Saquib Syed

Genius • 17th November 2023

[REVIEW] Stray Kids Embrace the ROCK STAR Identity on New Album

For their second Korean comeback of 2023, Stray Kids leaned into the rockstar persona and released the appropriately titled 樂-STAR (ROCKSTAR) led by the addictive title track “락 (樂) (LALALALA).” An interestingly timed album about identity, let’s dig in to see what they are offering this time.

Genius • 29th April 2022

Women on Genius : Artist Spotlights - LYRE

“Women on Genius: Artist Spotlights”; a series to highlight talented female artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals for the Genius community to appreciate. For this edition, we’d like to introduce songwriter-producer, Alina Smith who runs her songwriting company, LYRE. You can find their names in credits of acts like Korean veteran star SUNMI, rising stars ITZY, and viral sensations like Gabbie Hanna.

The Kraze • 19th August 2021

TXT Faces the Dilemma to Fight or Escape on Repackage Album

TXT (Tomorrow x Together) has returned with a repackaged version of their summer album, The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE. The new version, The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT or ESCAPE, adds three new tracks to the original album including their new single, “LO$ER=LO♡ER.”

The Daily • 10th March 2016

Leisure time: The high prices of concert tickets

There I was on my computer on Dec. 17 at exactly 10 a.m. to buy myself tickets to see Adele live in Seattle in July. Just when I was ready, the website crashed and minutes later it displayed “Sold Out.”

Genius • 17th February 2025

[FRESH PICK] JISOO Explores Love & Heartbreak in Solo Album ‘AMORTAGE’

JISOO is the latest BLACKPINK member to return with a new solo album while the group is on a self-imposed hiatus. Coming on Valentine’s Day, AMORTAGE is led by the lead single titled “earthquake,” and contains four total songs, all of which are co-written by JISOO herself.

Genius • 14th February 2025

How GOT7’s Contract Negotiations Changed K-Pop Forever

The K-pop boy band GOT7 is still going strong after 11 years, with all seven members of the original lineup intact. They’ve endured and survived many things, but the most notable might be their contract negotiations. The group returned last month with a new album, WINTER HEPTAGON, marking an ever-so-successful return to music.

Genius • 23rd January 2025

[REVIEW] 'HER' by MINNIE is a Bold Solo Album Balancing Vulnerability, Confidence, and Artistic Identity

One of the most highly anticipated solo debuts is finally here. MINNIE of (G)I-DLE becomes the fourth member to release a solo project, and it’s everything we could have wished for. Let’s take a look at HER and what it has to offer.

Genius • 6th September 2024

[REVIEW] BAEKHYUN Reintroduces Himself with Fourth Mini Album 'Hello, World'

After a long military service, contract disputes, and establishing his own label, EXO’s BAEKHYUN returns with his highly anticipated fourth mini album Hello, World. Through the album, BAEKHYUN reintroduces himself as an artist in full control of his career and craft.

Genius • 3rd April 2024

[REVIEW] TOMORROW X TOGETHER Dabbles with the Past, Present, and Future on 'minisode 3: TOMORROW'

After the release of their full-length album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, which gave us the shimmering single, “Chasing That Feeling” last fall, TOMORROW X TOGETHER is back with their third minisode new album and it might be their best release yet. The album is led by the single “Deja Vu,” and it is mystical and fantastical with all the right elements that make a perfect TXT song.

Genius • 21st March 2024

[FRESH PICK] YOUNG POSSE Pays Homage to the Legendary Hip-Hop Magazine with 'XXL' While Aiming for a Bigger Stage

Rookie girl group YOUNG POSSE, who created a buzz with their debut late last year, has returned with an equally whimsical second mini album, XXL.

Genius • 26th February 2024

Black History Month: Celebrating the Songwriters & Producers Who Shape K-Pop's Sound

Black History Month is observed to celebrate the achievements of Black individuals. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada, while in Ireland and the United Kingdom, it is observed in October.

At Genius Korea, we recognize the work that goes into making a K-Pop song and the influence Black culture has on the genre. While there are countless more Black professionals working i

Genius • 18th February 2024

[REVIEW] Cha Eun Woo is a Masterful Storyteller in his Emotional Solo Debut Album 'ENTITY'

Most K-Pop fans know Cha Eunwoo for his popular K-dramas or for his suave magazine photoshoots and fashion brand deals with a face card that never declines. While all those things are true, Lee Dong Min, professionally known as Cha Eunwoo, is also a masterful singer and songwriter. The ASTRO member has finally released his solo debut album titled ENTITY showcasing more of his talent, so let’s check it out.

Genius • 16th February 2024

[REVIEW] TEN Showcases all Facets of Himself with his Solo Debut Album

One of NCT’s most popular members, TEN, has continued to share his talent through group work and sporadic solo singles over the years. He is one of those artists who comes back once in a blue moon but blows everyone away when he does. Now, the Thai singer is back with his first solo album. Let’s take a look at what he has to offer.

Genius • 13th February 2024

[EVENT REVIEW] The Multi-Talented Vicke Blanka Brings a Dynamic Show for his North American Tour

The multi-talented Japanese singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Vickeblanka is currently touring North America and visiting cities in the USA and Canada. Marking his first live performance in the States, Vickeblanka brought his diverse discography and captivating personality to Denver, Colorado. Genius Korea and Genius Japan members were honored to be invited to the show.

