Critical Kpop Podcast

Well, friends, it's been a beautiful run for us here at Critical Kpop, but all good things must come to an end! Episode 28 marks our final episode of the Critical Kpop Podcast. Join Sarah, Tim, and Zander one last time as they look back at some of their favorite moments. Thank you all for joining us along the way!

If you think that every Kpop music video is an idol dancing inside a box, there's a whole range of experiences you've missed. On today's episode, Sarah, Tim, and Zander explore just a few of the idols who experiment with representation. From Winner to JYP himself, from Gain to Lim Kim, these idols definitely go "outside the box."

Less is more? Pshhh, Taemin is more! Listen as Sarah, Tim, and Zander geek out over new music and MV's from Taemin. The crew even advances a few crazy theories about the meaning behind "Press Your Number." But it's not just Taemin this week -- B.A.P's back too, and our feelings are mixed. How do we reconcile their past with their present? Speaking of which, this week also witnessed the first official comeback of Ladies' Code since the tragic loss of EunB and RiSe. All this and more on today's episode of the Critical Kpop Podcast!

Join Sarah, Tim, and Zander as they stress over new and old fan club names and the seeming thoughtlessness of entertainment companies. The crew reviews some impressive releases from the likes of AOA Cream, Mamamoo, and G.Soul, but this week is all about the old guard with Double S 301, Kim Jae Joong, and even Rainbow coming back with new music. Do you remember a time before we had such great music? Of course not, it was BK: Before Kpop! Listen here, friend!

It's almost Valentine's Day, and that can only mean one thing here at Critical Kpop: REVENGE! Using popular MVs from the likes of After School, EXID, Dal Shabet, Brown Eyed Girls, and more, Tim and Zander ask what it means to revenge against your lover, when revenge is warranted, and what a "good" revenge should look like. You won't want to miss this in-depth exploration of the most beautiful of all human emotions! So sit back, relax, and tell your loved one to give you some space for the next hour, goodness!

What is the best Kpop release of 2016 so far? Will Tim and Zander be taken with the dubstep drop of 4Minute's "Hate" and their album, Act.7, or will they be wooed by the smooth rock of the first part of Winner's four-act album, EXIT? Or is there another artist that deserves that honorific? Perhaps Taeyeon, or even G-Friend? All this and more on today's episode of the Critical Kpop Podcast.

There are certain Kpop albums that are so good, so beautiful, that every fan should know them by heart. For whatever reason, though, too many of these albums are nearly forgotten. Deep cuts, a new series on the Critical Kpop Podcast, will seek to restore those albums to their appropriate place in the pantheon of Kpop. T-ara's first studio album, Absolute, will be the first. Join Tim and Zander as they take a tour through the 14 classic songs on Absolute, with a slight detour into SM Entertainment's recent news.

In 2015, rookie girl group, Twice, enjoyed a successful debut that garnered them millions of fans. Three weeks into 2016, however, it would be difficult to imagine even a casual fan of Kpop for whom Chou Tzuyu, sixteen-year-old member of Twice, was not a household name. Through a baffling series of events, Tzuyu would become a beacon of independence for millions, a symbol of hatred and betrayal for millions more, and a misunderstood focal point for much of the rest of the world. Without trying, this sixteen-year-old girl would affect the outcome of the Taiwanese presidential election, and in the process, change the business of Kpop forever. On today's episode, Tim and Zander tell the story of Chou Tzuyu in their most serious podcast yet.

On today's episode of the Critical Kpop Podcast we say goodbye to one of Kpop's most iconic groups. Join Tim and Zander as they chart the rise and fall (and fall) of Kara with a close analysis of twelve of their hit singles! Yes, twelve! Listen to find out when Kara finally "Jumped the Damaged Lady," as Tim so eloquently put it. Or, in the inimitable words of Stevie Smith, how long have Kara been "not waving but drowning"?

Welcome to 2016! Join Sarah, Tim, and Zander as they gear up for a new year full of great music! Today we tie up a few loose ends from 2015 (did Jun. K, iKon, Gary, and Turbo do enough to save December?), review the first big release of 2016 (how did Dal Shabet fare?), and talk recommendations and resolutions. Listen here and let us know what your resolutions are for the new year!

This episode is all about the one and only miss A! Join Tim and Zander as they chart the rise of one of their favorite groups by taking a close look at every single they ever released! Yes. Prepare yourselves to be slayed.

Everyone has that one thing that drives them crazy about Kpop. Well, actually Tim and Zander have several! In this very merry holiday edition, Tim and Zander do nothing but complain! About what? You'll just have to listen to find out, won't you?

2015 is (almost) over - what will the new year bring? On today's episode, we share our predictions and revisit some highlights from the last 365 days. Which of the big three agencies had the best year? What songs will Sarah, Tim, and Zander choose to represent 2015? Take a listen, friend!

What's more important than the MAMA Awards? The MAMA (Mo) Awards, dummy! Join Tim and Zander as they break down each category, compare winners and losers to past trends, and get into a heated debate! Zander uses the word "egregious." Tim calls Zander a heartless robot. Only the MAMA (Mo) Awards could be so controversial! Tune in!

Get it? Like December blues? But this month, we're proud to say, will be sponsored by Luhan! If that makes no sense to you, you'll just have to tune in to this episode to find out. Also discussed is new music from CL, PSY, BTS, Verbal Jint, and Nine Muses. Join Tim, Sarah, and Zander as they try to fight through the obligatory holiday releases to find a few hidden gems.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, join Tim and Zander as they discuss the role of Kpop in their lives. How do they deal with questions from family and friends? What will they tell their future kids about Kpop? And which one will drink too much, get temporarily depressed, and finish the episode with a pep talk for all Kpop fans? You'll just have to listen to find out!

November is turning out to be chock-full of great Kpop releases! Join Tim and Zander for a mid-November recap, featuring B.A.P, Jay Park, and iKon on the guys' side, and girl groups EXID, D.Holic, and Purfles. Elite groups, returns to form, and even a Kpop gambling website mooted on this week's episode! Check it out!

Sarah's back! After a long hiatus, the trio returns! Join Sarah, Tim, and Zander as they talk about the new releases from f(x), Brown Eyed Girls, and Zico, and revisit BIG BANG and the magic of their live performance.

Which boy group will be the debut artist of 2015? Both Seventeen and Monsta X have released two brilliant mini albums, making strong cases for themselves. Join Tim and Zander as they break down these two debuts in another guys' night in episode of the Critical Kpop Podcast. Oh, and iKON makes an appearance too!

Happy Halloween! This week gets spooky on the Critical Kpop Podcast as Tim and Zander discuss their favorite Kpop horror music videos: Vixx, SHINee, Wings, and more! The guys also break out of the box to discuss the theory of horror, the uncanny, and the weird! Tune in!