17 Carat K-Pop

All of the K-pop 2022 USA summer tours announced so far, Johnny's Met Gala appearance, BLACKPINK's Rolling Stone interview series and cover shoot, the best and worst of this year's BBMAs, and more K-pop news updates and reactions!

This episode describes seventeen things worth appreciating about SEVENTEEN's comeback! From hidden details in the "HOT" music video to the meaning of "DON QUIXOTE," this is a guide to all things Face the Sun!

A close reading of all the Face the Sun Era teaser content, from Easter eggs in the teaser videos to the messages each SEVENTEEN member posted to their Instagram Stories on their solo teaser release days! 

This two-part episode seeks to make sense of who Elon Musk is, who the "Musketeers" are, and why Musk has consistently been present in the public conversation, both online and in the "real world." This comprehensive timeline lays out Musk's social media history, personal and professional lives, career highlights and lowlights, and other moments that are key to understanding why, like it or not, Mu...

This two-part episode seeks to make sense of who Elon Musk is, who the "Musketeers" are, and why Musk has consistently been present in the public conversation, both online and in the "real world." After a quick overview of Musk's past and current business endeavors, a comprehensive timeline lays out Musk's social media history, personal and professional lives, career highlights and lowlights, and...

Hope recaps her experience at a GROOVL1N USA 2022 Tour stop in Chicago, in an extension of the thoughts laid out in the written review on howtostan.substack.com! 

Today’s roundup of entertainment/music industry headlines: the fan who married Miku says the relationship has fallen apart, the first entirely-AI K-pop group debuts, a feud between producers and a special effects company, a new list reveals the most popular songs for the first dance at weddings, and more!

This is part two of this week's TXT special! In addition to Hope's reaction to and review of minisode 2: Thursday's Child, she shares her theories about the hidden messages in the "Good Boy Gone Bad" music video, in the album's song lyrics, and even in this comeback's promotional pictures!

This is the first part of a two-part TXT special! Part one reviews TXT’s music video storyline so far and offers new theories about their story, with particular emphasis on their 2021 releases. Stay tuned for part two, which covers all things minisode 2: Thursday’s Child!

JULE talks about his unique habit in the recording studio, his proudest work, reactions to his music, and much more! A transcript of this interview will be available in the coming days on howtostan.substack.com!

A ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases from last month!

A conversation with Kelly Weill, a reporter for The Daily Beast , co-host of the Fever Dreams podcast, and author of the book OFF THE EDGE: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything . Her and Hope discuss the history of the Flat Earth Movement, the overlap among conspiracy theory groups online, the implications of de-platforming misinformation-spreaders, ways to bring...

This episode starts off covering all things “Love Theory”! Hope breaks down the hidden references in the lyrics to TAEYONG and Wonstein’s new single, admits what the music video strangely reminds her of, and reveals some details about the making of the song! Then, Hope covers a variety of the latest K-pop headlines, including the clamor for Stray Kids concert tickets, the South Korean government’s...

Hope decodes the “Darl+ing” lyrics, points out some hidden details in the “NEW RINGS CEREMONY” comeback trailer, reacts to POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE , and more!

In this conversation with Stephanie Kariuki, supervising producer at VICE , she and Hope discuss the making of the podcast Authentic: The Story of Tablo, the broader messages Tablo’s story sends, and the point of reporting on what “just happens online” in the first place. All episodes of Authentic are available now across all major podcast platforms!

Both BTS’s music and member RM’s book recommendations tell stories of courage, compassion, and community. This episode draws parallels between the ways in which those themes are addressed in BTS’s work (especially throughout the Map of the Soul Era) and in three books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, and The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm...

This episode covers many honorable mentions for the most significant movie references in K-pop songs and music videos!

7Fates: CHAKHO Ep. 11 and 12, season two of Queendom so far, BTS’s Vegas takeover and Grammys performance, a new K-pop broadway show, and more coverage of and reactions to the latest K-pop headlines!

This deep dive into the pop culture references, social commentary, fashion statements, and other variables that make up G-DRAGON’s songs and music videos illustrates how his artistry has evolved and led him to become the world-renowned star he is today. In addition to better understanding his musical persona, G-DRAGON, this episode shines a light on Kwon Ji Yong, the man behind the character, and...

On this episode of “NCT Talk,” Hope shares the best lyrics in NCT DREAM’s new album, draws attention to hidden meanings in Red Velvet’s Feel My Rhythm and NCT DREAM’s Glitch Mode comeback content, and theorizes about the ways in which these groups’ roles in the SMCU are related!

A ranking and review of the 20 best new releases from the past month!

The multitalented musician WOOJAE opens up about his music, gives his rationale for NOT wanting to collaborate, shares some unexpected life advice, and much more! View the video version of this interview at howtostan.substack.com!

A condensed history of the most bizarre and concerning reality shows of all time, reality television's rise, and the reasons why reality TV stars gained a permanent spot in the world of pop culture. 

A recap of 7Fates: CHAKHO episodes 7-10, everything you need to know about American Song Contest and AleXa’s role in it, Taeyong’s new song and YouTube channel, backlash to K-pop companies’ NFT-related plans, TXT’s unique new title, and more of the latest updates in the world of K-pop!

This episode covers all things ODDINARY, from the best lyrics to the surprising ways the album and its corresponding videos nod back to previous Stray Kids releases!