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Danni Perez

Covering the world of music with album reviews, feature interviews, event coverage, roundups, and more. I’ve got a knack for K-pop but will gladly listen to and write about any genre (or topic).

Genius Korea •

[REVIEW] WONHO Explores The Sensations of Love With First LP ‘SYNDROME’

Over the span of five years, WONHO has worked hard to ensure his name is on the radar of soloists worth keeping an eye on. His heartfelt debut track “Losing You” set the precedent for his discography, resulting in multiple EPs and singles that portrayed the vocalist and dancer unabashedly. Now, upon returning from his military service and even touring across the globe, his highly anticipated first full-length album has finally arrived.

Titled SYNDROME, the predominantly English record is rooted...
Genius Korea •

[FRESH PICK] ONEWE Find Themselves In Their Adventurous EP ‘MAZE : AD ASTRA’

Getting lost in space is no sweat for South Korean rock band ONEWE. The quintet has a knack for all things interstellar, and their latest project, entitled MAZE : AD ASTRA, is a continuation of their musical exploration.

Earlier this year, the band released their second LP WE : Dream Chaser, and the record cemented their cosmic, experimental nature. In classic ONEWE fashion, MAZE : AD ASTRA features lyric and composition credits from the entire band, contributing a confident addition to their s...
Genius Korea •

[FRESH PICK] SEVENTEEN’s CxM Shine On Eclectic Debut EP ‘HYPE VIBES’

For SEVENTEEN members S.COUPS and MINGYU life is all about the good times on their debut EP, HYPE VIBES. The hip-hop unit members paired up to form SEVENTEEN’s latest sub-unit called CxM, and this dynamic duo proved they are full of surprises. With a total of six tracks, which include writing credits from both members, HYPE VIBES captures S.COUPS and MINGYU’s easygoing, lovable charisma over a palatable variety of pop


While the EP opens with the duo’s signature sleek rap flows on the laidback...
Genius Korea •

[FRESH PICK] DAY6 Celebrate 10 Years Together With "The DECADE"

Ten years together is no small feat, and South Korean rock band DAY6 made sure to commemorate their tenth anniversary with what they do best. When Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil, and Dowoon debuted in 2015, they played intimate clubs across South Korea. Today, they have gone on to sell out venues ranging from theaters to stadiums across the globe. Fueled by their ambition and love for music, the band’s tireless efforts have resulted in steady, ever-growing success.

In honor of a decade full of friend...
Genius Korea •

[REVIEW] KEY’s Latest Album ‘HUNTER’ is His Love Letter To Being Human

Leave it to KEY, the eccentric, envelope-pushing prince of K-pop, to make a horror-inspired record a summertime smash. HUNTER is the SHINee member’s third full-length album as a soloist—and it just might be the strongest one yet. KEY has never shied away from his artistic vision, utilizing concept albums and unique theming as metaphors for life’s lessons, but this LP solidified his mastery of it. With its captivating nature, experimental sounds, and imaginative theatrics, HUNTER has clawed its w...
Genius Korea •

[INTERVIEW] OX:N Showcase Their True Identity With Debut EP ‘N’

Anything is possible for OX:N—the first official sub-unit of the 11-member K-pop group OMEGA X. Seriously. We’re talking about infinite possibilities. That’s what the “n” in their name represents, alongside being a clever nod to the roman numeral IV.

In celebration of their debut, OX:N answered questions during a roundtable interview, which Genius Korea was invited to attend alongside other publications. The quartet discussed topics such as what inspired the sub-unit’s journey, highlighting the...
Genius Korea •

[REVIEW] OMEGA X Subunit OX:N Explore New Opportunities With Debut EP ‘N’

OMEGA X’s first-ever sub-unit OX:N has hit the ground running with their debut EP, N. Comprised of OMEGA X’s leader JAEHAN, as well as fellow members XEN, JEHYUN, and YECHAN, OX:N is a sultry, vocal powerhouse that offers a new edge to the 11-member K-pop group.

