A New Journey (EP) explained

A New Journey
Type:ep
Artist:Nam Woo-hyun
Cover:Nam Woo-hyun - A New Journey.jpg
Recorded:2019
Studio:Woollim Studio (Seoul)
Genre:Dance
Length:22:09
Language:Korean
Label:Woollim
Producer:Lee Joong-yup (exec.)
Prev Title:Second Write..
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:With
Next Year:2021

A New Journey is the third mini-album by South Korean singer Nam Woo-hyun of idol group Infinite. It was released on May 7, 2019, by Woollim Entertainment and distributed by Kakao M. Having released two ballad mini-albums since 2016, Nam sought to expand his musical palette and facilitate his growth as a musician. He ultimately crafted a dance record with his stories embedded in the lyrics.

After a series of photo and video teasers, A New Journey and its lead single "Hold on Me" featuring rapper Junoflo were concurrently released. Nam held a showcase for the mini-album and promoted the song by performing on music chart programs across various television networks. A New Journey peaked at number two on South Korea's national Gaon Album Chart, shifting over 42,000 units domestically since its release.

Background

Nam crafted A New Journey amid preparations to play the lead roles in the musicals The Days and Mefisto, and in midst of a concert tour throughout Asia.[1] On previous singles "Still I Remember" (Write.., 2016) and "If Only You Are Fine" (Second Write.., 2018), he was noted as the "representative performer of emotional ballads".[2] The title reflects Nam's new musical direction.[3] He sought to showcase musical maturity and explore diverse genres throughout the album tracks.[2] In wanting the lyrics, thoughts, and melodies he identified with to "melt deeply" into the record, Nam prioritized his storytelling.[4] The record was set to be released earlier, but was delayed to "enhance its completeness".[5] The album was recorded in Seoul at Woollim Studio and mixed at W Sound, LAFX, InGrid Studio, and Mapps Studio. It was mastered at 821 Sound Mastering.[6] Unlike his previous solo endeavors, Nam implemented choreography in his songs. He prepared by modifying his diet, doing weight training, exercising, and managing his health.[7]

Music structure

A dance album, A New Journey integrates EDM and funk into its sound.[8] [9] Nam wrote the lyrics to four tracks and contributed to two of the compositions.[10] He penned songs based on his experiences over the past ten years.[11] The record opens with "Intro", an "upbeat" track without lyrics which "gives the impression of leaving somewhere for the first time".[9] [12] Nam described as "essential to setting the tone" of the album.[13] It is followed by "Hold on Me", a dance-pop song with elements of house music that incorporates acoustic and electric guitar into the track.[14] [15] Nam described it as a "sharp" song with a "strong accent".[16] Rapper Junoflo features on the song.[10] A fan of his work on the rap competition series Show Me the Money and his music, Nam reached out to him for a collaboration.[13] [17] While on tour in the United States, Junoflo traveled to South Korea to work on the song.[18] A portion of his rap was done in English due to his comfort with the language.[4] "Rain" was composed by MC the Max member J. Yoon and the lyrics deal with "overcoming pain and hardships".[12] Nam's "wide" vocal range oscillates throughout the dance track, evoking a "dreamy" ambience.[19] He stated that "emotions become moisturized" and "old memories often occur" as a result of rain; the "slightly damp smell" of precipitation led him to conceive the song lyrics.[20]

"Stranger" is a dance-pop song with an emphasis on guitar riffs and bass.[12] Nam described the song as a mixture of urban music and funk, and he stated that it was a candidate as the lead single for A New Journey.[13] The track's melody was crafted and completed during a nine-hour session with HSND, Adrian Mckinnon, and Galaxy.[12] On "Crying Baby", Nam employs his lyrical voice and a "classy sound" with an undercurrent of synthpop.[13] The song serves as an encouraging message to "lonely people under the weight of life".[20] After listening to the demo, he utilized a vocal technique for the track to fit his style.[12] In "Just Look at Me", the narrator tells his girlfriend to "look at me, as I promise to look at you forever".[13] It is described as a "sexy and warm" song.[12] The closing track "Flower" is a medium-tempo confession song on guitar and piano.[21] [22] In the lyrics, he conveys his gratitude and love for his fans, likening them to sunflowers.[23]

