Cherry Bomb (NCT 127 song) explained

Cherry Bomb
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:NCT 127
Ep:Cherry Bomb
Released:June 14, 2017
Recorded:2017
Studio:
  • SM Blue Ocean Studio (Seoul)
  • MonoTree Studio (Seoul)
Length:
  • (original ver.)
  • (performance ver.)
Lyricist:
Composer:
Producer:
  • Dem Jointz
  • Deez
Prev Title:Limitless
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Touch
Next Year:2018

"Cherry Bomb" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band NCT 127, the Seoul-based unit of boy group NCT, for their third eponymous extended play (2017) under SM Entertainment. The song was written by Jennifer Decilveo, Deepflow, Lim Jung-hyo, Oh Min-joo, Taeyong and Mark, whilst music composition was handled by numerous producers, including Dem Jointz, Deez, Michael Woods, Kevin White, Andrew Bazzi and MZMC. It has been described as a hardcore hip-hop track that contains a "colorful" composition, utilizing "complex synth and bass-infused" instrumentations. The accompanying music video premiered alongside the release of the single.

"Cherry Bomb" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who highlighted its experimental direction as well as the group's performance. The song appeared on several critics picks list and earned the group a nomination for Best Pop Song at the 15th Korean Music Awards. Commercially, it became the group's first top 50 entry on Gaon Digital Chart, and entered Billboards World Digital Songs chart at number three, making it their third top-five entry.

Background and release

After wrapping up promotion activities for their second extended play Limitless in January 2017, SM Entertainment confirmed NCT 127 was preparing for the group's comeback in June on May 25, one day after their attendance at the I Seoul U concert held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] [2] [3] The first teaser image was then revealed at midnight (KST) on June 5, which eventually became the extended play's cover for both the physical and digital release. The title was confirmed to be "Cherry Bomb", set to be released on June 14.[4] [5] Following a string of individual member images and cartoon character videos on the group's official Instagram page, two video teasers were uploaded onto the official YouTube channel of their label four days prior to its premiere and worldwide release.[6] [7]

Composition

Development

"Cherry Bomb" was composed by American producer Dem Jointz, Deez, Jennifer Decilveo, Jakob Mihoubi, Rudi Daouk, Michael Woods, Kevin White, Bazzi and MZMC, with Dem Jointz, Yoo Young-jin and Deez took part in the song's arrangement. In an interview with moonROK e-magazine, Abernathy revealed that the label's executives reached out to him earlier to work on new music for their artists. Developed from a writing session between Abernathy and fellow songwriter Decilveo, an early version of "Cherry Bomb" was among the songs that the executives "loved". He also revealed that South Korean songwriter and producer Deez co-produced the song's bridge section and added in "more colorful side" to the keys in the track, mostly via online connection. They eventually worked back and forth on the production several times before getting NCT 127 to record the track.[8] It was Dem Jointz's third work for SM Entertainment to be officially released, and subsequently his first with the group. Recording for the track took place at SM Studio, with the label's A&R executive Chris Lee sharing the recording process for the song was "pretty extreme", having been through seventeen different versions before getting to the final version of "Cherry Bomb."[9]

Music and lyrics

Described as "edgy" and "experimental", "Cherry Bomb" is a track with "complex, ominous and siren-like" synth work, and heavily infused bass. The song is said to have "fuzzy electro-rock" influence, with "chanty" chorus and a few melodic interludes within the verse and the bridge section.[10] [11] The song is composed in the key of F♯ minor, and set in common time at a moderate tempo of 78 beats per minute.[12] The song also has an additional extended mix, titled "Performance version", which contains a 25-second length of an instrumental future bass breakdown after the bridge section (starting from the 2-minute and 57-second mark with a distorted "and now, the breakdown" preceded). In addition, a remix version for "Cherry Bomb" was also available, containing a different instrumental breakdown section.

