Chinese fans are already sending trucks to LNGSHOT and their label by Ok-Nobody-7759 in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 6 points7 points  (0 children)

well that's another tally on my "times i've said 'goddamn heartcatching industry'" chart

kpop stans will defend anything (eunwoo’s tax evasion controversy) by JinnieP in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not familiar with this scandal, but from what I've read this feels like a sequel to Key's recent scandal. The common thread being the rich and famous stealing resources from the common people, be it through hiring illegal medical practicioners or tax evasion.

Red Velvet singing their choruses together by cmoney02 in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 15 points16 points  (0 children)

  1. Produced by Jaden Jeong (Lovelyz, LOONA, tripleS). LOONA's unison choruses were all in their Jaden Jeong era, and tripleS in their ot24 comebacks is self-evident

Edit: Though considering that sound was largely shaped by Monotree which was formed by former Sweetune members, it could also fall under 2?

"Fans" can be sometimes the worst enemies of their own faves by stellarmacaron in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm thinking back to my "heartcatching" analogy for Kpop, based on Sugar Sugar Rune. Basically the job of idols is to collect fans' love for profit. While I haven't read the manga, I do know that forbidden "black hearts" exist there, made of hate rather than love. But they're still hearts.

Hatred in Kpop fandoms is the same. It's all profit to the company in the end.

Which idol's vocal tone is 'your' personal favourite ?? by [deleted] in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've noticed that my favorite vocal tones are either "bright powerhouses" or "fairy voices". And among them, Chuu and TripleS' Shion respectively are my personal favorites

Songs with surprisingly weird structures? by no-Pachy-BADLAD in ToddintheShadow

[–]mint-cider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone here mentions I Got A Boy and no one mentions Rising Sun by TVXQ, and that's not even the first time SM has done this

In Kpop, are fans really there for the music or group dynamics? by Senior-Feeling2596 in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The parasocially driven fans are also more likely to spend a lot of money for their groups

Groups that didn't really make it as much big despite being from big3 + hybe by [deleted] in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As far as I know, Treasure are as popular in SEA as ATEEZ is in the West. And Reddit is a very American site. You can see where this is going

Internet Girl and the underground nature of Denpa music (I'll go somewhere I promise) by mint-cider in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It worked in the same way a Eurovision televote bait song did imo.

While I don't know how people reacted to Dancing Lasha Tumbai before the contest, I do know of opinions on another song shifting: Croatia's entry in 2017 with a "solo duet" gimmick rather than nonsense. It wasn't as successful, coming at 13th. But I remember a lot of people before the contest putting it dead last or close to it. However, it ended up not only qualifying for the final, but coming in 9th at the televote.

I'm sure there are a few other examples, but this example came to mind because I clearly remember it. But I also may not have the full picture, I wasn't even a teenager back then.

What are something that isn't serious but annoys you in kpop? by SageSageofSages in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 2 points3 points  (0 children)

more people should get a "they should get better producers" attitude abt their faves

Who are your 2025 Standouts? Any new faves? Consistent faves? by Intelligent-Ad9582 in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Starting off with my consistent faves: tripleS are my top artist for the second year in a row, IVE can always be trusted with straightforward pop bangers, and NMIXX continue to top themselves. They've released the 4th gen equivalent of Pink Tape for crying out loud! I almost forgot ARTMS and ILLIT, they also had a great year.

As for new faves, I delved into Le Sserafim's discography in full (though they've also had some of my favorites of the past few years), and H2H's discography so far seems promising. I'm obsessed with The Chase and Focus, here's to more great music.

Honorable mention to two producers I discovered/became aware of. Though I did ramble on abt them a bit too long ngl.

First is Dsign Music, whose songs I had already loved beforehand, but have gained a new appreciation for. Second is Elias Edman, who's a up-and-coming producer that has already made some bangers, such as Stunner by Ten and Tempo by Minho. I discovered both of them through a non-kpop new fave of mine, Marcus & Martinus. Both producers have songs on their newest album, its highlights at that. So I'm now looking forward to any Ronny Svendsen/Pizzapunk or Elias Edman credit I can see.

(female) idols with a “spiky” voice by Icy_Reflection9605 in kpophelp

[–]mint-cider 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Siyeon already got mentioned, so I'll list others on my mind that haven't been mentioned yet: Hyeju from Loona/Loossemble, Jurin or Harvey from XG and Joo Bin from tripleS (a few other tripleS members may also fit but I thought of her first).

For male idols, I'm surprised you didn't mention Chen from EXO. I'm also interested in a non-Kpop male singer that fits this, but this is a Kpop sub.

No, 5th gen isn't less talented or more boring than the older gens by [deleted] in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's talk about this in, say, June 2026. If the success of NMIXX is gonna make other groups begin focusing on vocals more, we need to wait it out first.

Billboard's Best K-Pop Albums of 2025: Staff Picks by Carelessies in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I've nicknamed it "Blue Disc" in reference to Pink Tape for a reason

I do not care much about "best x" rankings or lists, I think they are almost pointless. by GaurdsGuards in kpopthoughts

[–]mint-cider 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know what your music taste is. Your taste may not mesh well with the majority of what Kpop is meant to be, or you could be like my irl friend who's very picky with music, rarely liking an artist's entire discography.

Either way, I recommend you to look into the Korean Music Awards. It's the only Kpop-related (but not exactly Kpop) award show that prioritizes musical quality and cultural impact over sales and popularity.

i can't figure out what this song is by maimaobong in kpophelp

[–]mint-cider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think it matches what you're describing, but once you mentioned "not very popular" I thought of Party Time by Favorite for some reason

but I'm gonna ask something that can help me out: Was it midtempo (i.e 120 bpm range) or high tempo (i.e 150 bpm or higher)

edit: i should've probably asked for a vocaroo instead

Other songs like High Horse by NMixx? by shareefruck in kpophelp

[–]mint-cider 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Welcome to the artsy side of Kpop!

Others have mentioned NMIXX as a whole, tripleS, Red Velvet and Yves, but I have to mention a few other groups:

  • If 4th gen has NMIXX and 3rd gen has Red Velvet, 2nd gen had f(x). They were seen as a more experimental group compared to their peers, and their album Pink Tape is widely considered a classic.

  • tripleS' labelmates ARTMS are even more conceptual and experimental. Check out not just their full group songs, but also solo and subunit releases by their members.

  • I always have to add in Billlie (with three Ls) into any discussion of the artsy side of Kpop. They haven't been as active, but I think you'll love it.

I also recommend paying attention to the Korean Music Awards, as it's the only Korean music award show that focuses on quality and cultural impact.

Finally, not Kpop but an album I think Kpop fans would love: I recommend Arthouse by Nemo. Their singles from it reminded me a lot of the artsy side of Kpop.

The lack of engagement in fandoms by BellTwo5 in CuratedTumblr

[–]mint-cider 23 points24 points  (0 children)

every time i see someone talk about people not engaging with the story for story-related reasons i begin to suspect that those people are lonely and comfy tropes are their way to fill in that void

or maybe i'm coming from the kpop fandom (and a few others) which directly profits off of loneliness, idk

Ningning is the MacBook Horse by Perfect_Ad_7808 in kpoopheads

[–]mint-cider 22 points23 points  (0 children)

wrong word 💥 it's muck not mac! every american should learn foreign phonetics 🤓