future of K-Pop in Fashion

21:33 What is Black Dandyism? & It's Influence on Kpop

27:06 The K-Pop Influence on Fashion Brands

31:13 K-Pop Idols at the Met Gala

33:19 S.Coups' Met Gala Look

38:07 Lisa's Controversial Outfit

45:42 Jennie's Chanel Ensemble

50:06 K-Pop Idols and Fashion Houses

53:03 Rosé's Met Gala Look and Inspiration

55:26 The Influence of Andre Leon Talley

01:01:30 Fashion Choices and Industry Influence

01:07:28 Future of K-Pop and Fashion Events

01:12:38 Wrap-Up and Predictions for K-Pop Fashion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Peter and Stephanie dive deep into Katseye and their controversial comeback song, 'Gnarly.' They discuss the group's formation, their identity as a global girl group, and the polarizing reactions to their music video. The conversation explores themes of cultural appropriation, the impact of lyrics, and the evolving landscape of K-pop, all while analyzing the song's production and fan reception. The hosts reflect on their initial reactions, the influence of Alice's original concept, and the broader implications of the song within the K-pop industry.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cat's Eye and Their Comeback

02:23 The Global Girl Group Phenomenon

05:22 Reaction to 'Gnarly' and Its Polarizing Nature

08:14 Initial Reactions and Cultural Commentary

11:06 The Impact of Lyrics and Cultural Expectations

13:40 The Role of Performance and Audience Reception

16:40 Comparing 'Gnarly' to Other Artists and Trends

19:29 Exploring the Lyrics and Their Reception

22:24 Alice's Influence and the Song's Background

25:25 The Absurdity of K-Pop Lyrics

28:16 Fan Reactions and Controversies

33:06 Sexualization in K-Pop

37:35 The Meaning of 'Gnarly'

44:24 Appropriation and Transformation in K-Pop

47:07 Wrapping Up: The Future of K-Pop

47:30 New Chapter

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In this episode of the K-Pop cast, the hosts discuss the significant rise of queer visibility in K-Pop, focusing on recent coming out stories from idols like Bain (Just B) and Lara (Katseye). They explore the evolving cultural shift towards acceptance and representation of LGBTQ identities within the industry, contrasting the experiences of idols in Western countries versus their home countries & the hope for a more inclusive future for idols and fans alike.

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HIT REPLAYS:

• CLOSE YOUR EYES ‘To The Woods’ Performance Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJqk6f4VGgY&ab_channel=CLOSEYOUREYES 
• JENNIE, Doechii - ExtraL (Official Video) https://youtu.be/eWAdpUyzCkI?si=0ui57ORFn0kcZOzT 
• KiiiKiii 키키 'GROUNDWORK' MV https://youtu.be/8NpCghW0Hkw?si=W-WcPYQLipcACejO

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:21 Jennie Doechii Hit Replay

08:08 Close Your Eyse Hit Replay

11:19 KiiKii Hit Replay

14:53 Deep Dive

15:21 Bain's Coming Out and Its Impact 

20:13 Queerness in K-Pop: A Broader Discussion

23:55 Xlov & Exploring Gender Expression in K-Pop

26:46 The Rise of Chuu and Sapphic Representation

30:38 Navigating Queerness in K-Pop Idols

33:58 Cultural Differences in K-Pop and Western Audiences

40:22 Expectations of K-Pop Idols in Different Cultures

42:03 Hope for Future Representation in K-Pop

43:28 Outro

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In this episode, the hosts dive into EXO Kai's recent comeback album 'Wait On Me' & K-Pop idol presence at Coachella 2025. The conversation highlights K-Pop's growing acceptance in mainstream music culture and the need for innovative performances to secure its future.

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HIT REPLAYS:

• KAI 카이 'Walls Don't Talk' MV https://youtu.be/qTwJH5M7zfE?si=oZRlvB2LhaVTRSJz 
• KAI 카이 'Wait On Me' MV https://youtu.be/JLqXeMabsEQ?si=5XjcDMCfN4VFKn1J 
• KAI 카이 Ridin' https://youtu.be/vAOs-NRnrMo?si=2AyOjxfZVULQa4pP

00:00 Intro

03:03 Hit Replays: Kai's Comeback

05:58 Analyzing Kai's Music Video and Choreography

09:26 K-Pop's Evolution at Coachella 2025

12:27 Production Quality in K-Pop Performances

15:23 K-Pop's Mainstream Presence at Coachella

22:47 The Budgeting Behind K-Pop Performances

25:24 Cultural Impact and Strategic Promotions

27:13 Reimagining Performances at Coachella

34:03 Lisa's Standout Performance

42:14 Comparing Vocal Performances of K-Pop Stars

46:11 The Cringe Factor in Performance

49:15 Expectations vs. Reality in K-Pop Performances

51:52 The Coachella Experience: A Platform for Reinvention

56:21 Future of K-Pop at Coachella

01:01:06 K-Pop's Mainstream Status and Future Prospects

01:03:46 Outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the K-Pop cast, hosts Stephanie and PD-nim dive into the latest K-Pop releases, focusing on NCT's Mark Lee and his debut solo album 'First Fruit'. They discuss hit replays from XG and From20, analyze the themes and personal reflections in Mark's music, and react to the music video for his title track '1999'. The conversation also touches on cultural appropriation, artistic growth, and the future prospects for Mark Lee in the K-Pop industry.