Release and promotion

Woollim Entertainment announced A New Journey and shared an image teaser via social media on April 29, 2019. It showcased a "mellow" Nam standing on a bridge late at night.[1] A second picture was posted on May 1, presenting Nam in a red-lit setting and "dreamlike" atmosphere.[24] A short version music video teaser for the lead single "Hold on Me" was published the following day.[25] On May 4, a longer version music video teaser was unveiled.[3] An album preview of the mini-album was shared on the subsequent day.[2] A New Journey and the music video for "Hold on Me" were simultaneously released on May 7.[26] Hosted by MC Haru, Nam held a showcase for the mini-album at Ilji Art Hall in the Cheongdam-dong ward of Seoul.[22] [27]

Nam began promoting "Hold on Me" on weekly music chart shows two days later.[28] Due to Junoflo's commitments abroad, Tag of idol group Golden Child performed in his place alongside Nam during the promotion cycle.[29] [30] In addition to the lead single, Nam also performed "Rain" on Mnet's M Countdown,[31] KBS2's Music Bank,[32] Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's (MBC) Show! Music Core,[33] Seoul Broadcasting System's (SBS) Inkigayo,[34] SBS MTV's The Show,[35] and MBC Music's Show Champion.[36] The final music show performance of "Hold on Me" was done with Lim Young-min of AB6IX, and promotions were completed on May 22.[37] [38] Nam made an appearance on EBS FM's radio program Midnight Black hosted by DJ and bandmate Sungjong.[39] He also appeared on MBC Standard FM's Idol Radio, where he performed "Hold on Me" and a medley of Infinite songs.[40]

Commercial performance

On the chart dated May 5 – 11, 2019, A New Journey debuted at number two on South Korea's national Gaon Album Chart.[41] According to album sales aggregator Hanteo Chart, the mini-album sold 18,488 copies in its first week.[42] It became the 55th best-selling album in the first half of the year, shifting 42,656 units domestically.[43] The single "Hold on Me" under-performed on music charts.[44] It debuted and peaked at number 69 on the Gaon Download Chart.[45]

Critical reception

A New Journey received favorable reviews from all four critics from TV Daily. Kim Ji-ha felt the "care" put into the songwriting, while Kim Han-kil considered Nam's "sexy" voice "memorable". Kim Ye-na complimented the "fresh" musical take, as Oh Ji-won considered the music as "refined" and noted "even the stand-out featuring".[46]

Credits

Credits adapted from the mini-album's liner notes.[6]

