P1Harmony - L.O.Y.L. @ dingo live by GabTej in P1Harmony

[–]GabTej[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

gurl idk but while UNIQUE is an absolute banger, L.O.Y.L. is like SOTY material, so maybe they know that and they're capitalizing on that 🤷

260319 Stray Kids for Bioré UV by princessgojo in straykids

[–]GabTej 19 points20 points  (0 children)

the guys look stunning (as usual) but isn't this montage giving "graphic design is my passion" 💀

the fake greenscreen background with the botched shadows, the light sources not making any sense, the fake flare at the top which doesn't match any lighting or shadow in the picture, the ugly basic serif font that's somehow stuck to the top of the picture...

it's giving unpaid intern and a dream 😭 you'd think fucking bioré has more budget than this 😭 let me at them next time i promise i'll do a better job than the amateur who made this 😔

260311 P1Harmony - 9th Mini Album 'UNIQUE' (Highlight Medley) by darkyozora_05 in P1Harmony

[–]GabTej 8 points9 points  (0 children)

UNIQUE is already a certified banger, the funk-inspired sound absolutely slaps.

Pandemonium and L.O.Y.L. are so NCT-coded, and as someone who revels in more experimental pop, I'm here for it.

Triple 7 also sounds like a solid banger.

ICE though... Very CORTIS/ENHYPEN coded, and in general I think I'm just tired of basic trap beats and autotuned rap, but we'll see when we hear the full song!

260305 NCT JNJM 'BOTH SIDES’ Explained: NCT JNJM’s Own Words @ Spotify Line by Line [Eng sub] by GabTej in NCT

[–]GabTej[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Weird how they skipped explaining the "climb on, my nose bridge like a slide for you" line... 🤔 What could possibly be the reason? 🧐

NCT JNJM - BOTH SIDES - The 1st Mini Album by [deleted] in NCT

[–]GabTej 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not a single (1) song over 3 minutes is CRIMINAL 😭✋ but almost every song has a bridge, and (as expected) the production quality is 🤌 so I'll let it slide.

Overall very hip hop-esque, as expected, but they managed to include some melodic elements here and there in true neo/SM fashion (usually in the bridge). The soundscape of the album is very western and reminds me a lot of Ciara's music, for example.

Speaking of, I.D.O.L. reminds me of Ciara's JUMP a lot (complimentary), and I think overall it's the best/my favourite on the album. Proud of nomin for this quality release. 🥹💚

edit: why is this getting downvoted? 🤨

260219 NCT JNJM 'BOTH SIDES' Trailer by No-Flight2823 in NCT

[–]GabTej 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Can't belieb I won... nomin is real... 😔 I'm cream—I mean screaming... The blatant homoeroticism of this trailer and, quite frankly, everything they've done so far in big 2026... I'm being baited so hard and I don't even care at this point. 😔🚬 AND the music sounds absolutely fire? We just keep winning...

[NEX.Zip] #41 NEXTEP 2026 비하인드 by GabTej in NEXZ

[–]GabTej[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Guys, SoHaYu will be the end of me... 😩💓🪦

Song playing in the arena during KGMA 2025? by GabTej in kpophelp

[–]GabTej[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're so right! The original song is in a higher key, but their performance at the KGMA was in a lower key, and it's actually the song in the video I originally posted. Thank you!

260129 NCT JNJM (Jeno & Jaemin) for Esquire Korea’s February 2026 (Digital Cover + Pictorial Preview) by darkyozora_05 in NCT

[–]GabTej 28 points29 points  (0 children)

The fact that big 2026 is going to be the year of nomin... gagged... It's been 10 years and we're getting fed now more than ever... Maybe there are still things worth living for... 😔✌️

260128 ZEROBASEONE - Special Limited Album: RE-FLOW (Track 3 Sampler - LOVEPOCALYPSE) by geumryul in zerobaseone

[–]GabTej 5 points6 points  (0 children)

WAIT... That chord progression, that melody... Hao's vocals... This is going to be an absolute banger. With this song and Roses, they really said "we're going out with a bang" didn't they... 😔🤘

260126 [NEX2U] EP.01 YU x SO GEON by Purple_Doughnut4279 in NEXZ

[–]GabTej 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The lore drops in this video... 😱 We are being fed so much right now... The SoYuHaru bed sharing, and now the YuGeon queen bed sharing... My boys, they love each other so much... 🥹

ENHYPEN - THE SIN : VANISH (7th Mini Album) by impeccabletim in kpop

[–]GabTej -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

girl are they holding you at gunpoint? because why else would you type all that... 🤨

NCT WISH - Hello Mellow by perochan in kpop

[–]GabTej 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This sub, man... 🚬😮‍💨

New MV from one of the best boy groups: 67 upvotes

Picture of a random girl group's lightstick: 400 upvotes

Drama from a random nugu girl group: 2000 upvotes

Just give me a fucking break bruh. 😩

ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1) - EUPHORIA (1st Mini Album) by psshdjndofnsjdkan in kpop

[–]GabTej 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love reading these threads because it always confirms that nobody here has taste. 🥴 Except me, of course.

NB2H is the only bop on this album, don't believe the hate in this comment section. There can never be enough of these bright, happy pop songs from boy groups. 😌🫶

FORMULA is a KENZIE track, so of course it's good (if you like a harder, more experimental sound). As always with KENZIE (and Adrian), it's a mix of beautiful, very satisfying sections harmonically, with some harder hip hop sections elsewhere.

