It's a K-pop Thing

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 SDCC
Our podcast’s origin story
How and why we pick the topics we talk about
A lot of untold stories involving the group BTS
Plus, 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 Mania
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddymaniapodcast/
Alexandrea Callaghan - Fangirl Productions 13
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Forestofgeek
Josh Blumenkranz - The Movie Buddy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoviebuddyjb/
Lizzy Gonzalez - Lizzy_Cupcake
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_cupcake
Meosha Bean - Meosha Bean Official
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meoshabeanofficial
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: @ikptpod
Alexis: @hoe_doyan
Theresa: @theresa__avila
CONTACT:
E-mail us at: itsakpopthing@alkemielab.com

(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: IKPT
Join 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: @ikptpod
Alexis: @hoe_doyan
Theresa: @theresa__avila
CONTACT:
E-mail us at: itsakpopthing@alkemielab.com

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 Coachella
The K-pop "multiverse" at the festival (according to us)
The presence (erm, lack of?) Manon at the festival
Our takeaways from the key K-pop performances at Week 1 & 2
KATSEYE: Pinky Up — Is this the group's signature sound now?
TAEMIN: The MJ references and his perfectionism on full display
BIGBANG: Why the second weekend was the better show for older fans
Our 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 lineup
The K-pop groups we think will debut at Coachella next year
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: @ikptpod
Alexis: @hoe_doyan
Theresa: @theresa__avila
CONTACT:
E-mail us at: itsakpopthing@alkemielab.com

*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 charts
The 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 Hamilton
Why the Netflix livestream maybe missed the mark
What K-pop fans really want to see during a performance
Interview with Philiana Ng
Winning a raffle prize on WeVerse - what are the odds?
What the concert was really like for fans in the audience
What the cameras didn't capture about the members on stage
Does 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: @insidethetube
SHOW 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: @ikptpod
Alexis: @hoe_doyan
Theresa: @theresa__avila
CONTACT:
E-mail us at: itsakpopthing@alkemielab.com

"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 shocking
What impact each NCT member had in the group
Mark's history at SM Entertainment — we saw him grow up!
How Mark's Christian faith influenced his music
How we define an "Ace" member in K-pop
What Danielle, Heeseung, Manon and Mark have in common
How 2nd and 3rd Gen K-pop groups dealt with missing members
Our theories on why Mark left the group
What might be next for Mark next
Our hopes for NCT moving forward
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: @ikptpod
Alexis: @hoe_doyan
Theresa: @theresa__avila
CONTACT:
E-mail us at: itsakpopthing@alkemielab.com