Blossom (D.O. EP) explained
Blossom |
Type: | ep |
Artist: | Doh Kyung-soo |
Cover: | Blossom (D.O. EP) cover.png |
Caption: | Digital cover |
Recorded: | 2024 |
Studio: |
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Genre: |
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Language: | Korean |
Label: |
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Prev Title: | Expectation |
Prev Year: | 2023 |
Blossom is the third EP by South Korean singer and actor Doh Kyung-soo. The EP was released on May 7, 2024, under Doh's newly established agency Company SooSoo and it was distributed by Dreamus. This release marks the singer's first comeback after departing SM Entertainment after 11 years with the agency.
Consisting of six tracks, the EP features two singles; pre-release "Popcorn" on April 30 and followed by its lead single "Mars" on May 7. According to South Korean music data provider Circle Chart, the EP sold over 120,000 copies within its first week of its release.
Background and release
South Korean singer Doh Kyung-soo has been a member of the South Korean boy band Exo since 2012 as one of their main vocalists. Nine years later he debuted as the group's sixth soloist through the release of Empathy on July 26, 2021.[2] Doh returned to Exo for their seventh Korean-language album Exist that was released on July 10, 2023.[3] Two months later, Doh released his second EP Expectation on September 18, which would turn out to be his last release with SM Entertainment.[4]
On October 18, SM Entertainment announced that Doh would depart the agency in early November following the completion of his contract and establish a new agency to oversee the singer's acting and solo activities. Nonetheless, Doh will continue Exo group activities with SM.[5] Later on, Doh and former SM director (and Doh's long-time manager) Nam Kyung-soo established a new agency called "Company SooSoo", named after their first names. The latter acts as the agency's CEO reportedly due to the singer's trust in his manager.[6]
In January 2024, it was reported that Doh would have a solo comeback with his new agency scheduled to be released around April or May.[7] On March 25, Company SooSoo announced that Doh would embark on his first Asia solo fan meet tour called "Bloom" from June 8 until August 31st starting with a double-header show in Seoul to kick-off the tour.[8] On April 8, Company SooSoo announced through that Doh will release his third mini album titled Blossom on May 7 with "Mars" as the lead single and that pre-order for the EP would commence starting this day.[9] The teaser image for the mini album depicts the singer's full name as opposed to his previous stage name "D.O."[10] The announcement was followed with the revelation of the EP's track list and comeback calendar on April 14 with teaser images upload on April 16 and 17.[11] Pre-release single "Popcorn" was released digitally along with its music video on April 30.[12]
The EP was released alongside the music video for the lead single "Mars" on May 7.[13]
Composition
Like Doh's previous releases, Blossom consisted of pop and R&B songs. Blossom, in its literal Korean meaning translates as "Growth". The naming of the album was to solidify Doh's position as an artist and to attract attention.[14]
The EP opens with the lead single "Mars" which is described as a medium-tempo pop song with whimsical lyrics narrating the story of two lovers with different personalities with minimalist music arrangement. Debahsree Dutta of Rolling Stone India gave the song a positive review, calling it "pleasant and relatable".[15] The second track "Simple Joys" features instrumentation from an ocarina, with its lyrics pertaining to the joy that comes from simple things.[16] The third track is the pre-release single "Popcorn", a "bouncy" song with a whistle in the background. The lyrics liken the excitement of seeing a loved one to bursting popcorn. "Good Night" is a soothing lullaby-esque song that tells the listener to let go of their anxiety and worries. Penultimate track "My Dear" is an acoustic pop song that describes the preparations for a confession. The EP concludes with "About Time", a pop ballad song about true love and regret.
Promotions
Doh promoted the EP by performing "Mars" and "Popcorn" at KBS on May 10.[17] [18] Doh appeared on IU's IU's Palette YouTube show on May 13 to promote the EP.[19] [20]
Doh would embark on his first solo Asia fan meet tour "Bloom" to promote the EP from June 8 until August 31.
Charts
Weekly charts
Monthly charts
Release history
Notes and References
- News: 도경수, 신곡 'Mars'로 봄을 물들인다. Do Kyungsoo colors spring with new song 'Mars'. Naver. Sports Trends. ko. Yoon So-yoon. April 12, 2024. May 19, 2024. April 27, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240427150012/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000955219. live.
- EXO Vocalist D.O. Releases Romantic Solo Album 'Empathy'. Billboard. August 5, 2021. May 19, 2024. January 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240119222024/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/exo-d-o-solo-album-empathy-9610981/. live.
- News: K-pop boy group EXO releases 7th album 'EXIST'. Yonhap News Agency. Kim. Eun-jung. July 10, 2023. May 19, 2024. July 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230710123518/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230710004700315. live.
- News: EXO's D.O. to release first solo music in two years in September. Korea JoongAng Daily. Yoon. So-yeon. September 1, 2023. May 19, 2024. January 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240114072603/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-09-01/entertainment/kpop/EXOs-DO-to-release-first-solo-music-in-two-years-in-September/1860235. live.
