April 2022 Episode Guide
On 17 Carat K-Pop
Love Theory of relativiTY: This episode starts off covering all things “Love Theory”! I break down the hidden references in the lyrics to TAEYONG and Wonstein’s new single, admit what the music video strangely reminds me of, and reveal some details about the making of the song! Then, I cover a variety of the latest K-pop headlines, including the clamor for Stray Kids concert tickets, the South Korean government’s plan to change the country’s aging system, HOT ISSUE’s disbandment, and more.
Darl+ing (Seventeen Talk, Vol. 8): I decode the “Darl+ing” lyrics, point out some hidden details in the “NEW RINGS CEREMONY” comeback trailer, react to POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE, and more!
Authentic: The Story Behind the Story of Tablo: In this conversation with Stephanie Kariuki, supervising producer at VICE, we discuss the making of the podcast Authentic: The Story of Tablo, the broader messages Tablo’s story sends, and the point of reporting on what “just happens online” in the first place.
RM’s Recs, Ep. 5: Both BTS’s music and member RM’s book recommendations tell stories of courage, compassion, and community. In this episode, I draw parallels between the ways in which those themes are addressed in BTS’s work (especially throughout the Map of the Soul Era) and in three books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, and The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm.
“Fade to BLACKPINK” Bonus Episode: I shout out many honorable mentions for the most significant movie references in K-pop songs and music videos!
Jamais Vu When She’s with You: I recap 7Fates: CHAKHO Episodes 11 and 12, season two of Queendom so far, BTS’s Vegas takeover and Grammys performance, and more of the latest K-pop headlines!
G-DRAGON’s World: This deep dive into the pop culture references, social commentary, fashion statements, and other variables that make up G-DRAGON’s songs and music videos illustrates how his artistry has evolved and led him to become the world-renowned star he is today. In addition to better understanding his musical persona, G-DRAGON, this episode shines a light on Kwon Ji Yong, the man behind the character, and the increasingly frequent presence of Kwon Ji Yong sans alter ego in his work.
Feel My Rhythm and Glitch Mode Theories: On this episode of “NCT Talk,” I share the best lyrics in NCT DREAM’s new album, draw attention to hidden meanings in Red Velvet’s Feel My Rhythm and NCT DREAM’s Glitch Mode comeback content, and theorize about the ways in which these groups’ roles in the SMCU are related!
Best New K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop: March 2022: A ranking and review of the 20 best new releases from March.
On How to Stan
Kelly Weill on All Things Conspiracy Theories: A conversation with Kelly Weill, a reporter for The Daily Beast, co-host of the Fever Dreams podcast, and author of the book OFF THE EDGE: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything. We discuss the history of the Flat Earth Movement, the overlap among conspiracy theory groups online, the implications of de-platforming misinformation-spreaders, ways to bring conspiracy theorists out of an alternate reality, and much more.
My Writing
The Triumph of (G)I-DLE’s I NEVER DIE
SEVENTEEN’s POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE Review
BLITZERS Talk Touring, Their First Anniversary, and More
THE SOLUTIONS’ Past and Present
Kim Feel on His Music, Goals, and Inspiration
kursor Explains His Stage Name, Singles, and Storytelling Approach
MC Sniper Talks “Love Burnout,” His Proudest Career Moment, and More
Anna Sofia Announces Debut EP, Releases New Song and NFT
MCND Announce North and South American Summer Tour
MCND Host Dance Contest and Reveal New Song!
The Best New K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop: March 2022
A Guide to Movie References in K-Pop Content (Paywalled)
The aespa Music Video Universe (Paywalled)
CIX’s Music Video Universe (Paywalled)
The Dreamcatcher Music Video Universe (Paywalled)
The EXO Music Video Universe (Paywalled)
Sources and Further Reading
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Please Look After Mom and an interview with its author
Information about people and terms referenced in NCT DREAM’s Glitch Mode album and teaser content: Harald Szeemann, “Precarisation,” and the artist Jackson Pollock
Some of the artists G-DRAGON has featured in an art exhibit and/or referenced in his own work: Christopher Wool, Michael Scoggins, Sophie Clements, and James Clar
More on Christopher Wool
Some interviews with G-DRAGON
An oral history of making G-DRAGON’s COUP D’ETAT
Some Asian countries’ views of blood types as similar to zodiac signs regarding personalities
A brief overview of the Theory of Relativity
A summary of South Korea’s aging system and plans to change it