Kai (EP) explained

Kai
Cover:Kai - cover.png
Caption:Digital and Flipbook version cover
Type:EP
Artist:Kai
Recorded:2020
Studio:
  • Big Shot
  • Blue Cup
  • Blue Ocean
  • Concert Hall
  • LVYIN
  • Yellow Tail
Length:17:55
Genre:R&B
Language:Korean
Producer:Lee Soo-man
Next Title:Peaches
Next Year:2021

Kai (Chinese: 开, lit. "Open", stylized as K开I) is the debut eponymous extended play by South Korean singer Kai. It was released on November 30, 2020 by SM Entertainment. The album features six tracks including the lead single, "Mmmh".[1] [2] The physical album is available in seven different versions (3 Photobook versions, 3 Jewel case versions and 1 Flipbook version).

Background

On July 3, SM Entertainment announced that Kai would release his first solo album, and was working on the album production with the goal of the second half of 2020.[3]

On November 11, it was announced that Kai will make his solo debut on November 30, with his 1st mini-album Kai.[4]

Kai's debut single title "음 (Mmmh)", was announced on November 19.[5]

Composition

The title song "음 (Mmmh)" is an R&B pop song with a simple yet addictive melody on a minimalist track, it is also described to be a charming, straight-forward love song.[6] [7]

"Nothing on Me" is a PBR&B song featuring a heavy bass groove. It portrayed the moment when the protagonist getting intoxicated by the scent of the other person while moving closer them.

"기억상실 (Amnesia)" is an R&B and trap song with attractive grooves and melody. It discusses the moment when the protagonist is falling in love and forgetting all memories from the past, only want to fill in the memories with the current partner.[8]

"Reason" is a progressive R&B song composed by American producer Mike Daley, with an addictive 808 pattern added to minimal club music, and the lyrics are intriguing about searching for one another, and eventually become fascinated to each other.

"Ride or Die" is a PBR&B song created by producer Cha Cha Malone, it incorporates oriental guitar sound and a dreamy atmosphere. The lyrics are about stepping out of the boundaries to enjoy life.

"Hello Stranger" is a progressive R&B song that stands out with a lyrical guitar sound, the lyrics depict a situation which a person feels a sense of sympathy to a stranger.

Release and promotion

A video highlight "Film: Kai" was released on November 27, a video consists of the performance videos from all of the 6 tracks. The video was released on V Live, Naver, and YouTube.[9] The video is said to raise anticipation for fans, and the inspiration for the concept come from various movies.[10]

Kai appeared on DoReMi Market along with VIXX's Ravi, where he played along with the other cast members and gave spoiler to Mmmh's point dance[11] in the show.

On November 30, the official music video for "Mmmh" was released at 12pm KST, 6 hours before the album's release. The music video incorporates various sci-fi like materials, and shows Kai's teleportation skill, which is his assigned superpower in Exo. An hour after the music video release, Kai appeared on Kim Shinyoung Noon Song of Hope Radio to promote the album and talked about various things related to the album.[12] Exactly an hour before the album's release, Kai hosted a V Live broadcast where he promoted and discussed about the album with fans through interactive comments. Kai performed "Mmmh" for the first time on Naver Now Party B.[13]

Charts

Chart performance for Kai
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon Digital)[14] 11
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[15] 3
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[16] 23
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard)[17] 7
US World Albums (Billboard)[18] 11
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[19] 84

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-11-11. 엑소 카이, 솔로 데뷔…30일 'KAI' 발매 [공식]]. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114110524/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/382/0000869959. 2020-11-14. Naver News. ko.
  2. Web site: 2020-11-11. EXO on Twitter: "'World-class performer' KAI to debut solo! 1st Mini Album 'KAI (开)' out on 11/30! To open new world of.... live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111021728/https://twitter.com/weareoneEXO/status/1326340229729452033. 2020-11-11. Twitter.com.
  3. Web site: 2020年大驚喜！EXO 舞王 KAI 出道八年首次 solo 發行專輯啦～. Korea Star Daily. July 3, 2020. November 3, 2020. November 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116130711/https://www.koreastardaily.com/tc/news/128075. live.
  4. Web site: 엑소 카이, 솔로 데뷔…30일 'KAI' 발매 [공식]]. entertain.naver.com/. ko. 2020-11-11. 2020-11-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111000938/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000869959. live.
  5. Web site: 2020-11-19. EXO on Twitter: "KAI's 1st solo album title track '음 (Mmmh)' to be a charming straightforward love song that captures his confident attitude!. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119014545/https://twitter.com/weareoneEXO/status/1329239212076408834. 2020-11-19. Twitter.com.
  6. Web site: ko:엑소 카이, 첫 솔로앨범 'KAI'로 보여줄 다채로운 매력. https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AOvc50wn0L. 2020-11-30. Daum News. ko. 2021-12-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210233957/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AOvc50wn0L. live.
  7. November 30, 2020. KAI - The 1st Mini Album. Dreamus. March 22, 2023. ko. Melon. March 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322024324/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10525618. live.
  8. Web site: ko:'솔로 데뷔' 엑소 카이, 첫 앨범 'KAI' 30일 발매..독보적인 퍼포먼스 예고. https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AUENNfIPzN. 2020-11-30. Daum News. ko. 2020-11-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124233850/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AUENNfIPzN. live.
  9. Web site: "솔로 데뷔 D-3" 엑소 카이 'FILM: KAI' 오늘 낮 12시 공개[공식]]. 2020-11-30. Daum News. ko. 2023-01-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230111011501/https://v.daum.net/v/AoRhJYrZhC. live.
  10. Web site: [V LIVE] KAI (开): THE OPENING LIVE]. 2020-11-30. www.vlive.tv. en. 2020-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130075803/https://www.vlive.tv/video/225063. live.
  11. Web site: [세로캠] 훠! 눈호강! 안방1열로 즐기는 카이의 댄스 세로캠.mp4#놀라운토요일-도레미마켓 amazingsaturday EP.136 - YouTube]. 2020-11-30. www.youtube.com. 28 November 2020 . 2020-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20201128125232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V3w4JfIDiQ&feature=youtu.be. live.
  12. Web site: [FULL] 데뷔 8년만에 첫 솔로 데뷔 음(Mmmh) 쫌 짱인 듯ㅎ ✨카이(KAI)✨님을 모십니다❤ / 정오의 희망곡 김신영입니다 - YouTube]. 2020-11-30. www.youtube.com. 29 November 2020 . 2020-12-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204170127/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2zoA8hNv9Q&feature=youtu.be. live.
  13. Web site: 카이가 PARTY B에 초대합니다ㅣNOW. - YouTube. 2020-11-30. www.youtube.com. 25 November 2020 . 2020-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130000651/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0LiixyKhKA&feature=youtu.be. live.
  14. Web site: オリコン週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2020年11月30日～2020年12月06日 11～20位. 2020-12-21. ORICON NEWS. 2020-12-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20201209085942/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2020-12-14/p/2/. live.
  15. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Week 50, 2020. Gaon Chart. ko. December 10, 2020. January 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107161942/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=50&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week. live.
  16. Web site: Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. December 10, 2020. December 6, 2020. July 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190704050948/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/. live.
  17. Heatseekers Albums Chart: The week of December 12, 2020. Billboard. December 10, 2020. December 10, 2020. February 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210208192145/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2020-12-12. live.
  18. World Albums Chart: The week of December 12, 2020. Billboard. December 10, 2020. December 10, 2020. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003051551/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-albums/2020-12-12/. live.
  19. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży: Albumy. ZPAV. pl. April 6, 2023. Select week 24.03.2023–30.03.2023..

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