THE KDROP: A KPop Podcast

KCON LA 2026 IS UPON US!!!! And the girls are sooooooo excited
…..
If you’re a KDROP regular, you know that Elle and Maddie are lifetime KCONers and go every year. They love learning about new groups and seeing them so up close (ONLY TIME WE GET BARRICADE IN LIFE). Every year, they come away with amazing memories, new groups they’re obsessed with, and a crap ton of Olive Young skin care samples (YOU KNOW)
……
We hope you enjoy this episode where Elle talks through every group that will be at KCON LA this year, what you can expect, and the girls chat what they are most excited about. (HINT: DON’T SLEEP ON JO1.)
…..
WHAT’S CURRENT IN KPOP:
(03:09) ATEEZ’s “GOLDEN HOUR: Part.5” + “BAD” (she so bad bad bad bad bad bad bad)
(07:39) V8 (SEVENTEEN)’s Album “V8” + Tracks “singasong”, “girlsnboys”, “mia” + “8DM” (party music)
(10:00) *DEBUT* VAYONN’s “MUAH!” + Album “Youth Today” (KEYVITUP’s brother group)
(14:13) TRENDZ’s “On My Knees” (never heard of them, but love this song)
(16:21) JAEHYUN’s “99 Degrees” (OH. HE’S SO BACK.)
(18:37) YEONJUN’s Album “NO LABELS: PART 02” (confidence king)
(19:44) *DEBUT* idntt’s final sub-unit “<itsnotover>” with Title Track “Kids Return” (rookie of the year material, honestly!)
(25:14) Picheolin’s “Mi-cheo Mi-cheo” (no words. perfection)
(27:48) HUTA (Lee Minhyuk)’s “Icy & Spicy” + EP “TEMPERATURE” (abs)
(29:57) 8TURN’s “Stagefright” + “8PM” (as always, Maddie’s obsessed)
(32:53) LUN8’s “SNEAKERS” + EP “Off the Grid” (what is happening)
(35:20) ONE PACT’s “U so hot” + “Whts yo name” (cant wait to see these at KCON!!)
(37:14) NouerA’s “.exe” + EP “.exe” (they just keep getting better and better!!)
(40:53) POW’s “Flavor” + “Still Choosing You” (the concept is pastels)
….
(42:56) Who won the comebacks this month?
…..
(44:12) What we’re looking forward to in KPop / Other KPop news
(54:02) BTS EXPRESS
…..
KCON LA 2026 - What we’re looking forward to!
(1:12:10) What even is KCON? 
(1:14:06) Festival grounds - What to expect + groups that will be there
(1:15:58) Artist stage + Dreamstage Auditions
(1:23:44) Toyota Den Showcase Stage
(1:28:54) Dance Stage
(1:31:21) “K-Soul City” Night Market booths (GET THOSE OLIVE YOUNG SAMPLES)
(1:32:48) Which Olive Young brands to look out for + our K-Beauty recommendations
(1:35:41) Food options + Special Chef “Edward Lee”
(1:37:30) K-Story Zone with actors Lee Junhyuk, Park Eunbin + Sangheon Lee
(1:42:11) M-Countdown stage at Crypto.com Arena
….
(1:54:23) What Maddie + Elle are most excited for KCON LA 2026!
…..
*Joshua Hong interview postponed due to SEVENTEEN schedule activities*
.....
If you're new to THE KDROP, welcome!! We are so glad you are here! 
….
Also check out our sister-podcast - YA GIRL’S KDrama Podcast - if that's your thing! (@yagirl_kdramapod) (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠)
 ….. 
Before you do anything else, FOLLOW THE K.DROP ON INSTAGRAM! For real, please come and say hey to us over the socials! @the.kdrop_kpop_pod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠
....
And Christina has an exclusive BTS instagram, so give that a follow!   https://www.instagram.com/bts_express_the.kdrop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
....
 Finally, jump on  YA GIRL’s Discord!! It's where all the friends of YA GIRL gather and talk about hot Korean men. You really don't wanna miss it. ⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/rFmEgTJpJ8⁠