Lyrically, the song sees the group proclaim to be "the biggest hit" on such "propulsive and built to be performed" stage the members swagger about, referring the thrill of it "tastes like a cherry bomb". According to producer Abernathy, the original demo lyrics were "crazy" and "super super nasty" in comparison to the Korean adapted lyrics, which was written by Jennifer Decilveo, Deepflow, Lim Jung-hyo, Oh Min-joo, fellow member Taeyong and Mark. The song also contains a lyrical reference to the popular American children's song "If You're Happy and You Know It" during the pre-chorus section. Originally recorded in Korean, an English version of "Cherry Bomb" was recorded and released on October 22, 2018, for their Apple Music-digital exclusive extended play, titled Up Next Session: NCT 127.[13] The Korean version was later re-included in the group's first Japanese full-length album Awaken, released on April 19, 2019.[14]

Critical reception

Following its initial release, "Cherry Bomb" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writer Jeff Benjamin from Fuse called the song "edgy" and "explosive", oozing confidence which "makes the case" for NCT 127 to be an "experimental" act. During an interview with the group, journalist Hong Dam-young described the song as "powerful hip-hop tune "with a "pulsating and brassy backing chorus".[15] In an album review from Seoulbeats, the song is said to be a "jam-packed from top to finish" track, and while it may "sound messy and disorganised", the final result eventually worked. Writer Margaret also went on to compliment the vocals of the song, citing its consistency with the rest of the track.[16] Writer Sarah Boumedda from The Kraze magazine commented how the song was "hard to reconcile" at first, but "begs" its listeners to repeat again after several times, highlighting certain musical section such as the bridge and "beautiful" vocal melody break.[17] The song also went on to appear in year-end critics lists by Billboard and Idolator, landing at number seventeen and twenty-one respectively. While Billboard chose the song for its "eerie vibe", Idolator noted its "sinister" synth line and "sick" hip-hop production which made the song "one of the hottest tracks" in 2017.[18] [19]

Billboard20 Best K-pop Songs of 201718
IdolatorThe Best K-pop Songs of 201725
MelonTop 100 K-pop Songs of All Time89[20]

Accolades

Year! scope="col"
OrganizationAwardResult
2017Korean Music AwardsBest Pop Song[21]
Mnet Asian Music AwardsBest Dance Performance – Male Group[22]
Program! width="140"
Date
M CountdownJune 22, 2017[23]

Commercial performance

In comparison to their previous two singles, "Cherry Bomb" saw a breakthrough commercial success for NCT 127 in their native country. Following its initial release, the song debuted and peaked at number forty-seven on the Gaon Digital Chart for the week of June 17, 2017.[24] It also debuted at number twenty-eight on the component Gaon Download Chart, having achieved a total of 39,006 downloads.[25] By this, the song was the group's highest-charting entry for years, being surpassed by "Kick It" in 2020 when the song rose to number twenty-one on the former chart a week after its release, while topping the latter chart for two weeks. Subsequently, the song became the group's first single to appear in a monthly issue of a component Gaon chart, peaking at number ninety-six with an accumulative of 71,061 downloads.[26] It also debuted and peaked at number three on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, spending a total of six charting weeks.[27]

Music video

Directed by South Korean director Oui Kim, the animation-laced music video for "Cherry Bomb" emphasizes the group's dance performance at a seemingly-abandoned construction site and factory storage, featuring motorcycle and wirework stunt. It was filmed in two days at Gyeonggi, South Korea back in May 2017, weeks before its official premiere. It was choreographed by Tony Testa, with two additional "dance practice" versions for the song uploaded onto the label's YouTube channel from June 21 to 23, 2017, a week after the release of its official music video.[28]

Tour and live performances

To coincide with the song's release, NCT 127 held their first showcase since their debut for free on June 14, where they performed the song live for the first time.[29] [30] The group then had their first television performance for "Cherry Bomb" and the album track "0 Mile" on M Countdown on June 15, followed by live performances on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[31] [32] The song, however, was deemed "unfit for broadcast" by KBS due to mentions of violence in their lyrics, with gory descriptions and more.[33] The group did not perform the song for their Music Bank promotion, but instead performed "0 Mile".[34] NCT 127 eventually earned their first M Countdown music trophy for the song, and subsequently the group's first since their debut on June 22, 2017.[35] The group would continue to promote the song throughout 2017, having attended and performed at several year-end ceremonies including MBC's 2017 Gayo Daejejeon and 2018 Seoul Music Awards. The group also collaborated with fellow labelmate Red Velvet and producer Hitchhiker for two performances during their attendance at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards, where they performed an intro containing a reversed sample from NCT U's "The 7th Sense" single and "Cherry Bomb", followed by a joint performance with Red Velvet over Hitchhiker's "10$".[36] [37]

