Phantom (EP) explained

Phantom
Type:EP
Artist:WayV
Cover:Phantom digital cover.jpg
Caption:Digital album cover
Length:28:44
Producer:
Prev Title:Kick Back
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:On My Youth
Next Year:2023

Phantom is the fourth extended play (EP) by Chinese boy band WayV with The Phantom of the Opera-inspired lead single of the same name. It was released by Label V and SM Entertainment on December 28, 2022. Consisting of six new songs and two bonus tracks that fall mostly in R&B and hip hop with influences from trap and classical music, the album saw participation from frequent collaborators, namely Adrian McKinnon, LDN Noise, Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, Ryan S. Jhun as well as first collaboration with the McDonough brothers of Before You Exit. Released almost two years from their previous EP, Phantom marks the group's first album release as a sextet, following suspension of Lucas in August 2021. WayV was set to embark on an eponymous global fanmeeting tour to support the album, with stops including Seoul, Manila, and Bangkok.

Background and release

Following the release of their third EP, Kick Back, in March 2021, WayV were focused on sub-unit activities.[1] The first sub-unit consisting Kun and Xiaojun released the pop-ballad single "Back to You" in June 2021,[2] while Ten and Yangyang released the hip-hop single "Low Low" in August.[3] The third sub-unit consisting Lucas and Hendery that had been scheduled to release the single "Jalapeño" in the same month was canceled due to Lucas' cheating and gaslighting controversy. He was then suspended from any promotional activities.[4] In December 2021, WayV members participated in NCT's third studio album, Universe, by recording the English song "Miracle" as a quintet: Winwin was away in China after establishing a personal studio to pursue an acting career.[5]

On November 22, 2022, WayV posted a teaser image announcing the release of their fourth EP, Phantom, on December 9, after nearly two years from their previous EP. The image showed only six silhouettes, confirming member Lucas's absence in the EP, making it their first album release as a sextet.[6] The release was later postponed due to the national mourning period following the passing of former president of China Jiang Zemin. On December 8, the group announced December 28 as the new release date.[7] A short music video for the b-side track "Diamonds Only" was released ahead of the release on December 22.[8] A short music video for "Good Life" and a live clip for "Broken Love" were also released on January 9 and 16, 2023, respectively.[9] [10]

Composition and lyrics

The EP opens with the eponymous lead single "Phantom", a trap hip-hop based dance-pop song with string sounds and a chorus overlaid with Gregorian chants. Co-composed by frequent collaborator, Adrian McKinnon, the lyrics use masks as the fundamental lyrical motif, describing adversity and suffering as Phantom as well as expressing the will to overcome instead of being swayed by them.[11] [12] The following song "Diamonds Only" is a progressive R&B hip-hop song, with lyrics equating long-cherished dreams and love with shining and precious diamonds.[13] The third track "Good Life" is a mid-tempo R&B, produced by the McDonough brothers of the American pop rock band Before You Exit. It tells a story about moving towards a better life.[14] The song is followed by the ballad song "Broken Love" which likens a past love story with a jigsaw puzzle that can't be put together.[14] The fifth song "Bounce Back" is dance-pop track with minimal instrumental that continues the sad love story from the group's previous songs, "Say It", "Come Back", and "Unbreakable".[12] [14] The following song "Try My Luck" is a dance track that samples Mozart's "Requiem (Dies irae)", prefacing it with an air-raid siren.[12] [14] The EP is then closed by two previously released sub-unit songs as bonus tracks: "Back to You", a delicate yet robust ballad with melancholy trumpet and chimes, and the summery up-tempo hip-hop dance track "Low Low".[15] [12] [16]

Promotion

Singles

The music video of the lead single "Phantom" was released at the same day as the album on December 28, 2022.[11] It features elements from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, such as candelabras, masks and broken chandeliers, as well as Game of Thrones-inspired sword-covered throne.[12] Divyansha Dongre of Rolling Stone India described "Phantom" as a "fine addition" to WayV's discography that "perfectly accentuates the group's vocal tones" and features an "evocative" choreography.[17] The song debuted at number sixteen on Chinese TME UNI chart.[18]

