Dispatches by Adrian Conoza

Picture from: K-PLAZA.com Momoland's original line-up returns with fifth mini-album It seems that Kpop is having its own "March Madness" as the industry's artists are amusing fans anew with fresh material. The month witnessed the debut of Big Hit Entertainment's newest boy group, TXT. IZ*ONE, meanwhile, had their rendition of "Rise" by EDM producer Jonas Blue released last March 7. Last March 14 four-piece Mamamoo returned with "gogobebe", while Red Velvet's youngest member, Yeri, launched her first solo "Dear Diary". Other groups like KARD and Blackpink have announced their comebacks set later within this month. And as we reach the latter half of the month, MLD Entertainment's girl group Momoland joins these artists in going back to the spotlight. Returning sans Daisy, Taeha After gaining much attention from their singles "Bboom Bboom" and "Baam", Momoland excites Merries (the fanbase) w...

Twice just gave us Yes or Yes . IZ*ONE debuted recently. Momoland and Blackpink are going to Manila next year. But I'm just posting today my thoughts on recent comebacks, particularly last summer. While I missed reviewing Twice's Summer Nights , I was able to write my thoughts on two notable comebacks of the past season—those of five-piece female group Red Velvet and four-member co-ed KARD. Sourced from YouTube KARD amplified summer vibes Last July, the four-piece co-ed group KARD joined other groups for a bunch of summer comebacks. Yet, KARD was back with a very unique package that consists the 6-track Ride On The Wind after last year's You&Me  accelerated KARD's sound and image to a deeper level. Ride brings KARD back to its firsthand sound, while building up a hip-hop/dance visage with identifiable tropical vibes. The mini-album's title track marked the group's comeback, jiving in with the summer feel which was tapped by other groups lik...

As I have just shared in my recent blog posts here, I am an avid listener of Korean pop music. I'm even a fan of at least 3 groups. But that does not mean that Kpop is the only music I have my ears on. Before Korea's music came to my ears, it was even the sounds from another neighbor which I discovered and listened to. I have been finding a breather from the Kpop music that's been on loop in my playlist. And so I want to share with you music from Japan I have listened to these past years and weeks. Japanese music shows much talent as progressive as their building of appliances, electronics, and other good products.

Source: Official Kmusic The Philippines might have another LSS and dance covers to make, and another undivided attention to Nancy as Momoland returns with their latest mini-album Fun to the World , with the carrier single "Baam".

You might have noticed Nancy first on their MV for Bboom, being at the center. But do you also see (L-R): Yeonwoo, Taeha, Jane, Daisy, JooE, Ahin, Hyebin, and Nayun? Source: Soompi.com This is the second of a two-part blog. Click here for the first part . More than Nancy Their other music is not only the thing worth looking into, but also the other members of Momoland. I'm writing this not because my biases are Yeonwoo and Nayun (and Jane too). Not also because I don't find Nancy beautiful or talented (because she's both). But because Momoland, like any other group, is a collaborative effort. Unlike other groups though, names might be hard to recall for groups with more than five members, unless you're a Once (Twice fan) or an Army (BTS fan). But in my case, the names shown in Bboom's MV has been a good help. It took less effort to recall. Might as well further argue that Bboom's have been a good intro to the group (although their first album should...

The nine members of Momoland (L-R): Hyebin, Taeha, Yeonwoo, Nancy, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, Daisy, and Jane Souce: Soompi.com You must have encountered their most known hit these past months and weeks, most likely because of its catchy chorus and dance which has been copied by many—including men. Or you must have been captivated by a pretty face of one of it's members.  I'm referring to Momoland, the nine-member female group launched in 2017, which now has been getting more recognition and fame for their single "Bboom Bboom" . But the album from which it came from was their third one. And they came back this June with their fourth, joining Blackpink, Red Velvet, and Twice in releasing new content. Their catchy song, where cool EDM, synth brass, and attraction-based lyrics intersperse, has been a good introduction for many to this fresh Kpop act. And Nancy, as the most recognizable member in the music video and live performance of the song who is likened to ou...

Source: Blackpink's YouTube page, also on Fobres After a very very long wait, the remarkable YG female group of four Blackpink returned with the launch of their album Square Up and of their music video for their carrier single "Ddu-Du-Ddu-Du". The group has matured, yet their comeback was something worth the wait. When before they were Playing with Fire, now they returned "tigeowo [hot] like Fire."

I remember last year our block had a retreat together with another block for three days in Calaruega in Batangas, a retreat place very much known to Thomasians. On our second night, we had this talents night. Urged by some of my classmates, two of them, known to be officers of the Korean cultural organization in UST, performed a routine. They danced to the song, "Oh Nana" by K.A.R.D. I got into the song that I later asked another classmate for the title and artist. I searched for the song back at home the following day. The song got me for a long time, and I had the remaining months of my first semester playing it on a regular basis. I stated it in the title. Now I write it again here: I'm into Kpop, and here's my story of how I got to be one.

Disco is revived in this pop and R&B single by Justin Timberlake, who is very well-known to most of us. As a music reviewer noted, this another "moving" song has some similarity with a Michael Jackson record. "Take Back...", then, is another piece of deriving formerly-used elements and stringing them together with modern ones into good music. Here I remember dancing, since it's disco—revived/modern disco. And so I remember gatherings like a turn-over ceremony, a.k.a. prom, where I dream of mixing the songs throughout the night. This just tells me there is still a very very wide room for retro music in me. Good thing "retro" is revived in music like this.

We're finally halfway through the 101 Songs of My Third Year. So many songs that it took a list as long as this. I hope you'll find something new here to listen and like. What to expect? Linkin Park. Muse. Indie bands like Two Door Cinema Club and Foster The People. Then local rappers like Loonie and Gloc 9. But also, with these songs come the words they convey that a teenager like me can relate to. Just check it out! 50. "A ll I want to do i s be more like me and be less like you" Numb|Linkin Park Actually, I have heard of Linkin Park since elementary years. My siblings are fans of the band, and I'm becoming one too.  Numb. So true. I can relate to the lyrics directly since I have become tired of the expectations of and the pressures by some people around me. Because I'm who I am, and I want to become more of that. I felt like I'm screaming this song out. Like I'm shouting it to all the burdens I had.  49. " You hid there last time, you know we...