Next Episode (EP) explained

Next Episode
Type:EP
Artist:AKMU
Cover:AKMU - Next Episode (Digital).jpg
Caption:Digital cover
Recorded:2021
Length:24:41
Language:Korean
Label:YG
Producer:Lee Chan-hyuk
Prev Title:AKMU 'Sailing' Tour Live
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Love Episode
Next Year:2024

Next Episode (stylized in all caps) is the second extended play (EP) by South Korean brother-sister duo AKMU. It was released digitally on July 26, 2021, and physically on July 27, through YG Entertainment. The EP marks the duo's first album release in nearly two years, since Sailing in September 2019. Described as a "collaboration album", it comprises seven songs, with each track featuring a different artist. "Nakka" serves as the lead single for the album.

Background and release

South Korean brother-sister duo AKMU released the single "Happening" on November 16, 2020. In a press release for the song member Lee Chan-hyuk hinted that it was a potential prelude to their next full-length album.[1] [2] On June 27, 2021, South Korean news outlet Hankyung reported that the duo would be making a comeback in July, and had begun filming their new music video.[3] [2] On the same day, their agency YG Entertainment confirmed that they were in the middle of filming a music video for a new track.[4] [2] On July 12, the release of AKMU's new album titled Next Episode was announced for July 26.[2] [5]

On July 14, the EP's track listing was published, confirming a total of seven tracks with seven different featured artists. The track list highlighted "Nakka" featuring IU as the title track; other featuring artists included Lee Sun-hee, Zion.T, Beenzino, Choi Jung-hoon, Crush, and Sam Kim.[6] Two days later, a video trailer for the EP was released, with YG Entertainment announcing that each track on the album would be accompanied by its own music video.[7]

Critical reception

Ruby C from the British magazine NME gave the EP a five-star rating out of five, and said, "Much like a mountainous expedition, there are always risks that come with collaborating with others, but those in 'Next Episode' work for the better: each track brings out the strengths of the collaborators, while still effective in showcasing Su-hyun's flawless, pristine vocals and Chan-hyuk's adept lyrical storytelling." Tamar Herman, writing for South China Morning Post, said that "[b]etween the captivating musicality and the lyrics' compelling themes", the album is "worth listening to again and again."[8]

Commercial performance

EP's lead single "Nakka" debuted at number three on Gaon Digital Chart for the week ending July 31, 2021.[9] The following week, "Nakka" rose to the number one spot, becoming the duo's seventh number one single on the chart.[10] It debuted at number 16 on the Billboard K-pop 100,[11] and peaked at number one for the chart issued on August 14;[12] and remained atop for four consecutive weeks.[13]

Accolades

Awards and nominations received by Next Episode
YearAwardsCategoryNomineeResult
202113th Melon Music AwardsAlbum of the YearNext Episode[14]
23rd Mnet Asian Music AwardsSong of the Year"Nakka" (with IU)[15]
Best Collaborations[16]
Best Vocal Performance[17]
202211th Gaon Chart Music AwardsSong of the Year – July[18]
"Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes"
Critic/Publication! scope="col"
ListWorkdata-sort-type="number" Rank
PopMattersTop 20 Best K-pop Albums of 2021Next Episode4[19]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from YG Select.[20]

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[21] 6
Monthly chart performance for Next Episode! Chart (2021)! Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[22] 43

