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Semicolon (EP)

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Semicolon
EP by
Seventeen
ReleasedOctober 19, 2020 (2020-10-19)
GenreK-pop
Label
Producer
Seventeen chronology
24H
(2020) 		Semicolon
(2020) 		Your Choice
(2021)
Singles from Semicolon
  1. "Home;Run"
    Released: October 19, 2020

Semicolon (stylized as ; [Semicolon]) is the eighth Korean extended play (EP) and tenth overall by South Korean boy band Seventeen. It was released through Pledis Entertainment on October 19, 2020, four months after its predecessor, Heng:garæ (2020).[1]

The album consists of six tracks, including the lead single "Home;Run", all of which have been co-written by the band members.[2] Sporting a retro sound, Semicolon primarily incorporates dance-pop, funk, pop, acid jazz, and bossa nova, while also experimenting with hip hop, R&B, trap, and jazz elements. Recorded and released as a "special album", the record lyrically reaches out to the youth who are enduring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, offering comfort and encouragement.

Commercially, the album reached number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and number two on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart. Seventeen promoted the album with televised live performances on several South Korean weekly music programs, including M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo.

Background

[edit]

Seventeen's special EP was much anticipated after the band earned the moniker of "million seller" with their previous album Heng:garæ, released in June 2020, which became their first album to sell one million copies in South Korea.[3][4][5][6] Pledis Entertainment posted a 40-second trailer video on October 5, 2020, which revealed that Seventeen would be releasing a new EP Semicolon the same month.[7] Recorded as a "special album", Semicolon speaks out to the young people who are enduring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Described by band member Mingyu as a "youth diary", Semicolon thematically follows its predecessor Heng:garæ, though the band began working on the album prior to the latter.[9]

; [Semicolon] is an album that spreads a message of support for youth who run endlessly. Like the very punctuation, ; [Semicolon] represents a brief pause and moment to take a breath, exchanging laughter with one another even amidst the hardships of the generation. We hope to give our peers living today warmth, comfort, and support.

— Dino on the title and message behind ; [Semicolon], Elle.[8]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

Semicolon consists of six songs which urge the listeners to "take some time off in their busy lives."[2] The album touches upon themes of youth, encouragement, and comfort.[10] The opening track, "Home;Run" is an uptempo '20s and '30s swing and dance-pop song, with a retro-indebted sound.[1][11] The song incorporates strong brass sound, "chipper" finger-snaps, cheerful beats and jazz-inflected piano harmony in its production and Asian instruments in its bridge.[4][9][10] The lyrics emphasize the passion of youth and deliver comfort to the listener through baseball metaphors.[9][12] Elaborating on the sound and the lyrics, Woozi explained, "We expressed the feeling of hitting a home run with a rhythmical and hard-hitting sound."[12] The following track, "Do Re Mi" (도레미) is an anthemic slow burn number featuring a trap bassline.[4][10] "Hey Buddy" is a funk and pop song featuring '80s instrumentation and brass sound.[13][10] The third track, "Light A Flame" (마음에 불을 지펴) incorporates Latin-inflected bossa nova jazzy rap with an orchestral pitch.[10][13] "Ah! Love" is an acoustic synth number with jazz, hip hop and R&B influences. Performed by S.Coups, Jeonghan and Joshua, the track features vocal harmonies and guitar instrumentation.[4][13] The album concludes with the midtempo mellow acid jazz and synth ballad, "All My Love" (겨우), featuring '90s nostalgic hooks.[4][10][13]

Release and promotion

[edit]

The album's title and release date were announced on October 5.[14] The album tracklist was released on October 12.[15] The following day, a preview of the tracks featured on the album was released in the form of a highlight medley.[16] Two music video teasers for the lead single "Home;Run" were released on October 15 and 16.[17][18] The album was released on October 19, 2020, in CD and digital formats.[19][20][13] The music video for the lead single "Home;Run" was released in conjunction with the release of the album.[21] The '20s themed visual is a cross-over between Murder on the Orient Express and Beyoncé's 2006 movie The Pink Panther, and features the band members sporting retro-suits in underground poker clubs and smoky pool bars.[9]

A few hours prior to the album release, the band held a press conference, which was broadcast online through YouTube.[20] Seventeen began promoting the album with televised live performances on several South Korean weekly music programs, starting with Mnet's M! Countdown on October 22, where they performed "Home;Run".[22] The group appeared on KBS' Music Bank and SBS' Inkigayo on October 23 and 25, respectively, to perform the song.[23][24] On October 27, the band appeared as guests on the reality show Knowing Bros.[25] In the second week of promotion, "Home;Run" won first place on MBC M's Show Champion on October 28.[26]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On October 16, Pledis reported that album preorders had surpassed 1.1 million copies in 16 days, breaking their previous record of 1.06 million stock pre-orders with Heng:garæ.[27] Following its release, Semicolon debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated October 24, 2020.[28] "Home;Run" debuted at number 16 on the Gaon Digital Chart and number one on the component Download Chart.[29][30] The album also reached number two on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart on the issue date of November 2, 2020.[31]

