| Circle | ||||
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 Digital cover | ||||
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| Released | March 6, 2023 | |||
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| Length | 31:52 | |||
| Language | Korean | |||
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| Onew chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Circle | ||||
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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.
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]
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]
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]
| Critic/Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023 | 1 | [14] |
| 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) |
| Spadafore | 3:04 |
| 3. | "Rain on Me" (우중산책;Ujungsanchaek;lit. A Walk in the Rain) | Tomboy1 |
|
| 3:48 |
| 4. | "Caramel" (featuring Giriboy) |
|
|
| 3:11 |
| 5. | "Anywhere" | Kim Min-ji (Jam Factory) |
| Freedo | 3:02 |
| 6. | "Paradise" | Danke |
|
| 3:12 |
| 7. | "Expectations" | Kang Eun-jung |
| Theo & The Climb | 3:12 |
| 8. | "No Parachute" | Jeon Ji-eun (Lalala Studio) |
| Geddes | 2:48 |
| 9. | "Walk with You" (기억을 걷다;Gieogeul Geotda;lit. Walking Through Memories) | Mola |
| Birt | 3:14 |
| 10. | "Always" (보통의 밤;Botongui Bam;lit. An Ordinary Night) | Lee Yeong-seok (PNP) |
|
| 2:58 |
| Total length: | 31:52 | ||||
Weekly charts
| Monthly charts
|
| Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "O (Circle)" | Show! Music Core | March 18, 2023 | [22] |
Shinee is a South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2008. The group originally consisted of five members: Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin. The group's musical impact in their native country has earned them numerous accolades and the title "Princes of K-pop".
Lee Jin-ki, better known by his stage name Onew, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and host. Born in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Onew was discovered at the 2006 SM Academy Casting and signed a contract with SM Entertainment the day after his audition. He debuted as the lead vocalist and leader of the boy group Shinee in May 2008, who went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea.
2009, Year of Us is the third extended play (EP) by South Korean boy group Shinee. It consists of six tracks and it incorporates alternative rock and hip-hop music genres. The digital version of the album was released on October 19, 2009, with a physical release on October 22. The title track, "Ring Ding Dong", was released on October 14, 2009, through various music sites.
"Replay" is the debut single by South Korean boy band Shinee, recorded for the extended play of the same name. It was released on May 22, 2008, through SM Entertainment. A Japanese version of the song was later released on June 22, 2011, through EMI Music Japan.
"Ring Ding Dong" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band Shinee as the lead single for their third extended play, 2009, Year of Us. It was released on October 14, 2009 through SM Entertainment. Penned by Yoo Young-jin, "Ring Ding Dong" is known for its repetitive, catchy hook.
The Misconceptions of Us is the third studio album released by South Korean boy band Shinee. It consists of two parts, Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You and the second Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me, that were later collected together as The Misconceptions of Us under SM Entertainment and distributed by KT Music.
Odd is the fourth Korean studio album by South Korean boy band Shinee. It was released digitally and physically on May 18, 2015, under SM Entertainment and distributed by KT Music. The album contains 11 songs, including the title track, "View". The music video for the title track was filmed in Thailand. The repackaged album, Married to the Music, was released on August 3, 2015, with four additional songs.
1 of 1 is the fifth Korean studio album and the ninth overall by South Korean boy band Shinee. It was released digitally and physically on October 5, 2016, under SM Entertainment and distributed by KT Music. The album contains nine songs, including the title track of the same name, "1 of 1". Musically, the album is a modernized twist on the retro genre, and stretches back to the 1980–1990 period. Additionally, based on their '90s theme, the group released a limited edition of cassette tapes alongside the CD version. In order to promote the album, Shinee appeared on several South Korean music programs, such as Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo, where they performed material from the album. On November 15, 2016, Shinee released a repackaged version of their fifth studio album titled 1 and 1 with five new songs, including the title track, "Tell Me What to Do". The album is also Shinee's last Korean album to feature Jonghyun prior to his death the following year.
Voice is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on December 5, 2018, under SM Entertainment, five days before his military conscription. "Blue" served as the album's lead single.
