Youth (Kihyun EP)

Last updated

Youth
Kihyun - Youth.png
Digital cover
EP by
ReleasedOctober 24, 2022
Genre K-pop
Length17:02
LanguageKorean
Label
Kihyun chronology
Voyager
(2022)
Youth
(2022)
Singles from Youth
  1. "Youth"
    Released: October 24, 2022

Youth is the first extended play by the South Korean vocalist Kihyun. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on October 24, 2022. The EP contains five tracks, including the title track of the same name.

Contents

Background and release

On September 30, Kihyun posted the coming image of his first EP Youth through Monsta X's official SNS, with release date announced to be on October 24, confirming his first comeback, seven months after his solo debut. [1] [2]

The album film was released on October 5, [3] the tracklist on October 7, [4] and concept films and photos between October 8 to 16. [5] [6] Kihyun had a comeback showcase on Naver Now's #OUTNOW to introduce Youth along with its title track. [7]

The physical EP was released in three standard versions; Youth, Goodbye Youth, and The 2nd Journey, along with a jewel case version and a KiT version. [8]

Composition

Kim Eana wrote the lyrics for the title track "Youth" and group member Hyungwon participated in writing, composing, and arranging the tracks "Bad Liar" and "Where Is This Love", while Kihyun participated in writing the lyrics for the track "'Cause of You" alongside labelmate Brother Su. [9]

Youth is an album that intends to revisit childhood based on the worldview of a "traveler" and started from an autobiographical story. [10]

The title track "Youth" is an alternative rock track in which the present Kihyun tells the child Kihyun all the emotions of that time and the current promise. [10] [11] For the other tracks, "Bad Liar" was composed to complement Kihyun's vocals and is meant to capture that lies can coexist with the desire to get back together, "Stardust" is an up-tempo song with an energetic drum sound, "Where Is This Love" is a song that was inspired by the movie Closer , and "'Cause of You" is a song filled with sweet and refreshing feelings. [12]

Critical reception

Lai Frances of Uproxx wrote that the EP "brought nothing but nostalgia" and described the title track as "a feel-good rock pop song that invites listeners to take a trip down memory lane and remember the greatest times of our lives - our youth", with following four tracks can be interpreted as "moments in our youth where we experience feelings such as anger, heartbreak, loss, and love", while summed it all up as "a timeless masterpiece worth having on loop". [13]

Listicles

Name of critic or publication, name of listicle, name of work, and rank
Critic/PublicationListWorkRankRef.
Album
Uproxx The Best K-pop Albums of 2022YouthPlaced [lower-alpha 1] [13]

Commercial performance

Kihyun received his second Hanteo Chart Bronze Certification Plaque for achieving 114,950 copies of Initial Chodong sales in its first week of release in South Korea. [14]

Track listing

Youth track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Youth" Kim Eana
  • Karl Morgan
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • AVIN
  • SLAY
  • CHASE
2:42
2."Bad Liar"
  • Hyungwon
  • Justin Oh
  • Jantine Annika Heij
  • Hyungwon
  • Justin Oh
3:29
3."Stardust"Jang Da-in (PNP)
  • Gusten Dahlqvist
  • Christian Fast
  • Noak Hellsing
  • Hautboi Rich
Gusten Dahlqvist3:46
4."Where Is This Love"
  • Hyungwon
  • Justin Oh
  • Jantine Annika Heij
  • Hyungwon
  • Justin Oh
  • Jantine Annika Heij
  • Hyungwon
  • Justin Oh
3:25
5."'Cause of You"
Brother SuBrother Su3:40
Total length:17:02

Charts

Album

Songs

Weekly chart

Chart performance for "Youth"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
South Korea (Circle) [18] 90

Certification and sales

Certification and sales for Youth
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
South Korea167,823 [19]

Release history

Release history and formats for Youth
RegionDateFormatLabel
South KoreaOctober 24, 2022
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming

