Explore every episode of the podcast It's a K-pop Thing
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Manifestations for 2026 In K-pop | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:32:37 | |
After analyzing all of the year-in-review K-pop content over the holidays, we've come to one conclusion: 2025 was *rough* and left us wanting a lot more. So, as we kick off the brand new year in 2026, we're hoping our collective positive thinking can help us manifest the best possible year yet in K-pop! Tune in as we chit chat about:
Let us know what K-pop resolutions you have for the year and what you're hoping to manifest in 2026 by tagging us on social media @IKPTPOD. It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| What's Up With Santos Bravos? HYBE's Latino Boy Band | 03 Jan 2026 | 01:26:47 | |
We're kicking off 2026 with an episode we recorded at the tail end of last year that's all about Santos Bravos! Following HYBE's big experiment with KATSEYE, HYBE Latin America focused its efforts in 2025 on debuting a Latino pop boy group using the K-pop industry model. Though the group is most definitely NOT K-pop sonically (more on that later), its creation via a music survival show, its trainee model and its obvious connection to HYBE mean it carries the DNA or building blocks of the K-pop industry. Naturally, all this means we have a LOT of thoughts on the group's debut and where they might best fit into the current music landscape. So, what did Santos Bravos get right about Latino boy bands and is it only a matter of time before everyone knows their name in Latin America? Tune in to hear Alexis and Theresa discuss:
And so much more! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! BIBI and Becky G's "Amigos" (PT:1 The History of K-pop & Latin Collabs) | 15 Jan 2024 | 01:10:39 | |
Hey everyone! We're back in 2024 with an episode we recorded at the tail end of last year when BIBI and Becky G had just released their collab track, "Amigos." It's a chill, fun song that also serves as a good introduction to K-R&B and Latin music. Given this song bridges the broader worlds of K-pop and Latin music—two of our fav genres—we naturally have have a LOT of thoughts on the song!
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! SB19's "GENTO" and Other Beast-Idol Tracks We Love | 13 Oct 2023 | 01:22:46 | |
For this edition of Play This! we’re discussing “Gento,” a song by Filipino-boy-group SB19. While it’s not K-pop, per se, the song has been making its way around the industry’s boy groups, thanks to numerous idols doing the “Gento” dance challenge. But, what is it about this song that has male idols flocking to it? Is the popularity of SB19’s “Gento," maybe due to changes in concepts for K-pop boy groups? Are male idols simply missing the hard-hitting choreography we once associated with “Beast Idols” in K-pop? More importantly—what actually happened to the “beastly idol,” or “beast idol,” or “beast-dol” boy group concepts from the 2010s?
PART 2: Other Beast-dol Songs We Recommend
FINAL THOUGHTS
TAKE OUR POLL ON SPOTIFY: What’s your favorite “Beast-ly” Boy Group in K-pop? Do you think we should have more groups with this type of concept today? It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Is There Such a Thing As TOO Many K-pop Concerts? | 20 Sep 2023 | 01:32:27 | |
If you're a K-pop multi-stan like us in the USA, you might have noticed something lately: The number of K-pop acts on tour has grown by a LOT! But with that growth, we've also seen an increase in tour dates overlapping and fans ultimately having to choose between which of their favorite artists to support.
Part 2: Interview with NOT YOUR AVERAGE FANGIRLS (23:30)
VOTE IN OUR SPOTIFY POLL—Let us know what YOU think! Are we in the age of too many K-pop concerts? It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! TXT & Jonas Brothers "Do It Like That" Plus More K-pop Collabs We Recommend | 10 Aug 2023 | 01:18:53 | |
We're back with another edition of Play This! where we give you some song recommendations inspired by recent K-pop releases. On this episode, we discuss the latest collaboration between a K-pop group with a Western artist: "Do It Like That," by TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Jonas Brothers.
