It's a K-pop Thing

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:
What a "hiatus" usually means in K-pop
The disconnect in official statements
Our thoughts on Daniela's dad chiming in
Manon alluding to mistreatment by liking a video
The Cut cover story on KATSEYE
The painful history of the racist "lazy" trope for Black people
Fans' toxic behavior regarding race and Manon
Cultural differences toward work in Europe, America and South Korea
The immense pressure of K-pop idols' schedules
Speculation and fan theories that have caught our attention
How we think KATSEYE can move forward
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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Twitter: @ikptpod & Instagram: @ikptpod

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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:
ATEEZ's achievements with GOLDEN HOUR PT. 4
All about "Adrenaline"
The B-sides we're enjoying
San's silly sweatstain "controversy"
The "Idol" image and expectations around perfection
The underdog story of KQ Fellas
What it was like to see ATEEZ at Coachella
The reality of fan signs and fan calls in K-pop
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:
DesTINY in the Desert - Our Trip to CHELLATEEZ
True Life: I Won a Fansign
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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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:
Why we think "Crown" seems like a SuperM song from the vault
Our honest thoughts on REVERXE as an album
Why we think the visuals and marketing didn't match the music
The "Suju-fication" of EXO's unique sound - is this the future?
Some quick context for EXO-CBX's legal woes with SM
Why we're hopeful about a future reunion
Our thoughts on fan wars and how we can move forward
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:
Website: A3Daypodcast.com
Instagram: @a3daypodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@a3day
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 [email protected]

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:
Our standout releases from 2025
What we're each manifesting for K-pop
What changes we're hoping to see in the industry
What's next for the podcast
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.

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

FEEDBACK? IDEAS FOR FUTURE EPISODES?
E-mail us at [email protected]