Chart

Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)2

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hwang. Hye-jin. ko:인피니트 측 "남우현, 5월 7일 미니앨범 컴백 확정"(공식입장). http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201904290932070410. Newsen. November 1, 2019. Korean. April 29, 2019.
  2. Web site: Baek. A-yeong. ko:'컴백 카운트다운' 남우현, 솔로 앨범 전곡 하이라이트+재킷 이미지 공개. http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/259410. MBC Entertainment. Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 5, 2019.
  3. Web site: Lee. Wu-ju. ko:'컴백 D-3' 남우현, 'Hold on Me' MV 티저 공개. http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/04/2019050400513.html. The Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 4, 2019.
  4. Web site: ko:남우현(Nam Woo Hyun) "Hold On Me" Ep.1. http://www.vlive.tv/video/128772. V Live. Naver. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 14, 2019.
  5. Web site: Lee. So-dam. ko:"인피니트 있어 나도 있어"…남우현, 발라더→음악적 스펙트럼 넓힌 솔로 컴백 [종합]. http://www.osen.co.kr/article/G1111137131. Osen. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  6. A New Journey. Nam Woo-hyun. 2019. Woollim Entertainment. 1073804609. liner notes.
  7. Web site: Baek. Ji-eun. ko:인피니트 남우현 "8개월만 솔로 컴백 설렘+긴장". http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/07/2019050702022.html. The Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  8. Web site: Kim. Min-ji. ko:[N현장] "발라드→댄스" 진화한 가수 남우현의 새로운 여정(종합). http://news1.kr/articles/?3615331. News1 Korea. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  9. Web site: Kim. Su-kyeong. ko:[TEN 현장] 남우현의 새로운 여정 속으로…미니 3집 '어 뉴 저니'. http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1715579. 10asia. Korea Entertainment Media. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  10. Web site: Kwak. Hyeon-su. ko:인피니트 남우현 "이번엔 신나는 댄스곡…다른 장르도 가능해". http://sports.donga.com/3/all/20190507/95413534/1. The Dong-a Ilbo. Dong-a Ilbo Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  11. Web site: Lee. So-dam. ko:'컴백' 남우현 "어젯밤 여섯 번 정도 깼다 잤다…8개월 만의 컴백 설렌다". http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111137072. Osen. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  12. Web site: Jung. Ga-yeong. ko:'컴백' 남우현 "수록곡 '플라워', 인스피릿 '꽃'에 비유해 만든 곡". http://www.sportsworldi.com/newsView/20190507511555. Sportsworldi. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  13. Web site: [Full] Nam Woo Hyun [A NEW JOURNEY] COMEBACK SHOWCASE]. V Live. Naver. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 9, 2019.
  14. Web site: Kim. Ji-yeon. ko:남우현 "11·12년차 때도 1년차 처럼, 실력 갈고닦겠다"[e스타톡]. http://enews24.tving.com/news/article?nsID=1320842. enews24. CJ ENM. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 28, 2019.
  15. Web site: Kim. Ha-jin. ko:남우현, 주노플로와 협업…새 음반 곡 목록 공개. http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1713459. 10asia. Korea Entertainment Media. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 3, 2019.
  16. Web site: Kwak. Hyeon-su. ko:인피니트 남우현 "10년 간 음악 우물 안 개구리 같아…발버둥 치는 듯". http://sports.donga.com/3/all/20190507/95414137/1. The Dong-a Ilbo. Dong-a Ilbo Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  17. Web site: Lee. Jeong-ho. ko:남우현 "평소 팬이던 주노플로에게 피처링 부탁". http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019050714310235817. Starnews. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  18. Web site: Lee. Jeong-ho. ko:감성 발라드 벗고 댄스 입은 남우현, 10년차 고민 담았다[종합]. http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019050714311564293. Starnews. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  19. Web site: Kim. Su-kyeong. ko:[지금, 뭐 들으세요?] 오마이걸·유승우·남우현, 꽉 찬 성장. http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1717444. 10asia. Korea Entertainment Media. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 10, 2019.
  20. Web site: Im. Jun-yeon. ko:남우현의 경계선. http://www.thesingle.co.kr/SinglesMobile/mobileweb/news_content/detail_news_content.do?nc_no=708000&fmc_no=599684&fsmc_no=599709. Singles Korea. The Book Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 28, 2019.
  21. Web site: Ji. Seung-hun. ko:"아직 우물 안 개구리"…'솔로' 남우현이 보여줄 새 모습(종합). https://www.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_201905071716549510. YTN. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  22. Web site: Park. Dong-seon. ko:[스테이지리뷰] 인피니트 남우현, '컴팩트 인피니트로 외치는 내면의 봄' ('A NEW JOURNEY' 쇼케 종합). http://www.etnews.com/20190507000471. ET News. Electronic Times Internet. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  23. Web site: Lee. Jeong-beom. ko:[현장] '어 뉴 저니' 인피니트 남우현, "인스피릿은 나의 해바라기"…항상 감사. http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=621756. Top Star News. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  24. Web site: Seon. Mi-kyeong. ko:"몽환의 미남"..인피니트 남우현, 솔로 컴백 티저 공개[Oh!쎈 컷]. http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111133305. Osen. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 1, 2019.
  25. Web site: Lee. Mi-ji. ko:인피니트 남우현, 새 솔로 타이틀곡 'Hold on Me' 확정…뮤비 티저 공개. http://pop.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=201905021046157761848_1. Herald Pop. Herald Corporation. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 2, 2019.
