Make Up (EP) explained

Make Up
Type:ep
Artist:Hyomin
Cover:Make_Up_EP.png
Released:June 30, 2014
Recorded:2013–2014
Length:17:33
Producer:Kwon Shi-bong
Next Title:Sketch
Next Year:2016

Make Up is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Hyomin. It was released on June 30, 2014, by Core Contents Media. "Nice Body" was released as the lead single.

After making an announcement that two members of T-ara would be making their solo debuts, Core Contents Media released a teaser of Hyomin on April 29,[1] followed by another teaser and another announcement about the name of the single and EP on June 2.[2]

Release and promotion

On May 29, 2014, Hyomin expressed through her agency that she would make her solo debut in the music scene, and the name of the new album will be announced on June 2.[3] Hyomin released the album concept photo on June 11. On June 16, the agency stated that Hyomin's album will be released and on June 2. On June 27, the agency stated that Hyomin's album will be released ahead of schedule on June 30[4]

A press conference for the release of the new album was held at JBK TOWER in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul .

Hyomin made her solo debut stage on the July 4 episode of KBS' Music Bank.[5]

The full music video for "Nice Body" and full EP were released on the June 30, 2014.[6] [7]

Creative background

Hyomin said in an interview on July 2 that "34-24-36" in the music video for the title song "Nice Body" represents a woman's perfect body. In the music video of the title song "Nice Body", Hyomin puts her body in an extreme state of two poses . A regular version and a dance version of the music video were both released on June 30, 2014, the same day as the album's release.

In the interview, Hyomin stated that the creative background of her first self-written song "Overcome" is to convey the meaning of "you can do it, you can stand up" to people in real life .

Hyomin participated in the production of the album's costumes, hair styling, packaging, choreography, music video, design, etc.[8]

Compostion

The album consists of 5 tracks (3 new songs). It features Hyomin's first attempt at songwriting and composition.[9]

The title song "Nice Body" is a slow-tempo hip-hop track harmonized with groovy organ sounds, in collaboration with composer Brave Brothers. The lyrics express the feelings of a woman who wants to look good to a man. The song also criticizes society's unrealistic body norms for women. Body sizes, gym equipments were features on both the music video and the live stages to better convey the song's message.

The b-side song, "Fake It" is a medium-tempo hip-hop track. It is about the pain of pretending to be okay in order to avoid showing the other person the pain of a breakup. It is a more vocal-based song with simpler choreography in comparison to the title track.

Lastly, "Overcome (談,膽)", a self-composed track, applies a retro Hip-Hop sound. It conveys a dual meaning; a story (based on Hyomin's own life experience) and a courageous and a strong spirited protagonist.

Reception

Critical reception

The album received mixed reviews as the album tracks were praised while the controversial music video caused critics to doubt the song's intentions. Scott Interrante of PopMatters praised the music video's ability the bring attention to current beauty standards "it may actually be trying to bring attention to the ridiculous standards we place on women and pop stars in our society". He also described the song as strong, fun and summery.[10]

Commercial performance

"Nice Body" charted at number 13 on the Gaon Weekly Single Chart for digital releases.[11]

Awards and nominations

Award ceremonyYearCategoryResult
MTV Best Of The Best Awards2014Best Sexy[12]
KU AwardsBest Female Artist[13] [14]
Seoul Music AwardsBonsang Award[15]
Hallyu Special Award
Popularity Award

Chart performance

Albums chart

Chart Peak
position
Gaon Weekly albums chart[16] 6
Gaon Monthly albums chart[17] 15

Singles

ChartPeak
position
YinYueTai Chart1
Gaon Download Singles Chart[18] 9
Gaon Singles Chart[19] 13
Billboard K-Pop Hot 10018

Release history

!Region!Date!Format!Publisher
VariousJune 30, 2014Digital download
South KoreaMBK Entertainment
South KoreaCD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: T-ara's Hyomin shows off her new blond hairstyle as she signals her solo debut . . 2014-09-14 . 28 May 2014.
  2. News: Hyomin shows off her 'Nice Body' in first teaser image for solo mini-album debut . . 2014-09-14 . 2 June 2014.
  3. Web site: Kpopn . 2014-05-30 . 孝敏預告6/2公開主打歌名 . 2022-08-16 . www.kpopn.com . zh-TW.
  4. Web site: Kpopn . 2014-06-12 . 孝敏 Solo 專輯概念照公開 . 2022-08-16 . www.kpopn.com . zh-TW.
  5. Web site: 4 July 2014 . B2ST win #1 + Performances from July 4th 'Music Bank'! . 2014-09-14 . Allkpop.
  6. Web site: Hyomin shows off her 'Nice Body' in first teaser image for solo mini-album debut. Allkpop. 24 May 2023.
  7. Web site: Hyomin shows off her 'Nice Body' for solo debut with 15+ MV & 19+ rated dance version MV . . 2014-09-14 . 29 June 2014.
  8. Web site: T-ara孝敏:走进绯闻女孩孝敏的精彩人生 . 2022-08-16 . ent.sina.com.cn.
  9. Web site: Make Up - 효민 . 2024-04-17 . 멜론 . ko.
  10. Web site: 2014-07-10 . K-Pop Roundup – June 2014, PopMatters . 2022-10-30 . PopMatters . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2014년 28주차 Digital Chart . https://web.archive.org/web/20141217205115/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/digital.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&f_week=28&f_year=2014&f_type=week . December 17, 2014 . March 3, 2015.
  12. Web site: 2014 SBS MTV Best of the Best . June 29, 2017 . MTV Korea.
  13. Web site: 헤럴드경제 . 2013-12-16 . 티아라, 인도네시아 최고의 걸그룹 선정 '한류 입증!' [T-ara selected as Indonesia's best girl group 'Proof of the Korean Wave!'] ]. 2023-02-11 . HeraldCorp . ko.
  14. Web site: 2014-10-28 . KoreanUpdates Awards 2014 . 2023-02-11 . KoreanUpdates.com . en.
  15. Web site: December 30, 2014 . 제24회 서울가요대상 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141230073315/http://awards.sportsseoul.com/vote.html . December 30, 2014 . June 26, 2022.
  16. Web site: 2014년 29주차 Album Chart. Gaochart.co.krn. 4 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150304023405/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=29&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week. March 4, 2015 . Korean.
  17. Web site: 2014년 07월 Album Chart. Gaonchart.co.kr. 4 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150217131242/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=07&hitYear=2014&termGbn=month. 17 February 2015. Korean.
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195705/http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/download.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&f_week=28&f_year=2014&f_type=week South Korea's Gaon chart's download sales from June 29, 2014 - July 5, 2014 (in Korean)
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150340/http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/digital.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&f_week=28&f_year=2014&f_type=week South Korea's Gaon chart's weekly singles sales from June 29, 2014 - July 5, 2014 (in Korean)
  20. Sales references for "Nice Body":