Agassy
| Agassy | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | November 8, 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 14.44 | |||
| Language | Korean | |||
| Label | BRD | |||
| Soojin chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Agassy | ||||
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Agassy (Korean: 아가씨; RR: Agassi; lit. "young lady") is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Soojin. It was released by BRD Communications on November 8, 2023. The EP contains six tracks, including the lead single of the same name. Soojin conceived Agassy as "a whole new blend" of the singer's qualities, featuring "a more mature scent" and combining various genres.
Commercially, it peaked at number seven on the Circle Chart. To promote the mini album, Soojin embarked on the Flowering tour in February 2024.
Background and release
[edit]On March 4, 2021, Cube Entertainment announced that Soojin, then member of the South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, would temporarily halt all activities due to bullying allegations by former classmates, that were later found to be false. [1] In August 2021, the singer had officially withdrawn from the group and label.[2] Following the news, Soojin "remained largely out of the public eye". On June 30, 2023, almost 2 years after her departure from the group, Soojin opened up a personal Instagram account, hinting at a possible return to the entertainment industry.[3]
On October 16, it was reported that the singer had signed an exclusive contract with the record label BRD Communications.[3] This was followed by a statement that Soojin was "quietly preparing to make a solo comeback".[3] A "monochrome" dance performance video, titled "Black Forest", was released on October 25. It features the singer performing a "contemporary dance to dramatic instrumental music, before she is joined by two masked backup dancers in the second half".[4] On October 26, BRD announced that the singer would be releasing her debut extended play, titled Agassy, on November 8.[5] On November 1, the track listing for the EP was released with the title track announced as the lead single.[6] On November 3, a highlight medley featuring snippets of the six tracks was published.[7] Teasers for the music video for the title track were released on November 6 and 7.[8] On November 8, 2023, Agassy was released along with the music video for its title track.[9]
Aesthetics
[edit]On October 26, Soojin released a concept trailer for the mini album. In the video, she is seen wearing traditional Korean clothing, such as a hanbok dress and binyeo.[5] Nayoung Kim of MK Sports noted that singer shows a "limitless ability to digest concepts" and "ever-changing facial expressions and mature charm" in the concept photos.[6] Jeon Jae-kyung of Newsis praised the way Soojin "create[s] various moods" from "charming and chic" to "innocent and lovely".[7]
Development
[edit]"Because this is an album where I can show my true self from beginning to end, I thought every part was important, but I especially thought the lyrics were important. The songs I thought were good always centered around relatable lyrics. Also, when I listen to a song for the first time or am interested in it, I listen to it while looking at the lyrics. This habit is also reflected in this album, and I think it would be good if you listen to my album by paying attention to the lyrics".
—Soojin looking back on making Agassy, Xport News.[10]
In an interview with Xport News, Soojin stated that Agassy is a "a whole new blend of [her] [qualities] - both pure and enchanting, as well as charismatic and mysterious". Furthermore, she added: "Before, I have shown rather charismatic and strong sides of myself, but this time, I decided to reveal a different side of myself. I hope that my fans and audiences will be able to enjoy a completely different version of me".[11]
The singer described the fifth track, "Sunset", as the one "[she is] most attached to" since it "allowed [her] to imagine the journey of meeting fans in a delightful way" when she heard it for the first time.[11]
Composition
[edit]The standard edition of Agassy consists of six tracks and incorporates various genres such as dance, R&B and K-ballad.[12] Described as "a new beginning for Soojin", the extended play solidifies the singer's position as a solo artist by showing off her "unique strengths" and "unrivaled musical color" that contains "a more mature scent".[6] The tracks on the mini album were written and composed by a variety of songwriter-producers: Yuth, Rhode, Suen, Kim Chae Ah, Flip_00, Ellui, Josh Grant and Alisa Xayalith, among others.[6]
Songs
[edit]The opening song, "Flowering", lyrically depicts "flowers blooming in warm sunlight". Its melody consists of a guitar and strings, which evoke "a languid yet strange sense of tension".[6][12] The title track is characterized by oriental sound instruments and combines Soojin's "unique color with the strange feeling of crossing the past and present".[6] The third song, "Sunflower", expresses the experience of "falling head first in love" and "developing deep emotions for someone", comparing it to "a sunflower blooming within [the singer]".[13] "TyTy" is a "bright" and "catchy" track that shows "gratitude" to a person who protects the singer "without saying a word" and "no matter what happens".[6][7][13] Musically, the song is built around "twinkling synths skip" in the hook and features a "wispy, layered falsettos" in the vocal delivery.[13] Followed by "Sunset", a "hazy" R&B track that is sung in "an alto register" over a bossanova rhythm.[12] It features "poetic" lyrics about "watching the sun set beneath the horizon".[6][13] The sixth track, "Bloodredroses", is a "melancholic note" that expresses the pain of the dissolution of a romantic relationship.[13] Eventually, Soojin "acknowledg[es] the trials and tribulations" she had to face and "finds the space to accept that she has grown because and in spite of them".[13]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| NME |   [13] |
