Favorite (Vampire) Explained

Favorite (Vampire)
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:NCT 127
Album:Favorite
Language:Korean
Released:October 25, 2021
Length:3:34
Label:SM
Composer:
Lyricist:Kenzie
Prev Title:Sticker
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:2 Baddies
Next Year:2022

"Favorite (Vampire)" is a song that was recorded by South Korean boy band NCT 127 and was released as the lead single from the repackaged edition of their third studio album Sticker (2021) on October 25, 2021. It is primarily a R&B track that incorporates a hip-hop production. It is characterized by whistle sounds and harmonic vocals. The song was written by Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, Kenzie, and Darkchild.

Background and release

On June 29, 2021, Lee Soo-man revealed during the SM Congress 2021 that NCT 127 was planning to release a third studio album followed by a repackage edition.[1] After wrapping up promotions for their previous single, Sticker, SM Entertainment confirmed the release date and opened pre-orders for the album.[2] On October 9, a release schedule was announced on the group's official social media accounts.[3] A mood sampler for the "Classic" version of the physical album was posted on October 12, followed by the release of the first batch of individual teaser photos on October 13. On October 16, a mood sampler for the "Catharsis" version was posted, followed by the related individual teaser photos. The last batch of teaser photos was revealed on October 24 alongside the music video teaser.[4] The song was officially released on October 25, 2021 along with Favorite.[5]

Composition

"Favorite (Vampire)" was composed by Kenzie, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell. Kenzie also wrote the Korean lyrics for the song and participated in the arrangement alongside Darkchild.[6] Musically, it is an R&B and pop track with hip-hop and trap-inspired production and an "addictive signature whistle sound and rich harmonic vocals".[7] Shanicka Anderson of The A.V. Club has also described it as a "well-rounded" R&B track that "builds to an explosive chorus with layered harmonies" and "features a gentle whistling sample".[8] Ashlee Mitchell of Hypebae described the track as a "mixture of pop, hip-hop, dance and contemporary R&B" with a "nostalgic chorus that reminds listeners of an early 2000s hit".[9] The song was composed in the key of F minor with a tempo of 150 beats per minute.[10] A dance break was added in the music video version of the song, element that was excluded from the digital and streaming version. The lyrics dramatically express that "even at the end of a tragic love that leads to catastrophe, the other person remains my everything and my joy".

Commercial performance

In South Korea, the song debuted at number 2 on the Gaon Digital Chart for the issue dated October 24–30, 2021.[11] It also debuted at number 1 both on the component Download Chart and on the component BGM Chart.[12] [13] It also debuted at number 56 on the component Streaming Chart.[14] The song debuted at number 43 on the Billboard's K-pop Hot 100 chart for the issue dated November 6, 2021.[15] In Japan, the song debuted at number 56 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart for the issue dated October 30, 2021.[16] It also debuted at number 50 and number 65 on the Billboard Japan's Top Download Songs and Top Streaming Songs charts, respectively.[17] [18] In Singapore, the song debuted at number 19 on the RIAS's Top Regional Chart for the issue dated October 22–28, 2021.[19] In the United States, the song debuted at number 8 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart for the issue dated November 6, 2021.[20] It also debuted at number 186 on the Billboard Global 200 for the issue dated November 6, 2021 and at number 96 on the Billboard Global Excl. US for the issue dated November 6, 2021.[21] [22]

Critical reception

Carmen Chin of NME noted how the "completely sublime vocal performance from NCT 127" and the elegant "fusion of the member’s different voices" make ‘Favorite (Vampire)’’s chorus "one of their best yet". Comparing it with "Sticker", she commented how the "hip-hop and trap-inspired verses blend much more naturally with the emotion-driven pre-chorus and hook’s whistle melody".[23] Writing for Nylon, Tanu I. Raj also compared the track to NCT 127's previous release and described the two as "polar opposite approaches to love". She said that "whereas “Sticker” is bombastic and courts with overconfident energy, “Favorite (Vampire)” is subdued and dares to lay oneself bare, giving in to the vulnerability that love demands".[24] Tamar Herman of South China Morning Post said it emphasizes "NCT 127's harmonius vocals, while still playing around with the sort of experimental style the group is known for".[25]

