"Die 4 You" (stylized in all caps) is a song recorded by South Korean musician Dean. It was released on November 18, 2023, by Universal Music Group and distributed by Joombas Company. An alternative R&B track, it was issued as a stand-alone single and Dean's first as a lead artist in four and a half years. The song peaked at number nine of South Korea's national Circle Digital Chart and entered the New Zealand Hot Singles at number 15. "Die 4 You" also received the R&B Track of the Year award at the 2024 Korean Hip-hop Awards.
Dean began writing songs for other artists in 2013 and embarked on a solo career two years later. He released his debut single "I'm Not Sorry" in 2015 and issued a handful of successful singles thereafter.[1] His work earned him the Best R&B and Soul Song award for "Pour Up" featuring Zico at the 18th Korean Music Awards in 2016 and the R&B Track of the Year award at the inaugural Korean Hip-hop Awards for "D (Half Moon)" with Gaeko the following year.[2] Dean began working on an album in 2019 and updated on its progress in September 2021.[3] Eight years after debuting, he had yet to produce a full-length solo album. In early 2023, Dean deactivated his social media accounts, leading to speculation about his retirement from the industry.[1]
"Die 4 You" is an alternative R&B song with a refined melody.[4] The lyrics were penned by Dean (under the pseudonym Deanfluenza), who composed the track with T.Y, Osvaldo Aritonang, and Tanisha T. Sadewo.[5] Record production was handled by Deanfluenza, T.Y, and Indonesian electronica duo Galdive.[6][7] The winter song opens with a lonely acoustic guitar and music is layered in the chorus.[2] Thematically, "Die 4 You" deals with lost love.[8]
Release and promotion
Beginning in November 2023, flyers reporting Dean's disappearance were disseminated throughout downtown Seoul.[9] On November 10, Dean reactivated his Instagram account after a lengthy period of inactivity and uploaded a video of himself singing a cover of Shiloh Dynasty's "I'm Drunk and Confused" while playing the piano.[10] Three days later, Universal Music Group confirmed the release of an upcoming single, Dean's first as a lead artist in four and a half years since "Howlin' 404" in May 2019.[11] The single's title was unveiled a day ahead of its release.[12] "Die 4 You" and its visualizer video were released on November 18, 2023,[2] followed by its music video on December 23.[13]
Reception
Rating "Die 4 You" three and a half stars out of five, Lee Seung-won of online magazine IZM described it as both "chillingly cold and warm like a fireplace". He noted that Dean minimizes the music's highs and lows while sustaining a "comfortable mood" throughout the track.[14]
On the chart dated November 12–18, 2023, "Die 4 You" debuted at number 191 on South Korea's national Circle Digital Chart.[15] In its second week, it rose to number nine.[16] On the New Zealand Hot Singles chart, the song opened at number 15.[17] The song won the R&B Track of the Year award at the 2024 Korean Hip-hop Awards.[18]
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