Nu ABO explained

Nu ABO
Type:ep
Artist:f(x)
Cover:Nuabo.jpg
Caption:Digital cover
Released:May 4, 2010
Recorded:2009–2010
Studio:SM Studios, Seoul
Length:19:34
Language:Korean
Next Title:Pinocchio
Next Year:2011

Nu ABO (Korean: Nu 예삐오; Nu Yeppioh) is the debut extended play by South Korean girl group f(x). It was released on May 4, 2010, in South Korea under the record label of SM Entertainment and distribution label of KMP Holdings. The extended play spawned the title track of the same name. Commercially, the EP peaked at number two on the Gaon Album Chart and sold over 54,000 copies by 2016.

Background

The title is a play on words meaning "New Blood Type": A, B and O are blood types, and if the letters are said in succession, it sounds like "ye-bbi-oh" ("").

Promotions

The title track from the EP, "Nu ABO", was chosen as the lead single. "Mr. Boogie" was re-released as a digital single on July 17, 2010 for follow-up promotions. Live performances of both "NU ABO" and "Mr Boogie" were broadcast on various local music shows Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo during the promotional cycle. "Me+U" was also performed during the 2010 Dream Concert and on Wave K with its own choreography. A remix version of "Ice Cream" by Idiotape was also released on March 27, 2013.[1] The title track was also used for the Korean-American film Make Your Move (2013), and was subsequently included on its soundtrack.[2]

Commercial performance

The extended play debuted and peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Album Chart for the week ending May 8, 2010.[3] In its second week the album fell to number 19 and to number 21 in its third week.[4] [5] The album rose to number 13 in its fourth week.[6] The extended play was the 8th best-selling album in May 2010 in South Korea.[7] It was the 53rd best-selling album in the country during 2010, with 27,281 copies sold.[8]

Critical reception

The single "Nu ABO" was ranked amongst the best K-pop songs of all time by Spin at number 12,[9] Music Y at number 87,[10] and Melon at number 45.[11] Stereogum included it in their 2012 list of The 20 Best K-pop Videos at number 16.[12] It was named one of the best female idol songs since 1996 by The Dong-a Ilbo at number 5.[13]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2010)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[14] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2010)! scope="col"
Position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)53

Release history

CountryDateFormatDistributing labelRef.
South KoreaMay 4, 2010
Hong KongMay 18, 2010CDAvex Asia[15]
TaiwanMay 28, 2010[16]
PhilippinesJune 25, 2010Universal Records

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 10 Cc X Sm Seoul Melody - EP. March 27, 2013. iTunes. July 20, 2013.
  2. Web site: Make Your Move (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists. iTunes Store US, Apple Inc. April 7, 2014. May 19, 2015.
  3. Web site: 2010년 20주차 Album Chart. 2021-01-27. gaonchart.co.kr.
  4. Web site: 2010년 21주차 Album Chart. 2021-01-27. gaonchart.co.kr.
  5. Web site: 2010년 22주차 Album Chart. 2021-01-27. gaonchart.co.kr.
  6. Web site: 2010년 23주차 Album Chart. 2021-01-27. gaonchart.co.kr.
  7. Web site: 2010년 05월 Album Chart. 2021-01-27. gaonchart.co.kr.
  8. Web site: 2010년 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722133531/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/notice/view.gaon?idx=36. July 22, 2011.
  9. Web site: Bevan . David . Eddy . Chuck . June 1, 2012 . The 21 Greatest K-Pop Songs of All Time . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200706145838/https://www.spin.com/2012/06/best-k-pop-songs-all-time/2/ . July 6, 2020 . July 19, 2022 . Spin.
  10. Web site: Kim . Seong-dae . 2014-07-10 . 403 Forbidden. ko:Dance Track 120 87위 – 에프엑스 『NU 예삐오 (Nu ABO)』 . Dance Track 120 87th – f(x) 『NU Yeppioh (Nu ABO)』 . 2022-07-19 . Music Taste Y . ko.
  11. Web site: 29 August 2021 . Top 100 K-pop songs of all time revealed . 24 September 2021 . Manila Bulletin.
  12. Web site: Breihan . Tom . March 22, 2012 . The 20 Best K-Pop Videos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160526182228/http://www.stereogum.com/983191/the-20-best-k-pop-videos/franchises/list/ . May 26, 2016 . July 19, 2022 . Stereogum.
  13. Web site: 2016-09-02 . New survey ranks top K-pop artists & songs of the past 20 years . 2022-07-19 . SBS PopAsia . en.
  14. Web site: Album Chart – Week 20 of 2010 . Circle Chart . July 19, 2022 . ko . May 9–15, 2010.
  15. Web site: May 18, 2010 . NU ABO (CD Only) f(x) 產品推介 - avex Hong Kong . dead . Avexasia.com . March 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120305112804/http://www.avexasia.com/products_detail.php?aid=14914 . March 5, 2012.
  16. Web site: May 28, 2010 . avex taiwan . Avex.com.tw . June 20, 2010.