- News: 엑소 도경수, SM 떠나 매니저와 설립한 신생 회사로. EXO's Do Kyung-so leaves SM to join a new company he founded with his manager. Seoul Broadcasting System. ko. Kang. Kyung-yoon. October 18, 2023. May 19, 2024. October 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231019001332/https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1007388819. live.
- News: Ternyata Ini Alasan D.O EXO Hengkang dari Agensi SM Entertainment. This is the reason EXO's D.O left SM Entertainment. Jawa Pos. id. Kamila. Alfa. May 19, 2024. October 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231018160640/https://www.jawapos.com/entertainment/013089258/ternyata-ini-alasan-do-exo-hengkang-dari-agensi-sm-entertainment. live.
- News: D.O.EXO Comeback Solo dengan Album Bulan Mei 2024. D.O. EXO will have a Solo Comeback with New Album this May 2024. Kompas.com. id. Tionardus. Melvina. Sembiring. Ira Gita Natalia. January 3, 2024. May 19, 2024. January 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240104023003/https://www.kompas.com/hype/read/2024/01/03/161440766/doexo-comeback-solo-dengan-album-bulan-mei-2024. live.
- News: EXO's D.O. announces 2024 'Bloom' fan concert tour. NME. Ziwei. Puah. March 25, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240513072453/https://www.nme.com/news/music/exo-d-o-bloom-fan-concert-tour-cities-dates-tickets-more-3608852. live.
- News: D.O. EXO Umumkan Mini Album Blossom. D.O EXO Announces Mini Album Blossom. Kompas.com. id. Lova. Cynthia. Kistyarini. April 8, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240507095951/https://www.kompas.com/hype/read/2024/04/08/111811766/do-exo-umumkan-mini-album-blossom. live.
- News: EXO's D.O. announces comeback with teaser image for new album 'Blossom'. GMA Integrated News. Anoc. Aimee. April 8, 2024. May 19, 2024. April 18, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240418174100/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/111437/exos-do-announces-comeback-with-teaser-image-for-new-album-blossom/story. live.
- News: EXO's D.O. drops schedule, concept photos for new album 'Blossom'. GMA Integrated News. Anoc. Aimee. April 18, 2024. May 19, 2024. April 22, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240422112710/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/111747/exos-do-drops-schedule-concept-photos-for-new-album-blossom/story. live.
- News: WATCH: EXO's Doh Kyung-soo in surreal MV for pre-release song 'Popcorn'. ABS-CBN. Bernardo. Jaehwa. April 30, 2024. May 19, 2024.
- News: EXO's D.O. communicates with aliens in quirky music video for 'Mars'. NME. Chin. Carmen. May 7, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240516225750/https://www.nme.com/news/music/exo-d-o-new-mini-album-blossom-2-3614672. live.
- News: 도경수의 엉뚱·사랑스러운 러브스토리...'Mars'로 채색할 봄. Do Kyung-so's whimsical and adorable love story...Spring to be colored by 'Mars'. Maeil Business Newspaper. ko. Son. Jin. April 12, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240519062134/https://www.mk.co.kr/en/entertain/10988438. live.
- News: EXO's D.O. Turns Up the Passion on 'Mars': Song Review. Rolling Stone India. Dutta. Debashree. May 13, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240516200752/https://rollingstoneindia.com/exos-d-o-turns-up-the-passion-on-mars-song-review/. live.
- Web site: 성장 – The 3rd Mini Album. Melon. ko. May 7, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511020803/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=11477689. live.
- Web site: 도경수(D.O.) - Popcorn 더 시즌즈-지코의 아티스트 KBS 240510 방송. YouTube. KBS. ko. May 10, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240514182104/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw77hyiICu8. live.
- Web site: 도경수(D.O.) - Mars [더 시즌즈-지코의 아티스트] KBS 240510 방송]. YouTube. KBS. ko. May 10, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240516132508/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o00YAhZrMeA. live.
- Web site: [아이유의 팔레트] '뚀'렷! '경'례! 박'수'! (With 도경수) Ep.25]. YouTube. IU. ko. May 13, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240517044458/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjeGH2df_qw. live.
- News: "너무 잘 어울려"...아이유-도경수, 모두가 만족한 '니곡내곡' 노래 커버. "It looks so good"... IU-Do Kyungsoo covers the song 'Nigoknaegok' that satisfied everyone. Naver. Top Star News. ko. Lee. So-hyun. May 13, 2024. May 19, 2024. May 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240519070844/https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=15493756. live.
- Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2024-05-20 . . May 19, 2024 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20240516020326/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2024-05-20/p/5/ . May 16, 2024.
- Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of May 15, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. May 19, 2024. May 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240515040621/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2024&month=05&day=20. live.
- Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 19, 2024. Circle Chart. ko. May 19, 2024. May 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240516020851/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=19&hitYear=2024&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Circle Album Chart – 2024.05 Month. Circle Chart. ko. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240606045723/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=05&hitYear=2024&termGbn=month&yearTime=3. live.