Honorable Song Mentions (73:49)
LET US KNOW: What did you think of our song picks? What would you add to the list? Tag us on Instagram and Twitter with your thoughts OR leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| We Chat With AleXa About Singing In Spanish and What Makes K-pop Unique | 21 Jul 2023 | 01:06:10 | |
Today's episode features a special interview with K-pop idol and artist, AleXa! Recently we chatted with her about her latest digital-single, "Juliet," and the 6(!) different versions of the song, which include a bachata remix sung entirely in Spanish. In other episodes, we’ve touched on the globalization of K-pop and how artists have branched out to other markets to gain traction beyond Korea. But, AleXa is the latest K-pop idol to turn to the massive fandom in Latin America and recognize them with a special release for Spanish speakers. WATCH ALEXA PERFORM"JULIET" IN SPANISH HERE: EPISODE RUNDOWN (w/TIME STAMPS)
LET US KNOW: What do you think of AleXa and other K-pop idols singing in Spanish? Tag us on Instagram or Twitter @IKPTPOD with your thoughts! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! (G)I-DLE's "Queencard" Plus Other Unserious, Camp-y K-pop Songs We Recommend | 23 Jun 2023 | 00:58:25 | |
We're back with more K-pop song recommendations! For this episode of Play This! we take a very *serious* look at a very UN-serious song: (G)I-DLE's latest comeback and hit, "Queencard." Sometimes in K-pop we get wacky concepts, nonsensical lyrics and unserious music—but who cares if it WORKS? And "Queencard" works fantastically, thanks to the plenty of camp elements throughout.
Other K-pop "Camp-y" and "Unserious" Songs We Recommend (30:05) Honorable Song Mentions (46:11)
BONUS: The K-pop groups we would like to see do a camp concept (51:29) LET US KNOW: What other camp-y, fun, and unserious K-pop songs would you add to this playlist? Tag us on Instagram or Twitter with your thoughts! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! FIFTY FIFTY'S "Cupid" And Other Soft K-pop Hits We Recommend | 02 May 2023 | 00:49:38 | |
FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" is still going strong on the charts, thanks to the popularity of its English "Twin" version. But where do you from there? What other K-pop songs do you queue up on your playlist? After all, you need at least a few good songs to get the algorithm to do its thing!
LET US KNOW: What other K-pop soft pop hits would you recommend? Tag us on Instagram or Twitter with your thoughts! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Girl Groups Run K-pop: Pt 2 (IVE, TWICE, FIFTY FIFTY) | 12 Apr 2023 | 01:20:11 | |
We're back with Part 2 of our mini-series examining the state of Girl Groups in K-pop today! We have a lot to discuss in this episode, including new releases by plenty of 4th-gen acts as well as our theories on why the spotlight is shining so brightly on girl groups.
LET US KNOW: WHAT GIRL GROUPS TOP YOUR LIST RIGHT NOW? It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Girl Groups Run K-pop: Pt 1(NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, Girls' Generation) | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:51:56 | |
Something major happened in K-pop last year: For the first time since the aughts, girl groups outshone their male group counterparts. Not only did girl groups deliver hit after hit, but 2022 also saw 4th generation girl groups consistently vie for the top spot in K-pop music charts and award shows. And if “Ditto” and “OMG” are any indication of how this year’s gonna pan out, it’s looking like girl groups are gonna have another winning season.
LET US KNOW: DO YOU THINK GIRL GROUPS ARE WINNING? It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| All Hail HYUNA! (Special Segment: Battle of the B-sides) | 28 Feb 2023 | 01:01:31 | |
We've tabled the reporting this week to bring you a special bonus episode in the form of a little game we're calling, "Battle of the B-sides."
To make this all happen, we've invited our friends over at the Kpopcast to join us for our inaugural Battle of the B-sides: HYUNA Edition!
HYUNA B-SIDE SONGS MENTIONED: CHECK OUT THE KPOPCAST HERE: It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Just Give Kpop Demon Hunters the Grammy and Oscar Already | 24 Oct 2025 | 01:16:49 | |
Kpop Demon Hunters arguably gave us not just the song of the summer, but the soundtrack of the year. Sound like hyperbole? It's been months since the animated musical was released this summer and it shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to word-of-mouth and some early guerrilla-style marketing, viewership for the film snowballed so unexpectedly and so quickly that it now holds the distinction of being Netflix's most-watched original title ... EVER, with more than 236 million views as of late August. Now, with Halloween upon us, it seems kids everywhere are eager up to dress up as Rumi, Mira, Zoey, or any of the other memorable characters from the film. At the same time, the singing voices of HUNTR/X have been making the rounds on late night TV ahead of what is arguably a campaign to get in front of the voting bodies during awards season next year. Last but not least, we have the release of EJAE's new single, "In Another World." It's about time time we finally dove into what exactly makes KPOP Demon Hunters so successful and so sticky in pop culture. Listen to hear our discussion on:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Rookie K-pop Group TFN (Formerly T1419) Sets Its Eyes on Latin America | 17 Feb 2023 | 01:05:22 | |
We're back with a very special follow-up episode in our mini series on rookie K-pop groups that survived — and thrived— throughout the pandemic.
