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So, we did a thing! And that was be part of a panel at San Diego Comic Con 2026 — our first ever time at the convention! Moderated by Lizzy Gonzalez (Lizzy Cupcake), we joined Alexandrea Callaghan (Temple of Geek), Josh Blumenkranz (The Movie Buddy), Meosha Bean, and Maddy Myer (Maddy Mania) on a panel titled, "Building a Pop Culture Podcast." This experience inspired us to record a bonus episode about our experience at the event, from the actual chat to walking the convention floor, plus a lot more.  Some of the other topics we discussed on this episode include: The ENHYPEN activation at SDCCOur podcast’s origin storyHow and why we pick the topics we talk aboutA lot of untold stories involving the group BTSPlus, hear how we met at a panel at KCON, bringing this entire experience full circle for us. REVISIT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE OLDER EPISODES: Kpop Demon Hunters: "Just Give Kpop Demon Hunters the Grammy and Oscar Already"Beast Idols in K-pop: "Play This! SB19's "GENTO" and Other Beast-Idol Tracks We Love"Traveling for K-pop: "Destination K-pop Concerts: NCT 127 in Tokyo and TWICE in Las Vegas"Be sure to also check out our fellow panelists' work: Maddy Myer - Maddy ManiaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddymaniapodcast/Alexandrea Callaghan - Fangirl Productions 13YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestofgeekJosh Blumenkranz - The Movie BuddyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoviebuddyjb/Lizzy Gonzalez - Lizzy_CupcakeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_cupcakeMeosha Bean - Meosha Bean OfficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meoshabeanofficialIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

(Crosspost from Kpopcast) Dive into this episode with special guest Theresa from It's a Kpop Thing Podcast where we unpack the latest comeback BAD from ATEEZ, including discussion about whether the use of Latin culture and Spanish language are more cultural appropriation or celebration. In addition, we explore their narrative universe, cultural influences, and fan engagement. In this episode: Analyzing ATEEZ ongoing Golden Hour series and its narrative lore involving Sopro, and the mystical story arc.Highlighting Chase Infiniti’s influential role as a black woman lead in the music video and its significance for representation.Dissecting the musical genres fused in "Bad" — Brazilian funk, reggaeton, and trap — and their relevance to current K-pop trends.Exploring the cultural ties between Korea, Mexico, and Latin America amid the World Cup craze.Fan reactions and critiques on the song's structure, choreography, and the thematic content around Latin identity.The importance of inclusivity in K-pop, especially in the context of global and diaspora communities.Personal stories from fans and influencers about the fandom experience, cultural expression, and representation.Connect with our guests: Teresa Avila - Instagram | Podcast: IKPTJoin the Kpopcast Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/kpopcast/shared_invite/zt-93kzxcv6-YNej2QkyY6vaPnhEQJxk0A Chip in for show costs: https://ko-fi.com/thekpopcast  HIT REPLAYS: 아이오아이 (I.O.I) - 갑자기 (Suddenly) MV https://youtu.be/Jxgbfc89hNI?si=4uTd1eimHnfpVtMk UDTT 우당탕탕 소녀단 'VIPER' MV https://youtu.be/6WvnYSV13w0?is=6N104FHWlDTYYqmu from20(프롬트웬티) - BIG BOY MV https://youtu.be/AMgcKwHUCtk?si=Z1-bZxy_xLCnGCSp It's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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: A brief overview of the history of K-pop at CoachellaThe K-pop "multiverse" at the festival (according to us)The presence (erm, lack of?) Manon at the festivalOur takeaways from the key K-pop performances at Week 1 & 2KATSEYE: Pinky Up — Is this the group's signature sound now?TAEMIN: The MJ references and his perfectionism on full displayBIGBANG: Why the second weekend was the better show for older fansOur Big Q: What is K-pop's place at Coachella and is it worth it for artists?The reality of how industry connections determine the artist lineupThe K-pop groups we think will debut at Coachella next yearIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

*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 ARIRANG's dominance on the Billboard chartsThe album in numbers: the sales, streams and milestones Crowd attendance: How many people actually showed up for the comeback?About the director of the Netflix Livestream: Hamish HamiltonWhy the Netflix livestream maybe missed the markWhat K-pop fans really want to see during a performanceInterview with Philiana Ng Winning a raffle prize on WeVerse - what are the odds?What the concert was really like for fans in the audienceWhat the cameras didn't capture about the members on stageDoes the new album represent BTS 2.0?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.  Instagram: @philiana1 X: @insidethetubeSHOW LINKS & ARTICLES: BTS the Comeback Live: Arirang’: 10 things you didn’t see on TV during the Netflix special (Gold Derby)BTS rampages back to the top of the charts (NPR)BTS stays at No. 1 on the charts — and thwarts Ye in the process (NPR)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. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

