Tamar Herman
@tamarherman.com
Writer. K-pop & ent biz reporter. Author. She/Her. Published in Billboard, NME, Forbes, Variety, & many more. Have a day job, will not be here 24/7 because I love myself more than I love engagement bait.
Newsletter: Notesonkpop.com.
Newsletter: Notesonkpop.com.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
Chart Rewind: In 1999, Britney Spears Hit Number ‘One’ for the First ‘Time’
Chart Rewind: In 1999, Britney Spears Hit Number ‘One’ for the First ‘Time’
Britney Spears' 'Baby One More Time' debut album and its title song was No. 1 on Billboard 200 and Hot 100 on Jan. 30, 1999. Here's the chart rewind.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Chart Rewind: In 1999, Britney Spears Hit Number ‘One’ for the First ‘Time’
I really hope someone invites Hudson Williams onto a Korean variety show for the chaos
January 12, 2026 at 12:13 PM
I really hope someone invites Hudson Williams onto a Korean variety show for the chaos
BoA leaving SM after 2025 years. End of an era
January 12, 2026 at 10:58 AM
BoA leaving SM after 2025 years. End of an era
All the girlies want in 2026 is more K-pop Demon Hunters and Heated Rivalry Joy
January 12, 2026 at 3:17 AM
All the girlies want in 2026 is more K-pop Demon Hunters and Heated Rivalry Joy
Definitely something to think about
I think there was a "for k-pop" opportunity when Western music journalists were willing to embrace it and it was undone by agencies that restricted access to the idols and fans who dogpiled on writers, and music journalists collectively decided it wasn't worth it.
January 11, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Definitely something to think about
And I get that bc she’s the most Korean member of Katseye, who are nominated for stuff, and as @tamarherman.com wrote recently, this Grammy success is not exactly for k-pop but for “of k-pop”. notesonkpop.com/2025-ends-wi...
2025 ends with K-pop overlooked by success 'Of K-pop'
I was in Korea last month, and spent a lot of my time running around to have coffee with industry friends. One journalist and I were talking about the success of K-pop Demon Hunters, and what 2026 wou...
notesonkpop.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Tamar Herman
It feels very goofy to try and use emotional regulation tools and focus on stuff like job applications after learning a mom was shot three times in the face by an ICE officer. I do not miss the level of cognitive dissonance required on a daily basis to be productive enough while living in the US.
January 11, 2026 at 5:43 PM
It feels very goofy to try and use emotional regulation tools and focus on stuff like job applications after learning a mom was shot three times in the face by an ICE officer. I do not miss the level of cognitive dissonance required on a daily basis to be productive enough while living in the US.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
I can't say this loudly enough: THEY ARE TRYING TO NORMALIZE THE KILLING OF CIVILIANS FOR PARTICIPATING IN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTED PROTEST ACTIVITIES.
Homan: "We gotta stop the hateful rhetoric. Saying this officer is a murderer is dangerous. It's just ridiculous. It's gonna infuriate people more which means there's gonna be more incidents like this."
January 11, 2026 at 3:54 PM
I can't say this loudly enough: THEY ARE TRYING TO NORMALIZE THE KILLING OF CIVILIANS FOR PARTICIPATING IN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTED PROTEST ACTIVITIES.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
Many thanks to Maria Sherman for inviting me to share my thoughts! Also in good company with @math48.bsky.social and @tamarherman.com! 🙌🏻
apnews.com/article/kpop...
apnews.com/article/kpop...
January 10, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Many thanks to Maria Sherman for inviting me to share my thoughts! Also in good company with @math48.bsky.social and @tamarherman.com! 🙌🏻
apnews.com/article/kpop...
apnews.com/article/kpop...
Reposted by Tamar Herman
Celebrities talking to each other or interviewing other celebrities, while sitting in a furnished, designed, well-lit studio, filmed with multiple cameras, available to watch on video platforms...
...is a talk show, not a podcast.
...is a talk show, not a podcast.
old man yells at cloud is written on a newspaper
ALT: old man yells at cloud is written on a newspaper
media.tenor.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Celebrities talking to each other or interviewing other celebrities, while sitting in a furnished, designed, well-lit studio, filmed with multiple cameras, available to watch on video platforms...
...is a talk show, not a podcast.
...is a talk show, not a podcast.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
In this week's NPR Music newsletter I try to make sense of the intense response to Rosalía's LUX and Geese's GETTING KILLED and identify a shift in music fandom that might be happening. I usually don't post web links to it but I'd love you to read this one view.nl.npr.org?qs=6f1f6e7c2...
Newsletter continues after sponsor message
view.nl.npr.org
January 10, 2026 at 6:01 PM
In this week's NPR Music newsletter I try to make sense of the intense response to Rosalía's LUX and Geese's GETTING KILLED and identify a shift in music fandom that might be happening. I usually don't post web links to it but I'd love you to read this one view.nl.npr.org?qs=6f1f6e7c2...
People not understanding that Heated Rivalry will inevitably have a happy ending because they have no romance media literacy or trust in genres feels like it makes great parallels to how people have no general media literacy and ability to read through what is happening in the world at large
January 11, 2026 at 1:51 PM
People not understanding that Heated Rivalry will inevitably have a happy ending because they have no romance media literacy or trust in genres feels like it makes great parallels to how people have no general media literacy and ability to read through what is happening in the world at large
Reposted by Tamar Herman
Politics isn't my field, wheelhouse, lane, or circus, but I do think a lot about children's books and media.
"Won't you be my neighbor?"
We're learning what that means all over again.
And, as my people keep assuring you, rightly, this country will keep receiving the lesson until it is learned.
"Won't you be my neighbor?"
We're learning what that means all over again.