Notes

  1. All the albums and songs listed are either unranked or just alphabetically ranked.

Related Research Articles

This is a list of singles and albums released under Starship Entertainment. The entertainment company is home to prominent artists such as K.Will, Monsta X, Brother Su, WJSN, Cravity, and Ive, as well as formerly artists such as Sistar, Boyfriend, Junggigo, Mad Clown, and Jooyoung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monsta X</span> South Korean boy group

Monsta X is a South Korean boy group formed through the reality survival program No.Mercy under Starship Entertainment. The group is composed of six members: Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. Originally a seven-member group, former member Wonho left the group in October 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joohoney</span> South Korean rapper (born 1994)

Lee Joo-heon, better known by the stage name Joohoney and formerly mononymously known as Jooheon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X, which formed through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015. He also made his solo debut with the EP Lights in 2023.

<i>The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter</i> 2017 studio album by Monsta X

The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter is the debut studio album and the final part of The Clan series by the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by LOEN Entertainment on March 21, 2017. It also includes ten songs, with the title track "Beautiful". On the same year, the album was re-released under the title Shine Forever on June 19, with two additional tracks, including the title track of the same name.

<i>The Code</i> (EP) 2017 EP by Monsta X

The Code is the fifth extended play by the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by LOEN Entertainment on November 7, 2017. It consists of seven tracks, including the title track "Dramarama".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kihyun</span> South Korean singer

Yoo Ki-hyun, better known mononymously as Kihyun, is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a vocalist in the South Korean boy group Monsta X, formed through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015. Kihyun made his solo debut with the single album Voyager in March 2022, in addition to having released several original soundtracks. He has been dubbed by fans as "K-pop God", "Vocal God", and "The K in K-pop".

The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in 2019 in South Korean music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonho (singer)</span> South Korean singer (born 1993)

Lee Ho-seok, known by his stage name Wonho (Korean: 원호), is a South Korean singer under Highline Entertainment. He is a former member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X, formed through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015. He then made his solo debut, with his first EP Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me, on September 4, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyungwon</span> South Korean singer (born 1994)

Chae Hyung-won, mononymously as Hyungwon, is a South Korean singer, dancer, actor, model, DJ, MC, songwriter, and producer. In 2015, he became a member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy under Starship Entertainment. In 2017, he began performing as a DJ, under the stage name DJ H.ONE. He is also a member of Monsta X's first official sub-unit Shownu X Hyungwon in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I.M</span> South Korean rapper

Im Chang-kyun, known by the stage name I.M or mononymously as Changkyun, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X, which debuted through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015. He also made his solo debut with the EP Duality in 2021.

<i>No Limit</i> (EP) 2021 EP by Monsta X

No Limit is the tenth extended play of the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on November 19, 2021.

<i>Voyager</i> (single album) 2022 single album by Kihyun

Voyager is the debut single album by the South Korean vocalist Kihyun. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on March 15, 2022. The single album contains three tracks, including the title track of the same name.

<i>Shape of Love</i> 2022 EP by Monsta X

Shape of Love is the eleventh extended play by the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on April 26, 2022.

<i>Reason</i> (Monsta X EP) 2023 EP by Monsta X

Reason is the twelfth extended play by the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on January 9, 2023.

"Beautiful Liar" is a song recorded by the South Korean boy group Monsta X for their twelfth extended play Reason. It was released as the EP's lead single by Starship Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment on January 9, 2023.

<i>Lights</i> (Joohoney EP) 2023 EP by Joohoney

Lights is the debut extended play by the South Korean rapper Joohoney. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on May 22, 2023. The EP contains six tracks, including the title track "Freedom".

<i>Overdrive</i> (EP) 2023 EP by I.M

Overdrive is the second extended play by the South Korean rapper I.M. It was released by Sony Music Korea on June 23, 2023. The EP contains six tracks, including the lead single of the same name.

<i>The Unseen</i> (EP) 2023 EP by Shownu X Hyungwon

The Unseen is the debut extended play by the South Korean boy group Monsta X's first official sub-unit Shownu X Hyungwon. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on July 25, 2023. The EP contains five tracks, including the lead single "Love Me a Little".