It was named one of the best K-pop songs of 2021 by PhilStar Life (8th),[26] South China Morning Post (10th),[27] Tonplein (43rd),[28] and Teen Vogue (unranked).[29]

Music video

A short story inspired by the lyrics of the song featuring images and videos of the members was posted from the 20th to the 22nd on the group's social medias to give a preview of the upcoming single.[30] The members are the main characters of the story and narrate about love at first sight while having a dark secret through romantic monologues. In the music video teaser the secret is revealed when the boys are seen with gold eyes and fangs, showing that they are vampires.[31] The music video was choreographed by Quick Style Crew, who had already collaborated with NCT 127 for "Kick It" and "Punch", Anthony Lee of Kinjaz and long-time collaborator Lee Ilhyung of Prepix.[32]

The music video for "Favorite" seems to be set in a lucid dream with supernatural fantasy elements, in which the members switch between two versions of themselves, one where they're experienced performers and the second where they're blood-thirsty vampires wandering in a mysterious forest.[33] [34]

Accolades

"Favorite (Vampire)" received three first place music program awards on M Countdown (November 4 and 11),[35] [36] and on Show! Music Core (November 6).[37] It was nominated for Song of the Year – October at the 11th Gaon Chart Music Awards.[38]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[39]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)186
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[40] 46
Japan (Japan Hot 100)56
South Korea (Gaon)2
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)43
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)8

Monthly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
South Korea (Gaon)[41] 48
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)[42] 37