NCT 127 gave their first live performances internationally at the 2017's KCON music festival in Los Angeles and New York City, respectively.[38] [39] The group then attended as an exclusively-invited act for the Apple Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on June 25, 2017, where they performed both "Cherry Bomb" and "0 Mile", along with "Limitless". With this, NCT 127 became the first K-pop act to be invited and introduced in Apple Music's "New Artist of the Week" list.[40] The group then continued to promote the song again in 2018 during their promotion cycle for Regular-Irregular, again as the opening performance for their first headlining concert tour in the same year, titled "Neo City - The Origin", and later during their initial promotion activities for We Are Superhuman in 2019.[41] [42] The song continued to serve as the opening number for the group's first online live concert on May 17, 2020, titled "Beyond the Origin."[43]

Track listing

NCT #127 Cherry Bomb – The 3rd Mini Album[44]

  1. "Cherry Bomb" (original Korean version) – 3:56
  2. "Cherry Bomb" (performance version) – 4:21

Up Next Session – NCT 127 (EP)[45]

  1. "Cherry Bomb" (English version) – 4:20

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[46]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)47
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)3

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
South KoreaJune 14, 2017 (Korean ver.)Digital download, streamingSM Entertainment, Genie Music
VariousSM Entertainment
October 22, 2018 (English ver.)SM Entertainment, Apple Music
JapanApril 17, 2019 (Korean ver.)Avex Trax

