After Sunset Explained

After Sunset
Type:EP
Artist:Highlight
Cover:Highlight - After Sunset EP Cover Art.jpg
Alt:Four members of Highlight dressed in denim. From left to right, up to down: Yoon Dujun, Yang Yoseob, Lee Gikwang, Son Dongwoon
Caption:Digital cover
Released:November 7, 2022
Genre:K-pop
Language:Korean
Label:Around Us
Prev Title:Daydream
Prev Year:2022
Year:2022
Chronology:Highlight

After Sunset is the fourth EP by South Korean boy group Highlight. It was released on November 7, 2022, by Around US Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment.[1] The mini-album contains five tracks, featuring "Alone" as a promotional single. Three photobook versions of the EP were released, titled Night, Midnight, and Dawn. A jewel case version was also included for each of the four members.[2]

Background and album

The group first announced their comeback through a clip at their 2022 fan concert, Highlight Sports Day. On October 16, the second day of the concert, the end credits were followed by a snippet of the song Alone and the date November 7, 2022. [3]

The album and single name were revealed to be After Sunset and Alone respectively, through a trailer video on October 24, confirming their comeback on November 7.[4] The track list, promotional photos for each album version, and song previews were shown in the subsequent days leading up to the EP's release. It consists of five songs, three of which were co-written and co-produced by member Lee Gikwang.[5]

"Alone" is described as "a pop track with a retro texture and minimalistic colour, and a retro feel at the same time." The lyrics are also said to "[express] a straightforward confession and a double message."[6]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[7] 30
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[8] 80
South Korean Albums (Circle)[9] 2

Monthly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)[10] 5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 어라운드어스 엔터테인먼트 . 2022-11-07 . 어라운드어스 엔터테인먼트.
  2. Web site: Kim . Jihye . 2022-10-26 . 하이라이트, 미니 4집 'AFTER SUNSET' 프리뷰..성숙한 무드 . 2022-11-07 . Herald Pop.
  3. Web site: Lee . Dagyeom . 2022-10-17 . Highlight announces surprise comeback on November 7th at fan concert . 2022-11-07 . Star Today.
  4. Web site: Park . Sanghoo . 2022-10-24 . Highlight, comeback with a full group after 8 months... Released on November 7th . 2022-11-07 . JTBC.
  5. Web site: Lee . Minji . 2022-10-25 . Highlight's 4th mini album track list released... Includes 3 self-composed songs by Lee Gikwang . 2022-11-07 . Newsen.
  6. Web site: Yoon . Seongyeol . 2022-11-07 . 하이라이트 'Alone' 벅스 음원차트 1위..수록곡 '줄세우기' . 2022-11-07 . Star News.
  7. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2022-11-21/p/3/. ja:週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2022年11月21日付 (2022年11月07日~2022年11月14日). Weekly Digital Album Ranking dated November 21, 2022 (November 7, 2022 – November 14, 2022). Oricon. ja. November 16, 2022.
  8. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of November 16, 2022. Billboard Japan. ja. November 16, 2022.
  9. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 46, 2022. Circle Chart. ko. November 17, 2022.
  10. Web site: Circle Album Chart – November 2022. Circle Chart. ko. December 8, 2022.