Percent is the second Korean-language studio album by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on July 15, 2025, through Griffin Entertainment. The album contains eleven songs, including singles "Mad", "Confidence" and "Animals". It peaked at number four on South Korea's Circle Album Chart.
Onew's first studio album, Circle, was released in March 2023. His output otherwise consisted of extended plays and singles, despite debuting as a soloist in 2018, and he therefore felt it was time to work on another studio album.[1] He participated extensively in the album's production, writing lyrics for seven of the songs[2] and contributing to the arrangement for "Animals". Onew said that working on this album made him realise he couldn't do things alone and that he felt that the album was "only about 60 percent complete".[3] He chose the title because he wanted to express different emotions in numbers, explaining: "Even when we're happy, there's always that little percentage of anxiety, and even when things are tough, there's still some hope. I tried to interpret those everyday feelings exactly as I experience them in this album."[4]
Composition
Each of the album's eleven songs describe different emotions.[2] Opening song "Silky" is a "soft and languid" track that focuses on themes of laziness and rest.[2][5] "Caffeine" describes the feeling of addiction[2] and is centred around a guitar riff and bassline.[5] "Marshmallow" depicts the moment of falling in love. Lead single "Animals" is driven by a bassline and acoustic guitar, with sounds resembling animal cries. It also features a rap section.[2] "Confidence" contains a message about self-belief.[6] "Oreo Cake" incorporates analog synths. "Far Away" is an alternative rock song reminiscent of the early 2000s. "Mad", which is in English, describes the emotions felt after a break-up, and features drums and acoustic guitar.[5] "Percent (%)" includes drums, snares and "experimental vocal samples that evoke extraterrestrial sounds", while "Epilogue" is a "restrained" piano track.[2] Finally, "Happy Birthday" is a "bright" and "festive" song that expresses hope for the future.[5][7]
Release and promotion
In April 2025, Onew's agency, Griffin Entertainment, confirmed that he was planning to release his second studio album in July.[8] It was preceded by the singles "Mad", an English song aimed at global fans,[9] and "Confidence", released on April 21 and June 24, respectively.[6][8]Percent was released on July 15, 2025, alongside lead single "Animals".[7] It came six months after his previous release, Connection.[10] Onew held a showcase at the Myunghwa Live Hall in Seoul to mark the occasion.[3] He also held a pop-up store at the Shinsegae Gangnam Department Store, which featured interactive fan events and attractions.[4] In August, he embarked on a world tour, titled Onew the Live: Percent (%), featuring stops in Asia, Europe and Latin America.[11]
1 2 3 4 Kim, Na-yeon (July 7, 2025). 온유, 정규 2집 'Percent' 앨범 프리뷰 공개..다채로운 장르의 향연[Onew releases preview for second studio album 'Percent'.. A feast of diverse genres]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2025.
1 2 Sun, Mi-kyung (June 24, 2025). 샤이니 온유, 오늘 정규 2집 선공개곡 'Confidence' 발매..'섬세+키치' 감성[Shinee's Onew to release pre-release song 'Confidence' from second studio album today.. 'delicate and kitsch' sensibility]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2025– via Naver.
1 2 Hwang, Hye-jin (July 15, 2025). "샤이니 멤버들=동력" 18년차에도 낯선 온유, 싱잉랩 재도전까지[종합]["Shinee members = driving force." Even in his 18th year, Onew still tries new things, including rap.]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved July 27, 2025– via Naver.
↑ Kim, Soo-jin (March 24, 2025). 온유, 오는 4월 21일 첫 영어곡 'Mad' 발매[Onew to release first English song 'Mad' on April 21]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2025– via Naver.
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