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [Photos] Yesung, NCT 127 & Red Velvet heat up I.Seoul.U Concert in KL]. TheHive. TheHive.Asia. May 18, 2020. February 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200205211241/http://www.thehive.asia/2017/05/photos-yesung-nct-127-red-velvet-heat.html. live.
  2. News: [단독] NCT127, 오늘(25일) 극비 MV 촬영...6월 컴백임박]. ko. Ilgan Sports. June 10, 2017. June 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170613183746/http://isplus.live.joins.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=21605856&cloc=. live.
  3. News: 헤럴드. May 25, 2017. SM 측 "NCT 127 MV 촬영, 컴백 일정 확정은 NO"(공식). ko. Herald Corporation. June 10, 2017. June 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602150800/http://pop.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=201705250928097759996_1. live.
  4. News: [공식] NCT 127, 6월 컴백 확정...14일 오후 6시 음원 공개]. ko. June 10, 2017. August 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105238/http://m.entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003102553. live.
  5. News: NCT 127, 전격 컴백..14일 '체리 밤' 발매. ko. June 10, 2017. August 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105334/http://m.entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002620079. live.
  6. News: NCT. [Vyrl] NCT : NCT 127 'CHERRY BOMB' 총 7곡 수록 멤버 #마크, #태용 총 5곡 작사에 참여 뎀 조인트, 디즈, 더 스]. June 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170616122559/http://share.vyrl.com/ko/p/593f3a44462473de078b47a8. June 16, 2017. dead.
  7. News: NCT127 "'체리밤', 보는 음악 선두주자될 수 있는 곡" 자신감. ko. June 16, 2017. August 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802043836/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=014&aid=0003829111. live.
  8. Web site: Dem Jointz Talks Original "Cherry Bomb" Lyrics, NCT 127, Working with SM, and More. June 20, 2017. moonROK. en-US. May 18, 2020. November 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111194255/http://www.moonrok.com/dem-jointz-talks-cherry-bomb-nct-127-working-sm-entertainment/. live.
  9. Web site: Chris Lee Talks SM Entertainment, Glocalization, NCT and Creating K-Pop Hits. August 5, 2019. Billboard. May 18, 2020. May 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200505020804/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8526172/chris-lee-sm-entertainments-kpop-interview. live.
  10. Web site: NCT 127 Swaggers with Third Single 'Cherry Bomb'. June 15, 2017. Billboard. May 18, 2020. June 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170618172023/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7833613/nct-127-single-cherry-bomb. live.
  11. Web site: NCT 127 Return With the Edgy & Explosive 'Cherry Bomb'. K-Pops. Top of the. Fuse. en. May 18, 2020. May 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200501223403/https://fuse.tv/2017/06/nct-127-cherry-bomb-mv. live.
  12. Web site: Key & BPM for Cherry Bomb - Performance Version by NCT 127 Tunebat. tunebat.com. May 18, 2020.
  13. Web site: Up Next Session: NCT 127 by NCT 127. AppleMusic. en-us. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918084911/https://music.apple.com/us/album/up-next-session-nct-127/1439398831. September 18, 2020. May 18, 2020.
  14. Web site: Awaken by NCT 127. AppleMusic. en-us. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201123094521/https://music.apple.com/us/album/awaken/1456606274. November 23, 2020. May 19, 2020.
  15. Web site: June 14, 2017. Rising K-pop rookie NCT 127 drops powerful 'Cherry Bomb'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005843/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170614000936. June 27, 2018. May 19, 2020. The Korea Herald. en.
  16. Web site: June 22, 2017. NCT 127's "Cherry Bomb" Album is the Bomb. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200808141725/https://seoulbeats.com/2017/06/nct-127s-cherry-bomb-album-is-the-bomb/. August 8, 2020. May 19, 2020. Seoulbeats. en-US.
  17. Web site: NCT 127 Drops Unexpected (Cherry) Bomb With New Release. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200122222927/http://www.thekrazemagazine.com/latest-updates/2017/6/17/nct-127-drops-unexpected-cherry-bomb-with-new-release. January 22, 2020. May 19, 2020. The Kraze. en-US.
  18. Web site: December 14, 2017. 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2017: Billboard Staff List. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200518125443/https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2017/8070355/best-k-pop-songs-of-2017-top-20. May 18, 2020. May 19, 2020. Billboard.
  19. Web site: December 22, 2017. From BTS To HyunA, The Best K-Pop Songs Of 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210328064540/https://www.idolator.com/7672844/best-k-pop-songs-2017. March 28, 2021. May 19, 2020. idolator.
  20. Web site: August 29, 2021. Top 100 K-pop songs of all time revealed. live. October 9, 2021. Manila Bulletin. https://web.archive.org/web/20210829050714/https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/29/top-100-k-pop-songs-of-all-time-revealed/ . August 29, 2021 .
  21. Web site: 아이유·방탄소년단·레드벨벳, 한국대중음악상 후보 노미네이트(종합). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200607032521/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003000201. June 7, 2020. May 19, 2020. entertain.naver.com. ko.
  22. Web site: October 20, 2017. 2017 MAMA Awards: BTS, EXO, Heize, IU, Seventeen, TWICE, & Wanna One Nominated. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327234728/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8006721/2017-mama-nominations-bts-exo-heize-iu-seventeen-twice-wanna-one. March 27, 2019. May 19, 2020. Billboard.
  23. Web site: Seungrok. Lee. June 22, 2017. ko:'엠카' NCT127, 청하 꺾고 데뷔 첫 1위…몬엑·마마무 컴백 (종합). 'M-Countdown' NCT127 beats Chungha and debuts first... Monsta X and Mamamoo comeback. https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0002925675. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201222071439/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0002925675. December 22, 2020. November 16, 2020. My Daily. ko. Naver.