TAG US — Let us know if there's another rookie K-pop group that you think should be on our radar! Who would you like to see us interview next? It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| A Look at GHOST9's Debut During the Pandemic | 17 Jan 2023 | 01:11:47 | |
Debuting a K-pop group under normal circumstances is, to say the least, no easy feat. So, what do we make of a rookie K-pop group from a smaller music label that not only debuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also decides to go on tour? Well, that's exactly what K-pop group GHOST9 did in 2022.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we look at another rookie K-pop group that's taken a very different approach to getting their name out there! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| This Is Our K-pop Debut ... As Podcast Hosts | 22 Sep 2022 | 00:02:19 | |
What happens when you bring together two journalists who are the go-to K-pop stan in their friend group? Well, apparently, they start a podcast about K-pop!
ABOUT OUR HOSTS: It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Can We Actually Afford K-pop? | 09 Oct 2025 | 01:16:46 | |
After taking a break in 2025 we are BACK with a fresh season of It's a K-pop Thing! It's been a long 9 months — we could have had a baby! — and we've missed talking all things K-pop. There's tons of new things we want to try for this upcoming season so stay tuned for updates on that on our Instagram account (@IKPTPOD). To kick things off this season, Alexis and Theresa are focusing on the current fan experience. With SO many K-pop groups touring and tickets prices being SO expensive ... we have to ask: Can we afford K-pop? In THIS economy? Tune in and hear as we commiserate with one another and strategize on how we can make lemonade out of lemons this K-pop touring season. It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| K-pop Stadium Shows: Are They A Good Thing? Let's Discuss | 17 Jan 2025 | 01:14:20 | |
We're back with a fresh season for 2025 and to kick things right off we're bringing you a conversation we recorded at the end of last year when Stray Kids announced their upcoming stadium tour! There's no doubt that K-pop has grown, and with it, the size of venues artists perform has grown as well. So many K-pop acts have made headlines selling out shows at stadiums across the United States and with Stray Kids embarking on an even stadium-ONLY tour, it seems a new milestone for K-pop is here: Go Big or Go Home.
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Cha Eun Woo & NCT Dream in Mexico (EP 17: Traveling to Mexico for K-pop: Tips and Tricks) | 19 Sep 2024 | 01:38:52 | |
We are back after our summer break for a brand new season of It's a K-pop Thing! In this episode, we catch up and discuss what it was like traveling to Mexico this summer to see NCT Dream and Cha Eun Woo.
TIMESTAMPS:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! ILLIT's "Magnetic" Plus K-pop Debut Songs That Have Stood The Test of Time | 18 Jun 2024 | 01:31:20 | |
In this edition of Play This! we bring you a previously unreleased episode that almost didn't air. Shortly after recording our discussion about ILLIT's debut hit single, "Magnetic," news broke of the corporate turmoil and fallout going on at HYBE and ADOR regarding allegations of plagiarism.
SONG RECOMMENDATIONS
LET US KNOW: What's your favorite K-pop debut song? It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Destination K-pop Concerts: NCT 127 in Tokyo and TWICE in Las Vegas | 05 Apr 2024 | 01:55:45 | |
We have a special concert recap episode that's ALL about our recent K-pop travels, concerts experiences and even a special run-in with some K-pop idols after a concert! (No spoilers: You'll have to tune in to hear who it was!) In this episode we cover how Alexis recently traveled to Tokyo to catch NCT 127 before military enlistments for the members began and Theresa talks about how she flew to Las Vegas to catch TWICE on the last stop of their world tour. It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Has K-pop Hit a Plateau? Is It Slowing Down? What's Next? | 02 Mar 2024 | 01:11:33 | |
Lately, the general consensus seems to be: K-pop is bigger than ever before —and that's to be celebrated— but it's also ... different. The music trends are changing and, depending on who you ask, it's not always for the better. Especially among multi-stans, there seems to be a newfound sense of overwhelm and fatigue due to the relentless amount of content churned out by K-pop. It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Play This! K-pop x Latin Songs We Recommend (PT:2 of BIBI and Becky G Special) | 22 Feb 2024 | 00:36:46 | |
This episode is PART 2 of our two-episode discussion on the latest K-pop and Latin music collab, "Amigos" by BIBI and Becky G. If you haven't checked out PART 1, go back to the feed and listen!
