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

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]