Dark (X-File)

Last updated

"Dark (X-File)"
Song by (G)I-dle
from the EP I Love
LanguageKorean
ReleasedOctober 17, 2022 (2022-10-17)
Genre Alt-rock [1]
Length2:45
Label Cube
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
Audio video
"X-File" on YouTube

"Dark (X-File)" (stylized as DARK (X-file)) is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their fifth extended play I Love as the sixth track. The song was released on October 17, 2022, by Cube Entertainment. It was written by leader Soyeon and produced by member Yuqi and Siixk Jun. The song is about the essential feelings from being in love. [2]

Contents

Background and composition

On September 14, 2022, Cube Entertainment announced (G)I-dle would be releasing their fifth extended play I Love on October 17. [3] On October 10, Cube released an audio snippet of each song from the album except "Dark (X-File)". [4] Alongside the announcement, (G)I-dle's surprise-released the track video on October 12, 2022, five days before their full EP. [5] The inspiration for the song came to Yuqi while drinking Tsingtao beer in her studio with lights turned off. [6] It is composed in the key of A minor, with a tempo of 166 bpm and a running time of 2 minutes and 45 seconds. [7] [upper-alpha 1]

Critical reception

Hien Nguyen of The Kraze describe the song as having mysterious and dark vibes that talk about falling into someone deep and are reminiscent of their previous title track "Oh My God. [8] Writing for Genius , Sofia Gomez wrote the song "reaches the point of losing yourself with an erratic emotional shift" that will give a "mysterious aura" to the listeners feeling goosebumps. "After absorbing so much negativity from the world and toxic relationships, you fall deep into a persona that’s no longer your original self." [9] In his album review for The Korea Herald , Park Jun-hee remarked that "X-file refers to a case deemed unsolvable". He pointed out that in the song, (G)I-dle 'continuously declares, "Kill the truth/me, and you/I cannot end anything" – [whispering] a dark truth into people's ears, its[ sic ] no doubt that this track will be added to many playlists. It’s that good.' [10] Madison Murray writing for The Honey Pop cited it as a " normal love song" in the EP but with "a bit of twist". She describes "Dark" as the "kind of thrilling, adrenaline-filled romance that comes to those who are comfortable in their identity and being." [11]

X-File video

Before the album's release, on September 19, Cube released the album scheduler, which it stated that the X-File video would be slated for release on October 12. [12] On the promised release date, a track video of the song was released on the group's official YouTube channel. It begins with Soyeon smiling while looking at her cell phone. [13] Several concerning headlines about (G)I-dle's future, such as "(G)I-DLE are on the edge" and "Are they being forgotten?" can be seen in the video. [14] Then the camera cuts to a shot of Shuhua and Minnie. There is a scene where Miyeon and Yuqi wander with empty eyes behind the gorgeous visuals, and the dark atmosphere is doubled throughout the video. [13]

"We wanted to use that to tell people that everyone is getting judgments and everyone is getting those comments. It’s not because we are famous and because we are singers that [this doesn’t happen to us]. So we just wanted to tell people to not care about it. [...] Life is about ups and downs, but we just want to focus on ourselves. We kept doing this, and I think we will keep doing this. That’s our attitude."

—  Yuqi on the concerning headlines about (G)I-dle's future, The Recording Academy [14]

Charts

Chart performance for "Dark (X-File)"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
South Korea (Circle) [15] 147

Notes

  1. ↑ Some sources have misidentified A major as the key signature. The correct scale is A harmonic minor because the song uses the following keys: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G♯.

Related Research Articles

<i>I Burn</i> 2021 EP by (G)I-dle

I Burn is the fourth Korean extended play by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released on January 11, 2021, by Cube Entertainment and Republic Records. The EP consists of three physical versions: Winter, Flower and Fire, and contains six tracks, including the lead single "Hwaa". The album contains various emotions felt in the process of regaining happiness after separation. I Burn is the fourth of the 'I' series, which started from the debut album, I Am (2018). Commercially, the EP surpassed 200,000 copies, making it the group's first project to do so. I Burn is the group's final release as a sextet, before Soojin's hiatus and subsequent departure from the group in August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeon So-yeon</span> South Korean rapper (born 1998)

Jeon So-yeon, known mononymously as Soyeon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer under Cube Entertainment. She first gained attention for competing in the television shows Produce 101 and Unpretty Rapstar before debuting as a solo artist on November 5, 2017. On May 2, 2018, she debuted as the leader and rapper of the girl group (G)I-dle, for whom she has written and produced most title songs. She is also part of SM Station X girl group project Station Young and has portrayed League of Legends character Akali in the virtual musical groups K/DA and True Damage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(G)I-dle</span> South Korean girl group

