Mnet’s “Kingdom”: Review of the 6 K-pop Groups Fighting for the Crown

Kingdom: legendary war has officially started, kicking off 10 weeks of extravagant performances, healthy interactions between K-pop stars and absolute hell on the timeline. The Mnet competition series pits six groups of boys – from established top players like iKon to younger teams about to take the really big leap like Stray Kids and The Boyz – against each other for the opportunity to be. crowned king of K-pop.

For fans, the ultimate prize is seeing your favorite bands get the recognition they deserve (and the bragging rights of being victorious). For bands, however, it’s a chance for some to rewrite their narratives, while others can prove themselves as showstoppers in an oversaturated domestic market. With more visibility there are more fans and ultimately the longevity of the career.

So yes, the stakes of Kingdom are high, but the emphasis is not on winning. Everyone deserves the crown, and these six teams – BTOB, iKon, SF9, The Boyz, Stray Kids, and Ateez – aren’t competing as much as they are, showing the best of what they can. make and stretch the limits of their performance and their art. This is what makes Kingdom an essential watch.

And each group brings their own set of skills to the table. Let’s take a closer look at what makes each of these teams so legendary in their own right.

Legendary Voices: BTOB

With nearly a decade of experience under their belt, BTOB joins Kingdom as the most established group in the competition, which will undoubtedly be an asset for them. With seniority (they debuted in 2012) comes a level of self-confidence. It’s not that BTOB has nothing more to prove. Rather, members Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub, and Peniel – now promoted as a unit while Hyunsik and Sungjae complete their military service – have weathered enough storms to trust their instincts.

Appreciated for their humor and vocal prowess, BTOBs have become known for their powerful pop ballads, and they wield this awe-inspiring balladry like a deadly weapon. Their Kingdom the introductory performance of “Beautiful Pain” offered a reprieve from the darker, more performance-oriented scenes.

Songs like “It’s Okay” and “Way Back Home” challenge the listener to feel it all, successfully traversing all emotion through lush harmonies and timeless melodies. Throughout their careers, BTOB redefined the modern ballad by showcasing its versatility. Their 2016 single “Pray (I’ll Be Your Man)” fuses their rich vocals with dramatic orchestral swells, dark synths and jaw-dropping rap verses. (Don’t sleep on rappers Minhyuk and Peniel in this competition.) The result is electrifying, driven by the power of their vocals.