"Attention" is the debut single by the South Korean girl group NewJeans. The music video for the song was surprise-released on July 22, 2022, and the track was released for download and streaming as part of their self-titled debut EP in August 2022. Written and composed by 250, Duckbay, Gigi, and the group member Danielle, "Attention" is a pop and R&B track with elements of late-1990s and early-2000s music, and it incorporates dynamic key changes between the major and minor chords. Its lyrics are about the sensations of young infatuation.
Music critics generally praised the catchy production of "Attention". The single appeared on lists of the best songs of 2022, including those by Billboard, IZM, Music Y, NME, and Teen Vogue. Commercially, "Attention" peaked atop the South Koean Circle Digital Chart, reached number 54 on the Billboard Global 200, and charted in Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The single received certifications in Japan and South Korea.
On July 22, NewJeans released the music video for "Attention" as a surprise release, without previously revealing the members' identities or the group concept.[1][2][3] The choreography video was released on the same day, and followed swiftly by the announcement of the quintet's debut self-titled extended play, which was confirmed to contain four tracks, including two additional singles.[4]
With a length of 2 minutes and 58 seconds,[5] "Attention" switches between the major and minor chords.[6] Built on minimal instrumentation,[6] the track incorporates influences of pop and R&B from the late-1990s and early-2000s in its beats, which evoke the rhythms of new jack swing and house music.[7][8] The production includes vocal samples and sounds of applause,[9] and the hook features sounds of chimes.[10] In the refrain, all five members harmonize vocally.[8] NewJeans' member Danielle participated in writing lyrics for the track.[11]
Jang Jun-hwan wrote for IZM that "it aims for a comfortable listening experience, but will never be boring" and "satisfies the concept and significance of debut in many ways".[9] Carmen Chin of NME thought that the track has a "groovy je ne sais quoi" and described its beat as "bustling".[6]
"Attention" debuted at number one and number two on the Billboard's South Korea Songs and on the Circle Digital Chart, respectively.[20][21] It peaked at number one on the Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated August 14–20.[20] Overseas, it debuted at number 26 on the RMNZ Hot Singles on the chart issue dated August 8, 2022.[22] On the Global 200 the song peaked at 54.[23] In Singapore and Vietnam the song debuted at eleven.[24][25]
^Lee, Yoo-na (August 2, 2022). "[Y이슈] 뉴진스, 걸그룹 데뷔곡 3년 만 최고 기록...음원차트 장악" [[Y Issue] New Jeans, girl group debut song record high in 3 years... Dominate music charts]. YTN. Retrieved August 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Jung-hoon (August 3, 2022). "걸그룹 뉴진스, 데뷔 초부터 돌풍…한국 스포티파이 1위" [Girl group New Jeans, a blast from the beginning of their debut #1 on Spotify in Korea]. Yunhap News. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
^ abc2022 올해의 가요 싱글 [2022 Song of the Year Single]. IZM. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Lee, Seul (February 18, 2023). "뉴진스·아이브, 신인상..."꿈만 같은 한 해" [써클차트 뮤직 어워즈]" [New Jeans·Ive, Rookie of the Year..."A year like a dream" [Circle Chart Music Awards]] (in Korean). X-port News. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^"대중음악상 프로듀서 250 4관왕, 뉴진스 3관왕" [Producer 250 wins 4 awards at the Korean Popular Music Awards, New Jeans wins 3 awards]. Seoul Shinmun (in Korean). Naver. March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
^Kim, Hye-mi (August 19, 2022). 뉴진스, 소녀시대 꺾고 ‘뮤직뱅크’ 1위...음원‧음반‧방송 횟수 점수 압도 [NewJeans, beats Girls' Generation to take first place on 'Music Bank'... Overwhelming score for number of music‧album‧broadcasts]. News Inside (in Korean). Retrieved August 19, 2022.
^Kim, Na-yeon (August 20, 2022). "'괴물 신인' 뉴진스, '음중' 1위 3관왕..더보이즈→소녀시대 컴백 [종합]" ['Monster Rookie' NewJeans, 'Umjung' 1st place 3 crowns... The Boyz→Girls' Generation comeback [General]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved August 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Mi-young (August 21, 2022). 뉴진스, '인기가요' 1위…음악방송 올킬한 '괴물 신인' [NewJeans, 'Inkigayo' 1st place... 'Monster Rookie' who did an all-kill on music shows]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved August 21, 2022.
^Ji, Min-kyung (August 28, 2022). ‘인기가요’ 뉴진스, 1위 트로피 추가..블랙핑크·트와이스·아이브 컴백 [종합] [‘Inkigayo’ New Jeans, 1st place trophy added... Blackpink·Twice·Ive comeback [General]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved August 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^멜론 주간 인기상 [Melon Weekly Popularity Award]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original(See 08.22) on March 23, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2022.