Track listing

[edit]
; [Semicolon] track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Home;Run"
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Nmore (Prismfilter)
  • Bumzu
  • Nmore (Prismfilter)
3:04
2."Do Re Mi" (도레미) (Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino)
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Seungkwan
  • Vernon
  • Dino
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Vernon
  • Poptime
  • Bumzu
  • Poptime
  • Seungkwan
3:17
3."Hey Buddy" (DK, Mingyu, The8)
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • The8
  • Mingyu
  • DK
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • The8
  • Mingyu
  • DK
  • Anchor (Prismfilter)
  • Ohway! (Prismfilter)
  • Bumzu
  • Anchor (Prismfilter)
  • Ohway! (Prismfilter)
3:18
4."Light a Flame" (마음에 불을 지펴) (Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi)
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Hoshi
  • Wonwoo
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
3:09
5."Ah! Love" (S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua)
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • S.Coups
  • Jeonghan
  • Joshua
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Park Ki-tae (Prismfilter)
  • Bumzu
  • Park Ki-tae (Prismfilter)
3:17
6."All My Love"
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Seungkwan
  • Vernon
  • Woozi
  • Bumzu
  • Park Ki-tae (Prismfilter)
  • Bumzu
  • Park Ki-tae (Prismfilter)
3:21
Total length:19:23

Notes:

  • "Home;Run", "Hey Buddy", and "Ah! Love" are stylized in all caps.

