The Complete 17 Carat K-Pop Episode Guide (Part 2)
Part of my categorized list of the best of my 300-and-counting episodes of the podcast!
Episodes of “STAY Tuned,” Which Cover Stories About the Music Industry More Broadly
Ep. 17: Hope covers a WIDE range of news stories related to the music industry, starting with recent (separate) lawsuits involving Genius and the team behind Internet Archive. Around the 17-minute mark is a brief guide to the past, present, and future of music streaming. Spotify’s heated departure from Uruguay is discussed starting around the 23-minute mark, followed by an explainer about recent Harry Styles demo “leaks” and the scramble to buy them. Lastly, around the 33-minute mark is a lightning round of other music-related news, with stories about everything from Grimes to gum!
Ep. 16: A flash mob at a funeral, a connection between metal singers and bats, a bad-on-purpose orchestra, a first-of-its-kind, immersive music venue that K-pop artists ought to perform in, and more random music-related stories!
Ep. 15: In this roundup of music news: what led up to the Taylor Swift ticket fiasco, the strange circumstances that allowed Ticketmaster to become such a superior force in the concert industry in the first place, a study about dancing rats, agencies changing their tune on TikTok, and more.
Ep. 14: An overview of the latest music-related news and studies: an underwater festival, a sports team's bizarre attempt to break a losing streak, a link discovered between music tastes and personality types, research on festival attendance changing the odds of helping a stranger, and much more!
Ep. 13: 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!
Ep. 12: Hope's take on the Joe Rogan situation, a new study confirming the most dangerous songs to listen to while driving, scrutiny over the When We Were Young Fest, and more of the latest headlines from the world of audio entertainment!
Ep. 11: Why does it seem like so many artists nowadays are getting sued for copyright infringement? Why are more artists than ever adding writers to song credits after a song’s release? Is there a legal distinction between sampling and interpolating an artist’s work? The first half of this episode addresses these questions, with context from landmark lawsuits and experiments on the psychology of copying. The second half of this episode covers all sorts of tech and entertainment news, from the revival of a digital metal band to the app that wants to be “The Next Spotify”!
Ep. 10: The first-ever legislation that regulates the use of CGI social media stars, the company making medical equipment that replaces annoying beeping sounds with pleasant ones, a new reality show for Gen Z songwriters, and more.
Ep. 9: Netflix South Korea’s lawsuit, why Minecraft became R-rated in South Korea, revelations about HYBE’s marketing strategies, and more.
Ep. 8: The bizarre story of the man who accidentally ended up competing on a C-pop reality show, the first NFT marketplace in South Korea, and more.
Ep. 7: A look at how the financial statuses of the “Big Three” companies changed recently, Spotify’s reveal of which artists are the most popular to stream while studying, Snapchat’s and Spotify’s Q1 2021 data, and more.
Ep. 6: The case against betting on Clubhouse’s longevity, the backstory of CGI influencer Miquela’s NFT drops, the most interesting quotes from an interview with a man who believes in a concept similar to the existence of parallel universes, and more.
Ep. 5: An assessment of the toll a concert-less year took on music venues, a TikTok film festival, significant investment changes in JYP and YG Entertainment, and more.
Ep. 4: What NFTs are, why musicians turn to cryptocurrency, how some fans are reserving tickets in advance for post-COVID-19 concerts, what “COVID-safe festival” experiments entail, and more.
Ep. 3: A K-pop album analogy to understand what happened with GameStop’s stock, a billionaire’s first public sighting in months, a “virtual art performance center,” and more.
Ep. 2: The Presidential Committee’s first-ever set of ethical standards for artificial intelligence, a 2020 report on the popularity of Webtoons, Netflix’s expansion into South Korea, and more.
Ep. 1: Ticketmaster’s loss in court, what the Save Our Stages Act does, and more.
More Artist-Specific Episodes
DPR IAN
DPR IAN’s Cinematic Universe: Sometimes goofy and sometimes gruesome, but always rich with symbolism and mysterious twists, the DPR IAN Music Video Universe is unlike any other. This episode celebrates this bizarre, mesmerizing, chock-full narrative in its entirety! Hope offers a full guide to the storyline, shares her theories about the plots and symbols, and recalls what led to her own descent down the DPR rabbit hole!
NCT: Check out every NCT episode here!
MONSTA X
The Name’s X. MONSTA X: A quick update on the state of the MONSTA X Music Video Universe!
MONSTA X IS BACK!: From “All In” to “Love Killa,” this episode covers the MONSTA X music video universe’s storylines in chronological order. This recap addresses character arcs, symbolism, and theories about what their story is ultimately trying to say.
JOOHONEY’s Journey: MONSTA X’s JOOHONEY addresses feeling trapped in darkness in MIXTAPE [PSYCHE] and finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel in LIGHTS. Together, these releases tell a moving story about going through tough times and coming out on the other side with a desire to make that struggle lighter for those who are still in it. This episode looks closely at the lyrics from MIXTAPE [PSYCHE] that prove JOOHONEY can empathize with those who feel stuck, hopeless, and alone, the lyrics from LIGHTS that show his healing and newfound insights, and other details about JOOHONEY's work that show how he has evolved into a stronger and wiser person.
