KAOS (Netflix)
Yoon Haein: A god is an all-powerful being who reigns supreme over humans and over all things, yet the gods of classical Greek and Roman mythology, while certainly immensely powerful, also exhibit distinctly human qualities—falling in love, getting hurt, and making regrettable decisions. The Netflix series KAOS reimagines these gods as living in a version of the real world where the theocratic state of Krete remains under their rule. At the heart of KAOS is Zeus, who seems to be facing less of a midlife crisis and more an immortality crisis, galivanting around in a designer track suit and mindlessly throwing lightning bolts for his own amusement. Prometheus describes Zeus as “a transcendent, unmitigated bastard.” The almighty god is authoritarian, easily offended, and exactly the kind of womanizer ancient myth makes him out to be. Zeus’ son Dionysus, though his father decided to make him an Olympian god, nonetheless holds the rather pitiful distinction of being the family disappointment. Born of a human mother, Dionysus unsuccessfully seeks approval from Hera and yearns to take on more responsibilities, but Zeus couldn’t care less. Meanwhile, Poseidon is busy partying on his yacht, while Hera finds human worries and anxieties actually bring her solace. No matter how much the humans in the chaotic world beneath Olympus send up their prayers, the gods never listen.

The mortal citizens of Krete praying to the problematic gods of KAOS find themselves wrapped up in a prophecy where cracks in the gods’ powers are beginning to show. One thing that makes the series so engaging is how all the contrasting storylines of the individual episodes eventually converge. Add in reworked elements like a passionately romantic rockstar Orpheus, a pescetarian Poseidon, and a cruise liner that makes its way down the River Styx, and KAOS is one amusing and visually rich twist on classical mythology after another. Beyond the visual spectacle, the series also shows how ancient tales can still hold up a mirror to contemporary life. Was Eurydice really happy when Orpheus came to the underworld to rescue her? Though the pair relive their well-known tragedy in the new version, this Eurydice isn’t content to simply be seen as someone else’s wife and seeks a new identity for herself in the underworld. KAOS rewrites famous myths by reexamining characters like Ariadne, Caeneus, and Persephone, expanding on their stories and reframing them as complex figures. The series shows why, even today, people are still so captivated by the human-like gods of Greco-Roman mythology: Human narratives make for the most interesting stories. The drama passed down from ancient times still has the power to make for compelling TV.

WiND (Billyrrom)
Hwang Sunup (music critic): It’s already been eight years since the Suchmos song “STAY TUNE” reshaped the entire Japanese music landscape. The group broke down the last remaining barriers between Black music and the mainstream, paving the way for new bands to make crossover hits instead of just straightforward guitar rock. Groups like Kroi, Ochunism, chilldspot, YONA YONA WEEKENDERS, and yonawo exemplify this trend. Armed with unique sounds of their own creations, they’re now all engaged in a fierce battle to come out on top at a time when the doors to the city pop revival have been flung wide open.

And now, bursting forth from the mayhem and propelling them forward to victory like a bullet train is six-member Billyrrom’s first studio album. It’s the perfect combination of Black groove and rock distortion. What they pull off with the 6-minute, 50-second track “SERENADE for Brahma” is nothing short of remarkable: After a weighty, beautiful, bluesy intro, the song transitions into full city pop mode with mellow vocals, moves through periods of quiet as it continues on, and saves its climax for the end with a crushing guitar solo. Here, Billyrrom has a kind of impact that few other bands could ever dream of and suggests an almost infinite potential for greatness.

With tracks like the exotic ambient–gospel cocktail “Soulbloom” and the rise from minimalistic sounds to spectacular chaos in “Sun shower,” this fantastic album shows off a kind of spirit and musicianship that builds off what began in “STAY TUNE” to herald in a new dimension for the future of Japanese-style Black music. Putting the wind in their own sails, propelling themselves forward, relative newcomer Billyrrom is quickly reaching the status of unbreakable rock stars.