paintedmaypole/k8

Gotta say. Second half of Love Like the Galaxy isn’t as strong as the first half. I wish it was more focused on their relationship and the core mystery plot, and less focused on people excessively bullying our heroine and then getting punished.

At some point, he is going to smile. I think his jaw will crack when he does!

Yessssssss! Her mom is amazing. I love how complicated she is.

Omg, this is crack. She just broke the engagement with Lou Yao and I cried actual tears.

I’m trying to find animated gifs that appropriately capture our hero’s default facial expression & the internet is failing me. Please imagine his default face as slightly surly/sour lemon, but definitely communicating that he is Handsome, Manly, and filled with tightly locked down emotions.

Started Love Like the Galaxy & I Am Obsessed. OMG, this is dripping with romance tropes and I’m loving all of it. My stoic brooding silently pining hero! My plucky, continually wronged heroine who just wants someone to respect and understand her! He looks constipated 95% of the time. It’s amazing.

Sigh. This EXO album is so meh and so not EXO. The only song that feels right is Suffocate. SM is killing me with this.

I’m trying to like the Exo single and mostly failing. Kai looks damn good it that MV though!

I’ll put you on the email I’m sending out!

FYI: I'm organizing a virtual Heated Rivalry rewatch for the next several Saturday evenings. If anyone is interested, hit me up and I'll loop you in. :)

YouTube video by The A.V. Club GWAR cover “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan

This is amazing.

YouTube video by SE SO NEON - Topic p and q

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

SE SO NEON, "p and q"

This has such Damon Albarn/Gorillaz vibes. The whole album is amazing, but this track is probably my favorite. (7/10)

YouTube video by Yaeji Yaeji - booboo2 (feat. Aliyah's Interlude, underscores)

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

Yaeji - booboo2 (feat. Aliyah & underscores)

This is a hyperpop explosion. The original booboo was fun, but this version is even better. (6/10)

YouTube video by KARDI 카디 KARDI(카디) - Not But Disco (Music Video)

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

KARDI(카디) - Not But Disco

This is excellent if you need something loud to rock out to and wake you up in the morning. (5/10)

YouTube video by Jackson Wang - Topic Access

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

Jackson Wang, “Access”

This song creeps up on you. It starts low and quiet, stays that way, but also keeps getting more and more intense. (4/10)

YouTube video by NoSoVEVO NoSo - Don't Hurt Me, I'm Trying (Live)

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

NoSo, “Don’t Hurt Me I’m Trying”

The guitar opening in this is the best part. (Also, look! A live performance video!) (3/10)

It's SO GOOD.

YouTube video by KUN 蔡徐坤 KUN - Jasmine (Official Video)

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

KUN, "Jasmine"

This song is just perfection. If you like Beck's Debra you have got to listen to this. (2/10)

Next I'm doing a list of random things that aren't technically k-pop, but are slightly k-pop adjacent. That list is here:

YouTube video by Balming Tiger Balming Tiger (feat. ATARASHII GAKKO!) - '나란히 나란히 Narani Narani' (Official Video)

10 Random faves from 2025 which are not, technically, k-pop but Spotify rec'd to me because they were semi k-pop adjacent.(In no particular order.)

Balming Tiger (feat. ATARASHII GAKKO!, "Narani Narani

This is so perfectly weird and discordant. (1/10)

YouTube video by OfficialGDRAGON G-DRAGON - POWER (Official Video)

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

G-DRAGON, "POWER"

This entire album could go on this list. But if I have to pick song, it's this one. (11/11)

YouTube video by SMTOWN KAI 카이 'Walls Don't Talk' MV

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

Kai, "Walls Don't Talk" ...(but also Ridin')

I have changed my mind about this one 20+ times. Ridin' is more interesting to listen to, but Walls Don't Talk is just such a groove. (10/11)

YouTube video by 온유 ONEW 온유 ONEW '만세' M/V

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

ONEW, '만세'/"Yay"

How is his voice so pretty? I just cannot. This one has the perfect mix of pretty singing bits and bouncy danceable bits. (9/11)

It’s just so chill and so so good.

YouTube video by LE SSERAFIM Ash

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

LE SSERAFIM, "Ash"

OMG this song. I'm obsessed. I feel like the faves list this year has a fairly consistent sound to it. Lots of breathy singing and glitchy noises. (8/11)

YouTube video by [에일리 OFFICIAL] aileemusic [MV] 에일리(Ailee) - Illusion

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

Ailee, “Illusion”

Do younger kpop fans know Ailee and how amazing she is? I hope they do. I love this quieter approach from her. There’s no belting or brass in this one. (7/11)

Yeah, when I saw the trailer, I wasn’t feeling optimistic. But, Robin Hood!! I want it to not suck!

Crawling through snow????!!! Dear lord. I’m so glad you were able to get there and make him do something!! That’s so wild. It sounds exhausting!!

YouTube video by SMTOWN TEN 텐 'STUNNER' MV

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

Ten, “Stunner”

I almost put a track from Ten’s Japanese album on this list. Stunner is such ear worm though. Try cooking while listening to it, kitchen dance parties are the best. (6/11)

YouTube video by Official ARTMS ARTMS 'Icarus' (Club Ver.) Official MV

k-pop faves from 2025! (In no particular order & w/one extra because I didn't feel like cutting anything.)

ARTMS, “Icarus”

These ladies have the just the right mix of pretty and weird/creepy. For a mind trip, you need to watch the full 14 min “cinematic” MV, but it’s a lot.
(5/11)