Drama | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
EP by | ||||
Released | November 10, 2023 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 19:11 | |||
Language | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
Aespa chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Drama | ||||
|
Drama is the fourth extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023, and contains six tracks including the lead single of the same name.
In February 2023, during their inaugural concert, Synk: Hyper Line, the group performed the then-unreleased songs: "Hot Air Balloon", "YOLO", and "Don't Blink". [1] On October 10, SM Entertainment announced that the group would be releasing their fourth extended play titled Drama on November 10. An introduction teaser video was also released on the same day. [2] Six days later, the promotional schedule was released. [3] On October 30, the mood sample teaser video was released, [4] followed by the highlight medley teaser video on November 3. [5] On November 6, teaser videos inspired by the concept of television drama were released for Winter and Giselle, [6] with Karina and Ningning's teasers following the next day. [7] On November 9, the music video teaser for "Drama" was released. [8] The extended play was released alongside the music video for "Drama" on November 10. [9]
According to SM Entertainment, Drama will showcase Aespa "evolving personalities" with "fresh music" while "also build[ing upon] on a previous narrative thread" as the group is "now breaking out from the trauma caused by a series of events with 'Synk Out', and 'Hallucination Quest' [in the SMCU's storyline for Aespa]". [10]
The standard edition of Drama consists of six tracks of various genres including hip hop, dance, and acoustic pop. As with the group's previous releases, Drama will "bring a new chapter to their SMCU lore" by writing stories through "unique music and visuals". [10] The lead single "Drama" was described as a hip-hop and dance song characterized by "an aggressive drum sound and sophisticated synth bass" with lyrics about having "confident attitude that every story begins with Aespa". The second track "Trick or Trick" is a dance song with "heavy bass", and "a hypnotic charm". [11] The third track "Don't Blink" is a "country-like" song with "rusty synth" focusing "Aespa's vocals". The fourth track "Hot Air Balloon" has lyrics that "described a journey up into the sky with someone special". The fifth track "YOLO" is a pop-punk song with "mixture of pop and metal guitar". The sixth track "You" carries lyrics filled with "full of sincerity towards the [group's fans]". [11] [12] In the digital edition that features the group's previously released English single "Better Things" as a bonus track, stands out as an "up-tempo" dance song characterized by "rhythmic percussion sound" with lyrics about "shrugging off the past" while "focusing the given time on more valuable things". [13] [14]
Drama debuted at number three on South Korea's Circle Album Chart in the chart issue dated November 19–25, 2023. [15] In Japan, the EP debuted at number 27 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums in the chart issue dated November 15, 2023; [16] on its component chart, the EP debuted at number 11 on the Top Download Albums. [17] On the Oricon chart, the EP debuted at number 11 on the Albums Chart, [18] and number ten on the Combined Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 27, 2023. [19]
In the United States, Drama debuted at number 33 on the Billboard 200, [20] and number two on the Billboard World Albums in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023. [21] In United Kingdom, the EP debuted at number ten on the OCC's UK Album Downloads Chart, [22] number 33 on the UK Albums Sales, [23] and number 45 on the UK Physical Albums in the chart issue dated November 17–23, 2023. [24] In Australia, the EP debuted at number four on the ARIA Top 20 Hitseekers Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 20, 2023. [25] In France, the EP debuted at number 30 on the SNEP's Top Albums in the chart issue dated November 17, 2023. [26] In Hungary, the EP debuted at number 19 on the MAHASZ Top Albums 40 Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023. [27] In Poland, the EP debuted at number 28 on the ZPAV's OLiS in chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023. [28] In Scotland, the EP debuted at number 43 on the OCC's Scottish Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 17–23, 2023. [29] In Spain, the EP debuted at number 79 on the PROMUSICAE Top 100 Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023. [30]
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)'s Global Music Report for 2023, Drama was the twentieth best-selling album worldwide, having sold 1.5 million units. [upper-alpha 1] [31]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Clash | 7/10 [12] |
Abbie Aitken writing for Clash called Drama as "a welcomed expansion to the Aespa universe [by] present[ing] the vocal prowess of [Aespa] and highlights their versatile musicality". She concluded that the "narrative got slightly muddled [by] the overall energy, especially from [the lead single], [making the listener] felt rousing [while] eager for more". [12]
Prior to the release of Drama, on November 10, 2023, Aespa held a live event called "Aespa Drama Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, Weverse, and Idol Plus, aimed at introducing the extended play and connecting with their fanbase. [32] Additionally, the group launched a pop-up store named "Aespa Week? Drama City?" in Seoul, South Korea, running from November 10 to 26, to "commemorate the release of the extended play". [33]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Drama" |
|
| No Identity | 3:35 |
2. | "Trick or Trick" | Kim Min-ji (JamFactory) |
| Stian Nyhammer Olsen | 2:55 |
3. | "Don't Blink" | Hwang Yu-bin (VeryGoods) |
| Dillon Deskin | 2:49 |
4. | "Hot Air Balloon" | Jo Yoon-kyung |
|
| 3:19 |
5. | "YOLO" | Na Yun-jeong (Lalala Studio) |
| Albi Albertsson (Clarity-X) | 3:09 |
6. | "You" | Lee O-neul |
|
| 3:23 |
Total length: | 19:11 |
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7. | "Better Things" |
|
| 3:23 | |
Total length: | 22:34 |
Weekly charts
| Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
South Korea (KMCA) [47] | Million | 1,000,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide (IFPI) | — | 1,500,000 [31] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
South Korea | November 10, 2023 | CD | |
Various |
"Black Mamba" is the debut single by South Korean girl group Aespa. Originally released as a standalone single on November 17, 2020, by SM Entertainment, the song was later included on the group's second extended play Girls, which was released on July 8, 2022. The song was written and composed by Yoo Young-jin, while also composed by Omega, Ella Isaacson, Gabriela Geneva (NIIVA), Jordan Reyes, Shaun Lopez, and Scott Chesak. Musically, "Black Mamba" was described as a pop, electropop and dance-pop track with a signature synth and EDM sound and bass that is paired with an addictive hook. The lyrics are about a being called "Black Mamba" that not only interferes with the members' and avatar's connection but also threatens their world and as such is abhorred by the members.
