Kpop From Seoul

If you like “Blinding Lights,” try “Save Your Tears” next for another bright pop melody. Choose “Out of Time” for a gentler groove, or “Call Out My Name” for a slower, more dramatic vocal. The Weeknd’s music can feel very different from one song to another, so the best starting point depends on what you enjoy. This four-song guide gives you a quick choice, official videos and one album or shorter project to explore afterward. These are our listening recommendations, not a ranking. Pick your sound below .

The 2026 MAMA Awards take place on November 20–21 at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan, with a worldwide live stream planned on Mnet Plus. The next date to know is sooner: the nomination broadcast begins on October 12 at 18:00 KST. If you are thinking about attending, the first advance ticket lottery opens October 13. This guide separates the nominee announcement, ticket application and November ceremony so you can plan the right next step. See the calendar , find the nomination broadcast in your time zone , or check the ticket route .

For a first Dreamcatcher song, try “Deja Vu” for piano-to-metal drama, “Scream” for rock with electronic production, or “Jazz Bar” for a gentler, jazzy melody. You do not have to like every style to find a way into this Korean group’s music. Choose a starting point below, then follow its route to another song. These are our editorial picks from earlier releases, with official listening links and a short explanation of what makes each choice different.

Bungeoppang is shaped like a fish, but the familiar sweet version is not filled with fish. Its classic filling is sweet red bean paste; custard is another option. Choose it if you want a filled pastry, or try hotteok for a round pancake with warm sugar filling inside. The choice at a stall comes down to the filling you want. This guide helps you recognize the two snacks, choose your first one and ask for it in Korean.

Start with “WANNABE” for individuality and dance-pop, “DALLA DALLA” for ITZY’s debut statement, or “Not Shy” for quick beats and a saxophone-driven love song. All three also have official English recordings, so you can choose a song first and then decide which language version to hear. This short route pairs the original videos with the group’s own English audio. It is our suggested introduction to three early releases, with a different next song for each starting point.

Choose dolsot bibimbap if you want a hot stone pot and the possibility of crisp rice at the bottom. Choose regular bibimbap if you prefer the mixed rice bowl without that sizzling-pot effect. Both combine rice and toppings; the serving bowl is the main distinction to look for on a menu. For your first order at a Korean restaurant in the US, Europe or Korea, decide on the bowl first, then check the toppings and sauce. “Dolsot” tells you about the hot pot, rather than how spicy your meal will be.

New to SHINee? Choose “Replay” for R&B, “View” for a dance groove, or “Sherlock (Clue + Note)” for a song built from two different tracks. These three starting points introduce different parts of the Korean group’s music, with official videos and a next listen for each below. If you discovered Taemin through his solo music, this is a way to explore the group he debuted with. Start with the sound that interests you; you can learn the album names and history as you go.