Don't Call Me is the seventh Korean studio album by South Korean boy group Shinee. The album was released on February 22, 2021, through SM Entertainment. It is the group's first release since three of the members completed their military service with the exception of member Taemin and also the group's first album not to feature late member Jonghyun in any capacity. Working with producers such as Dem Jointz, Yoo Young-jin, Kenzie, and Ryan S. Jhun, the album spans several genres such as pop, hip hop, EDM, R&B, and reggae. Shinee forwent an overarching theme for the album, instead opting for songs that marked the group's return after almost three years and presenting the record as a gift to fans. A repackage of the album, Atlantis, was released on April 12, 2021.
"Don't Call Me" is a song by South Korean boy band Shinee. It was released on February 22, 2021, through SM Entertainment and served as the lead single for the album of the same name. "Don't Call Me" was composed by Kenzie, Dem Jointz and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, and arranged by Dem Jointz, Yoo Young-jin, Kenzie, Ryan S. Jhun and Robbin, with the lyrics was written by Kenzie. It was the group's first single since members Onew, Key and Minho returned from the military.
Bad Love is the first Korean extended play by South Korean singer Key. It was released on September 27, 2021, through SM Entertainment. Marketed as his first "mini album" release, it consists of six songs, including the singles "Hate That..." and "Bad Love". The EP was Key's first solo release since returning from the military. Conceptually, it follows a retro space theme, inspired by the science fiction films of the 1980s and 1990s. It peaked at number three on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and received positive reviews from music critics.
Dice is the second extended play by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on April 11, 2022, through SM Entertainment. It consists of six tracks, including the lead single of the same name.
South Korean singer Onew has released two studio albums, three extended plays, fifteen singles and ten soundtrack songs. Onew began his music career in 2008 as a member of the boy band Shinee. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2018 with the release of his extended play Voice, which peaked at number two on the Circle Album Chart. His second extended play, Dice, followed in 2022. It peaked at number three on the Circle Album Chart and has sold over 140,000 copies in South Korea. Later that year, Onew released his first Japanese-language extended play, Who Sings? Vol.1, which formed part of his debut studio album, Life Goes On. It peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart. In 2023, he released his first Korean studio album, Circle, which peaked at number three on the Circle Album Chart.
"Dice" is a song by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on April 11, 2022, through SM Entertainment and served as the lead single for the EP of the same name. "Dice" was written by Kang Eun-jung, Will Lobban-Bean, Griffith Clawson and Jesse Fink, and produced by Lobban-Bean and Hitchhiker.
Gasoline is the second studio album by South Korean singer Key. It was released on August 30, 2022, through SM Entertainment. It consists of eleven tracks, including lead single "Gasoline". The album was commercially successful, debuting at number one on South Korea's Circle Album Chart, and received positive reviews from music critics. A reissue, titled Killer, was released on February 13, 2023. It features three new songs, including the lead single of the same name. Gasoline and Killer form the second and third parts of the "retro trilogy" Key started with his 2021 EP Bad Love.
Chase is the debut extended play by South Korean singer and rapper Minho. It was released on December 6, 2022, through SM Entertainment. Chase was the last in a string of solo debuts by members of the boy group Shinee. It contains six songs belonging to the hip hop and R&B genres, including lead single "Chase". It peaked at number four on South Korea's Circle Album Chart.
Hard is the eighth Korean-language studio album by South Korean boy band Shinee. The album was released on June 26, 2023, through SM Entertainment. It was the group's first album since the youngest member, Taemin, completed his military service, and marked their 15th anniversary. It consists of ten songs of various genres, including the lead single, "Hard". The album was described as the start of a "new chapter" for the group, who sought to continually reinvent themselves and experiment with new genres. It was commercially successful, peaking at number two on South Korea's Circle Album Chart, and received largely positive reviews from music critics.
Good & Great is the second Korean extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Key. It was released on September 11, 2023, through SM Entertainment. The EP features an office theme, and contains six songs from various genres, including the title track as the lead single.
Guilty is the fourth Korean extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released on October 30, 2023, through SM Entertainment. The EP is Taemin's first release since being discharged from military service. It consists of six songs, including the lead single, "Guilty".