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousOctober 25, 2021

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NCT "할리우드 오디션·새 그룹·NCT 2021 준비 중"[SM CONGRESS 2021]]. NCT "Hollywood audition, new group, NCT 2021 preparation" [SM CONGRESS 2021]. Kim. Chang-hyun. June 29, 2021. StarNews. Korean. October 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210629075421/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002967714. June 29, 2021. live.
  2. Web site: NCT 127 3집 리패키지 '페이보릿', 오늘 예약 판매. NCT 127 3rd album repackage 'Favorite', pre-order today. Lee. Soo-jin. October 8, 2021. Newsis. Korean. October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211009033052/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010758811. October 9, 2021. live.
  3. Web site: NCT 127 shares schedule for 'Favorite' album. October 9, 2021. The Korea Times. October 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211009022513/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/10/732_316738.html. October 9, 2021. live.
  4. Web site: NCT 127 'Favorite' MV teaser... Tonight at 12 noon. Hong. Se-young. October 23, 2021. Sports Donga. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023180727/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/382/0000940179. October 23, 2021. live.
  5. Web site: "또 사랑해" NCT 127, 비극 속 꽃 핀 환희 'Favorite'..후회는 없어(종합)[퇴근길 신곡]]. "I love you again" NCT 127, joy 'Favorite' bloomed in tragedy. Lee. Sung-hoon. October 25, 2021. OSEN. ko. October 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025131612/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004498041. October 25, 2021. live.
  6. Web site: 곡 정보 - Favorite (Vampire). Song Information - Favorite (Vampire). ko. Melon. October 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025135719/https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=34153240. October 25, 2021. live.
  7. Web site: NCT 127, 신곡 'Favorite'로 강렬 변신..드라마틱한 러브스토리 예고. NCT 127, intense transformation with new song 'Favorite'... Dramatic love story notice. Ji. Min-kyung. October 12, 2021. OSEN. Korean. October 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211012014226/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004489995. October 12, 2021. live.
  8. Web site: NCT 127 spent last year writing and going all-in on its zany YouTube bits. Anderson. Shanicka. October 25, 2021. The A.V. Club. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025193624/https://www.avclub.com/nct-127-spent-last-year-writing-and-going-all-in-on-its-1847927084. October 25, 2021. live.
  9. Web site: Make some noise for NCT 127. Mitchell. Ashlee. November 3, 2021. Hypebae. November 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103173342/https://hypebae.com/2021/11/nct-127-k-pop-group-sticker-album-repackage-favorite-members-korean-music-release-interview. November 3, 2021. live.
  10. Web site: Key and BPM of Favorite (Vampire). Musicstax. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027184150/https://musicstax.com/track/favorite-vampire/2R8MZR1RCP4cIJITHDPRbY. October 27, 2021. live.
  11. Web site: 2021년 44주차 Digital Chart. Week 44 of 2021 Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. November 4, 2021. https://archive.today/20211104134453/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=44&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week. November 4, 2021. live.
  12. Web site: 2021년 44주차 Download Chart. Week 44 of 2021 Download Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. November 4, 2021. https://archive.today/20211104133723/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020. November 4, 2021. live.
  13. Web site: 2021년 44주차 BGM Chart. Week 44 of 2021 BGM Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. November 4, 2021. https://archive.today/20211104133919/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1060. November 4, 2021. live.
  14. Web site: 2021년 44주차 Streaming Chart. Week 44 of 2021 Streaming Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. November 4, 2021. https://archive.today/20211104134221/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040. November 4, 2021. live.
  15. Billboard K-pop 100 – Week of November 6, 2021. subscription. Billboard. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103184842/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2021-11-06. November 3, 2021. live.
  16. Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of October 30, 2021. subscription. Billboard. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029035109/https://www.billboard.com/charts/japan-hot-100. October 29, 2021. live.
  17. Web site: Billboard Japan Top Download Songs – 2021/11/03 公開. Billboard Japan Top Download Songs – November 3, 2021 Publication. Billboard Japan. ja. November 3, 2021. https://archive.today/20211103200808/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongs. November 3, 2021. live.
  18. Web site: Billboard Japan Top Streaming Songs – 2021/11/03 公開. Billboard Japan Top Streaming Songs – November 3, 2021 Publication. Billboard Japan. ja. November 3, 2021. https://archive.today/20211103200341/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=stsongs. November 3, 2021. live.
  19. Web site: RIAS Top Charts – Week 43 . Recording Industry Association Singapore. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102080933/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/#1562208279199-5ec9aa23-80dc. November 2, 2021. unfit.
  20. World Digital Song Sales – Week of November 6, 2021. Billboard. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102091410/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2021-11-06. November 2, 2021. live.
  21. Billboard Global 200 – Week of November 6, 2021. Billboard. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102213030/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200. November 2, 2021. live.
  22. Billboard Global Excl. US – Week of November 6, 2021. Billboard. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102092030/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-excl-us/2021-11-06. November 2, 2021. live.