Live performances

To commemorate the release, WayV held a special live broadcast, titled WayV "Phantom" Countdown, on December 28.[11] A pretaped performance of "Phantom" was also broadcast on JTBC's Music Universe K-909 on the same day.[19] WayV performed "Phantom" along with their old songs "Love Talk" and "Take Off" at SM Entertainment's yearly online concert, SMCU Palace at Kwangya.[20] The group also performed the English version of "Phantom" without Winwin in various South Korean music shows, namely M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo.[21] [22] [23] [24]

Fanmeeting tour

On January 10, 2023, WayV announced that they would embark on an eponymous global fanmeeting tour, starting with two shows at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace in Seoul on February 11.[25] Beside performing songs from Phantom, the group also performed their previous songs, such as "Kick Back", "Dream Launch", "Action Figure", "Love Talk", and "Nectar". The fanmeeting featured playful corners and games, as well as SM Dance Medley, featuring NCT Dream's "Candy", Shinee's "Sherlock (Clue + Note)", and Aespa's "Illusion".[26]

Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenue
February 11, 2023 (Day)SeoulSouth KoreaKyunghee University Peace Hall
Beyond Live
February 11, 2023 (Night)
March 26, 2023ManilaPhilippinesAraneta Coliseum[27]
April 1, 2023BangkokThailandThunder Dome[28]
April 2, 2023
April 29, 2023JakartaIndonesiaIndonesia Convention Exhibition[29]
May 6, 2023YokohamaJapanPia Arena MM[30]
May 7, 2023
May 27, 2023Hong KongChinaKITEC Star Hall[31]
June 2, 2023SingaporeThe Star Theatre[32]
June 8, 2023LondonUnited KingdomEventim Apollo[33]
June 11, 2023ParisFranceLa Seine Musicale
August 12, 2023MacauChinaBroadway Theater
August 13, 2023

Commercial performance

Upon its release, Phantom continued WayV's success on South Korean Circle Chart by sitting at number one on the chart for the second time in a row and ranked at number fourteen on the monthly chart with 99,019 copies sold.[34] The album also debuted at number four on Oricon's physical album chart with 9,337 copies sold[35] and number five on Billboard Japan Hot Albums.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[36] 33
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[37] 5
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[38] 5
South Korean Albums (Circle)[39] 5

Monthly charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[40] 27
South Korean Albums (Circle)[41] 13