Genius • 1st February 2024

[REVIEW] (G)I-DLE Chronicles Their Journey to Stardom on New Album ‘2’

After a successful world tour and two mega-popular comebacks with “Queencard” and “I Want That,” (G)I-DLE is once again bringing the fire to our frigid winter. The group has released their second studio album, conveniently titled 2, led by the single “Super Lady.” Let’s take a look at what they have to offer this time.

Genius • 24th January 2024

[FRESH PICK] Pledis Entertainment’s New Boy Group TWS Sparkle in Their Debut

Pledis Entertainment, home to legendary acts like SEVENTEEN and After School, debuted its first boy group in nine years. TWS consists of six members: Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon, and Kyungmin, who made their debut on January 22, 2024, with the EP Sparkling Blue. With a bright new album, the group has made a splash, and it’s worth checking out.

Genius • 17th November 2023

[REVIEW] Stray Kids Embrace the ROCK STAR Identity on New Album

For their second Korean comeback of 2023, Stray Kids leaned into the rockstar persona and released the appropriately titled 樂-STAR (ROCKSTAR) led by the addictive title track “락 (樂) (LALALALA).” An interestingly timed album about identity, let’s dig in to see what they are offering this time.

Genius • 27th October 2023

[REVIEW] IVE Shows a Softer Side But Still Manage to Capture Attention with I’VE MINE

Known for their back to back hits, IVE became a staple artist in K-Pop last year, winning the prestigious Song of the Year award for their single “LOVE DIVE.” They continued their streak with the release of “I AM” earlier this year and continue to do so with their latest project, I’VE MINE.

Genius • 14th October 2023

[FRESH PICK] BOBBY Reminds Everyone His Prowess as a Rapper on 'ROBERT'

BOBBY of iKON returns to his Show Me The Money roots with the new album ROBERT. The album comes after iKON wrapped up the North American leg of their tour, which is also when BOBBY originally teased the project.

Genius • 4th October 2023

[REVIEW] EPEX Calls Attention to School Violence With New Album 'Can We Surrender'

C9 Entertainment’s boy group EPEX is closing out it’s ‘Bipolar’ album series with their EP Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. ‘Can We Surrender?’. While their releases have been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics, EPEX hasn’t failed to inspire conversations regarding the struggles faced by today’s youth.

Genius • 9th September 2023

[REVIEW] DAY6's Young K Gets Intimate on New Album 'Letters with notes'

Young K of DAY6 returns with his sophomore album and it is a collection of letters. Known for his intimate songwriting and storytelling, the concept for Letter with notes fit really well with him as an artist.

Genius • 29th August 2023

[INTERVIEW] BÉBE YANA Talks About Her Single "CHEMISTRY," Her Songwriting Process & More

If you are a fan of experimental pop music which takes you on a wild ride, you must check out BÉBE YANA. Australian-South Korean singer-songwriter, released “딸기키스 (Strawberry Kisses)” in 2021. In 2022, her song “SPACE MULAN” became a sleeper hit and received love from fans and critics online for its experimental sound.

Genius • 30th July 2023

[INTERVIEW] Songwriter Charlotte Wilson Talks About the Making of "Rewind You" by MISAMO

Based in South Korea but originally from the UK, Charlotte Wilson has become a prominent name in K-Pop by appearing in the credits to our favorite songs. The songwriter returns with a brand new release on one of the most-highly anticipated projects of this year, Masterpiece by MISAMO.

Genius • 7th July 2023

Here's Everything We Know About ZEROBASEONE's Debut Album 'YOUTH IN THE SHADE'

One of the biggest debuts of 2023 is about to happen in a week. BOYS PLANET winning lineup will make their debut as ZEROBASEONE on July 10th with the mini-album YOUTH IN THE SHADE.

Genius • 6th July 2023

Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2023 So Far

They bring the dramatics, theatrics, and graphics, and K-Pop does it like nobody else. As we reach the mid-point of 2023, join Genius Korea to take a look back at the best music videos of 2023 so far.

Genius • 6th July 2023

Best K-Pop B-Sides of 2023 So Far

K-Pop artists always release gems hidden within their albums that either go unnoticed by fans most of the time or overpower the title tracks in the best way possible. Regardless, as we reach the midpoint of 2023, join Genius Korea in looking at the Best B-sides of the year so far.

Genius • 14th June 2023

[FRESH PICK] VAV Are Designing Their Future With New Album Subcönscióus

South Korean boy group VAV make their return to music with a brand new mini-album Subcönscióus led by the single “Designer.”

Genius • 25th May 2023

[PRESS] K-Pop's Rising Stars FIFTY FIFTY Will Feature on BARBIE THE ALBUM

Atlantic Records has announced BARBIE THE ALBUM, a star-studded musical companion to the highly anticipated summer event film Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken. The soundtrack campaign kicks off with the electrifying first single, “Dance The Night” by GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Dua Lipa. The album also features South Korea’s rising superstars FIFTY FIFTY.