LISTEN TO OUR FULL SPOTIFY PLAYLIST! It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| KATSEYE and Manon's Hiatus Dilemma | 02 Mar 2026 | 01:28:07 | |
What started as perhaps a run-of-the-mill corporate statement about KATSEYE's Manon taking a hiatus from group activities has turned into a PR disaster for HYBE x Geffen. In the days following the announcement, there's been a flurry of "read between the lines" speculation that's flooded the internet as fans try to make sense of what might be going on behind the scenes. Adding fuel to the fire, gossip accounts have resurfaced old claims of potential mistreatment and racism against Manon. There’s no way we couldn’t talk about this. To help us break it down for you, we invited Natasha Mulenga, an entertainment journalist who has covered K-pop extensively. She's also the author of the book “More Idols of K-pop: The definitive guide to the hottest bands,” and host of the podcast, A Soulful Storm. Tune in to hear:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| ATEEZ Has Our Adrenaline Pumping | 18 Feb 2026 | 01:02:15 | |
ATEEZ's latest comeback has proven to be their most successful to date so far and that's thanks in large part to high album sales and streaming that led to a Triple Crown victory on the music shows in Korea and a #3 debut on the Billboard TOP 200. Their MV for "Adrenaline," the title track off of their 13th mini album, "Golden Hour: Part 4" achieved 10 million views within 24 hours and has since surpassed 38 million views on YouTube (as of our recording). That puts the MV for "Adrenaline," on par with the total MV views for each their previous two comebacks from last summer, "Lemon Drop" and "In Your Fantasy." Altogether, these achievements indicate ATEEZ is one of the leaders of the current scene for K-pop and especially for 4th Gen K-pop groups. Tune in as Theresa chats with a fellow ATINY and podcaster, Mina, the host of K-pop Bookshlef about ATEEZ's latest achievements and their why this comeback has them excited. IN THIS EPISODE:
ABOUT OUR GUEST: Joining us today is Mina, the host of the podcast K-pop Bookshelf, which, as the title suggests, features discussions on books set in Korea or about Korean society. If you want to better understand the culture behind K-pop and K-dramas, you listen to the archival episodes of K-pop Bookshelf wherever you get your podcasts. LINKS: It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| 2010's K-pop: The Nostalgia We Can't Let Go Of ... | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:58:42 | |
The start of 2026 had seemingly everyone online reminiscing about what life was life back in 2016. Back when times were simpler, more fun and, dare we say, when K-pop music was ... better? Before you come for our necks, let us take a trip down memory lane as we reminisce about how great K-pop was in the 2010s. In this episode, Alexis and Theresa ask themselves: Did K-pop already peak or is nostalgia giving us rose-tinted glasses? (Er, ears?) Tune in as we discuss:
KULTSCENE'S TOP SONGS OF 2016: Watch: KultScene's Top 25 Songs of 2016 on YouTube Read: KultScene's Top 50 Songs of 2016 Part One and Part Two It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| EXO's Comeback ... It's Complicated | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:59:58 | |
Put simply: We have big and complex feelings about EXO's highly anticipated comeback following the return of all members from their military enlistment. When news of an EXO reunion first broke, we were just as excited as any diehard EXO-L. Unfortunately, as time went on and it became evident that CBX would NOT be included in the comeback due to their ongoing legal troubles with SM Entertainment ... well, our enthusiasm waned. What happened to the OT9 EXO reunion much of the fandom eagerly awaited? Does it make sense to release a title track called "Crown" when key powerhouse vocalists are missing? Is it even possible to support the boys, but not the comeback? To help us make sense of our mixed feelings we invited Ashley, the host of the podcast An Album a Day to join us for a free-flowing and honest chat about all things EXO. Tune in to hear:
About our Guest: Ashley is a content creator, educator, and public speaker. As a music historian and an authority on the K-pop phenomenon, she has collaborated on projects and events with various domestic and international companies and brands. As the host of An Album a Day, ("A3Day"), Ashley leads listeners on a journey through every album available within K-pop with fact-based and opinionated commentary within each "shortcast" episode. Keep Up With Ashley and An Album a Day:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Watching BTS Up Close at Their Comeback Concert in Seoul | 15 Apr 2026 | 01:21:07 | |
*This is Part 1 of a mini-series on the Return of BTS* We're trying something new on the pod ... a mini-series! It's been nearly 4 years since the 7 members of BTS released new music as a group and there's plenty to talk about. To mark the occasion we're taking a close look at what this moment means for BTS and for the industry as a whole. To kick off this mini-series, we're rewinding a few weeks to the group's first performance in Seoul in front of Gwanghwamun in Seoul, South Korea. We chat with a journalist and fan who saw the comeback concert in person and was lucky enough to be up close to center stage. We also discuss the album's rise to the top of the charts and whether or not the Netflix livestream lived up to fans' expectations. IN THIS EPISODE: Setting the Stage
Interview with Philiana Ng
ABOUT OUR GUEST: Philiana Ng is an entertainment journalist who regularly covers television. You can find her work on publications like Yahoo! MSN, the Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Tonight, among others.