  24. Web site: Gaon Weekly Digital Chart - Week 24, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200612020827/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=24&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. June 12, 2020. May 19, 2020. Gaon Chart.
  25. Web site: Gaon Weekly Download Chart - Week 24, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190708151534/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=24&hitYear=2017&termGbn=week. July 8, 2019. May 19, 2020. Gaon Chart.
  26. Web site: Gaon Monthly Download Chart - June 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190708151536/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=month&hitYear=2017&targetTime=06&nationGbn=K. July 8, 2019. May 19, 2020. Gaon Chart.
  27. Web site: World Digital Song Sales Chart. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210192820/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2017-07-01. December 10, 2019. May 19, 2020. Billboard.
  28. Web site: NCT 127 Discuss the Group's Unique Concept, Breaking Into U.S. & More. June 30, 2017. Billboard. May 19, 2020. May 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200518222754/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7850237/nct-127-kcon-ny-america-interview. live.
  29. News: NCT127 태용·마크 "'체리밤' 작사 참여, 시간 많이 들였다". ko. June 16, 2017. July 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730070956/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000744388. live.
  30. Web site: NCT 127 to hold free showcase for upcoming EP. June 9, 2017. Kpop Herald. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201502/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201706091418115870929_2&ACE_SEARCH=1. February 12, 2018. February 12, 2018.
  31. Web site: T-ara, NCT 127 and Pentagon to Perform Comeback Stages on 'M COUNTDOWN'. June 15, 2017. Mwave. May 19, 2020. July 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180729112017/https://www.mwave.me/en/mama/media/news/view/115248/T-ara,-NCT-127-and-Pentagon-to-Perform-Comeback-Stages-on-%E2%80%B2M-COUNTDOWN%E2%80%B2. live.
  32. Web site: 엔시티 127(NCT 127), 신곡 'Cherry Bomb' 섹시-강렬한 퍼포먼스...'눈과 귀 모두 사로잡나' - 소다은 . June 16, 2017. 톱스타뉴스. ko. May 18, 2020.
  33. Web site: G-Dragon, NCT 127 songs deemed unsuitable for KBS. June 14, 2017. Kpop Herald. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201521/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201706141734581649485_2&ACE_SEARCH=1. February 12, 2018. February 12, 2018.
  34. News: NCT 127 측 "'체리밤' 가사 수정 NO...'뮤뱅'서는 수록곡만". ko. June 16, 2017. July 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730073939/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0002930643. live.
  35. Web site: [종합IS] '엠카' NCT127, 데뷔 이래 첫 1위...음악방송 정상 꿈 이뤘다]. June 22, 2017. JoongAng Ilbo. ko. May 18, 2020. October 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008183845/https://news.joins.com/article/21692245. live.
  36. Web site: 2017 MAMA Awards: BTS, EXO, Heize, IU, Seventeen, TWICE, & Wanna One Nominated. October 20, 2017. Billboard. May 18, 2020. March 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327234728/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8006721/2017-mama-nominations-bts-exo-heize-iu-seventeen-twice-wanna-one. live.
  37. Web site: 2017 MAMA In Hong Kong: See 15 Must-Watch Videos. December 1, 2017. Billboard. May 18, 2020. April 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200427182751/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8054872/mama-2017-must-watch-videos-hong-kong. live.
  38. Web site: KCON 2017 NY Lineup Wraps Up With NCT 127 & Zion.T. May 4, 2017. Billboard. May 19, 2020. November 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171110150825/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7784791/kcon-2017-ny-lineup-nct-127-zion-t. live.
  39. Web site: NCT 127 & Astro Added to KCON 2017 LA Lineup. June 8, 2017. Billboard. May 19, 2020. December 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191217210528/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7825552/nct-127-astro-kcon-2017-la-lineup. live.
  40. Web site: Everything You Missed at NCT 127's Exclusive Q&A in Brooklyn. immyimchi. July 11, 2017. MACG Magazine. en-US. May 19, 2020. February 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180218172934/https://macgmagazine.com/2017/07/10/everything-you-missed-at-nct-127s-exclusive-qa-in-brooklyn/. dead.
  41. Web site: NCT 127 Perform 'Regular' & 'Cherry Bomb' For U.S. TV Debut on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'. October 9, 2018. Billboard. May 19, 2020. June 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200615220235/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8478939/nct-127-debut-jimmy-kimmel-live-regular-cherry-bomb. live.
  42. Web site: Watch NCT 127's Debut Live Performance of Its Comeback Track, "Superhuman". HYPEBAE. May 19, 2020. April 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190417185256/https://hypebae.com/2019/4/nct-127-superhuman-may-comeback-teaser-kpop-boy-band-music. live.
  43. Web site: NCT 127's 'Beyond the Origin' Live Stream: Best Moments. May 17, 2020. Billboard. May 19, 2020. May 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200518004116/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9379336/nct-127-beyond-the-origin-live-stream-concert-best-moments. live.
  44. Web site: NCT #127 CHERRY BOMB – The 3rd Mini Album. AppleMusic. en-gb. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200525131936/https://music.apple.com/us/album/nct-127-cherry-bomb-the-3rd-mini-album/1247335504. May 25, 2020. May 11, 2020.
  45. Web site: Up Next Session: NCT 127 by NCT 127. AppleMusic. en-gb. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918084911/https://music.apple.com/us/album/up-next-session-nct-127/1439398831. September 18, 2020. May 11, 2020.
  46. Cherry Bomb. NCT 127. 2017. Credits. photobook. SM Entertainment. South Korea.

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