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HIT REPLAYS:

• XG - IN THE RAIN (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/BydbhAzmAzg?si=Q7_vuaqAdHSs3F3d 
• from20(프롬트웬티) - Eye Candy MV https://youtu.be/0w_GymG3kbc?si=JjpCox2psVDkmX0S

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NCT's Mark and Hit Replays

08:41 Deep Dive into Mark Lee's First Solo Album

14:46 Reacting to the Music Video '1999'

21:45 Themes and Analysis of '1999'

23:53 Mark Lee: The Multifaceted Artist

27:55 Exploring Mark's Musical Journey Through Cities

31:55 Diving into Unique Songwriting Choices

35:58 Brave Choices: Faith and Identity in Music

39:27 The Future of Mark Lee: Crossover Potential

42:25 Final Thoughts: Dayblock or Not?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the K-Pop cast, hosts Stephanie and PD-nim discuss the latest hot topics in the K-Pop industry, including New Jeans' ongoing legal issues, the YG Leaker controversy revealing workplace misconduct at YG Entertainment, and the cultural appropriation concerns surrounding K-Pop groups like Kiss of Life. They also touch on the solo careers of Red Velvet members and the challenges faced by girl groups in the current K-Pop landscape.

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HIT REPLAYS:

• TEN 텐 'STUNNER' MV https://youtu.be/LfoIQZf9Hqs?si=1QA_T-nYRXMBdT6G 
• Come Over (Funk Remix) https://youtu.be/npjPl6qJJyk?si=9FdwPkPpN-dC-UAU

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Kpopcast, the hosts dive deep into LE SSERAFIM's latest release, discussing their hit replays, the trilogy of EPs, and the themes and visuals of the new song 'Hot'. They analyze the choreography, musical composition, and overall album, sharing insights and personal opinions on the group's sound and style evolution.

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Chip in for show costs: https://ko-fi.com/thekpopcast 

HIT REPLAYS:

• XG - IS THIS LOVE (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/aHTI0SXGVS0?si=PgGUGvWZ5FXGAAW4 
• TEN 텐 'BAMBOLA' MV https://youtu.be/epm28dP3HhM?si=xvJojtZgQuzgyGNU 
• 1-800-hot-n-fun https://youtu.be/rGD5U8u1Dk0?si=KoUP4vlxUiLmlWns 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

00:39 XG Hit Replay

04:20 TEN Hit Replay

09:24 Le Sserafim Hit Replay

11:11 Deep Dive into La Seraphim's 'Hot' EP

13:09 Exploring the Trilogy Concept and Themes

16:00 Cultural Impact and Future Directions

18:49 Danceable & Short Song Phenomenon in K-Pop

22:38 Reacting to Les Seraphim's 'Hot' Music Video

26:22 Themes of Passion and Resilience in Lyrics

29:33 Visual Storytelling and Symbolism in the Music Video

34:03 Choreography: A Blend of Styles and Confidence

37:24 Musical Composition: Analyzing the Sound and Structure

41:15 Nostalgic Sounds and Production Techniques

43:48 Album Track Highlights

51:20 Outro & Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Kpopcast, hosts Peter and Stephanie dive into BTS member J-Hope's latest single 'Sweet Dreams' featuring Miguel. They discuss the song's themes of love and vulnerability, J-Hope's musical evolution, and the significance of collaborations in K-pop. The hosts also analyze the music video, its visual symbolism, and the overall composition of the track. They reflect on the current trends in K-pop, including the solo projects of BTS and BLACKPINK members, and conclude with thoughts on the future of the genre.

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HIT REPLAYS:

• 백현 (BAEKHYUN), UMI, EL CAPITXN 'Do What You Do' Official Lyric Video https://youtu.be/u4x5kB9sm74?si=fc-jINS9cdo5oQe5 
• JENNIE - like JENNIE (Official Video) https://youtu.be/JSFG-IE8n_c?si=e8v4Cgl-hgu39cWV

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Kpopcast

00:54 Jennie Hit Replay

03:39 Baekhyun & Umi Hit Replay

06:44 Deep Dive into J-Hope's Sweet Dreams

07:20 Exploring J-Hope's Musical Evolution

10:39 The Significance of Collaborations in K-Pop

12:15 Reaction to Sweet Dreams Music Video

19:03 Analyzing the Lyrics and Themes of Sweet Dreams

21:50 Visuals and Symbolism in the Music Video

27:32 Musical Composition and Style

31:19 What Does This Comeback Mean for J-Hope & BTS?

36:30 The Current Landscape of K-pop Solos

39:17 Final Thoughts & Outro

41:03 Wheesung 

41:46 New Chapter

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