<i>Off the Beat</i> 2024 EP by I.M

Off the Beat is the third extended play by the South Korean rapper I.M. It was released by Sony Music Korea on April 3, 2024. The EP contains six tracks, including the lead single "Lure".

References

  1. Yoon, Yoon-baek (October 1, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 24일 솔로 컴백… 7개월 만 [MONSTA X's Kihyun to make a solo comeback on the 24th... 7 months only]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved October 1, 2022 via Naver.
  2. Suacillo, Angela Patricia (October 3, 2022). "MONSTA X member Kihyun to release new solo mini-album". NME . Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  3. Jeong, Hee-yeon (October 6, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 'YOUTH' 앨범 필름 공개 '감성 충만' [MONSTA X Kihyun, 'YOUTH' album film release 'full of emotion']. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2022 via Naver.
  4. Seon, Mi-kyung (October 8, 2022). '컴백' 몬스타엑스 기현, 'YOUTH' 트랙리스트 공개…작사 참여 ['Comeback' MONSTA X's Kihyun reveals 'YOUTH' tracklist... Participate in songwriting]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved October 8, 2022 via Naver.
  5. Lee, Nam-kyung (October 12, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 'YOUTH' 콘셉트 필름+포토 공개…잔잔한 여운 [MONSTA X Kihyun, 'YOUTH' concept film + photo released... calm aftertaste]. MBN (in Korean). Retrieved October 12, 2022 via Naver.
  6. Lee, Nam-kyung (October 19, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 신보 마지막 버전 콘셉트 필름 및 포토 공개 [MONSTA X Kihyun reveals concept film and photo for the last version of the new album]. MBN (in Korean). Retrieved October 19, 2022 via Naver.
  7. Park, Seo-hyun (October 24, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 오늘(24일) 'YOUTH' 발매→컴백쇼 개최 [MONSTA X's Kihyun to release 'YOUTH' today (24th) → Held a comeback show]. Kpop Herald (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Naver.
  8. Choi, Yoon-jung (October 4, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 7개월만 컴백…2번째 여행 떠난다 [MONSTA X Kihyun, comeback after 7 months... 2nd trip]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved October 4, 2022 via Naver.
  9. Kim, No-eul (October 8, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 'YOUTH' 트랙리스트 공개‥형원→김이나 지원사격 [MONSTA X's Kihyun, 'YOUTH' tracklist released...Hyungwon → Kim Eana supporting shooting]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved October 8, 2022 via Naver.
  10. 1 2 Hwang, Hye-jin (October 21, 2022). '매력부자' 몬스타엑스 기현, 기대되는 두 번째 여정 ['Rich Charmer' MONSTA X's Kihyun, an anticipated second journey]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 21, 2022 via Naver.
  11. Kim, Jae-won (October 23, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 새 앨범 일부 공개하며 기대감 급상승시켜 [MONSTA X's Kihyun raises expectations by releasing some new albums]. Sports World (in Korean). Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Naver.
  12. Lee, Jeong-hyuk (October 24, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 오늘(24일) 두 번째 솔로 여정 시작…첫 번째 미니앨범 'YOUTH' 발표 [MONSTA X's Kihyun, the second solo journey begins today (24th)... 1st mini album 'YOUTH' released]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Naver.
  13. 1 2 Frances, Lai (December 8, 2022). "The Best K-pop Albums of 2022". Uproxx . Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  14. Jo, He-un (November 30, 2022). 기현, 솔로 앨범 2연속 '한터차트 초동 브론즈 인증패' 수상 (한터차트 공식) [Kihyun, won the 'Hanteo Chart Initial Chodong Bronze Certification Plaque' for 2 consecutive solo albums (Hanteo Chart Official)]. Hanteo News (in Korean). Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  15. "Week 44 of 2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). October 23–29, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  16. "October 2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  17. "2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  18. "Week 44 of 2022 Digital Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). October 23–29, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  19. Cumulative sales for Youth (KiT + CD):