It's a K-pop Thing

2010's K-pop: The Nostalgia We Can't Let Go Of ...

Alkemie Sound Lab Season 3 Episode 24

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0:00 | 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:

  • What we consider the "Golden Era of K-pop"
  • Why it feels like good K-pop releases are few and far between lately
  • Sonically, where K-pop is today with 4th and 5th gen groups
  • The "peaks and valleys" of when K-pop was great and not-so-great
  • Why 2020 might've given us the last of the greatest hits
  • 2nd and 3rd Gen comebacks that are giving us major nostalgia
  • The rise and fall of great vocalists in K-pop
  • APINK's comeback and why we're excited for the future
  • The BEST Songs of 2016 (according to KultScene)
  • Our final verdict: Did K-pop Peak? Or is it just nostalgia?

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.

FOLLOW US:
Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at info@kpoppod.com