(G)I-dle is a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment in 2018. The group consists of five members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua. The group was originally a sextet, until Soojin left the group on August 14, 2021. (G)I-dle debuted on May 2, 2018, with the single "Latata" from their first extended play (EP) I Am. They debuted in Japan under U-Cube with Latata on July 31, 2019. Since their debut, they have been considered one of the most successful South Korean girl groups outside of the "big four" record labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am (EP)</span> 2018 EP by (G)I-dle

I Am is the debut extended play by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. The album was released digitally on May 2, 2018, and physically on May 3, 2018, by Cube Entertainment. The album contains six tracks including the lead single, "Latata", which was composed by Big Sancho and member Soyeon, and is a blend of several different genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song Yuqi</span> Chinese singer (born 1999)

Song Yuqi, known mononymously as Yuqi, is a Chinese singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. She is active as a soloist in China and is a part of the South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, which debuted in 2018. She has been a cast member of the Chinese variety show Keep Running since 2019 and hosted the KakaoTV reality show Learn Way (2020–2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lion ((G)I-dle song)</span> 2019 single by (G)I-dle

"Lion" is a song recorded by (G)I-dle, a South Korean girl group who participated in the reality girl group survival show, Queendom. It was released digitally on October 25, 2019, as part of the show's extended play Queendom Final Comeback. Its lyrics were written by Jeon So-yeon, who also composed, produced and arranged the song with Big Sancho. (G)I-dle went on to finish third in show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm the Trend</span> 2020 single by (G)I-dle

"I'm the Trend" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle dedicated for their fans, Neverland. It was released as a digital single on July 7, 2020 by Cube Entertainment. The single is composed by members Minnie and Yuqi, Yuto of Pentagon and FCM Houdini. The song was unveiled during their first online concert I-Land: Who Am I on July 5, 2020. An accompanying special clip for the song was uploaded onto (G)I-dle's YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release.

<i>Dumdi Dumdi</i> 2020 single album by (G)I-dle

Dumdi Dumdi is the first single album by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. The single album was released digitally and physically on August 3, 2020, by Cube Entertainment in both a Korean and Chinese version. The physical version is available in two versions: "Day" and "Night". The single contains two tracks, including the lead single of the same name. The group participated in visual concept planning such as hair, makeup, and styling, and leader Soyeon participated in lyrics, composition, and arrangement. Commercially, the album recorded 94,587 copies of one-week sales, making (G)I-dle the second girl group to break the single album sales record.

"Dumdi Dumdi" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, released on August 3, 2020, by Cube Entertainment and Republic Records as the lead single of the group's single album of the same name. It was written by member Soyeon, who also produced the song alongside Pop Time who has produced many of Zico and Block B's songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put It Straight</span> 2019 song by (G)I-dle

"Put It Straight", also known as "Tell Me You Don't Like It", is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, for their second extended play, I Made (2019), which was released on February 26, 2019 by Cube Entertainment. As the third track on the album, it was written by Soyeon, and was produced by Soyeon and FCM Houdini. The original song was described as "a sad ballad song".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hwaa</span> 2021 single by (G)I-dle

"Hwaa" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-DLE, released on January 11, 2021, by Cube Entertainment and Republic Records as the lead single of the group's fourth extended play, I Burn. The song is written by member Soyeon and co-produced by Pop Time. The inspiration for the song came to Soyeon when member Shuhua once said 'winter girl' in a conversation. She took the idea and created the concept of a woman trapped in winter. Musically, it is a moombahton, dark pop, dream pop and synth-pop track with oriental instrumentations, and contains double entendres about fire and flowers. The song was the last single released by (G)I-DLE as a sextet, before Soojin's departure from the group in August 2021.

"Moon" is a song by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle from their fourth Korean-language extended play, I Burn (2021). The song was written by Soyeon, and its producers Minnie, FCM Houdini and FCM 667. The song was released on January 11, 2021, as the third track on the album.

<i>A Page</i> 2021 single album by Song Yuqi

A Page is the debut single album released by Song Yuqi. The album was released digitally on May 13, 2021, by Cube Entertainment. The album consists of two lead singles, "Giant" and "Bonnie and Clyde".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(G)I-dle videography</span> South Korean videography

This is the list of South Korean girl group (G)I-dle videography. It includes music videos, lyric videos, dance practice videos, music clips and commercial films since its debut in 2018.

<i>I Never Die</i> 2022 studio album by (G)I-dle

I Never Die is the first studio album by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released digitally on March 14, 2022 and physically the following day, by Cube Entertainment. It consists of three physical versions: RiSKY, CHiLL and SPOiLED, and contains eight tracks, including the lead single "Tomboy". The album marks the group's first release as a quintet following the departure of member Soojin in August 2021, and the fifth release in the 'I' series, following I Burn (2021). Members Soyeon, Minnie, and Yuqi served as the album's primary producers and songwriters.