KCON LA 2026 IS UPON US!!!! And the girls are sooooooo excited
…..
If you’re a KDROP regular, you know that Elle and Maddie are lifetime KCONers and go every year. They love learning about new groups and seeing them so up close (ONLY TIME WE GET BARRICADE IN LIFE). Every year, they come away with amazing memories, new groups they’re obsessed with, and a crap ton of Olive Young skin care samples (YOU KNOW)
……
We hope you enjoy this episode where Elle talks through every group that will be at KCON LA this year, what you can expect, and the girls chat what they are most excited about. (HINT: DON’T SLEEP ON JO1.)
…..
WHAT’S CURRENT IN KPOP:
(03:09) ATEEZ’s “GOLDEN HOUR: Part.5” + “BAD” (she so bad bad bad bad bad bad bad)
(07:39) V8 (SEVENTEEN)’s Album “V8” + Tracks “singasong”, “girlsnboys”, “mia” + “8DM” (party music)
(10:00) *DEBUT* VAYONN’s “MUAH!” + Album “Youth Today” (KEYVITUP’s brother group)
(14:13) TRENDZ’s “On My Knees” (never heard of them, but love this song)
(16:21) JAEHYUN’s “99 Degrees” (OH. HE’S SO BACK.)
(18:37) YEONJUN’s Album “NO LABELS: PART 02” (CONFIDENCE)
(19:44) *DEBUT* idntt’s final sub-unit “” with Title Track “Kids Return” (rookie of the year material, honestly!)
(25:14) Picheolin’s “Mi-cheo Mi-cheo” (no words. perfection)
(27:48) HUTA (Lee Minhyuk)’s “Icy & Spicy” + EP “TEMPERATURE” (abs)
(29:57) 8TURN’s “Stagefright” + “8PM” (as always, Maddie’s obsessed)
(32:53) LUN8’s “SNEAKERS” + EP “Off the Grid” (what is happening)
(35:20) ONE PACT’s “U so hot” + “Whts yo name” (cant wait to see these at KCON!!)
(37:14) NouerA’s “.exe” + EP “.exe” (they just keep getting better and better!!)
(40:53) POW’s “Flavor” + “Still Choosing You” (the concept is pastels)
….
(42:56) Who won the comebacks this month?
…..
(44:12) What we’re looking forward to in KPop / Other KPop news
(54:02) BTS EXPRESS
…..
KCON LA 2026 - What we’re looking forward to!
(1:12:10) What even is KCON? 
(1:14:06) Festival grounds - What to expect + groups that will be there
(1:15:58) Artist stage + Dreamstage Auditions
(1:23:44) Toyota Den Showcase Stage
(1:28:54) Dance Stage
(1:31:21) “K-Soul City” Night Market booths (GET THOSE OLIVE YOUNG SAMPLES)
(1:32:48) Which Olive Young brands to look out for + our K-Beauty recommendations
(1:35:41) Food options + Special Chef “Edward Lee”
(1:37:30) K-Story Zone with actors Lee Junhyuk, Park Eunbin + Sangheon Lee
(1:42:11) M-Countdown stage at Crypto.com Arena
….
(1:54:23) What Maddie + Elle are most excited for KCON LA 2026!
…..
*Joshua Hong interview postponed due to SEVENTEEN schedule activities*
.....
If you're new to THE KDROP, welcome!! We are so glad you are here! 
….
Also check out our sister-podcast - YA GIRL’S KDrama Podcast - if that's your thing! (@yagirl_kdramapod) (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠)
 ….. 
Before you do anything else, FOLLOW THE K.DROP ON INSTAGRAM! For real, please come and say hey to us over the socials! @the.kdrop_kpop_pod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠
....
And Christina has an exclusive BTS instagram, so give that a follow!   https://www.instagram.com/bts_express_the.kdrop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
....
 Finally, jump on  YA GIRL’s Discord!! It's where all the friends of YA GIRL gather and talk about hot Korean men. You really don't wanna miss it. ⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/rFmEgTJpJ8⁠