Sales

Sales for Next Episode! Region! Sales
South Korea (Gaon)11,552

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label
VariousJuly 26, 2021YG[23]
South KoreaJuly 27, 2021CD
November 29, 2021LP[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Born-to-sing sibling duo AKMU keeps evolving in new single. November 16, 2020. The Korea Herald. Yonhap News Agency. July 19, 2021.
  2. Web site: AKMU release cinematic teaser for upcoming "collaboration album". Yeo. Gladys. July 12, 2021. NME. July 19, 2021.
  3. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=015&aid=0004568599. ko:[단독] 악동뮤지션, 7월 컴백…'믿듣' 음원 최강자의 귀환. Kim. Soo-young. June 27, 2021. Korea Economic Daily. ko. [Exclusive] Akdong Musician to make comeback in July… The return of the strongest singer in 'Believe'. July 19, 2021. Naver.
  4. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=011&aid=0003928642. ko:[공식] '음원 강자' 악뮤 7월 컴백설···YG "신곡 뮤직비디오 촬영 중". June 27, 2021. Choo. Seung-hyun. Sedaily. ko. [Official] 'Song source strong' AKMU's July comeback rumor… YG "New song MV is being filmed". July 19, 2021. Naver.
  5. Web site: Sibling duo AKMU to drop new album on July 26. Lee. Jae-lim. July 12, 2021. Korea JoongAng Daily. July 19, 2021.
  6. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0012523433. ko:이들이 모두 한 음반에…악뮤, 아이유·이선희 등 참여 협업앨범. Kim . Hyo-jeong. July 14, 2021. Yonhap. ko. They're all on one album… AKMU, collaboration album with IU, Lee Sun-hee. July 19, 2021. Naver.
  7. Web site: https://news.joins.com/article/24106767. ko:AKMU, 블록버스터급 컴백 "전곡 오피셜 비디오 제작". Hwang. Ji-young. July 16, 2021. JoongAng Ilbo. ko. AKMU, blockbuster comeback "official video production of all songs". July 19, 2021.
  8. Web site: K-pop must-listen releases in July 2021: BTS, Taeyeon, SF9, AKMU and more. Herman. Tamar. August 2, 2021. South China Morning Post. August 7, 2021.
  9. Web site: http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=31&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week. ko:2021년 31주차 Digital Chart. Digital Chart – Week 31 of 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805020051/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=31&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week. August 5, 2021. live. August 15, 2021.
  10. Web site: BTS, AKMU, IU, Astro, Aespa And Taeyeon: This Week's 10 Biggest Songs In Korea. McIntyre. Hugg. August 12, 2021. Forbes. August 15, 2021.
  11. Web site: http://billboard.co.kr/main/news/view/676. ko:방탄소년단 'Permission to Dance', 빌보드 케이팝 100 차트 3주 연속 1위. August 3, 2021. ko. BTS' 'Permission to Dance' tops the Billboard K-Pop 100 chart for 3 weeks in a row. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210817080123/http://billboard.co.kr/main/news/view/676. August 17, 2021. September 6, 2021.
  12. Web site: http://billboard.co.kr/main/news/view/681. ko:악뮤 '낙하', 빌보드 케이팝 100 차트 정상 등극. August 10, 2021. ko. Akmu's 'Nakka' topped the Billboard K-Pop 100 chart. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813073523/http://billboard.co.kr/main/news/view/681. August 13, 2021. September 6, 2021.
  13. Web site: http://billboard.co.kr/main/news/view/693. ko:빌보드 케이팝 100, 악뮤 '낙하' 4주 연속 1위 & 레드벨벳, 전소미 톱 10 진입. ko. Billboard K-Pop 100, Akmu's 'Nakka' 1st for 4 weeks in a row & Red Velvet, Jeon Somi enter Top 10. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210831113915/http://billboard.co.kr/main/news/view/693. August 31, 2021. September 6, 2021.
  14. Web site: MMA 2021: cómo votar por tu favorito en los MelOn MusiAwards. . November 8, 2021. La República. es. MMA 2021: How to vote for your favorite at the MelOn Music Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108193237/https://larepublica.pe/cultura-asiatica/2021/11/08/mma-2021-como-votar-link-tutorial-lista-nominados-melon-music-awards-bts-exo-nct-rose/. November 8, 2021. live. November 9, 2021.
  15. Web site: 2021 MAMA Nominees – Nominees for 2021 MAMA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122105419/https://mama.mwave.me/en/nominees. November 22, 2021. November 28, 2021. Mwave. Mnet Asian Music Awards. en.
  16. Web site: BTS and IU Emerge Big Winners Amid Excitement of K-pop's Hybrid MAMA Awards. Souw. Rebecca. December 12, 2021. Variety. December 13, 2021.
  17. Web site: 'MAMA Nominations 2021: MNET Awards Nominees FT BTS, Stray Kids & More. Adhya. Arpita. November 3, 2021. Hitc.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103154022/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/11/03/mama-nominations-2021-time-where-to-watch-mnet-awards-nominees/. November 3, 2021. live. November 9, 2021.
  18. Web site: http://gaonmusicawards.com/sub.php?sub=3&ti=1. ko:11th Gaon Chart Music Awards 올해의 가수（디지털음원）후보자. Gaon Chart Music Awards. ko. 11th Gaon Chart Music Awards (Song of the Year) Nominees. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127100814/http://gaonmusicawards.com/sub.php?sub=3&ti=1. November 27, 2021. dead. November 28, 2021.
  19. Web site: The 20 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021. Ribeiro. Ana Clara. November 29, 2021. PopMatters. December 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211129144003/https://www.popmatters.com/best-k-pop-albums-2021/4. November 29, 2021. live.
  20. Web site: AKMU COLLABORATION ALBUM [NEXT EPISODE] ]. YG Select . July 20, 2021.
  21. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Week 31, 2021. Gaon Music Chart. ko. August 5, 2021.
  22. Web site: 2021 Gaon Album Chart – July. Gaon Music Chart. ko. 12 August 2021.
  23. Web site: AKMU - Collaboration Album [Next Episode] Tracklist]. YG Life. YG Entertainment. ko. July 14, 2021. July 14, 2021.
    Web site: Next Episode – EP. July 26, 2021. Apple Music. July 26, 2021.
  24. Web site: AKMU Collaboration Album [Next Episode] LP]. YG Select. September 2, 2021.

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