  23. Web site: NCT 127 – 'Favorite' review: a sweet spot amidst controlled chaos. Chin. Carmen. October 29, 2021. NME. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082512/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/nct-127-favorite-vampire-review-repackage-3082458. October 29, 2021. live.
  24. Web site: NCT 127 on "Favorite (Vampire)" & always trying to get better. Raj. Tanu I.. October 28, 2021. Nylon. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028143216/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/nct-127-favorite-vampire-sticker-twilight-fashion. October 28, 2021. live.
  25. Web site: Best K-pop releases of October 2021: NCT 127's Favorite, Aespa's Savage, CL's Alpha, IU's Strawberry Moon, and more. Herman. Tamar. October 31, 2021. South China Morning Post. November 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211101111828/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3154184/best-k-pop-releases-october-2021-nct-127s-favorite-aespas. November 1, 2021. live.
  26. Web site: Mallorca . Hannah . December 23, 2021 . 21 K-pop title tracks that defined 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211223102444/https://philstarlife.com/geeky/304000-21-kpop-title-tracks-that-defined-2021?utm_source=PhilSTARLife&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=Story= . December 23, 2021 . December 23, 2021 . The Philippine Star L!fe . en-US.
  27. Web site: Herman . Tamar . December 15, 2021 . The 20 best K-pop songs of 2021: inspirational sounds from BTS' Butter to The Feels from Twice, and Aespa's Next Level . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215120348/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3159820/20-best-k-pop-songs-2021-inspirational-sounds-bts-butter-feels . December 15, 2021 . December 16, 2021 . South China Morning Post . en.
  28. Web site: Yang . So-ha . December 17, 2021 . ko:2021년 케이팝 트랙 결산 . 2021 K-Pop Track Settlement . December 22, 2021 . . ko.
  29. Web site: December 17, 2021 . The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217132813/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-k-pop-songs-2021 . December 17, 2021 . December 17, 2021 . Teen Vogue . en-US.
  30. Web site: NCT127 '페이보릿', 단편소설로 먼저. NCT127 'Favorite', first with a short story. Jeon. Hyo-jin. October 20, 2021. Sports Donga. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027202543/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/382/0000939626. October 27, 2021. live.
  31. Web site: NCT 127 'Favorite': Release date, music video and all about 'Sticker' reissue. October 24, 2021. MEA WorldWide. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025122447/https://meaww.com/nct-127-favorite-release-date-music-video-and-all-about-the-sticker-reissue-k-pop-album. October 25, 2021. live.
  32. Web site: NCT 127, 치명+섹시 퍼포먼스 예고. NCT 127, fatal + sexy performance notice. Hong. Hye-min. October 21, 2021. Hankook Ilbo. ko. December 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021012213/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/469/0000636280. October 21, 2021. live.
  33. Web site: NCT 127 Get Dark and Dangerous in 'Favorite (Vampire)'. Dongre. Divyansha. October 25, 2021. Rolling Stone India. December 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025170152/https://rollingstoneindia.com/nct-127-get-dark-and-dangerous-in-favorite-vampire/. October 25, 2021. live.
  34. Web site: NCT 127 are out for blood in 'Favorite (Vampire)' music video. Chin. Carmen. October 25, 2021. NME. December 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025170324/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nct-127-are-out-for-blood-in-favorite-vampire-music-video-3078531. October 25, 2021. live.
  35. Web site: Yoon . Seong-yeol . November 4, 2021 . '엠카' NCT 127 '페이보릿' 첫 1위..2am· 슈주-D&E 컴백 [★밤TView]trans-title='Mcar' NCT 127 'Favorite' first 1st place..2am Suju-D&E comeback [★Night TView] ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104131317/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0003002223 . November 4, 2021 . November 4, 2021 . StarNews . ko.
  36. Web site: Lee . Si-yeon . November 11, 2021 . '엠카' NCT127, 더보이즈 제치고 1위..올해 마지막 방송[★밤TView] ]. 'Mcar' NCT127 beats The Boyz to take 1st place... Last broadcast of the year [★Night TView] . live . https://archive.today/20211112152301/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0003003988 . November 12, 2021 . November 12, 2021 . StarNews . ko.
  37. Web site: Kim . Na-yul . November 6, 2021 . [종합]"시즈니 덕분"..'음중' NCT 127, 영예의 1위‥2am·라붐·전소미 컴백 ]. [Comprehensive] "Thanks to Czennies"..'Minjung' NCT 127, 1st place of honor... 2am Laboum, Jeon Somi comeback . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106150605/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003495300 . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021 . . ko.
  38. Web site: 11th Gaon Chart Music Awards 올해의 가수（디지털음원）후보자 . 11th Gaon Chart Music Awards (Song of the Year) Nominees . live . https://archive.today/20211127183608/http://gaonmusicawards.com/sub.php?sub=3&ti=1 . November 27, 2021 . December 3, 2021 . . ko.
  39. Favorite. NCT 127. 2021. Credits. photobook. SM Entertainment; Dreamus. South Korea.
  40. Web site: オリコン 週間 合算シングルランキング – 2021年11月08日付. Oricon Weekly Total Single Ranking – Published on November 8, 2023. Oricon. ja. November 8, 2021. March 20, 2023. March 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230317105931/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2021-11-08/p/5/. dead.
  41. Web site: 2021년 10월 Digital Chart. October 2021 Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. December 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211111024043/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=10&hitYear=2021&termGbn=month. November 11, 2021. live.
  42. Billboard K-pop Hot 100 – Month of November 2021. Billboard. December 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211216234352/http://billboard.co.kr/chart/month/. December 16, 2021. unfit.

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