| Never Ever | |
| Type: | ep |
| Artist: | Jiyeon |
| Cover: | Neverever ep.jpg |
| Caption: | Digital cover |
| Released: | May 20, 2014 |
| Recorded: | 2013–2014 |
| Length: | 19:46 |
| Producer: | Kwon Shi-bong |
| Next Title: | Senpass |
| Next Year: | 2019 |
Never Ever is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Jiyeon. It was released on May 20, 2014, by Core Contents Media.[1] "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" was released as the lead single.[2]
On April 2, 2014 it was announced that Jiyeon would have a solo album. Core Contents Media released a statement saying, "Jiyeon’s solo concept is sexy and will be similar to Park Jiyoon's 'Coming of Age Ceremony', but with a modern 2014-esque twist."[3]
On May 20, 2014 the extended play Never Ever was released along with the music video for the title track "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" and a dance practice video.[2] "1 Minute, 1 Second (Never Ever)" is a medium-tempo song produced by Duble Sidekick. The EP also includes the melancholic "Marionette" and "Yeouido Cherry Blossom", a song by composer Ahn Young-min. On May 23, 2014, it was announced that Jiyeon had been forced to change the dance for "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" due to the hip dance being deemed too sexy and provocative for the public. A news release from MBK Entertainment said "It is true that we received the call to adjust the mentioned dance from the major broadcast station reps... We added the sexy hip dance to the beginning and middle of the performance dance and music video not to give an erotic feeling, but rather to match the atmosphere of the sensitive dance song '1 Minute 1 Second'... However, we do think that the major broadcast music show reps do have a point, so we have decided to show a modified dance to the viewers."[4] [5]
"Never Ever" received generally positive reviews from critics. PopMatters praised Jiyeon's emotional vocals that makes it powerful and relatable. The magazine especially praised the music video and the choreography "but it’s really the music video, with the unique choreography and powerful message that are going to be remembered."[6]
The EP reached number 3 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart. The title track "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" made it to number 17 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart.[7]
| Chart | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Gaon Weekly Albums Chart[8] | 3 | |
| Gaon Monthly Albums Chart[9] | 11 | |
| Gaon Yearly Albums Chart[10] | 95 |
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaon Chart Music Awards | 2014 | Social Star Award | Never Ever | ||
| Seoul Music Awards | Bonsang Award | [11] | |||
| Popularity Award | |||||
| Hallyu Special Award | |||||
| Soompi Gayo Awards | Best Female Solo | Never Ever | [12] | ||
| YinYueTai V-Chart Awards | 2015 | Best Female Singer - Korea | Jiyeon | [13] | |
| Favorite Artist of the Year |
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | May 20, 2014 | Digital download | Core Contents Media KT Music |
| South Korea | May 22, 2014 | CD, digital download |