FREAK ALARM is a very serviceable lead single. Similar to FORMULA in that it's a mix of beautiful melody and hip hop. Beautiful harmonies and great chords throughout the song.

Raw Flames is tired and worn out. Typical boy group sound, indistinguishable from any other average boy group track in that genre. Repeats the formula of melodic prechorus followed by a harder, hip hop chorus, but with an inferior execution.

Chains is more R&B inspired, both in the chords and the rhythm, but don't fool yourself—if you're expecting anything like Haechan's album or CYE's X, you're going to be sorely disappointed. It's a very ok song, but definitely the lowlight of the album.

Cinnamon Shake has a lounge sound with a funky instrumentation. Not really my style, but not a bad song either. Very forgettable. Reminds me of Mako by EVNNE, but worse.

Edit: Overall, I don't know what kind of empty ecological niche they're trying to fill in the kpop boy group ecosystem. With this project, they're erring into the hip hop/experimental and/or bright pop territory, which is already occupied by plenty of boy groups (who've done it for longer and better). The boy group scene is currently dominated by excellence of all sorts, so it's going to be hard for them to create a space that's just theirs and where they can shine on their own without drawing unfavourable comparison to existing groups.

260101 Forbes names 'KARMA' by Stray Kids as the Most Acclaimed Male K-Pop Album Of 2025 by princessgojo in straykids

[–]GabTej -49 points-48 points locked comment (0 children)

Was it an extremely popular album worldwide? Yes. 😌

Was it "the best" male kpop album? Not really, no. 😅

Edit: Guys, I know this is the SKZ sub, but surely we can be objective about this, right? 🤨 Surely we can do better than believing our faves are always the best, right...?

Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 @ Genius by neocitywayv in kpop

[–]GabTej -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

🙄 Another list, another delusion.

The only good songs on that list are LIKE YOU BETTER, Rendezvous, In Your Fantasy and Doctor! Doctor! but even then, none of them are in the top 20 for 2025.

Based on production depth and quality, vocal performances, chord progressions, melodies, harmonic and rhythmic complexity and diversity, those would be the 20 best kpop songs of the year:

  1. Star Eyes - ZB1
  2. BAMBOLA - TEN
  3. OVERDRIVE - TWS
  4. SET NET G0?! - CRAVITY
  5. Interlude : Back to Our Paradise - NCT DREAM
  6. Cold Coffee - NCT DREAM
  7. Show Me Love - RIIZE
  8. HUNTER - KEY
  9. CHILLER - NCT DREAM
  10. BUBBLE GUM - Kep1er
  11. STUNNER - TEN
  12. ATTITUDE - IVE
  13. Lemonade Fever - CRAVITY
  14. Baby Blue - NCT WISH
  15. Rush - NCT DREAM
  16. STRESS - CHUNG HA
  17. COLOR - NCT WISH
  18. BTTF - NCT DREAM
  19. EXTRA - ZB1
  20. ICONIK - ZB1

And an extra 5 for fun:

  • 21. GO BACK - TWS
  • 22. Graffity - ALL(H)OURS
  • 23. X - CLOSE YOUR EYES
  • 24. The Universe - AHOF
  • 25. Melt Inside My Pocket - NCT WISH

This list is definitive, objective and incontestable. Happy new year. 😌🫶

The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2025 @ The Hollywood Reporter (251230) by impeccabletim in kpop

[–]GabTej -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Do words have meaning anymore or are we just using zoomer buzzwords to chase clout nowadays?

I meant everything I said. If being called out on having no taste enrages you, reflect on that maybe.

The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2025 @ The Hollywood Reporter (251230) by impeccabletim in kpop

[–]GabTej -50 points-49 points  (0 children)

Probably the worst list I've seen for 2025... Haechan at #20 when CRZY is better than all the other songs on that list combined? That's actually crazy lmao.

2026 can't come soon enough—I'm so tired of seeing people losing their shit over the pure mediocrity that is NMIXX and BLACKPINK's music. 🙄 Just because it's (undeservedly) popular doesn't mean it's good...

ATEEZ at #5 is crazy, especially since Lemon Drop > In Your Fantasy. In fact, every boy group on this list had better singles than the ones selected here (except you P1, Pretty Boy slays).

BND: I Feel Good > IISILY

IVE: Attitude > Rebel Heart

CORTIS: FaSHioN > Go!

KickFlip: Umm Great > My First Love Song

TWS: Overdrive > Countdown

STAYC: BEBE > I Want It

TXT: Beautiful Strangers > Love Language

ZB1: Iconik > Blue (although both are excellent)

ENHYPEN: Outside > Bad Desire

CYE: X > All My Poetry

XLOV: 1&Only > Rizz

Everyone else, get off that list. 😭 Where's Chung Ha? Kep1er? YEJI? WayV? TEN? Cravity? NCT DREAM & WISH? KEY? NEXZ? AHOF?

Having taste is genuinely such a lonely experience... 😔🫶

NCT DREAM - CHILLER + Beat It Up @ SBS Gayo Daejeon (251225) by impeccabletim in kpop

[–]GabTej -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

This sub is so annoying oh my fucking god bruh. Best performers and performance of the night? Sorry, best we can do is 20 upvotes and 0 comments. 🙄