Na (EP) explained

Na
Type:EP
Artist:Nayeon
Cover:Nayeon – Na.webp
Caption:Digital cover
Studio:JYP Studios
Length:22:27
Label:
Prev Title:Im Nayeon
Prev Year:2022

Na is the second extended play by South Korean singer Nayeon of the girl group Twice, released through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records on June 14, 2024. The EP contains seven tracks, including the lead single "ABCD" and collaborations with singers Sam Kim and Julie from Kiss of Life. It aims to showcase a stronger and more mature side of the singer, incorporating hip hop and dance elements.

Background and release

Nayeon launched her solo career with her first EP, Im Nayeon, in June 2022. The EP peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Pop!", became "a summer hit" on domestic streaming charts, including the Circle Digital Chart, where it peaked at number two.[1] On April 9, 2024, South Korean news outlet Xsports News reported that Nayeon was preparing for a new release in June.[2] JYP Entertainment responded that no release date had been decided yet.[3] Subsequently, on May 13, it was announced that her new release would be released on June 14, 2024, with the release of a logo motion at midnight alongside a poster containing the phrase "How to Fall in Love with Na".[4] Following the announcement, the company released a series of concept images from May 20 to 30, 2024.[5]

On May 24, JYP released a teaser for her solo lead single "ABCD", released with the EP Na. The teaser featured a spoiler of the track, which is a hip hop-influenced pop dance track with the opening line, "Hey listen to me now". The lyrics, written by Rick Bridges and Park Jin-young, use the alphabet creatively to convey a message about teaching and tempting a love interest. The song was composed and arranged by Pdogg.

Conception and title

On May 24, 2024, as her magazine feature, Nayeon appeared in a Cosmopolitan pictorial with a "fresh summer vibe." In her interview, she highlighted her second record, Na, noting it shows a stronger and more mature side, with hip-hop and sporty elements. She explained, "If the first album contained the image that many people think of me when they see me, I wanted to show a different side of me in the second album. You can expect a strong and mature appearance, whether in performance or vocals. It has a hip-hop feel, and also a sporty yet sexy feel. It was another challenge because it was a dance style that Twice had never done before."[6] The album title represents Nayeon's 'I' (na 나 means "I" in Korean) and conveys the message "Me! Only me!", in contrast to her first mini album, 'Im Nayeon,' which highlighted "I am Nayeon" with a near-identical spelling of the artist's last name. This album boldly emphasizes Nayeon's determination to reveal only her authentic self.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[7] 5
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[8] 3
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[9] 21
South Korean Albums (Circle)[10] 1
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[11] 19
UK Physical Singles (OCC)[12] 1
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[13] 11
US Billboard 200[14] 7
US World Albums (Billboard)[15] 1

Monthly charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[16] 32
South Korean Albums (Circle)[17] 5

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousJune 14, 2024[18]
South KoreaNemo[19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예 . 2024-05-31 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  2. Web site: 이데일리 . 2024-04-09 . 트와이스 나연, 2년만 솔로 컴백…"발표 시기는 미정" [공식] ]. 2024-05-31 . 이데일리 . ko.
  3. Web site: 뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예 . 2024-05-31 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  4. Web site: 뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예 . 2024-05-31 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  5. Web site: 뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예 . 2024-05-31 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  6. Web site: 뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예 . 2024-05-31 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  7. Web site: With You-th – Week 26, 2024. July 3, 2024 . HDU. hr. July 3, 2024.
  8. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2024-07-01 . . July 11, 2024 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20240711033718/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2024-07-15/ . July 11, 2024.
  9. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of June 19, 2024. Billboard Japan. June 19, 2024.
  10. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 24, 2024. Circle Chart. ko. June 20, 2024.
  11. Web site: Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 27. Sverigetopplistan. July 26, 2024.
  12. Web site: Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. June 22, 2024.
  13. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. June 22, 2024.
  14. Taylor Swift Notches Ninth Week Atop Billboard 200 With The Tortured Poets Department. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. June 23, 2024. June 23, 2024.
  15. World Albums: Week of June 29, 2024. Billboard. June 25, 2024.
  16. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-07 . . August 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814061621/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2024-07/p/4/ . August 14, 2024 . ja.
  17. Web site: Circle Album Chart – 2024.06 Month. Circle Chart. ko. July 11, 2024.
  18. Citations:
  19. Web site: NAYEON THE 2nd MINI ALBUM "NA" Album Preview (Platform_Nemo ver.). Twice Official Website. ko. June 1, 2024. June 1, 2024.