Villains (EP) explained

Villains
Type:EP
Artist:Dreamcatcher
Cover:Dreamcatcher VillainS Album Cover.webp
Caption:Digital cover
Recorded:2023
Genre:
  • K-pop
  • rock
  • EDM
  • pop-punk
Length:13:49
Producer:
  • Ollounder
  • Door
  • Maddox
  • Oliv
  • Peperoni
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Virtuous
Next Year:2024

Villains (also referred to as Versus Villains) is the ninth Korean extended play by South Korean girl group Dreamcatcher. It was released on November 22, 2023, by Dreamcatcher Company, and distributed by Kakao Entertainment. Villains features five tracks including the lead single "OOTD", and was available in twelve different physical versions (1 limited, 4 regular and 7 "POCA" versions).

Villains is the first installment of the "Versus" duology,[1] followed by Dreamcatcher's tenth EP Virtuous, which was released in July 2024.[2] [3] [4]

Background and release

On October 21, 2023, the official Dreamcatcher X (formerly Twitter) account reposted a nine-second long screen-recording from the user "ymenehcra99" of two messages being received from a mysterious source identified only by a crown emoji.[5] Almost a hundred more cryptic posts and images continued to be uploaded via this user's account over the following month leading up to the release of the EP, making it the first time the group had promoted an upcoming release through the use of an alternate reality game.

The first official teasers for the album were released on October 31, starting with a comeback schedule, followed by individual and group concept photos, a track list, a highlight medley, a lyric spoiler video, a dance preview, and a music video teaser. The album and music video for the title track "OOTD" were released on November 22, 2023.[6]

Composition

Songs

The title track "OOTD" deviates slightly from the group's signature rock sound and is described as a pop-punk track. The name of the track "OOTD" is derived from the popular fashion-blogging term "outfit of the day", and the lyrics center on the concept of being "destructive and extraordinary" by being confident to the point of narcissism.[7]

Commercial performance

Commercially, VillainS sold more than 117,000 copies in its first month of release, including the "POCA" versions. The EP debuted at number three on the Circle Weekly Album charts. The music video has amassed 25 million views on YouTube while the EP has over 10 million streams on Spotify as of June 2024.[8]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)3

Monthly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
South Korean Albums (Circle)15

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
South KoreaNovember 22, 2023CD
Various<--Inclusive of South Korea-->

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yoon . So-Yeon . December 9, 2023 . [INTERVIEW] With its dark style, Dreamcatcher shines bright ]. 2024-06-24 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  2. Web site: June 24, 2024 . 드림캐쳐 Dreamcatcher . June 25, 2024 . X.com.
  3. Web site: 2024-06-23 . K-Pop's Dreamcatcher Runs Seoul Mystery Code Hunt To Kick Off New Music Hype . 2024-06-24 . The Low Key Geek . en.
  4. Web site: Dreamcatcher Kicks Off Countdown To July Comeback With Mystery Code Teaser . 2024-06-24 . www.soompi.com . en-US.
  5. Web site: Kim . Noeul . October 21, 2023 . 드림캐쳐, 11월 컴백 스포..미스터리 코드 공개→新 세계관 예고 . Dreamcatcher spoils November comeback, reveals mystery code, hints at new world . June 24, 2024 . Naver . Naver.
  6. Web site: Kim . Jin Seok . November 11, 2023 . 드림캐쳐, 11월 컴백 대전에 '빌런스'로 합류 . Dreamcatcher joins November comeback battle as 'Villains' . 2024-06-24 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  7. Web site: Jang . Jung Yoon . November 18, 2023 . 드림캐쳐의 ‘OOTD’ 나르시시즘 끝판왕 . Dreamcatcher's 'OOTD' narcissism reigns supreme . 2024-06-24 . m.entertain.naver.com.
  8. Web site: CIRCLE CHART - 써클차트 . 2024-06-24 . circlechart.kr . en.