LOONA
Celebrating LOONA: Regardless of what LOONA’s future looks like, it is worth celebrating all they have accomplished so far; they have left an irreplaceable mark on the world of K-pop and proved the vast storytelling potential of music. While past episodes of “LOONAverse Talk” covered LOONA’s story through music video recaps, this episode covers their story through song lyrics and album commentary. When looking at LOONA’s commentary on their own work over the years, the life lessons in their work become clear, and the answer to “What’s the big deal about LOONA?” becomes obvious!
Loossemble (LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 9): Through both song lyrics and the “Sensitive” music video, this episode recaps the many ways Loossemble keep the symbolism of the "LOONAverse" relevant, the music video storyline ongoing, and the overall spirit of LOONA alive and well!
LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 7: After going over what happened before and after the decision to remove Chuu from LOONA, Hope shares the latest on a variety of other stories: Hook Entertainment's alleged wage theft, two recent disbandments, an incredible piece of Lisa fan art, the girl group trying out a "silent mosh pit" concept, and more.
LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 6: Hope breaks down seventeen noteworthy details about LOONA's new album, Summer Special [Flip That], from potential hints about the future of the LOONAverse to the ways the new album and music video nod back to LOONA's previous eras!
LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 5: A condensed, updated, and improved guide to the members, sub-units, and stories that make up the LOONAverse!
LOONAverse Talk, Ep. 4: Hope revisits her predictions for the [12:00] comeback and clarifies which aspects of the LOONAverse are confirmed to be more than just fan theories.
New LOONAverse Update!: The hidden messages in the [12:00] comeback teasers and a review of the key symbols and theories to keep in mind as the LOONAverse continues to evolve.
Into the LOONAverse: Hope’s original version of a guide to the LOONAverse.
EXO
EXO 101: An updated and comprehensive guide to the characters, plots, theories, and symbols that make up the EXO Music Video Universe!
Introducing KAI: Hope’s thoughts and theories about Kai’s debut solo EP, music video, and short film, plus an explanation of his character’s place in the SM Entertainment Music Video Universe!
The EXO Music Video Universe: An older version of Hope’s guide to EXO’s Music Video Universe.
Stray Kids
ROCK-STAR Celebration!: Thoughts and theories about everything related to Stray Kids’ new album and corresponding videos: what the clown characters represent, how different parts of the multiverse influence each other, what to make of the “SKZFLIX” and “LALALALA” video endings, how new Stray Kids songs relate to older ones, and so much more!
5-STAR Celebration!: After sharing some thoughts and theories about the “5-STAR” trailer, the “S-Class” music video, and those videos' nods to past eras, Hope gives a track-by-track recap of Stray Kids’ new album: the funniest lyrics, interesting dual meanings, and surprising behind-the-scenes facts!
MAXIDENT Thoughts and Theories: A track-by-track review of MAXIDENT, a list of seventeen hidden details in the album's track videos, and a new, big-picture theory about how the latest additions to the Stray Kids Music Video Universe keep a past storyline going!
ODDINARY and the Evolution of Stray Kids: This episode covers all things ODDINARY, from the best lyrics to the surprising ways the album and its corresponding videos nod back to previous Stray Kids releases!
Here to STAY: Breaking down the meaning of the lyrics, videos, and overall messages in IN LIFE, theorizing about connections between different musical eras, and explaining what makes Stray Kids so special!
I Repeat, STAY Tuned: Breaking down the meanings of Stray Kids’ lyrics and music videos in chronological order, from “Hellevator” to “Levanter”!
TXT
TXT’s Neverland: While the episode called "The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide" breaks down the Easter eggs in TXT's teaser content and sources of literary inspiration for their latest comeback, this episode analyzes the album itself. The most insightful lyrics in each song, the stories told by the album as a whole, hidden symbols in the "Sugar Rush Ride" music video, and much more is covered!
TXT Story Recap: This is the first part of a two-part TXT special! Part one reviews TXT’s music video storyline so far and offers new theories about their story, with particular emphasis on their 2021 releases.
minisode 2: Thursday’s Child Theories: In addition to Hope's reaction to and review of minisode 2: Thursday's Child, she shares her theories about the hidden messages in the "Good Boy Gone Bad" music video, in the album's song lyrics, and even in this comeback's promotional pictures!
The Star Seekers: A Complete Guide (Part 1): Everything to know about chapters 1-17!
The Star Seekers: A Complete Guide (Part 2): Everything to know about chapters 18-30!
The Star Seekers: The Ultimate Guide: A new and improved guide to the Webtoon in its entirety, but with extra attention paid to chapters 31+!
Other
aespa Short Film 3 Recap: A quick recap of aespa’s “Girls (Don’t you know I’m a Savage?)” short film and the terms to remember to understand KWANGYA and the SMCU!
D-DAY Deep Dive: A track-by-track analysis of Agust D’s D-DAY album, interpretations of the “AMYGDALA” and “Haegeum” music videos, and an assessment of the profound social commentary underlying all of SUGA’s work.