And, as my people keep assuring you, rightly, this country will keep receiving the lesson until it is learned.
January 9, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Politics isn't my field, wheelhouse, lane, or circus, but I do think a lot about children's books and media.
"Won't you be my neighbor?"
We're learning what that means all over again.
And, as my people keep assuring you, rightly, this country will keep receiving the lesson until it is learned.
"Won't you be my neighbor?"
We're learning what that means all over again.
And, as my people keep assuring you, rightly, this country will keep receiving the lesson until it is learned.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
Walz: "I couldn't help but think, and it scares me a bit -- 'The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most important directive.' It certainly feels like that in this moment."
January 8, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Walz: "I couldn't help but think, and it scares me a bit -- 'The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most important directive.' It certainly feels like that in this moment."
Reposted by Tamar Herman
The video analysis is well-done and highlights the details that are visually — and legally — important.
The New York Times states it plainly in display type:
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:16 PM
The video analysis is well-done and highlights the details that are visually — and legally — important.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
This is literally what they do whenever a Black person is killed by police. No matter how solid the evidence is, they will keep pushing that lie, not just to poison the conversation and make sure the killer walks free, but to reassert the political idea that these people deserve to be killed.
The shooting is shocking enough but the government's response is off the charts when you consider that this incident is forensically documented on video.
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
This is literally what they do whenever a Black person is killed by police. No matter how solid the evidence is, they will keep pushing that lie, not just to poison the conversation and make sure the killer walks free, but to reassert the political idea that these people deserve to be killed.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
NOW: Crowd continues to grow in Minneapolis at a vigil where a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good this morning.
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
January 7, 2026 at 11:22 PM
NOW: Crowd continues to grow in Minneapolis at a vigil where a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good this morning.
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
Reposted by Tamar Herman
As @lukeoneil47.bsky.social once wrote for Esquire about Michael Brown, "If You Are "Waiting for the Facts" from the Police, You Will Be Waiting for the Rest of Your Life."
January 7, 2026 at 8:11 PM
As @lukeoneil47.bsky.social once wrote for Esquire about Michael Brown, "If You Are "Waiting for the Facts" from the Police, You Will Be Waiting for the Rest of Your Life."
Nothing fends off existential dread in the face of everything happening in the world today better than Kpop x heated rivalry crossovers
January 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Nothing fends off existential dread in the face of everything happening in the world today better than Kpop x heated rivalry crossovers
Reposted by Tamar Herman
I am at most a casual K-Pop fan, so while I love that NMIXX are getting their flowers, this was also a fun romp through songs I'd not heard before.
The hotel lobby choreo in this MV is particularly striking.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfoI...
The hotel lobby choreo in this MV is particularly striking.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfoI...
January 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM
I am at most a casual K-Pop fan, so while I love that NMIXX are getting their flowers, this was also a fun romp through songs I'd not heard before.
The hotel lobby choreo in this MV is particularly striking.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfoI...
The hotel lobby choreo in this MV is particularly striking.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfoI...
Reposted by Tamar Herman
“Get it on the Princess Diaries 3 soundtrack, Disney.”
had not thought about this before for Invasion but all for it.
had not thought about this before for Invasion but all for it.
2025 was not the best musically, but there were still some great K-pop moments worth applauding in Notes on K-pop's Best of 2025 songs list.
Please enjoy, and then provide feedback and criticism. I love hearing about everyone's musical taste. I love music so much, guys.
Please enjoy, and then provide feedback and criticism. I love hearing about everyone's musical taste. I love music so much, guys.
Best K-pop Songs of 2025
Over the past twelve months, K-pop has been fascinating to witness for what it’s turning into and what it’s reacting to. I think this year truly belonged to rookie groups, with many rising acts really...
notesonkpop.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:03 PM
“Get it on the Princess Diaries 3 soundtrack, Disney.”
had not thought about this before for Invasion but all for it.
had not thought about this before for Invasion but all for it.
2025 was not the best musically, but there were still some great K-pop moments worth applauding in Notes on K-pop's Best of 2025 songs list.
Please enjoy, and then provide feedback and criticism. I love hearing about everyone's musical taste. I love music so much, guys.
Please enjoy, and then provide feedback and criticism. I love hearing about everyone's musical taste. I love music so much, guys.
Best K-pop Songs of 2025
Over the past twelve months, K-pop has been fascinating to witness for what it’s turning into and what it’s reacting to. I think this year truly belonged to rookie groups, with many rising acts really...
notesonkpop.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:47 PM
2025 was not the best musically, but there were still some great K-pop moments worth applauding in Notes on K-pop's Best of 2025 songs list.
Please enjoy, and then provide feedback and criticism. I love hearing about everyone's musical taste. I love music so much, guys.
Please enjoy, and then provide feedback and criticism. I love hearing about everyone's musical taste. I love music so much, guys.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
The discussions about "how much money would it take for you to return to the office four or five days a week?" often gloss over how many expectations are placed on women, people or color, parents, as well as people who are disabled, neurodivergent or have chronic health conditions.
January 6, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The discussions about "how much money would it take for you to return to the office four or five days a week?" often gloss over how many expectations are placed on women, people or color, parents, as well as people who are disabled, neurodivergent or have chronic health conditions.
Reposted by Tamar Herman
"for much of society today, words are not expressions with referents, but rather, performative speech acts with specific functions — in his case, owning the libs...Where there are words at all, they are but a way to express a meme, a vibe, an aesthetic.
Killing in the name of… nothing
The year politics became brainrot
You don’t bring a persuasive argument to a gunfight.
buff.ly
December 31, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"for much of society today, words are not expressions with referents, but rather, performative speech acts with specific functions — in his case, owning the libs...Where there are words at all, they are but a way to express a meme, a vibe, an aesthetic.