Carmen Chin writing for NME described the extended play as "a captivating love letter to herself" and "a testament to her strength in returning to what does best". She concluded that "even if [Agassy] tends to play it safe with run-of-the-mill production - underscores the potential Soojin has always held and puts it on display for the world to see once again".[13]
Promotion
[edit]On November 10, 2023, it was announced that Soojin would "focus on her overseas activities rather than the domestic ones". The singer opted for hosting fan signing events and communicating with fans via social media.[14] On November 20, Soojin performed the title track at the Naver's Playlist NPOP.[15] On December 13 and 14, the singer held her first fan meet and greet at the Cutup Studio in Tower Records Shibuya, Japan.[16]
Tour
[edit]On December 6, the singer announced that she would embark on the Flowering tour across Oceania, in February, 2024. The tour began on February 11, 2024, at the Great Hall in Auckland, New Zealand.[17]
Setlist
[edit]- Black Forest (Dance performance)
- Agassy
- bloodredroses
- But I Am A Good Girl (Christina Aguilera song) (Dance performance)
- Sunset
Encore
[edit]- TyTy
- Sunflower
Commercial performance
[edit]Agassy debuted at number eight on the Circle Album Chart with 66,463 sold in less than five days of tracking.[18] On the chart issued December 3–9, 2023, the EP reached a new peak at number seven.[19] On December 13, the mini album exceeded 100,000 copies sold on the Hanteo Chart.[20]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Flowering" (개화; 開花; Gaehwa) | Yuth | Rhode | Rhode | 1:03 |
| 2. | "Agassy" (아가씨; Agassi) |
|
|
| 2:45 |
| 3. | "Sunflower" |
|
| Rhode | 2:50 |
| 4. | "TyTy" |
|
| Yuth | 2:32 |
| 5. | "Sunset" |
|
|
| 2:45 |
| 6. | "Bloodredroses" |
|
| Grant | 2:47 |
| Total length: | 14:44 | ||||
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Monthly charts[edit]
|
Sale figures
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | — | 100,000[22] |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | November 8, 2023 | CD | BRD |
| Various |
References
[edit]- ^ "Why is the K-pop bullying scandal blowing up now and what will become of it?". March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Gong Mi-na (August 14, 2021). "'학폭 논란' 수진, (여자)아이들 탈퇴 ... 5인 체제[공식][전문]" (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c Yeo, Gladys (October 16, 2023). "Former (G)I-DLE member Soojin reportedly working on solo music". NME. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Chin, Carmen (October 25, 2023). "Ex-(G)I-DLE member Soojin teases solo debut with cryptic 'Black Forest' video". NME. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Lee, Chae-Min (October 28, 2023). "Soojin, former (G)I-DLE member, to start solo career with album 'Agassy'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Kim Nayoung (November 7, 2023). "큐브 떠난 서수진, 학폭 논란 딛고 재기할까" [Will Seo Soo-jin, who left Cube, make a comeback after overcoming the school violence controversy?] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 7, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Puah Ziwei (November 9, 2023). "Soojin makes solo debut with fierce music video for 'Agassy'". NME. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Jo Hye-jin (November 8, 2023). "'학폭 논란 후 복귀' 수진 "많이 그리웠다…팬들에 항상 미안" [일문일답]" ['Return after school violence controversy' Soojin "I missed you a lot... I'm always sorry to my fans" [Q&A]]. Naver (in Korean). Xport News. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Lee Chae-min (November 8, 2023). "Soojin seeks to reconnect with fans with solo debut EP "Agassy"". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Soojin – 'Agassy' on Melon". Melon. BRD Entertainment. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Chin, Carmen (November 15, 2023). "Soojin – 'Agassy' review: a captivating love letter to herself". NME. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Suji Han (November 10, 2023). "'솔로 복귀' 수진(서수진), 국내 활동 안 하는 이유?…학폭 이슈 부담됐나" [‘Return to solo’ Soojin (Seo Su-jin), why is she not active in Korea?… Was the issue of school violence burdensome?] (in Korean). TopStarNews. Retrieved November 13, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Park Sanghoo (November 21, 2023). "[이슈]국내 활동 기지개… 수진, '마이웨이' 행보는 언제까지" [‘[Issue] Expanding domestic activities… Soojin, how long will her 'My Way' activities last?] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved November 20, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim Ji-Ye (December 12, 2023). "Soojin to hold meet and greet in Japan to celebrate solo EP 'Agassy'". Retrieved December 16, 2023 – via KoreaJoongAngDaily.
- ^ Puah Ziwei (December 6, 2023). "Soojin announces 2024 'Flowering' Australia and New Zealand tour". Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via NME.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 45, 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Circle Album Chart – Weeks 49 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). December 3–9, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ Suji Han (December 14, 2023). "학폭 논란 무색' 수진, 첫 솔로 '아가씨' 10만장 돌파" ['The school violence controversy is colorless' Soojin, first solo 'Agassy' Surpassed 100,000 copies]. TopStarNews (in Korean). Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – November 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – December 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.