ENHYPEN’s ORANGE BLOOD: Album Guide: Hope decodes all of ENHYPEN’s ORANGE BLOOD pre-release material: the concept trailer and other video teasers, the pictures, and even the tracklist! From the context behind some key words to the details from ENHYPEN’s live shows that reappear in the teaser videos, this is an in-depth look at how ENHYPEN’s newest era is picking up where the last one left off - and adding intriguing new plot twists!
Strawberry and Epik High’s Mindset: Upon closer look, the album Strawberry offers much more substance and insight than it first appears to; it is another remarkable addition to Epik High's discography. This episode covers seventeen details worth reflecting on and pausing to appreciate about it, from the album cover's meaning to the most poetic lyrics!
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.
Jolin Tsai’s Galaxy: From revenge-themed horror stories to adorable romances, mandopop icon Jolin Tsai’s music videos are as varied as they come. This variation applies to her sound as well, which ranges from gothic to upbeat, industrial to electronic. Yet there is a core element in Tsai’s work that remains consistent: each release is another testament to the power of storytelling. Beneath the colorful and elaborately detailed fiction stories, there are raw and powerful truths told about body image, equality, and other serious topics. Social commentary is paired with attention-grabbing visuals to make each of Tsai’s musical personas unforgettable. This episode covers a timeline of Jolin Tsai’s career, takes a close look at the meanings of the lyrics in her most profound songs, summarizes the plots of her best music videos, and overall pays tribute to an artist whose work is endlessly entertaining and inspiring.
LE SSERAFIM 101: Come for the guide to LE SSERAFIM and their discography, stay for the storytime! After an overview of LE SSERAFIM's catalog and an explanation for why they are so popular, Hope tells the classic tales that inspired one of the group's songs: Psyche and Bluebeard!
All Things NewJeans: Hope breaks down the ten reasons why K-pop girl group NewJeans has become such a massive success already, predicts how they will inspire new K-pop trends, and shares her theories about the meaning of their music videos!
PURPLE KISS!: Meet multitalented, underrated girl group PURPLE KISS! In addition to a catchy discography, this group astounds with the ways the members weave spellbinding stories that balance cuteness with kookiness, fun with feelings, and humanity with supernatural traits. This episode follows their mystical narrative in its entirety, told through both lyrics and music videos!
P1Harmony’s Story: This guide to P1Harmony goes over the reasons for their popularity, the characters each member plays in their music videos, the messages their music has included since day one, the recurring symbols in their videos, and things to look out for as the "Harmony Era" story continues to unfold!
Give it Up for SHINee!: This episode explores the evolution of SHINee’s image and music videos through a combination of personal, sociological, and philosophical lenses.
The MPire Strikes Baek: After a review of Super One, Hope edits and adds some major updates to her theories about the SUPERM members’ groups’ music video worlds!
Taeyong’s Time to Shine!: In the first half of this episode, Hope reacts to SHALALA, covers each song's meaning, and decodes the "T or Y" videos! Then, she provides a guide to TAEYONG's previous solo releases, from OSTs to SoundCloud tracks!
TY for TY Tracks: The ultimate guide to TAEYONG’s TAP Era: the best lyrics, the thematic parallels to the SHALALA Era, theories about the “TAP” music video, the hidden meanings in the teaser images and videos, and so much more!
Reviews and Reactions
The SMTOWN 2023 New Year’s Eve concert
The SMTOWN 2022 New Year’s Eve concert
MONSTA X’s The Dreaming movie
ENHYPEN’s Chicago concerts: The “MANIFESTO” and the “FATE” tours
“LIMBO” by JUN
“Rose” by Taeyong, “Bicycle” by RM, EXO’s “Don’t Fight the Feeling” music video, and more
Be by BTS
Map of the Soul: 7 by BTS
The SMTOWN New Year’s Eve 2021 Concert
An Earlier KCON:TACT
Clip Shows
Happy Birthday Taeyong!: Past podcast segments about his solo music, plus new commentary on “Swimming Pool” at the end.
Ode to SEVENTEEN: Past podcast segments about what makes SEVENTEEN stand out, what it’s like to interview SEVENTEEN, what Easter eggs they’ve put into past promotional content, and more.
Thank You BTS!: A recap of the deeper meanings behind various BTS songs, a favorite ARMY prank, the dream Map of the Soul Tour setlist, and more of the best BTS segments from previous episodes.
New-to-You Music: Music recommendations, reviews, and music video theories galore!
Music in the Time of COVID: From hot sauce-delivering robots to watching concerts on a frozen lake, this clip show recaps news stories about the ways the entertainment industry had to adjust to this pandemic era.
Back Into the LOONAverse: A condensed recap of the LOONA music video storylines and universes, the dream LOONA tour setlist, and other LOONA content from previous episodes.
The SM Entertainment Universe: Music reviews and music video theories for various SM Entertainment artists, plus an overarching theory about how the stories of these artists are all connected.
More and More JYP Artists!: Past segments on the show about TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, and more.
Prediction-Themed Episodes
2024 Predictions
2023 Predictions
2022 Predictions
2021 Predictions
2020 Predictions
Check out parts 1 and 3 below!