Have you ever wondered how your favorite KPop idols would do on a dating show? 
According to Shining SOLO, the TREASURE dating variety show from 2024, NOT WELL HAHAHAHAHAHAH
….
Elle has been wondering forever who Maddie’s TREASURE bias would be, and she’s about to find out because Maddie finally watched Shining SOLO with her! (hint: it tracks) The girls are pumped to see TREASURE at KCON LA this August and this was the perfect way to prep!!
…..
WHAT’S CURRENT IN KPOP:
(04:50) BOYNEXTDOOR’s “VIRAL” + Album “HOME” 
(08:39) AHOF’s “Sugar High” 
(11:48) RIIZE’s “Do Your Dance” + Album “II” 
(16:34) HOSHI’’s “SnapBack”
(19:16) NEXZ’s “Hellmate” + “Hands up, Yo!”
(20:45) OMEGA X’s “Uncapped”
…..
(22:46) Who won the comebacks for us?
….
(24:04) OTHER KPOP NEWS: Debuts for EVAN & VAYONN, ALD1 lightstick revealed (WE CALLED ITTTTT!!), Caratland 2026
(36:05) BTS EXRESS
……
Shining SOLO: The TREASURE dating show
(53:52) What is Shining SOLO?? Explaining how the show works
(1:00:30) PART 1 Overview
(1:12:35) Jihoon
(1:19:19) Junkyu
(1:23:35) Jaehyuk
(1:27:22) Asahi
(1:36:45) Haruto
(1:41:20) Who won Mr. Treasure in PART 1?
……
(1:43:54) PART 2 Overview
(1:50:53) Hyunsuk
(1:56:09) Yoshi
(2:02:54) Doyoung
(2:07:07) Jeongwoo
(2:12:42) Junghwan
(2:18:00) Who won Mr. Treasure in PART 2?
…
(2:22:39) Letter from Joshua Hong!!

If you're new to THE KDROP, welcome!! We are so glad you are here! 
….
Also check out our sister-podcast - YA GIRL’S KDrama Podcast - if that's your thing! (@yagirl_kdramapod) (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠)
 ….. 
Before you do anything else, FOLLOW THE K.DROP ON INSTAGRAM! For real, please come and say hey to us over the socials! @the.kdrop_kpop_pod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠
....
And Christina started an exclusive BTS instagram, so give that a follow!   https://www.instagram.com/bts_express_the.kdrop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
....
 Finally, jump on  YA GIRL’s Discord!! It's where all the friends of YA GIRL gather and talk about hot Korean men. You really don't wanna miss it. ⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/rFmEgTJpJ8⁠

Christina and Elle both went to the BTS ARIRANG tour, and they’re here to talk about it!! Elle jumps on the BTS Express for this special episode. We know y’all will love hearing their concert experiences + other BTS fangirl-ness 
….
And, of course, before the express stops into town, Elle & Maddie will give the rundown on comebacks and what is current in boy group kpop. (Also some girl groups today?? whaaaa?)
….
WHAT’S CURRENT IN KPOP:
(07:08) BOYNEXTDOOR’s “ddok ddok ddok” (earworm of the century)
(11:57) YOUNITE’s “POSE!” + Album “INYUN Part.1” (maddie forgot who her bias was)
(15:30) ZEROBASEONE(five)’s “TOP 5” + Album “Ascend-” (yourlips yourstyle yourkiss yoursmile and number 1 how you make me feel likeeeeeeeeeeee)
(18:41) xikers’ “OKay” + Album “ROUTE ZERO: The ORA” (best xikers release to date, according to us)
(21:37) YOON SAN-HA’s “IDK ME” + Album “NO REASON” (fantagio, promote. this. boy.)
(24:14) SHOWNU X HYUNGWON’s “Do You Love Me” + Album “LOVE ME” (abs)
(27:28) LE SSERAFIM’s “BOOMPALA” + Album “‘PUREFLOW’,Pt. 1” (Elle luvs this album)
(30:05) *DEBUT* AND2BLE’s “Curious” + Album “Sequence 01: Curiosity” (ZB4 + EVNNE’s Seungeon)
(33:38t) ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s “OMG!” (we luv them!!!!)
(38:44) XLOV’s “SERVE” + Album “I,God” (did you know jeonghan’s sister does their nails)
(40:42) Anderson Paak’s "K-Pops!" Soundtrack
(42:59) TREASURE’s “IF I” + Album “[NEW WAV]” (this is gonna go hard live at KCON)
(48:10) MAMAMOO’s “4 Flowers” (a girl group we will cover consistently)
….
(51:28) Who won the comebacks for us?
…..
(52:59) OTHER KPOP NEWS: RIIZE, NEXZ, BND, and ATEEZ with upcoming music!!! SEVENTEEN Game Caterers, 8TURN U.S. tour confirmed, Elle is seeing an AMAZING group in London this month, and more!
….
(1:06:04) BTS EXPRESS: ARIRANG Concert Special!

