Circle (Onew album)

Circle
Digital cover
Studio album by Onew
Released	March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
Studio	SM Big Shot (Seoul) SM LVYIN (Seoul) SM SSAM (Seoul) SM Starlight (Seoul) SM Yellow Tail (Seoul)
Genre	Pop R&B
Length	31:52
Language	Korean
Label	SM Dreamus
Onew chronology
Life Goes On (2022) Circle (2023) Flow (2024)
Singles from Circle
"O (Circle)" Released: March 6, 2023

Circle is the first Korean-language studio album (second overall) by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on March 6, 2023, through SM Entertainment. The album contains ten songs, including the lead single, "O (Circle)". It peaked at number three on South Korea's Circle Album Chart.

Background

Circle was Onew's first Korean release after almost a year, following on from his 2022 EP Dice . ^[1] In the interim, he released the Japanese-language studio album Life Goes On and embarked on a tour across Japan. ^[2] Onew originally heard "O (Circle)" before Dice came out, but decided to save it for a future release, believing it to be "too strong" at the time. ^[3] Kim Eana wrote the lyrics according to his ideas. ^[4] Onew had previously collaborated with her on his 2021 song "Way", which the two wrote together. ^[5] He was involved in the production process from beginning to end, undergoing multiple rounds of recording, mixing and mastering, despite struggling with health issues. ^{[3] [4]} He noted, "I don't think there was a single part of the entire process that I didn't touch". ^[3] Onew chose the keywords "healing", "recovery" and "circulation" to describe the album. ^[6] He stated that he wanted to "broaden the spectrum" of his music and described it as a "stepping stone" for his future work. ^[4]

Composition

The songs are arranged to give the feeling of watching a single performance. ^[4] Lead single "O (Circle)" is an R&B song that combines arpeggio synth sounds with a heavy bass line. The lyrics, written by Kim Eana, compare the circular nature of life to the passing of the seasons. The title was chosen by Onew. ^[5] "Cough" is a pop song that uses acoustic guitar and drum lines to create a lonely atmosphere. It depicts the longing that ensues following a break-up, like a cold that refuses to go away at the change of the season. ^[7] "Rain on Me" is a ballad with a lyrical melody and acoustic band sound. The second half of the song features layered strings, and the lyrics take the form of a monologue in which Onew describes the person he wants to see in the rain. "Caramel" features rapper Giriboy and is a jazz pop song that likens love to the sweetness of caramel. It contains piano, bass, trumpets and scat singing. ^[8] "Anywhere" is a pop song with keyboard, bass and synth sounds, sung in falsetto. "Paradise" is a pop song with light guitar riffs and synths. The lyrics describe the sensation of falling in love as feeling like the stars are pouring down. ^[9] Midtempo pop song "Expectations" has a danceable beat created by electric guitar, a rhythmic drum line and synths. It compares feelings of disappointment and expectation in love to a battery that is continually recharged and drained. ^[7] "No Parachute" is an indie pop song about jumping into unfamiliar situations, containing a strong drum rhythm and synths. "Walk With You" is a midtempo pop song with a nostalgic theme. "Always" is an "emotional" ballad expressing Onew's desire to stay by the subject's side during times of difficulty and provide comfort. ^[10]

Release and promotion

The album was announced on February 20, 2023, with pre-orders beginning the same day. ^[11] Promotional materials, including teaser images and videos, were shared in the lead-up to its March 6 release. ^[1] Onew held a series of concerts, titled O-New-Note, at the Olympic Hall in Seoul on March 3–5, 2023, which was followed by further concerts in Tokyo on March 14–15. ^[12] He premiered songs from the album, including the lead single, at the concerts. ^[13]

Critical reception

Year-end lists for Circle

Critic/Publication	List	Rank	Ref.
Billboard	The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023	1	[14]

Track listing

Circle track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"O (Circle)"	Kim Eana	Haris	Haris	3:17
2.	"Cough" (환절기;Hwanjeolgi;lit. Change of Seasons)	Danke (Lalala Studio)	Alma Goodman Jake Torrey Todd Spadafore	Spadafore	3:04
3.	"Rain on Me" (우중산책;Ujungsanchaek;lit. A Walk in the Rain)	Tomboy1	Jisoo Park (153/Joombas) Sam Kim	MRey (153CreatorsClub) Sam Kim Park	3:48
4.	"Caramel" (featuring Giriboy)	Park Giriboy	Park Bendik Møller Giriboy	Møller Park	3:11
5.	"Anywhere"	Kim Min-ji (Jam Factory)	Ryan Bickley Andrea Rosario Fridolin Walchin	Freedo	3:02
6.	"Paradise"	Danke	Paul Meehan Kjetil Mørland Etham Basden Hautboi Rich	Meehan Mørland	3:12
7.	"Expectations"	Kang Eun-jung	Jordy Shulman Jonny Shorr Will Jay Matthew Crawford Aaron Theodore Berton	Theo & The Climb	3:12
8.	"No Parachute"	Jeon Ji-eun (Lalala Studio)	Liam Geddes Talk Like Tigers	Geddes	2:48
9.	"Walk with You" (기억을 걷다;Gieogeul Geotda;lit. Walking Through Memories)	Mola	James Birt Nermin Harambasic (Dsign Music) Isac Elliot Britt Pols	Birt	3:14
10.	"Always" (보통의 밤;Botongui Bam;lit. An Ordinary Night)	Lee Yeong-seok (PNP)	Ju Chan-yang (Pollen) Lavin	Ju Lavin	2:58
Total length:					31:52