"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: What made Mark Lee's departure all the more shockingWhat impact each NCT member had in the groupMark's history at SM Entertainment — we saw him grow up!How Mark's Christian faith influenced his musicHow we define an "Ace" member in K-popWhat Danielle, Heeseung, Manon and Mark have in commonHow 2nd and 3rd Gen K-pop groups dealt with missing membersOur theories on why Mark left the groupWhat might be next for Mark nextOur hopes for NCT moving forwardIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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: BLACKPINK's album salesOur first impressions on the EPHits and misses from DeadlineThe response from critics and fansHearts2Hearts' win over BLACKPINK on the music showsOur thoughts on the member's solo musicPlus, highlights from their solo careers, including: Rosé's songwriting and Grammy nominationJENNI's cohesive album and presence at festivalsJisoo's acting career and new dramaLISA's entrepreneurial side questsLastly, 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. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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.  Read Philiana Ng's interview with ZB1: https://joysauce.com/zerobaseone-is-ready-to-take-on-the-world/IN THIS EPISODE: How ZEROBASEONE came to be on Boys PlanetThe 411 on the members' personalitiesThe timeline for contract negotiationsProject groups and how companies split traineesConcert experience in Seoul and TokyoTips for buying K-pop tickets abroadWhat might be next for the 4 members in Yuehua EntertainmentWill the fandom splinter off?Fan submissions on how they're processing this momentIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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-popThe disconnect in official statementsOur thoughts on Daniela's dad chiming inManon alluding to mistreatment by liking a videoThe Cut cover story on KATSEYEThe painful history of the racist "lazy" trope for Black peopleFans' toxic behavior regarding race and ManonCultural differences toward work in Europe, America and South KoreaThe immense pressure of K-pop idols' schedulesSpeculation and fan theories that have caught our attentionHow we think KATSEYE can move forwardIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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. 4All about "Adrenaline"The B-sides we're enjoyingSan's silly sweatstain "controversy"The "Idol" image and expectations around perfectionThe underdog story of KQ FellasWhat it was like to see ATEEZ at CoachellaThe reality of fan signs and fan calls in K-popABOUT 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 CHELLATEEZTrue Life: I Won a FansignIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: 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 latelySonically, where K-pop is today with 4th and 5th gen groupsThe "peaks and valleys" of when K-pop was great and not-so-greatWhy 2020 might've given us the last of the greatest hits2nd and 3rd Gen comebacks that are giving us major nostalgiaThe rise and fall of great vocalists in K-popAPINK's comeback and why we're excited for the futureThe 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. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: 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 vaultOur honest thoughts on REVERXE as an albumWhy we think the visuals and marketing didn't match the musicThe "Suju-fication" of EXO's unique sound - is this the future?Some quick context for EXO-CBX's legal woes with SMWhy we're hopeful about a future reunionOur thoughts on fan wars and how we can move forwardAbout 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.comInstagram: @a3daypodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@a3dayIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: 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 2025What we're each manifesting for K-popWhat changes we're hoping to see in the industryWhat's next for the podcastLet 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. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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: The uphill battle the boys faced in the survivial showWhat it was like to watch the Santos Bravos showcase live in Mexico CityOur takeaways on the final lineup's cohesion (or lack thereof?)Why we think Drew was always going to debut as the anchor for the groupThe obvious (and not-so-obvious) comparisons to KATSEYEThe importance of a visual and sonic identity for a groupAnd 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. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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: How Kpop Demon Hunters capitalized on fandom cultureThe power of word-of-mouth and YouTube reactorsKevin Woo's marketing advantage as a real-life K-pop idol The choice of original songs vs. needle drops from existing K-pop groupsEJAE's career in K-pop mirroring Rumi's character arc storyKids, families and keeping K-pop accessibleOur takes on the real inspo for HUNTR/X and Saja BoysIt's a K-pop Thing is hosted by two journalists and longtime K-pop stans, Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum and Theresa Avila. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]

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. LINKS TO SOCIAL: It's a K-pop Thing: @ikptpodAlexis: @hoe_doyanTheresa: @theresa__avilaCONTACT: E-mail us at: [email protected]