Delight (Baekhyun EP)

Delight
EP by
Baekhyun
ReleasedMay 25, 2020 (2020-05-25)
Recorded2020
StudioSM Studios, Seoul, South Korea
Genre
Length23:45
LanguageKorean
Label
Baekhyun chronology
City Lights
(2019) 		Delight
(2020) 		Baekhyun
(2021)
Singles from Delight
  1. "Candy"
    Released: May 25, 2020
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[1]
SCMP[2]

Delight is the second extended play by South Korean singer Baekhyun. It was released on May 25, 2020, by SM Entertainment,[3] and contains seven tracks, including the lead single, "Candy".[4] The EP is available in four versions: Cinnamon, Honey, Mint,[5] and Chemistry, which was released on June 29.[6]

The album sold over 1,000,000 copies, making it the first album by a South Korean soloist to do so in 19 years, and one of the best-selling albums in South Korea.[7]

Background and release

Baekhyun debuted as a solo artist in July 2019, with City Lights, which was commercially successful and sold over half-a-million copies in 2019.[8] On April 22, 2020, it was reported that he was preparing for a second solo album and participated in various aspects of the production process.[9] SM Entertainment later confirmed the statement and announced the release of Baekhyun's second EP in late May.[10] On May 6, the album's title and release date were announced.[11]

SM Entertainment began releasing teasers and mood-sampler videos on May 12 through Exo's official social media accounts.[12] On May 13, the album's notable producers were revealed, consisting of South Korean producer Kenzie, and American producers Mike Daley, Omega Deez and Colde.[13]

The album and its title track's music video were released on May 25 at 6PM KST both digitally and physically. On May 29, the live video for "Love Again" was released on YouTube via the SM Station channel.[14]

Composition

Delight features seven songs of different R&B subgenres. The title track "Candy" is described as a future R&B song with addictive synth instrumentation and a trendy melody. Lyrically, it expresses Baekhyun's colourful charms like various tastes of candy including, cinnamon, mint, strawberry and bubble gum.[15] It was written by songwriter Kenzie, while production was handled by Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, DEEZA and Adrian McKinnon with additional arrangement by Yoo Yeong-jin.[16]

"I wanted to take a step further and show a different side to my fans. I wanted to incorporate more performance, which means a lot of choreography and thinking about the visuals on stage. I also tried to make this album a little brighter and fresher than City Lights."

—Baekhyun about the main difference between his albums.[17]

"R U Ridin'?" is an urban R&B hip hop song with a chill trap-based instrumentation and melody with love-whispering lyrics that make you feel like you're driving through the downtown of a city. The third track "Bungee" is a mid-tempo R&B song with a piano melody. The lyrics are a metaphor for falling in love and swimming in the sea. "Poppin'" is characterized as an urban R&B hip hop song, with lyrics expressing the overwhelming feelings of happiness that burst out while in love. "Underwater" is a dreamy mid-tempo R&B song with lyrics about the feeling of ones heart submerged in an ocean of sadness after losing someone they loved, while "Ghost" is described as an alternative R&B song featuring lyrics about comparing a lover to a ghost in order to endure the hardships of separation from them. The last song "Love Again" is a lyrical contemporary R&B song with lyrics about longing to love a partner once more at the end of a relationship.[18][19]

Promotion

An hour before the music video and album's release, Baekhyun appeared on a live broadcast through the Naver app V Live, where he promoted and discussed the album.[20] On June 3, Baekhyun won his first Show Champion trophy with "Candy", despite not attending nor performing at the show. Baekhyun had his first music show performance for the lead single on Music Bank, followed by his promotion on Inkigayo.[21] The song has since achieved a total of three trophies, tying with "UN Village" as his most winning title on such television music shows.

Commercial performance

On May 25, 2020, Korean news media reported that pre-orders for Delight had reached 732,297 copies as of May 24, making it the most pre-ordered album by a solo artist in South Korean history.[22] Upon release, the album recorded the highest first week sales for a solo artist in Gaon chart history and debuted at number one on the Album Chart for the week 22 issue ending May 30.[23][24] It topped the monthly chart for May with a total of 660,826 copies sold.[25] Following the release of its Kit version on June 26,[26] the album returned to number one on the week 27 chart issue for the period ending July 4.[27]

In June, Delight surpassed 971,000 cumulative sales, making Baekhyun the first soloist to qualify for Triple Platinum certification from the Korea Music Copyright Association (KMCA).[citation needed] On July 1, it was announced that the album had surpassed 1 million sales, making it the first album by a soloist in South Korea to do so since Another Days (2001) by Kim Gun-mo.[28]

