Duality (EP) explained

Duality
Type:	Extended play
Artist:	I.M
Cover:	File:Duality_by_I.M_album_cover.png
Released:	February 19, 2021
Genre:	K-pop hip hop trap^[1] R&B
Length:	14:27
Label:	Starship
Next Title:	Overdrive
Next Year:	2023

Duality is the debut extended play by the South Korean rapper I.M. It was released by Starship Entertainment on February 19, 2021. The digital EP contains five tracks including the lead single "God Damn".

Background and release

In January 2021, I.M announced that the solo work he had been preparing in 2020 will be released as his first solo album, rather than a mixtape release, and an intended release later in 2021.^[2] ^[3] ^[4] ^[5] The EP was released digitally, rather than as a physical album, to avoid restrictions on its sales by an explicit rating.^[6]

Its physical was released in LP version on April 20, 2023.^[7]

Critical reception

The tracks on the album were noted for all being themed around "duality" (二重性).^[8] I.M was noted for "showing versatility as an artist" and "expanding his musical style when compared to his work in Monsta X".^[9] ^[10] That the difference of his musical style in Monsta X to his solo work, as noted by Ruby C for NME, it was "part of showing the theme of the album" along with the "emotion and delivery of the tracks".^[11]

Charts

Album

Weekly chart

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak position
South Korean Albums (Circle)^[12]	44

Songs

Weekly charts

Chart performance for "God Damn"
Chart (2021)	Peak position
South Korea (Gaon)	72
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)^[13]	9

Certification and sales

Certification and sales for *Duality*! Region! Certification! Certified units/Sales
South Korea	—	4,895

Release history

Region!scope="col"
Date	Format	Label
Various <	-- Inclusive of South Korea -->	February 19, 2021
South Korea	April 20, 2023

Notes and References

Web site: 'I don't want to be a big star, I just want to be a better person than before': MONSTA X star I.M on how new album Duality helped him through 'a tough time'. Metro. Deen. Sarah. 2021-02-19. 2021-02-19.
Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001262099. ko:몬스타엑스 아이엠, 첫 솔로 앨범 '이중성' 19일 발매 확정 [공식입장]. 2021-02-08. 2021-02-08. Xports News. Naver. ko. Choi. Hee-jae.
Web site: ko:몬스타엑스 아이엠 "솔로 앨범 준비 중"…셔누 "오래 준비" 기대감 UP. http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111504856. 2021-01-12. Jang. Woo-young. 2021-01-10. OSEN. ko.
Web site: https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20210120094013605. ko:몬스타엑스 아이엠, 2월말 솔로 음원 발표. 2021-01-20. Jeong. Hee-yeon. 2021-01-20. Sports Dong-A. Daum. ko.
Web site: https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/20210120103728465. ko:몬스타엑스 아이엠, 데뷔 6년만 정식 솔로 데뷔 "2월 말 음원 발매". Newsen. Daum. Hwang. Hye-jin. 2021-01-20. 2021-01-20. ko.
Web site: I.M's Unwavering Vision on 'Duality' Makes Good On His Promise As A Global Hip-Hop Artist: 'I'm Satisfied'. Forbes. Benjamin. Jeff. 2021-03-11. 2021-03-17. en.
Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003622870. ko:몬스타엑스 아이엠, 첫 솔로앨범 '듀얼리티' LP 발매(공식). Monsta X I.M. Releases First Solo Album 'Duality' LP (Official). Kpop Herald. Naver. Park. Seo-hyun. 2023-03-30. 2023-03-30. ko.
Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000402924. ko:몬스타엑스 아이엠, 6년만 꽃피운 이중적 퇴폐美 'God Damn'[들어보고서]. 2021-02-19. Newsen. Naver. 2021-02-18. Hwang. Hye-jin. ko.
Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004356395. ko:"괜찮다 말할까" 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 방황 속 희망 찾아나선 '갓 댐'..'이중성'을 깨우다(종합)[한낮의 신곡]. OSEN. Naver. Lee. Seung-hun. 2021-02-19. 2021-02-19. ko.
Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002933752. ko:아이엠, 몬스타엑스와 다른 이중적 매력 'God Damn'. Gong. Mi-na. Star News. Naver. 2021-02-19. 2021-02-19. ko.
Web site: I.M – 'Duality' review: defining duality in more ways than one. NME. C. Ruby. 2021-02-19. 2021-02-21. en.
Web site: Week 16 of 2023 Album Chart. Circle Chart. April 16–22, 2023. April 27, 2023. ko.
World Digital Song Sales Chart for the week of March 6, 2021. Billboard. 2021-03-02.