Aespa is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The group consists of four members: Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning. The group is known for popularizing the metaverse concept and hyperpop music in K-pop.
"Next Level" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa, which remakes A$ton Wyld's song of the same name. It was released digitally on May 17, 2021, by SM Entertainment. Composed by Yoo Young-jin, Adam McInnis, Mario Marchetti, and Sophie Curtis, the track is described as a dance and hip hop song with an upbeat new jack swing bridge. The song is a continuation of the group's story from their debut single "Black Mamba", telling their journey into the fictional Kwangya universe to search for the aforementioned "evil".
Savage is the first extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. The EP was released by SM Entertainment on October 5, 2021, and is available in three versions—P.O.S, Synk Dive and Hallucination Quest. It contains six songs, including the lead single of the same name.
"Savage" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first extended play (EP) of the same name. It was released as the lead single on October 5, 2021, by SM Entertainment. Described as a "hyperpop-tinged title track", the song was written by Yoo Young-jin, who also composed along with Kirsten Collins, Jia Lih, and Hautboi Rich, and eventually handled the arrangement alongside Lih. It also continues the group's previous storyline in "Next Level", with the members and their corresponding avatars confronting their Black Mamba villain in the fictional Kwangya universe.
"Eleven" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Ive for their debut single album of the same name. It was released as the group's debut single on December 1, 2021, by Starship Entertainment in conjunction with the single album. Written and produced by Peter Rycroft (Lostboy), Lauren Aquilina, Ryan S. Jhun and Alawn with additional songwriting credits by Seo Ji-eum, "Eleven" is a dance-pop song that lyrically expresses the members' romantic feelings.
"Life's Too Short" is a song by the South Korean girl group Aespa, released on June 24, 2022, by SM Entertainment and Warner Records, as the pre-release single from the group's second extended play Girls. The song is the group's first song fully recorded in English. It was written by Uzoechi Emenike, Becky Hill and Sam Klempner and produced by Klempner. "Life's Too Short" is a mid-tempo pop, soft pop and bubblegum pop song, driven by an electric guitar riff. It is about staying true to oneself and doing what makes one happy, no matter what others have to say.
Girls is the second extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. The EP was released through SM Entertainment and Warner Records on July 8, 2022. It consists of six tracks and was preceded by the promotional single "Illusion", and two official singles: "Life's Too Short" and "Girls". The digital version also adds the group's previously released singles "Black Mamba", "Forever", and "Dreams Come True".
"Girls" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their second extended play of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single on July 8, 2022, by SM Entertainment.
"Pop!" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Nayeon for her debut extended play, Im Nayeon. It was released as the EP's lead single on June 24, 2022, through JYP and Republic Records. It is a pop and bubblegum song that features bright beats. It is characterized by live instruments, winding high notes, and a variety of ad libs, with lyrics revolving around a protagonist who sings about her ability to capture her lover's heart in line with "popping a lover's heart like a bubble."
"Illusion" is a promotional single recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their second extended play Girls. It was released on June 1, 2022, by SM Entertainment and Warner Records as a surprise pre-release track from the EP. Written by Lee Thor while production handled by G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze, Patricia Battani, and Steve Octave, "Illusion" is an electronic "high-energy" hip hop, synth-pop and dance song with bass-heavy chorus, and elements indicative of hyperpop.
Candy is the sixth extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band NCT Dream. It was released digitally on December 16, 2022, and physically on December 19, 2022, by SM Entertainment through Dreamus. Marketed as a special winter mini-album, the EP consists of six Christmas-themed tracks, including its lead single of the same name, originally released by H.O.T. in 1996.
"Spicy" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their third extended play My World. It was released as the EP's lead single by SM Entertainment on May 8, 2023.
My World is the third extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 8, 2023, and contains six tracks, including the pre-release single "Welcome to My World" featuring Naevis, and the lead single "Spicy" which reached the top three on the Circle Digital Chart. Compared to the dark, futuristic, hyperpop-influenced tones of Savage (2021) and Girls (2022), My World's brighter pop sound draws mostly from dance and R&B, with melodies characterized by "captivating beats" and "delightful" vocals of the group. The songs incorporate eclectic styles ranging from alternative pop and dream pop to synth-pop and ballad. Described by Aespa as a return to the "real world" from Kwangya, the mini album shows a new side of the group across various genres.
"Better Things" is a song by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released on August 18, 2023, through SM Entertainment and Warner Records as the group's first original English single. The song was the group's second release of 2023, following their third extended play, My World, in May. To promote the song, Aespa aired a 3 episode long web series sitcom show, Better Things, with its first episode released on August 7. Originally released as a standalone single, the song was later included in the digital edition of the group's fourth extended play Drama, which was released on November 10, 2023.
"Drama" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their fourth extended play of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.
Armageddon is the first studio album by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 27, 2024, and contains ten tracks including two singles, "Supernova" and "Armageddon".
"Armageddon" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first studio album of the same name. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 27, 2024, as the second single from the album.
"Supernova" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first studio album Armageddon. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 13, 2024, as the lead single from the album. The song was a commercial success, scoring a Perfect All Kill and becoming the group's first song to top the Circle Digital Chart.
"ABCD'" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Nayeon for her second extended play Na. It was released by JYP Entertainment as the EP's lead single on June 14, 2024.