Internationally, the album debuted at number five on the Billboard World Albums chart in the United States, giving Baekhyun his second top-five entry on the ranking.[29] In Japan, it charted at number 9 on the Oricon Albums Chart.[30]

Track listing

Delight track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Candy"Kenzie
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
  • Deez [ko]
  • Adrian McKinnon
3:48
2."R U Ridin'?"Kenzie
  • Kenzie
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
  • Wilbart "Vedo" McCoy III
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
2:55
3."Bungee"Jane (Channel 23)
  • Aisle (Channel 23)
  • Jane (Channel 23)
  • Jeon Byung-sun (Royal Dive) (Joombas)
  • Hong Young-in (Royal Dive) (Joombas)
  • Brian Cho
  • Brian Cho
  • Royal Dive (Joombas)
3:27
4."Underwater"
  • Cho Min-young (lalala Studio)
  • Lee Yi-jin (lalala Studio)
  • Kim Yeon-seo (ADC Music)
  • minGtion (ADC Music)
ADC Music3:20
5."Poppin'"Kenzie
The Stereotypes3:29
6."Ghost"
  • Larus "Leo" Arnarson
  • Michael "Omega" Fonseca
  • Bram Inscore
3:25
7."Love Again"Colde (WAVY)
  • Colde (WAVY)
  • Stally (WAVY)
  • Colde (WAVY)
  • Stally (WAVY)
3:26
Total length:23:45

Charts

Certifications and sales

Sales certifications for Delight
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan — 9,778[41]
South Korea (KMCA)[43] Million 1,031,993[42]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Nominated work Result
2020 Gaon Chart Music Awards Album of the Year - 2nd Quarter Delight Won
Song of the Year - May "Candy" Nominated
Melon Music Awards Album of the Year Delight Nominated
Best R&B/Soul Award "Candy" Nominated
Melon Music Awards Top 10 Digital Bonsang Won
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Vocal Performance Solo Nominated
Song of the Year "Candy" Nominated
Best Male Artist "Candy" Won
Album of the Year Delight Nominated

Release history

Release history for Delight
Region Date Format Label
South Korea May 25, 2020
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 SM Entertainment