SHOW LINKS & ARTICLES:
CREDITS: This episode was produced, recorded and edited by Theresa Avila. Our theme music is by Edna Lugo. Our cover art design is by Alejandro Abarca. It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| NCT Without Mark? What Happens When a Group Loses Its Ace | 08 Apr 2026 | 01:17:37 | |
"NCity is on fire." That's what it seems like for NCTzens everywhere who, in the last few days have faced the unexpected bombshell news of Mark Lee saying goodbye to NCT and SM Entertainment. As if that wasn't bad enough news, days later, TEN also announced that he was leaving the company. But, crucially, TEN clarified that he would remain a part of NCT and WayV. Still, it's little salve for fans of the group (us included!) who have to now reckon with an uncertain future as key members of NCT have officially departed the group. It's also hard NOT to think about other recent K-pop departures. So if you're in your feels about this era of NCT coming to a close, tune in and process thing with us. Tune in to hear:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Does BLACKPINK Still Need ... BLACKPINK? | 18 Mar 2026 | 01:15:12 | |
We finally have BLACKPINK's first EP since 2022, the highly-anticipated Deadline, a five-track release that includes "JUMP" and "GO." But does the EP live up to the hype? In the weeks since its release, the reaction from critics and fans alike has been mixed. That tepid response contrasts to the praise for the member's recent solo music — which includes a Grammy nomination. All of this got us wondering about what's next for the group. And, importantly, do the member's current solo careers outshine their latest release as a group? To help us analyze the latest from BLACKPINK, we invited Jeff Benjamin, music journalist and writer of The Crossover Newsletter. Over the years, Jeff has interviewed pretty much every K-pop idol you can think of, including Blackpink. Tune in to hear us discuss:
Plus, highlights from their solo careers, including:
Lastly, we discuss what we hope to see in the group's next chapter. It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Closing A Chapter With ZEROBASEONE | 13 Mar 2026 | 01:13:32 | |
ZEROBASEONE's time as a 9-member group has come to a close after more than two and half years. What started as a temporary, project group from the survival show BOYS PLANET (Season 1) will now continue as a 5-member boy group managed under WAKEONE Entertainment, a subsidiary of CJ ENM. The group will continue as a quintent consisting of Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, and Park Gun-wook. The remaining four members, Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, and Han Yu-jin will return to their original agency Yuehua Entertainment (now rebranded as YH Entertainment). What happens next in their careers remains unclear but ZEROSE have plenty of theories. In this episode, we hear from fans of ZB1 about how they're processing the inevitable closing of one chapter with a group that won over millions of fans and broke record after record. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Philiana Ng is a journalist covering entertainment and TV with bylines at The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, TV Guide, Yahoo Entertainment, Netflix, The Daily Beast, The Wrap, Primetimer, Backstage, and more. After first interviewing ZEROBASEONE at KCON LA she became an avid fan of the group. Last year she traveled to see ZB1 in Seoul and Tokyo for the start of their most recent tour and she recently flew back for the final encore shows in Seoul.
IN THIS EPISODE:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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| Is Coachella the Right Platform for K-pop? | 30 Apr 2026 | 01:24:02 | |
This was a big year for fans of K-pop at Coachella, especially because we had a younger group and two Second-Gen icons perform at the festival. First up we had KATSEYE, who made headlines following the will-she-or-won't-she-appear speculation regarding Manon. Then we had TAEMIN, who made headlines as the first K-pop soloist to play at the festival. Following that, we had the one and only BIGBANG, who finally got their time to shine in the desert after their previous performance was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. As Coachella has grown, so, too, has K-pop. And, in a world where concerts are getting more expensive and other music festivals like Lollapalooza are gaining ground ... where does K-pop fit in? Is landing a spot at the biggest music festival a smart brand investment or is it merely a vanity performance? Let's discuss. IN THIS EPISODE:
It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila.
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