(Hash) Explained

[#]
Type:ep
Artist:Loona
Cover:Loona - Hash.png
Caption:Digital and Limited A cover
Genre:K-pop
Length:17:40
Language:Korean
Label:Blockberry Creative
Producer:
Prev Title:[+ +]
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:[12:00]
Next Year:2020

[#] (read as "hash") is the second extended play by South Korean girl group Loona. It was released on February 5, 2020, by Blockberry Creative and distributed by Kakao M.

Background

On March 31, 2019, a teaser titled "#" was released on the group's official YouTube channel. The clip looks back to Loona's previous releases and teaser films and ends with the word "burn". It also features imagery of butterflies, as well as the symbols "++" and "xx". On May 31, a second teaser was released titled "La Maison Loona", with the phrase "delayed but someday" showed at the end. On December 13, a teaser titled "#1" was released.[3] On December 31, an image teaser was released.[4]

On January 8, 2020, it was announced that member HaSeul would halt activities with the group due to health concerns.[5] On January 10, a second teaser was released titled "#2", setting the release date to February 5.[6] On January 13, individual teasers started to being released, starting with member HyeJu (formerly Olivia Hye) and ending with a group photo on January 19.[7] On the same day, the track list was released, revealing the proper lead single as "So What".[8] On January 22, a third teaser was released titled "#3".[9] On February 5, 2020, member Yves confirmed in the album's press showcase that SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man was involved in the production of this album, doing so after he watched the group's cover video for NCT 127's "Cherry Bomb".[10]

The description of the "So What" music video announced that the album's limited editions included a CD-only song, "Day & Night".[11]

Singles

"365" was released as a lead single on December 13, 2019.

"So What" was released as the 2nd single and title track in conjunction with the EP on February 5, 2020.

Commercial performance

The EP debuted at number 2 on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and sold 79,797 copies in the month of February, becoming the group's best selling work at the time,[12] while "So What" was the group's highest-charting song on one of Gaon's singles charts, reaching number 68 on the Download Chart. The EP also charted at number 28 on the UK Digital Albums Chart, surpassing their previous EP which charted at number 48. [#] debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's World Albums chart, tying their highest position on the tally to date with their previous two EPs, while earning 3,000 units in the week ending February 6, which marks their best sales week in America.[13]

On March 12, 2020, Loona received their first music show win on Mnet's M Countdown with "So What".[14]

Charts

Chart performance for [#]
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[15] 20
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[16] 2
UK Digital Albums (OCC) [17] 28
Chart performance for singles from [#]!Song! Chart (2019)! Peak
position
"365"US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[18] [19] 1
"So What"4
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)[20] 89

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
South KoreaFebruary 5, 2020
<-- Do not change to "Worldwide", as no music platform is available in every country -->VariousBlockberry Creative

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vto_qUIjcA. ko:[MV] LOONA(이달의 소녀) _ So What. YouTube. 1theK (Kakao M Corp.). ko. February 5, 2020. (4:28)
  2. Web site: Update: LOONA Confirms Lee Soo Man's Participation In New Album + Expresses Gratitude. Soompi. May 10, 2019.
  3. LOONA Release '365' Single & Hint At Something New. Billboard. 2020-01-19.
  4. 1212025670101954562. 2020 "#" Coming Soon #이달의소녀 #LOONA LOOΠΔ http://www.loonatheworld.com pic.twitter.com/rq2zDqS3Xu. 이달의 소녀 [Loona]. 2019-12-31. loonatheworld. en. 2020-01-19.
  5. Web site: 이달의 소녀 측 "하슬 심리적 불안 증세 호소…당분간 11인 체제 활동"(전문). entertain.naver.com. ko. 2020-01-19.
  6. Web site: 이달의 소녀, 2월 5일 컴백…11인 체제 활동. 2020-01-10. No Cut News. 2020-01-19.
  7. Web site: 이달의 소녀 희진X올리비아 혜, 비주얼 센터의 미모. 2020-01-20. isplus.live.joins.com. ko. 2020-01-19.
  8. loonatheworld. 1218911021554749443. 2020. 02. 05 pm6 (KST) 이달의 소녀 [#]. 이달의 소녀 [Loona]. 2020-01-19. ko. 2020-01-19.
  9. Web site: [Teaser] 이달의 소녀 (LOONA) "#3"]. .
  10. Web site: 단독이수만, 이달의 소녀 앨범 프로듀싱 참여..SM이외 가수 첫 참여 '화제']. February 5, 2020. Daum. Sports Chosun. ko.
  11. loonatheworld . 1220179378874667008 . 22 January 2020 .
    1. 이달의소녀 의 미니앨범 [#] 예약 판매가 시작되었습니다!한정 A, B 버전에는 CD ONLY 음원도 담겨 있다고 해요
    .
  12. Web site: 2020년 02월 Album Chart. 2020 02 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart.
  13. LOONA Earn Best U.S. Sales Week to Date With Third Album Release. 2020-02-17. Billboard. en. 2020-02-17.
  14. Web site: '첫 1위' 이달의 소녀, 'So What' 트로피 들고 '눈물'…빅톤· ITZY 컴백 (엠카) [종합]]. 2020-03-12. Xportsnews. ko. 2020-03-12.
  15. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. February 10, 2020. February 8, 2020.
  16. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Week 6, 2020. Gaon Chart. ko. February 13, 2020.
  17. Web site: Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com. en. 2020-02-13.
  18. World Digital Song Sales : Page 1. Billboard. 2020-01-19.
  19. World Digital Song Sales Chart. Billboard. 2020-04-26.
  20. BILLBOARD KOREA K-POP 100. Billboard. 2020-03-26.