To Joshua Minsoo Kim & Pitchfork,
Dear Joshua,
We read you so called "review" and honestly, your review isn't a critique; it’s more a diary entry from someone desperately trying to sound like a sophisticated intellectual while failing to hide a very specific biased agenda.
You called a project that explores Korean national identity "generic" while literally name-dropping your own bias in the middle of a BTS review. And among of the reviews written about Arirang album, you are the first and only critic who reached this level of unprofessionalism, Congratulations!!
Worse, your arguments contradict themselves; you criticize the album for being too Western, then drag it for not sounding Western enough. Words like “generic,” “hollow,” and “banal” are repeated like a mantra, not because they’re true, but because You need them to be true and your word salad doesn't help your case.
And the cherry on top of your review is your overlay dramatic tone. Phrases like “sound of their collapse” aren’t insightful but it's theatrical. You’re not analyzing music; you’re trying to manifest downfall narrative.
Unlike professional critics like NME and Rolling stone that fans are waiting for their review and insight on their favorite album, your review can be classified as unwanted, unnecessary, and a big nothing.
At the end, just a friendly suggestion; dear Joshua We all get it, you’ve got a fav playlist. Keep it on your Spotify, not in a professional publication. It’s embarrassing. Thank you.