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-02-23. 웨이션브이, 3월 10일 컴백 확정…'Kick Back' 발매(공식). n.news.naver.com. 2021-02-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210223053518/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000404425. live.
  2. Web site: WayV 쿤-샤오쥔, 첫 유닛 출격..16일 새 싱글 'Back To You' 발매[공식] ]. Naver . HeraldPop. 12 June 2021. ko. 11 June 2021. 12 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210612070202/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003443753 . live .
  3. Web site: 威神V第二支小分队出击威神V（WayV）- TEN&YANGYANG单曲《Low Low》17日发行 娱乐中国 . chinayule . 13 August 2021. zh. 13 August 2021 . 13 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210813061900/http://chinayule.cn/music/china/20210813/15637.html . live .
  4. Web site: NCT's Lucas Wong on hiatus after being accused of taking advantage of female fans. The Straits Times. 10 April 2022. en. 26 August 2021. December 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221231183606/https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/ncts-lucas-wong-on-hiatus-after-being-accused-of-taking-advantage-of-female-fans. live.
  5. Web site: [Y이슈] 웨이션브이 윈윈, 中 연기 활동 위한 개인공작실 설립]. Naver. 10 April 2022. ko. 30 September 2021. September 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210930123309/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/052/0001646527. live.
  6. Web site: Dongre. Divyansha. WayV Teases Fourth EP 'Phantom'. Rolling Stone India. 4 January 2023 . https://archive.today/20230104070036/https://rollingstoneindia.com/wayv-teases-fourth-ep-phantom/. 4 January 2023. en. 22 November 2022.
  7. News: WayV Announces New Release Date For Their Forthcoming EP 'Phantom'. Dongre. Divyansha. 8 December 2022. Rolling Stone India. 14 December 2022. https://archive.today/20230104070415/https://rollingstoneindia.com/wayv-announces-new-release-date-for-their-forthcoming-ep-phantom/. 4 January 2023.
  8. Web site: Martin. Annie. WayV shine in 'DiamondsOnly' track video. United Press International. 4 January 2023. https://archive.today/20230104071157/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2022/12/22/korea-WayV-Diamonds-Only-track-video/3801671733250/. 4 January 2023. 22 December 2022.
  9. Web site: Yeo. Gladys. NCT subunit WayV release laidback video for new B-side track 'Good Life'. NME. 17 January 2023. en. 10 January 2023. January 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230110140814/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nct-wayv-phantom-b-side-good-life-music-video-release-3377765. live.
  10. WayV. 15 January 2023. WayV 威神V '时间拼图 (Broken Love)' Live Clip. 17 January 2023. Label V. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117084830/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=6K2Vqw42k1I. live.
  11. Web site: WayV, 오늘(28일) 네 번째 미니앨범 'Phantom' 발매..강렬 카리스마 . Osen . 11 January 2023 . ko . 28 December 2022 . January 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111094402/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1112015642 . live .
  12. Web site: Glasby . Taylor . WayV: the Chinese boyband steps into their new era . . 12 January 2023 . en . 11 January 2023 . January 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112085748/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/57920/1/wayv-china-boyband-interview-kun-ten-xiaojun-hendery-yangyang . live .
  13. Web site: 威神V迷你四辑收录曲《Diamonds Only》Track Video公开引热议！28日正式回归备受期待！ . Tom.com . 11 January 2023 . zh . 24 December 2022 . January 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111094413/https://ent.tom.com/202212/1199211065.html . live .
  14. Web site: 威神V迷你四辑《Phantom》将于12月28日公开共收录8首多样类型的歌曲 . Tom.com . 11 January 2023 . zh . 16 December 2022 . January 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111094409/https://star.tom.com/202212/1464809541.html . live .
  15. Web site: Chin. Carmen. NCT subunit WayV announce fourth mini-album 'Phantom'. NME. 25 November 2022. https://archive.today/20221124095015/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nct-subunit-wayv-fourth-mini-album-phantom-announcement-details-3354210 . 24 November 2022. 23 November 2022.
  16. Web site: Ford . Lucy . NCT's Ten and YangYang on new single 'Low Low': "At first we were like, 'we didn't ask for this'" . . 12 January 2023 . en . 6 September 2021 . January 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112085751/https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/nct-wayv-ten-yangyang-new-song-low-low-interview-friendship-future-collaborations-3038147 . live .
  17. Web site: Dongre. Divyansha. WayV Return With The Hauntingly Beautiful Single 'Phantom'. Rolling Stone India. 4 January 2023. https://archive.today/20230104071920/https://rollingstoneindia.com/wayv-return-with-the-hauntingly-beautiful-single-phantom/. 4 January 2023. 28 December 2022.
  18. Web site: China TME UNI Chart. January 7, 2023. February 2, 2023. Billboard. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202061527/https://www.billboard.com/charts/china-tme-uni-songs/2023-01-07/. live.
  19. WayV. 28 December 2022. [4K/First Stage Performance] WayV - Phantom l @JTBC K-909]. 17 January 2023. December 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221229112932/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J27ZsDaXU2E&feature=share. live.
  20. Web site: SM 콘서트 개최…갓더비트·엑소 무대, 슈퍼엠 컴백 예고. No Cut News. 17 January 2023. ko. 1 January 2023. January 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230102201815/https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5873078. live.
