One of my most highly anticipated music releases of early 2025 was the new mini album “Amortage” by K-pop star Jisoo. Released on Valentine’s Day, the fantastic EP immediately made it onto my playlists and I’ve been listening to it nonstop.

Jisoo has been my favorite member since I first discovered the K-pop girl group Blackpink. She is probably the most overlooked member of the group, whereas the other three (Jennie, Rosé and Lisa) have attained a stronger international appeal. Even so, Jisoo draws me in the most because of her playful personality and sultry singing voice.

I appreciate that two of the four songs on the mini album, “earthquake” and “Tears,” feature predominantly Korean lyrics. In order to appeal to international audiences, the discographies of many K-pop groups have in recent years become dominated by English-language tracks. Blackpink pioneered this trend as early as 2020 in order to try and break into the American market, and many other groups have followed.

One of my other favorite K-pop groups, Twice, came out with an English title track “Strategy,” last year, featuring Megan Thee Stallion. Though I absolutely adored the collaboration, the song itself was disappointing and did not reflect what I love most about the group or about the genre of K-pop. Jisoo’s mini album reflected much of that authenticity that I have found lacking more and more.

Although I would have loved at least one longer and slower ballad-type track that showcased Jisoo’s deep and sultry vocals, I appreciated the sound and dancey music of the mini-album. It felt very “K-pop,” whereas recent solo music from the other Blackpink members has adhered to a mainstream sound that is particularly palatable to the American charts.

I said that the main reason I loved the release were the Korean songs, but to be honest my personal favorite is one of the English-language songs, “Your Love.” It has a great rhythm that is totally stuck in my head.

The overall aesthetic promotional material for “Amortage” also fit Jisoo well. Whether or not it’s on purpose, I love that each of the Blackpink members have been rocking curls in their recent material (Jennie in her “Mantra” music video, Rosé in the promos for her album “rosie,” and Lisa in recent photos). They all look so great! And I love seeing things that remind me of them as a group, even as they pursue their solo careers.