May 2022 Episode Guide
On 17 Carat K-Pop
Hamingu Interview: A quick Q&A with Hamingu about his new single with Luvabstract, "SELECT," as well as the B-side, "Hint of Yellow"! Luvabstract’s interview, released June 1, is out here!
Don QuixoTaeyong: All of the K-pop 2022 USA summer tours announced so far, Johnny's Met Gala appearance, BLACKPINK's Rolling Stone interview series and cover shoot, the best and worst of this year's BBMAs, and more K-pop news updates and reactions!
SEVENTEEN is Back! (17 Talk, Vol. 10): This episode describes seventeen things worth appreciating about SEVENTEEN's comeback! From hidden details in the "HOT" music video to the meaning of "DON QUIXOTE," this is a guide to all things Face the Sun!
Face the Sun Theories (17 Talk, Vol. 9): A close reading of all the Face the Sun Era teaser content, from Easter eggs in the teaser videos to the messages each SEVENTEEN member posted to their Instagram Stories on their solo teaser release days!
GROOVL1N USA Tour Recap: My experience at the Chicago tour stop of the GROOVL1N USA 2022 Tour!
“STAY Tuned” Ep. 13: In this roundup of entertainment/music industry headlines: the fan who married Miku says the relationship has fallen apart, the first entirely-AI K-pop group debuts, a feud between producers and a special effects company, a new list reveals the most popular songs for the first dance at weddings, and more!
minisode 2: Thursday’s Child Theories: In addition to my reaction to and review of minisode 2: Thursday's Child, I share my theories about the hidden messages in the "Good Boy Gone Bad" music video, in the album's song lyrics, and even in this TXT comeback's promotional pictures!
TXT Story Recap: This is the first part of a two-part TXT special! I review TXT’s music video storyline so far and offer new theories about their story, with particular emphasis on their 2021 releases.
JULE: The 17 Carat K-Pop Interview: JULE talks about his unique habit in the recording studio, his proudest work, reactions to his music, and much more!
Best New K-Pop & J-Pop: April 2022: A ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases from last month!
On How to Stan
Elon Musk (Part 1 and Part 2): This two-part episode seeks to make sense of who Elon Musk is, who the "Musketeers" are, and why Musk has consistently been present in the public conversation, both online and in the "real world." After a quick overview of Musk's past and current business endeavors, a comprehensive timeline lays out Musk's social media history, personal and professional lives, career highlights and lowlights, and other moments that are key to understanding why, like it or not, Musk's popularity and level of influence come as no surprise.
My Writing
MONSTA X’s No Limit Tour: Chicago Day 2 Review
SEVENTEEN’s Face the Sun: Album Review
What SEVENTEEN’s Music is Saying
Dissecting SEVENTEEN’s Song and Album Titles
GROOVL1N USA Tour: Chicago Review
PINK FANTASY’s Signature Style
TE.O on His New Music and Work Ethic
YELO Talks Fashion, Music, and Vlogging
Localhigh Records’ Hip-Hop Artist Hamingu Teams Up with American Rapper Luvabstract on “SELECT”
The TXT Music Video Universe (Part 2) (Paywalled)
The TXT Music Video Universe (Part 1) (Paywalled)
Something Wicked This Way Comes, ENHYPEN, and TXT (Paywalled)
The ENHYPEN Music Video Universe (Part 1) (Paywalled)
Sources and Further Reading
Momo by Michael Ende
A really interesting conversation about a really interesting, iconic author
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and some additional context
Research on the popularity of virtual stars in China
China’s most popular virtual stars
Chosen by Suyash Dasgupta and the reasons for its “multisensory reading” approach
Virtual K-pop stars like Rozy and their implications
The first orchestra specifically for those with mental illness
The most popular songs for the first dance at weddings
The grocery rap that became a Shanghai hit
Information about Minnie Mouse’s album release!
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance
Reporting on Elon Musk’s popularity in Russia
Reporting on Musk’s popularity among young entrepreneurs
“Elon Musk pits an army of Tesla fans against Wall Street”
More conversations with Elon Musk’s biggest fans
Information about Musk’s “simulated reality” theory
Musk’s clashes with AI researchers
“Exploring the otherworldly ambitions of Elon Musk”
“Elon Musk’s growing empire is fueled by $4.9 billion in government subsidies”
A look at how eco-friendly it really is to drive an electric car
A conversation with Elon Musk’s dad
“‘I Was a Starter Wife’: Inside America's Messiest Divorce”