  21. Web site: '엠카운트다운' 샤이니 민호-NCT DREAM-웨이션브이(WayV) 컴백무대 펼친다. Onews. 17 January 2023. ko. 29 December 2022. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117100051/https://www.onews.tv/news/articleView.html?idxno=149647. live.
  22. Web site: '뮤직뱅크' 에이티즈, 컴백과 동시에 1위..문빈&산하·하이키 컴백. Osen. 17 January 2023. ko. 6 January 2023. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117100050/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1112021024. live.
  23. Web site: '음악중심' 뉴진스, 출연없이 1위‥아스트로 문빈&산하·에이티즈 컴백. Newsen. 17 January 2023. ko. 7 January 2023. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117100051/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202301071623192510. live.
  24. Web site: 뉴진스, 출연 없이 '인기가요' 1위…문빈&산하→에이티즈 컴백. Newsen. 17 January 2023. ko. 8 January 2023. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117100051/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202301081540492310. live.
  25. Web site: Yang. Hale. Boy band WayV to embark on global fan meet tour. Korea JoongAng Daily. 17 January 2023. 10 January 2023. January 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230110171551/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/01/10/entertainment/kpop/phantom-wayv-wayv-fan-meeting/20230110161831028.html. live.
  26. Web site: WayV, 2023 글로벌 팬미팅 투어 스타트… 한국 공연 성황 . Sports Donga . 17 February 2023 . ko . 12 February 2023 . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217101832/https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20230212/117843542/1 . live .
  27. Web site: Ng. Scott. WayV announce March fanmeet in Manila. NME. 6 February 2023. 1 February 2023. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202231319/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/wayv-fanmeet-manila-march-date-tickets-3390108. live.
  28. Web site: Judine Basbas. Franchesca. WayV to hold fanmeeting in Bangkok this April. Bandwagon. 6 February 2023. 6 February 2023. February 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206100421/https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/wayv-to-hold-fanmeeting-in-bangkok-tickets-prices-nct-sm-entertainment-april-2023. live.
  29. Web site: WayV Gelar Fan Meeting Tour Phantom di Indonesia 29 April . CNN Indonesia . 24 February 2023 . ID . 18 February 2023 . March 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319154411/https://www.cnnindonesia.com/hiburan/20230218114512-227-914736/wayv-gelar-fan-meeting-tour-phantom-di-indonesia-29-april . live .
  30. Web site: WayV、日本初単独イベントで歌って踊って恋ダンス！緑一色の会場で叫んだ「待っててくれてありがとう」 . . 16 October 2023 . ja . 7 May 2023 . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515110453/https://natalie.mu/music/news/523638 . live .
  31. Web site: WayV將要在5/27來香港跟WayZenNi見面啦！. Yahoo Taiwan. 14 April 2023. tw. 9 April 2023. April 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414093858/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/wayv%E5%B0%87%E8%A6%81%E5%9C%A85-27%E4%BE%86%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E8%B7%9Fwayzenni%E8%A6%8B%E9%9D%A2%E5%95%A6-043600124.html. live.
  32. Web site: Siwei. Puah. WayV to hold Fanmeeting Tour ‘Phantom’ in Singapore. NME. 9 May 2023. October 16, 2023. May 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230519065515/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/wayv-fanmeeting-tour-phantom-singapore-3441050. live.
  33. Web site: Siwei. Puah. WayV announce ‘Phantom’ fanmeeting tour in Europe. NME. 18 May 2023. October 16, 2023. May 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230526160248/https://www.nme.com/news/music/wayv-london-paris-phantom-fanmeeting-tour-europe-3444981. live.
  34. Web site: Circle Album Chart – December 2022. Circle Chart. ko. January 12, 2023. January 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230112022900/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=12&hitYear=2022&termGbn=month&yearTime=3. live.
  35. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2023-01-23/. ja:週間 CDアルバムランキング 2023年01月23日付. Weekly CD Album Ranking on January 23, 2023. Oricon. ja. January 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021143/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2023-01-23/. January 18, 2023. dead.
  36. Web site: Phantom – Week 5, 2023. HDU. hr. February 7, 2023. February 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230207094812/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-5-tjedan-2023/. live.
  37. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-01-23 . . January 20, 2023 . ja . January 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120020519/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2023-01-23/ . live .
  38. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of January 18, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. January 18, 2023. January 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118051929/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2023&month=01&day=23. live.
  39. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 53, 2022. Circle Chart. ko. January 5, 2023. January 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230105020057/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=53&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
  40. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-01 . . February 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208060635/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-01/p/3/ . February 8, 2023 . ja.
  41. Web site: Circle Album Chart – January 2023. Circle Chart. ko. February 9, 2023. January 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230112015808/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=01&hitYear=2023&termGbn=month&yearTime=3. live.

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