Aside from symbolizing the roman numeral IV for its four members, the unit’s name also includes the number “n” to express the infinite possibilities for OMEGA X, both as a full group and other endeavors the future holds for each of its...
Genius Korea •

Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 So Far

2025 is shaping up to be another standout year for K-pop, with artists across generations pushing sonic boundaries and delivering some of their most compelling work yet. From chart-topping anthems to genre-bending B-sides, this year’s releases have showcased the full spectrum of what makes K-pop so globally captivating. Since we are at the halfway mark of the year, join Genius Korea in taking a look at the best K-pop songs of 2025 so far.


This list’s entries and rankings are compiled based on...
Genius Korea •

Best K-Pop Albums of 2025 So Far

Some K-Pop albums are more than a collection of songs, they’re immersive narratives, emotional journeys, and carefully crafted worlds. From concept-driven epics to raw, personal reflections, these albums invite listeners to feel, imagine, and connect. Here are the standout K-pop albums of 2025 so far, the ones that didn’t just top playlists but told stories worth remembering.


This list’s entries and rankings are compiled based on the opinion of the Genius Korea Community. Eligibility period:...
Genius Korea •

[FRESH PICK] The Rose Brings The ‘WRLD’ Together With Heartwarming Album

South Korean indie-rock band The Rose returned to the music scene on May 30th with one of their most profound collection of tracks to date. Sentimental connection is one of the band’s strengths, and their latest record, WRLD, is a testament to their unabashed vulnerability.

All seven tracks were self-written, composed, and arranged by The Rose themselves. Woosung, Dojoon, Taegyeom, and Hajoon come together to remind listeners about the complexity, joy, and beauty of being human.


At times, it...
Genius Korea •

[EVENT REVIEW] ONE OR EIGHT Meet Fans in Los Angeles For Sold-Out Show

You can find entertainment on nearly every major avenue in Los Angeles. But on the evening of April 23, in an intimate venue nestled in the neighborhood of Echo Park, Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT was the group to see. The octet recently visited iconic landmarks such as Buenos Aires, Mexico City, New York, and São Paulo as a part of their global fan meeting tour, SHŪKAI. Genius Korea was invited to this successful closing date, where ONE OR EIGHT met fans for a striking sold-out show at the Ec...
Genius Korea •

[REVIEW] TEN’s Bold and Confident 2nd Mini-Album Is An Absolute “STUNNER”

Multifaceted popstar TEN has made his much-awaited return with his second mini-album, STUNNER. His self-titled mini-album—which was covered on Genius Korea and highlighted in Genius Korea’s “Best K-pop Albums of 2024” list—captured his unique artistic color, but STUNNER shows what happens when that creativity runs wild. Enticing and eccentric as ever, TEN proves to be the epitome of versatility with this record.
EnVi Media •

The KingDom Take Fate Into Their Own Hands - EnVi Media

Trading in their illustrious royal outfits, The KingDom emerge anew as they level up and step into the modern-day scene. On April 30, the seven-member K-pop boy group introduced a chic edge to their regal reputation with their latest EP REALIZE — the beginning of a new chapter within the group’s intricate and ever-growing storyline. Dann, Arthur, Mujin, Louis, Ivan, Hwon, and Jahan are nowhere close to stepping away from their thrones, though. EnVi chatted with The KingDom via Zoom to discuss ne...
EnVi Media •

XIN LIU Highlights The “Reality” Of Love In English Debut Single - EnVi Media

If you tuned into the 88RISING FUTURES showcase at Coachella last weekend, there is no way you could have missed Chinese superstar XIN LIU. Aside from being adorned in gold from head to toe, she owned the stage with her dynamic vocal range, passionate dancing, and captivating presence. Showing love for her roots, XIN LIU’s set also featured Chinese street dance and dancers who wore traditional clothing from her hometown of Guiyang, China.One of the highlights of XIN LIU’s set included the live d...
EnVi Media •

All the Asian Artists to Watch Out For at Coachella 2024 - EnVi Media

Happy April! You know what that means — it’s almost Coachella season! Yesteryears of Coachellas past have seen memorable performances from Beyoncé’s historical headlining set in 2018 to the iconic reunion of second-generation K-pop girl group 2NE1 in 2022. Coachella 2024’s lineup is filled with an eclectic range of artists, but we’re especially looking forward to the Asian acts from across the globe.This year, the performers range from powerhouse K-pop group ATEEZ and Vocaloid character Hatsune...
EnVi Media •

