230911 Paste Magazine: The 30 Greatest K-Pop Albums of All Time (Jack In The Box and Love Yourself: Tear are mentioned)

> 2: The debut solo album from j-hope, Jack in the Box is, in no short terms, a sonic triumph. Based on the Greek artifact of Pandora’s box, the singer/songwriter and rapper pulls from old-school hip-hop to offer up a real brilliance of K-pop—while also experimenting with grunge, R&B and pop. j-hope’s goal on this record was to showcase his own growth from the previous decade, and he even includes a sample of Ol Dirty Bastard’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” on “What If…” Jack in the Box radiates with warm, kaleidoscopic dexterity and magnificent construction. It’s a musician at the height of his powers, and so few K-pop artists have hit an apex quite like j-hope did on this 10-track masterpiece.

> 3: The third studio album from BTS, Love Yourself: Tear is an album concept with a focus on self-acceptance and self-love. The band drew heavy influence from emo and grunge, fusing the genres with hip-hop, jazz, EDM, alt-R&B and pop. Songs like “Fake Love” and “The Truth Untold” boast tender examinations of love and loss through technicolor songs melodic intensity that culminates in some of BTS’ catchiest and brightest hits. Love Yourself: Tear is the band at their most cohesive and ambitious, as they aren’t afraid to take experimental risks while perfecting their maximalist sensibilities. It’s a victory lap for one of the most recognizable K-pop acts of all time.

Interesting list. JITB will age very well and already seems to have legs. I’m biased, but I would have loved to see more solo works on here, especially Mono and Agust D or D-2. Can’t be too greedy I guess.

While I love Tear, it’s too hard to pick THEE best BTS album and frankly, they deserve more than one on a Top Kpop Albums list. But again, can’t be too greedy.

The HYYH erasure…

Love to see JITB get the praise that it deserves!