If you're new to THE KDROP, welcome!! We are so glad you are here! 
….
Also check out our sister-podcast - YA GIRL’S KDrama Podcast - if that's your thing! (@yagirl_kdramapod) (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠)
 ….. 
Before you do anything else, FOLLOW THE K.DROP ON INSTAGRAM! For real, please come and say hey to us over the socials! @the.kdrop_kpop_pod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠
....
And Christina started an exclusive BTS instagram, so give that a follow!   https://www.instagram.com/bts_express_the.kdrop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
....
 Finally, jump on  YA GIRL’s Discord!! It's where all the friends of YA GIRL gather and talk about hot Korean men. You really don't wanna miss it. ⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/rFmEgTJpJ8⁠

Here it is, you guys: an entire Beginner's Guide on the monster that is NCT (you KNOW you all have questions)
......
Elle and Maddie learned SO MUCH during this episode. They have been schooled. Their guest (& friend!) Meg comes in HOT today with the NCT knowledge and you are gonna want to hear this!!
….
Not only does Meg share the entire NCT timeline (which is crazy helpful), but the girls also shout out their favorite NCT songs from all units (NCT U, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, NCT WISH), as well as share their biases and other content they think you should check out. 
….
We hope this Beginner’s Guide to NCT helps you understand this crazy SM-project group better, and hopefully gives you a new reason to check out their music and content - it’s great!
….
WHAT’S CURRENT IN KPOP:
(03:10) &TEAM’s “We on Fire” and “Bewitched” + Album “We on Fire”
(08:52) TXT’s “Stick with You” + Album “7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns”
(11:22) PLAVE’s “Born Savage”
(13:21) *DEBUT* MODYSSEY’s “HOOK” + Debut Single Album “1.Got Hooked: An Addictive Symphony”
(17:36) Xdinary Heroes’ “Voyager” + Album “DEAD AND”
(21:06) NCT WISH’s “Ode to Love” + 1st Full Album “Ode to Love”
(27:23) XngHan & Xoul’s “Glow” + 1st Mini Album “Glow”
(29:32 ) TWS’s “You, You” + 5th Mini Album “NO TRAGEDY”
(31:29) NEXZ’s “Mmchk” 
(35:19) 82MAJOR’s “Sign” + EP “FEELM”
(36:50) CRAVITY’s “AWAKE” + EP “ReDeFINE”
(39:04) CORTIS’s “REDRED” + EP “GREENGREEN”
….
(46:15) Who won the comebacks for us?
…..
(47:09) OTHER KPOP NEWS: Jaehyun out of the military!!!, new U.S. tours, SEVENTEEN military updates, BTS Concert talk, & more!
….
A Beginner’s Guide to NCT
(1:14:46) General information about NCT
(1:20:12) The Ultimate NCT Timeline (created by Meg)
Our favorite NCT songs and content:
(2:12:35) NCT U
(2:14:48) NCT 127
(2:19:33) NCT DREAM
(2:27:38) WayV
(2:33:43) NCT WISH
(2:34:39) NCT Soloists + Sub-Units
(2:38:02) What we love about NCT
…..
*Sadly, our Joshua Hong interview had to be postponed this week due to his prior obligations with Billboard!*
.....
If you're new to THE KDROP, welcome!! We are so glad you are here! 
….
Also check out our sister-podcast - YA GIRL’S KDrama Podcast - if that's your thing! (@yagirl_kdramapod) (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠)
 ….. 
Before you do anything else, FOLLOW THE K.DROP ON INSTAGRAM! For real, please come and say hey to us over the socials! @the.kdrop_kpop_pod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠
....
And Christina just started an exclusive BTS instagram, so give that a follow!   https://www.instagram.com/bts_express_the.kdrop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
....
 Finally, jump on  YA GIRL’s Discord!! It's where all the friends of YA GIRL gather and talk about hot Korean men. You really don't wanna miss it. ⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/rFmEgTJpJ8⁠