  26. Web site: Lee. Ho-yeon. ko:[HI★스포] "나를 잡아줘" 남우현, 반가운 인피니트표 환상 서사. http://star.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/201905071115054646. Hankook Ilbo. Dongwha Enterprise. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  27. Web site: Jeon. A-ram. ko:남우현, 8개월만 컴백 소감 "자다가 6번 깨…밤잠 설쳤다". http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1109899. xportsnews. xportsmedia. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  28. Web site: Kim. Won-hee. ko:남우현, 변신 통했다…'홀드 온 미' 차트 1위 기염. http://sports.khan.co.kr/entertainment/sk_index.html?art_id=201905090645013&sec_id=540301. Kyunghyang Shinmun. Kyunghyang Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 9, 2019.
  29. Web site: Lee. Jeong-beom. ko:[현장] '어 뉴 저니' 남우현, 골든차일드 TAG와 함께 ‘홀드 온 미’ 무대 선보여. http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=621775. Top Star News. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  30. Web site: Kim. Hyeon-sik. ko:세 번째 과제를 마치고…돌아온 '음악 모범생' 남우현 [다녀가요]. https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5146821. No Cut News. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 7, 2019.
  31. Web site: Lee. Wu-ju. ko:'엠카' 뉴이스트, 'BET BET' 1위→2관왕…에릭남·남우현·유승우·오마이걸 컴백 [종합]. http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/09/2019050903269.html. The Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 9, 2019.
  32. Web site: Kim. Ji-hye. ko:'뮤직뱅크' 남우현, 댄서 변신→완벽 홀로서기 'Hold On Me'. http://pop.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=201905101659343767124_1. Herald Pop. Herald Corporation. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 10, 2019.
  33. Web site: Shin. Jeong-won. ko:방탄소년단, 출연 없이도 거뜬히 '음악중심 1위' 차지 [종합]. http://www.sporbiz.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=336286. Sporbiz. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 11, 2019.
  34. Web site: Kim. Han-kil. ko:'인기가요' 방탄소년단, 출연 없이 1위…뉴이스트X오마이걸 컴백 [종합]. http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=15576451751456647010. TV Daily. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 12, 2019.
  35. Web site: Moon. Sol. ko:'더쇼' 인피니트 남우현, 컴백 무대..스윗 매력 UP[별별TV]. http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019051418041312727. Starnews. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 14, 2019.
  36. Web site: Jang. Eun-song. ko:'쇼챔' 남우현, 솔로무대서 내뿜은 '부드러운 카리스마'. http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019051518205343108. Starnews. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 15, 2019.
  37. Web site: ko:'인기가요' 오늘 방송에서는 남우현 더보이즈 레이디스.... http://www.seohaenews.net/news/article.html?no=34186. Seohwa News. Newseyes. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 22, 2019.
  38. Web site: Guk. Da-won. ko:인피니트(INFINITE) 남우현, 임영민과 훈훈한 투 샷…"고생했어". http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=628545. Top Star News. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 23, 2019.
  39. Web site: Kim. Ju-won. ko:남우현, EBS FM '인피니트 성종의 미드나잇 블랙' 출연. https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1VJ4Z85C3H. Seoul Economy. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 14, 2019.
  40. Web site: Kim. Ha-yeon. ko:'아이돌 라디오' 남우현, 10년 차 아이돌의 노련미+끈끈한 인피니트 우정 빛났다. http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=624768. Top Star News. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 14, 2019.
  41. Web site: ko:2019년 19주차 Album Chart. http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=19&hitYear=2019&termGbn=week. Gaon Music Chart. November 1, 2019. Korean.
  42. Web site: Park. Pan-seok. ko:뉴이스트, 5월 2주차 한터차트 2주 연속 1위..24만장 판매고. http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111141151. Osen. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 13, 2019.
  43. Web site: ko:2019년 상반기 Album Chart. http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2019&hitYear=2019&termGbn=year. Gaon Music Chart. November 1, 2019. Korean. https://web.archive.org/web/20190712070546/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2019&hitYear=2019&termGbn=year. July 12, 2019.
  44. Web site: Ha. Na-yeong. ko:[5월: 어떤가요①] "박효신을 넘어라?"…'믿고 듣는' 보컬 출격 예고. http://digitalchosun.dizzo.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/08/2019050880216.html. Digital Chosun. Chosun Ilbo Company. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 8, 2019.
  45. Web site: ko:2019년 19주차 Download Chart. http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=19&hitYear=2019&termGbn=week. Gaon Music Chart. November 1, 2019. Korean.
  46. Web site: Kim. Han-kil. ko:앤씨아·제이레빗·오마이걸·유승우·남우현, 봄의 향연 [이번주 뭐 들었니?]. http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=15576425251456645010. TV Daily. November 1, 2019. Korean. May 12, 2019. September 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190918163052/http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=15576425251456645010. dead.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "A New Journey (EP)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.