"Perfume" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band NCT DoJaeJung for their debut extended play (EP) of the same name. Composed by Styalz Fuego, MZMC, Brandon Arreaga, Colin Magalong, Landon Sears, and Kaelyn Behr, with lyrics written by Kim Su-min, the song was released on April 17, 2023, by SM Entertainment. An accompanying music video was released on the same date. "Perfume" is described as an R&Belectropop song that expresses mature and sensuous messages of "wanting to leave a scent to a significant other".
"Perfume" received positive reviews from music critics and became a commercial success.[1][2] It debuted at number four on the Circle Digital Chart, making NCT DoJaeJung the fastest NCT sub-unit to earn a top-five single in South Korea.[3] It also debuted at number one on Circle Download Chart and Circle BGM Chart.[4] Remixes by Jafunk, and Bronze and Jason Lee, titled iScreaM Vol.24: Perfume Remixes, were released on July 13.[5]
"Perfume" was composed by Brandon Arreaga, Colin Magalong, Landon Sears, Kaelyn Behr, and MZMC, with the lattermost also producing the song alongside Styalz Fuego.[6] It marks MZMC's first production under SM Entertainment following his hiatus from the company in 2020.[7] "Perfume" is an R&Belectropop song, consisting of rhythmic slab guitar, synth pad, boom bap rhythm sound, and groovy electric bass line. The members' a cappella vocals and harmonies are also highlighted in the song. The lyrics, which were written by Kim Su-min, describe the "desire to leave one's scent to their loved one so they would not be forgotten."[8]
The music video for "Perfume" was released on April 17, 2023, alongside the single and album release.[9] It was filmed in Bangkok, Thailand and featured the members dancing in outdoor vibrant sets, as well as the interiors and exteriors of a mansion.[10] The first part of the music video is set in daylight, with the members wearing light-colored outfits, while the latter shows the members in darker and sexier outfits in the nighttime. One section also features them riding in a red 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible and taking mugshots. The music video also stars a woman, shown to be gifted a set of perfumes by the members.
On NME's midyear list of the best K-pop songs of 2023, Ivana E. Morales wrote that the song "a luxurious, aural throwback to the ’90s, swimming in gorgeous vocals and enthralling transitions, making it an elegant detour" and called it "one of the greatest K-pop gifts from this year so far".[11]
^"NCT 도재정 'Perfume' 써클차트 음원 부문 2관왕" [NCT DoJaeJung win "double crown" in music charts for "Perfume"]. n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
^Perfume, 2023-04-17, archived from the original on 2023-04-19, retrieved 2023-04-20
^"MZMC". Genius. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^"NCT 도재정, 'Perfume'으로 가요계 홀린다..감각적 유혹" [NCT DoJaeJung will captivate the music industry with "Perfume"]. n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
^Hwang Hye-jin (April 28, 2023). "전세계 시즈니 감사합니다" NCT 유닛 도재정 '뮤직뱅크' 1위[종합] ["Thank you Czennies all over the world" NCT Unit Dojaejung 'Music Bank' 1st Place [Comprehensive]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee Ha-na (April 29, 2023). ‘음악중심’ NCT 도재정 1위 “시즈니 자랑스러워”‥태양·우즈 컴백[종합] [‘Music Core’ NCT DoJaeJung 1st place “I’m proud of nctzens” ‥Taeyang·Woods comeback [Comprehensive]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