"My Bag" is a song by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their first studio album, I Never Die released on March 14, 2022, as the eight-track on the album. Written by Soyeon and co-produced by Nathan, the song's musical style focuses on the rap by all members of (G)I-dle as Soyeon commented the song "[is] something that only (G)I-dle can do". A part of the song interpolates elements from their debut single "Latata", which was released on May 2, 2018.

<i>I Love</i> (EP) 2022 EP by (G)I-dle

I Love is the fifth Korean extended play by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released digitally on October 17, 2022, and physically on October 18, 2022, by Cube Entertainment. It consists of three physical versions: Born, Act, and X-file. The EP contains six tracks, including the lead single "Nxde". The EP discusses various kinds of love and emotions of a person who is looking for real love – ultimately loving themselves. The tracks in the EP are listed in reverse as it narrates the process of love, starting with track 6 of someone experiencing love for the first time to track 1 of loving themselves. The EP took the form of vintage Hollywood-inspired concept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nxde</span> 2022 single by (G)I-dle

"Nxde" is a song by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released through Cube Entertainment on October 17, 2022, as the lead single of the group's fifth extended play, I Love (2022). It was written, composed, and arranged by Soyeon with additional composition and arrangement credits by PopTime and Kakao. Musically, it is an alternative pop song that utilizes jazzy instrumentations while its lyrics revolve around the notion of expressing one's true self.

<i>I Feel</i> 2023 EP by (G)I-dle

I Feel is the sixth Korean extended play by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released by Cube Entertainment digitally on May 15, 2023 and physically the following day. It consists of three physical versions: Cat, Butterfly, and Queen. The EP contains six tracks, including the pre-released video track "Allergy" and the lead single "Queencard". The group retains their reputation as a "self-produce" group by having three members Soyeon, Minnie, and Yuqi taking the lead in the album production.

"Allergy" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It is the second track on the group's sixth extended play, I Feel (2023), which was released on May 15, 2023, through Cube Entertainment. The track was written, composed, and arranged by Soyeon with additional composition and arrangement handled by PopTime, Daily, and Likey. The song expresses the double meaning of wanting to love themselves while they resent themself by comparing themselves to others.

References

  1. ↑ Raj, Tanu I. (October 26, 2022). "(G)I-DLE – 'I Love' Review: a great concept suffers from repetitive and forgettable execution". NME . Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ Yoo, Byeol-chul (October 17, 2022). [종합] “미국 빌보드 차트 1위 가보자!”…‘톰보이’부터 ‘누드’까지 올해 가요계는 (여자)아이들 신드롬 [[Comprehensive] “Let’s go to number 1 on the US Billboard chart!”… From 'Tomboy' to 'Nude', this year's music industry is the (G)I-DLE Syndrome.] (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily . Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  3. ↑ Carmen, Chin (September 14, 2022). "(G)I-DLE announce fifth mini-album 'I Love' with first teasers". NME . Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  4. ↑ Gladys, Yeo (October 10, 2022). "(G)I-DLE preview title track 'Nxde' and B-sides from forthcoming record 'I Love'". NME . Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  5. ↑ Park, Seo-hyun (October 10, 2022). (여자)아이들, 신보 'I love' 오디오 티저 공개…전곡이 타이틀급 [(G)I-DLE releases audio teaser for new album 'I love'... All songs are titles] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ "볼륨 초대석 : 왔어요 with (여자)아이들 ((G)I-DLE) full ver./ [헤이즈의 볼륨을 높여요] I KBS 221024 방송" (video) (in Korean). KBS CoolFM. October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022– via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "Key and BPM of DARK (X-file) by (G)I-dle". Musicstax. October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  8. ↑ Hien, Nguyen (October 19, 2022). "(G)I-DLE BOLDLY BREAKS PREJUDICES WITH "NXDE" FROM FIFTH MINI-ALBUM I LOVE". thekrazemag.com. The Kraze. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  9. ↑ Sofia, Gomez (October 21, 2022). "[REVIEW] (G)I-DLE Bares It All in 'I love'". Genius . Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  10. ↑ Park, Jun-hee (October 20, 2022). "[Album Review] For (G)I-dle, self-love is not silly. It's how to feel like the otherworldly person you are". The Korea Herald . Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  11. ↑ Madison, Murray (October 20, 2022). "How (G)I-DLE Explore Empowerment On 'Nxde' And I love". The Honey Pop. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  12. ↑ Yoo, Byung-cheol (September 19, 2022). (여자)아이들, 미니 5집 스케줄러 공개…다양한 콘텐츠 예고[공식] [(G)I-DLE releases the scheduler for their 5th mini album... Various content notice [official]]. Korea Economic Daily . Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  13. 1 2 Lee, Ye-jun (October 16, 2022). 베일 벗은 (여자)아이들 [Naked (G)I-dle]. Sports Khan. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Tássia, Assis (October 26, 2022). "How K-Pop's (G)I-DLE Are Learning To Love Themselves: "There's No Rules In This World"". GRAMMY.com . The Recording Academy . Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Digital Chart – Week 43 of 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.