Personnel

• Onew – vocals, background vocals
• minGtion – vocal directing (tracks 1, 7–9)
• Heritage (Kim Hyo-sik, Lee Sin-hui, Park Ui-yeong) – background vocals (track 1)
• Lee Min-gyu – recording (tracks 1, 4, 7), digital editing (tracks 1, 4, 7), mixing (tracks 4, 7)
• Nam Gung-jin – mixing (track 1)
• Ju Chan-yang – vocal directing (tracks 2, 5, 10), background vocals (tracks 2, 6, 10)
• Lee Ji-hong – recording (tracks 2, 10), digital editing (tracks 2, 10), mixing (track 10)
• Jeong Eui-seok – mixing (tracks 2, 5)
• Kim Yeon-seo – vocal directing (tracks 3–4, 6)
• Jeong Yu-ra – recording (tracks 3, 8–9), digital editing (tracks 3, 8–9), mixing (tracks 3, 9)
• Giriboy – vocals (track 4), background vocals (track 4)
• Jisoo Park – background vocals (track 4)
• Ryan Bickley – background vocals (track 5)
• Kang Eun-ji – recording (tracks 5, 9), digital editing (track 5)
• No Min-ji – recording (track 6), digital editing (track 6)
• Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 6)
• Liam Geddes – background vocals (track 8)
• Gu Jong-pil – mixing (track 8)
• Isac Elliott – background vocals (track 9)
• Nermin Harambasic – background vocals (track 9)
• Oiaisle – background vocals (track 9)
• Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart performance for Circle Chart (2023) Peak position Japanese Albums (Oricon) [15] 11 Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) [16] 17 Japanese Hot Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [17] 10 South Korean Albums (Circle) [18] 3 UK Album Downloads (OCC) [19] 98

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for Circle Chart (2023) Peak position Japanese Albums (Oricon) [20] 46 South Korean Albums (Circle) [21] 11

Accolades

Music program awards

Song	Program	Date	Ref.
"O (Circle)"	Show! Music Core	March 18, 2023	[22]

References

1. Yeo, Gladys (February 21, 2023). "Shinee's Onew announces first solo studio album 'Circle'". NME . Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
2. Lee, Jian (May 17, 2022). "Onew to drop first full-length album 'Life Goes On' in Japan in July". Korea JoongAng Daily . Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
3. Yeo, Gladys (March 7, 2023). "Onew reveals he heard new single 'O (Circle)' before his previous record 'Dice' came out". NME . Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
4. Kim, Jung-hyun (March 17, 2023). 치열하게 고민하고 탐구해 찾은 온유다운 마음. Allure Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
5. Seon, Mi-kyung (February 22, 2023). '컴백' 샤이니 온유, 신곡 'O (Circle)' 사계절 듣고 싶은 힐링곡 ['Comeback': Shinee Onew's new song 'O (Circle)' is a healing song to listen to in all four seasons]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023– via Naver.
6. "Shinee's Onew to drop 1st individual studio album". The Korea Times . Yonhap News Agency. March 6, 2023. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
7. Park, Se-yeon (February 27, 2023). 온유표 밴드 사운드 '써클'에 다 담긴다 [Onew includes band sounds in 'Circle']. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023– via Naver.
8. Jeong, Jin-ah (February 23, 2023). 샤이니 온유, 정규1집 '써클' 기리보이·샘김 참여…다양한 매력 수록 [Giriboy and Sam Kim participate in Shinee Onew's first studio album 'Circle'... Contains various charms]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023– via Naver.
9. Lee, Yu-na (February 24, 2023). 샤이니 온유 첫 정규 앨범 'Circle', 청량미 넘치는 수록곡 예고 [Shinee Onew's first studio album 'Circle' contains B-side songs full of refreshing beauty]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023– via Naver.
10. Kim, Soo-kyung (February 28, 2023). '힐링 보컬' 샤이니 온유, 첫 정규앨범에 따뜻함 담았다 ['Healing vocal' Shinee's Onew puts warmth in his first studio album]. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023– via Naver.
11. Seon, Mi-kyung (February 20, 2023). 온유, 3월 6일 솔로 컴백..첫 정규앨범 'Circle' 발매 [Shinee's Onew will have a solo comeback on March 6... First studio album 'Circle' to be released]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved March 4, 2023– via Naver.
12. Hwang, You-mee (February 13, 2023). "[Today's K-pop] Shinee's Onew adds date to 1st solo concert". The Korea Herald . Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
13. Cho, Yeon-kyung (March 1, 2023). 샤이니 온유, 첫 솔로 콘서트서 '신곡 선공개' [Shinee Onew to 'pre-release new song' at his first solo concert]. JTBC . Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023– via Naver.
14. "The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023". Billboard . December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
15. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-04-10/p/2" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
16. "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-04-03" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
17. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of March 15, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
18. "Circle Album Chart – Week 10, 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
19. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
20. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-03" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
21. "Album Chart – 2023.03 Month". Circle Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
22. '음악중심' 샤이니 온유, 출연 없이 1위‥엑소 카이·트와이스 컴백[종합] [Shinee's Onew won first place on "Music Core" without attending... Exo's Kai and Twice comeback [Roundup]]. Newsen (in Korean). March 18, 2023. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.