8 Asian-owned Shops to Buy Self-Care Essentials From - EnVi Media

December may be one of the most wonderful times of the year, but it can also be packed with stress. With finals season wrapping up, last-second holiday preparations, and the new year approaching, it is important to remember to take care of yourself. EnVi compiled a list of eight Asian-owned brands — ranging from small shops to booming businesses — fit for all of your self-care needs. While self-care can vary for each person, we have everything from beauty products to comfort specialties lined up...
EnVi Media •

Red Velvet’s “Chill Kill”: An Ode To Duality - EnVi Media

Forget about your sorrow and indulge your deepest desires with Red Velvet’s third LP, Chill Kill. On November 13, the K-pop quintet, consisting of members Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri, returned to the music scene nearly one year after the release of their EP, The ReVe Festival 2022 – Birthday. Chill Kill is not only their first full-length album since Perfect Velvet’s release in 2017, but it also marks the group’s departure from more lighthearted themes. Following the oh-so-spunky “Birthd...
EnVi Media •

OMEGA X Start Anew With Third EP "iykyk" - EnVi Media

If you know, you know that the latest record from OMEGA X is a special one. For those who don’t know, the 11-member K-pop group’s third EP, iykyk — the acronym for the term “if you know, you know” — celebrates the chance to start anew. It is also the group’s first album since they signed with their new agency, IPQ Corp, earlier this year. Members Hangyeom, Jaehan, Junghoon, Xen, and Yechan participated in songwriting, composition, and production for various tracks on the EP. But the entire group...
EnVi Media •

THE BOYZ Begin Their PHANTASY With Pt.1 Christmas In August - EnVi Media

As the summer season continues to sizzle, THE BOYZ are here to cool things down with the first installation of their second full-length album, PHANTASY. On August 7, the 11-member group released Pt.1 Christmas In August—the first of three concepts that are loosely based on ‘90s films. Channeling their classic charismatic energy, THE BOYZ bring out the season’s refreshing energy with these summery tracks.In this movie, THE BOYZ don’t get the girl, but they sure do try their best. The music video...
EnVi Media •

Jungkook and Latto Top Music Charts With Hit Single “Seven” - EnVi Media

“Every hour, every minute, every second” counts when listening to fun summer hits, such as Jungkook’s smash single, “Seven.” The youngest member of superstar K-pop group BTS dished out his latest solo project—a UK garage-influenced pop track—on July 14. Joined by American rapper, Latto, the duo served a risqué and charismatic dynamic together. Clearly, fans and casual listeners alike have enjoyed the more provocative side of the K-pop star because “Seven” topped multiple music charts across the...
EnVi Media •

Emei Teases Sophomore EP with Maniacal Single “Cynical” - EnVi Media

Wake up, babe, the latest manic pixie dream girl anthem by Chinese American alt-pop songstress Emei just dropped. Just ahead of her sophomore EP comes the lead single sharing the same name, “Cynical,” on July 14. Known for her dripping vocals, colorful lyrics, and slicing wit, Emei is taking the world by storm. After garnering over 12 million Spotify streams for her latest releases, “Irresponsible” and “Scatterbrain,” Emei continues to explore young adulthood through her hyper-relatable musings...
EnVi Media •

10 Songs To Ease Gen Z's Growing Pains - EnVi Media

Growing up is not as easy as it is made out to be, but the memories you make along the way are priceless. Now that the generational group known as Gen Z ranges from 11 to 26 years of age, they are embracing pivotal changes. Some are experiencing the prime of their teen years, saying goodbye to their youth as they are coming of age or even adapting to adulthood. From accepting reality’s trials to trying to hold onto their youthful optimism, Gen Z may face many challenges as they continue to grow...
EnVi Media •

Eau de NCT DOJAEJUNG: A Noteworthy Debut - EnVi Media

Despite the end of the limitless concept for NCT, the group continues to explore a variety of sounds throughout their various unit combinations. Standout vocalists DOYOUNG, JAEHYUN, and JUNGWOO have come together as NCT DOJAEJUNG to debut as a new NCT trio on April 7 with their first EP, Perfume. After working together in NCT 127 and on NCT U tracks such as “BOSS,” the unit offers Perfume, a delightfully refreshing sound in comparison to their previous projects.NCT DOJAEJUNG set a mature tone fo...
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