Accolades

[edit]
Music program awards
Song Program Date Ref.
"Home;Run" Show Champion October 28, 2020 [32]
M Countdown October 29, 2020 [33]
Music Bank October 30, 2020 [34]
Inkigayo November 1, 2020 [35]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Semicolon
Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[42] Million 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release formats for Semicolon
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various October 19, 2020 CD
[1]
Pledis [43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Yoon, So-yeon (October 19, 2020). "Boy band Seventeen encourages fans to take a break". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Hong, Dam-young (October 19, 2020). "With 'Semicolon,' Seventeen says it's OK to take a break". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Lee, Joon-Hyeon (June 29, 2020). "세븐틴, '헹가래' 초동 109만 장 돌파 '역대 2위'…"새 역사 썼다"" [Seventeen,'Hengarae' surpassed 1.09 million copies in the first batch,'second place in history'... "I wrote a new history"]. Hankyung (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e Corcoran, Nina (October 13, 2020). "SEVENTEEN Release Highlight Medley Video for New Album ; [Semicolon]: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Jo, Yoon-seon (October 5, 2020). "[공식] 세븐틴, 19일 스페셜 앨범으로 컴백…트레일러 최초 공개" [[Official] SEVENTEEN, comeback with special album on the 19th... First trailer release]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Min, Kyung-won; Kim, Yeon-ah (October 26, 2020). "At least seven albums to break 1 million in sales in 2020". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  7. ^ Ji, Min-kyung (October 5, 2020). "세븐틴, 19일 스페셜 앨범 '; [Semicolon]'으로 컴백..트레일러 최초 공개" [SEVENTEEN, Comeback on 19th with special album '; [Semicolon]' .. First trailer released]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  8. ^ a b Bailey, Alyssa (October 24, 2020). "SEVENTEEN On Their New Album ; [Semicolon] And How They're Spending Quarantine". Elle. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d Delgado, Sara (October 19, 2020). "SEVENTEEN Talk "Home Run" Music Video, "Semicolon" Album". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Jaleru, Cristina (October 19, 2020). "'Semicolon' review: Seventeen offers some comfort pop in troubling times". The Star. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "'Semicolon' EP review: K-pop stars Seventeen offer fleeting distraction with new record". South China Morning Post. October 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  12. ^ a b Go, Seungah (October 19, 2020). ""13명 에너지가 우리 근원" 세븐틴, 청춘 이야기로 '홈런' 터트릴까(종합)" ["The energy of 13 people is our source" Will SEVENTEEN,'home run' with youth story?]. News1. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
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  14. ^ Song, Chi-hoon (October 5, 2020). "세븐틴, 19일 스페셜 앨범 '; [Semicolon]'으로 컴백…트레일러 최초 공개" [SEVENTEEN, Comeback on 19th with special album'; [Semicolon]'... First trailer release]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Choi, Hee-jae (October 12, 2020). "'컴백 D-7' 세븐틴, 타이틀곡은 'HOME;RUN'…'청춘 아이덴티티'" ['Comeback D-7' Seventeen, the title song is'HOME;RUN'... 'Youth Identity']. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Kim, Eun-hye (October 13, 2020). "'컴백 D-6' 세븐틴 '세미콜론' 하이라이트 메들리 공개..타이틀곡부터 믹스유닛곡까지 '풍성'" ['Comeback D-6' Seventeen'Semicolon' highlight medley released... from title song to mix unit song'Pungseong'] (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Lee, Seung-Hoon (October 15, 2020). "'컴백 D-4' 세븐틴, 'HOME;RUN' 뮤비 티저 공개..역대급 텐션→에너지 분출 '강렬'" ['Comeback D-4' SEVENTEEN,'HOME;RUN' MV teaser unveiled.. Previous-class tension → energy burst'Intensity']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Kim, Ji-hye (October 16, 2020). "'컴백 D-3' 세븐틴, 신곡 'HOME;RUN' MV 2차 티저 영상 공개..청춘 감성 물씬" ['Comeback D-3' SEVENTEEN, new song'HOME;RUN' MV 2nd teaser video released.. youthful emotion] (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Chang, Dong-woo (October 19, 2020). "Seventeen returns with new album 'Semicolon,' poised for biggest success". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Young, Hana (October 19, 2020). "[종합] 세븐틴 "'세미콜론'처럼, 열심히 달리는 청춘들의 '쉼터' 됐으면"" [[Comprehensive] SEVENTEEN "Like a'semicolon', if it becomes a'rest area' for young people running hard"]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Kim, Miji (October 19, 2020). ""잠깐 쉬고 가도 돼"…세븐틴, 지친 청춘 위한 경쾌한 위로[쥬크박스]" ["You can take a break and go"... Seventeen, a cheerful comfort for the weary youth [jukebox]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Naver.
  22. ^ Hong, Se-young (October 22, 2020). "세븐틴, 오늘 '엠카' 통해 '홈런' 무대 최초 공개 [공식]" [Seventeen to unveil 'Home Run' stage for the first time on 'M-Countdown' today [Official]]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Lee, Si-yeon (October 23, 2020). "세'뮤직뱅크' 컴백 세븐틴, 뉴욕 브로드웨이 연상케하는 무대[별별TV]" ['Music Bank' comeback Seventeen, a stage reminiscent of Broadway in New York [StarView TV]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2020 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Cheon, Yoon-hye (October 26, 2020). "세븐틴, 퍼포먼스 끝판왕다운 짜릿한 'HOME;RUN'..언제나 상상 그 이상" [SEVENTEEN, the thrilling'HOME;RUN' like the king of performances..Always beyond imagination] (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Lee, Min-ji (October 24, 2020). "'아는 형님' 세븐틴, 역대 최고 난이도 게임에 불타는 승부욕[오늘TV]" ['Knowing Brothers' Seventeen, burning lust for the highest difficulty game ever [Today TV]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Kim, Sujin (October 29, 2020). "세븐틴, '세미콜론' 가온차트 3관왕 달성" [Seventeen achieves 3 crowns on Gaon Chart with 'Semicolon']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Yoo, Jae-hyuk (October 16, 2020). "세븐틴, 스페셜 앨범 선주문량 110만장 돌파…더블 밀리언셀러 예고" [Seventeen, surpassed 1.1 million pre-orders for special albums… Double Million Seller Notice]. Hankyung (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  28. ^ Park, Ah-reum (October 29, 2020). "세븐틴 가온차트 3관왕, 연일 쏟아내는 기록" [Seventeen Gaon Chart 3 crowns, record pouring out every day]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 29, 2020 – via Naver.
  29. ^ 2020년 43주차 Digital Chart [Digital Chart – Week 43 of 2020] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
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  32. ^ Ji, Min-kyung (October 29, 2020). 세븐틴, '세미콜론'으로 가온차트 3관왕 달성.."글로벌 대히트" [Seventeen, achieved 3 gold medals on Gaon Chart with 'Semicolon'.."Global Big Hit"]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Yeo, Do-kyung (October 29, 2015). '엠카' 세븐틴, 블랙핑크 제치고 1위..트와이스·TXT 컴백[★밤TView] ['M-Countdown' Seventeen beat Blackpink, ranked 1st.. Twice and TXT comeback [★Bam TView]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020 – via Naver.
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  35. ^ Kim, Miji (November 1, 2020). 세븐틴, 결방된 '인기가요'서 1위…'홈런'으로 4관왕 달성 [Seventeen, No. 1 on 'Inkigayo' Achieved 4 crowns with 'Home Run']. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via Naver.
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  43. ^ "(Semicolon) - EP by Seventeen". Apple Music. October 19, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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