See also

References

  1. ^ Lee Hong-hyun. "백현 'Delight – The 2nd Mini Album'(2020)". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Chris Gillett (2 June 2020). "Baekhyun's 'Delight' album review: EXO star's 2nd solo effort is standard K-pop fare". SCMP. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. ^ 엑소 백현, 두 번째 미니앨범 ‘Delight’ 25일 발매 [EXO Baekhyun to release the second mini album 'Delight' on the 25th [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020 – via Naver.
  4. ^ Kim, Min-ji (May 12, 2020). '25일 컴백' 엑소 백현, 타이틀곡은 '캔디'…트렌디한 멜로디 ['25 Day Comeback 'EXO Baekhyun, Title song' Candy '… Trendy melody]. TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
  5. ^ "백현 - DELIGHT (2ND 미니앨범) [커버3종_CINNAMON VER. / HONEY VER. / MINT VER.]". Synnara (in Korean). May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "BAEK HYUN - Mini Album Vol.2 [Delight] (Chemisty Ver.)". Ktown4u (in Korean). June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  7. ^ "엑소 백현, 그룹 이어 솔로도 '밀리언셀러' 등극…서태지 이후 20년만". Naver. July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Moon, Wan-sik (May 6, 2020). [단독] 엑소 백현, 솔로로 5월 가요계 컴백..10개월만에 또 역대급 기록 쓸까 [EXO Baekhyun releases his second mini album 'Delight' on May 25]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Kim, Eun-Ae (April 22, 2020). [단독] 엑소 백현, 솔로로 5월 가요계 컴백..10개월만에 또 역대급 기록 쓸까 [[Exclusive] EXO Baekhyun, Solo May comeback comeback .. Will I write another record in 10 months]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2020 – via Naver.
  10. ^ "엑소 백현, 솔로로 5월 가요계 컴백..10개월만에 또 역대급 기록 쓸까". Naver (in Korean). April 22, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  11. ^ Yoon, Ki-baek (May 6, 2020). 백현, 25일 솔로 컴백… "역대급 솔로가 온다" [Baekhyun, solo comeback on the 25th… "An all-time solo is coming"]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2020 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Hong, Hyemin (May 12, 2020). 엑소 백현, 달콤한 ‘캔디’ 선물 [EXO Baekhyun, a sweet 'candy' gift]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Jeong, Hee-yeon (May 13, 2020). 엑소 백현 ‘Delight’, 글로벌 히트메이커 대거 참여 [EXO Baekhyun 'Delight', participated in the global hit maker]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  14. ^ "엑소 백현, 새 앨범 수록곡 'Love Again' 라이브 비디오 29일 공개". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  15. ^ "'25일 컴백' 엑소 백현, 타이틀곡은 '캔디'…트렌디한 멜로디". TV Report (in Korean). May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020 – via Naver.
  16. ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
  17. ^ "Baekhyun On His Sweet Single "Candy" & 'Delight". Grammys. 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  18. ^ "엑소 백현, 새 앨범 'Delight' 하이라이트 메들리 영상 오늘 밤 12시 공개". Chosun (in Korean). May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "'컴백 D-5' 엑소 백현, 웰메이드 R&B로 돌아온다". Chosun (in Korean). May 20, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "백현 "타이틀곡 'Candy', 도전이었던 곡..모든 부분의 디테일을 살리려 해"[V LIVE]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  21. ^ "엑소 백현, 'Candy' 컴백 무대..5일 '뮤직뱅크' 첫 방송". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  22. ^ Kim, Na-young (May 25, 2020). 엑소 백현, 두 번째 미니앨범 선주문량 73만장 돌파…자체 최고 기록 [EXO's Baekhyun, 2nd mini album over 730,000 pre-orders…His own best record]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Lee, Jung-ho (June 4, 2020). 백현·전미도, 22주차 가온차트서 나란히 2관왕 [Baekhyun and Jeon Mi-do won two awards side by side on the Gaon Chart in the 22nd week.]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Park, Seo-hyun (June 4, 2020). 엑소 백현, 가온차트 사상 솔로 앨범 최다 판매량 기록‥역대급 행보(공식) [(Official) EXO's Baekhyun records the highest sales of a solo album in Gaon Chart history.]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Ham, Nay-an (June 11, 2020). [DA:차트] 아이유X방탄 슈가, '에잇' 5월 가온차트 3관왕 차지 [[DA: Chart] IU X BTS Suga, "Eight" wins three Gaon Chart titles in May]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Ham, Nay-an (June 29, 2020). [DA:차트] 세븐틴 '헹가래', 가온차트 26주차 리테일 앨범차트 1위 [[DA: Chart] Seventeen's "Hengarae", topped the 26th week of Gaon Chart's Retail Album Chart]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Park, Se-yeon (July 7, 2020). 세븐틴 '헹가래' 가온차트 6월 리테일 앨범차트 1위 [Seventeen's "Hengarae" topped Gaon Chart's June Retail Album Chart]. Maeil Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Herman, Tamar (June 30, 2020). "EXO's Baekhyun's 'Delight' Makes South Korean History With Over 1 Million Copies Sold". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Baekhyun Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  30. ^ "Oricon Weekly Album Ranking" (in Japanese). Oricon. June 8, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  31. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2020. 34. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  32. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2020-06-08" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  33. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  34. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  35. ^ "SK Albums Top 100 (week 202121)" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  36. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 22, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  37. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  38. ^ "Baekhyun Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  39. ^ "Baekhyun Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  40. ^ "2020년 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  41. ^ Oricon cumulative sales for Delight:
    • Physical: 週間 アルバムランキング 2021年06月08日付 （2021年05月25日～2021年05月31日） [Weekly Album ranking dated June 8, 2021 (May 25, 2021–May 31, 2021)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
    • 週間 アルバムランキング 2021年06月15日付 （2021年06月01日～2021年06月07日） [Weekly Album ranking dated June 15, 2021 (June 1, 2021–June 7, 2021)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
    • 週間 アルバムランキング 2021年06月22日付 （2021年06月08日～2021年06月14日） [Weekly Album ranking dated June 22, 2021 (June 8, 2021–June 14, 2021)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
    • Digital: 週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2021年06月08日付 （2021年05月25日～2021年05月31日） [Weekly Digital Album ranking dated June 8, 2021 (May 25, 2021–May 31, 2021)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  42. ^ Gaon cumulative sales for Delight:
    • 2020년 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
    • (See #87) 2020년 7월 Album Chart [July 2020 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
    • (See #88) 2020년 3월 Album Chart [March 2021 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  43. ^ "South Korean album certifications – Baekhyun – Delight - The 2nd Album" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved September 8, 2022.
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