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Drama (Aespa EP)

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Drama
Digital cover
Digital cover
EP by
Aespa
ReleasedNovember 10, 2023 (2023-11-10)
Genre
Length19:11
LanguageKorean
Label
Aespa chronology
My World
(2023) 		Drama
(2023) 		Armageddon
(2024)
Singles from Drama
  1. "Drama"
    Released: November 10, 2023

Drama is the fourth extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023, and contains six tracks including the lead single of the same name.

Background and release

[edit]

In February 2023, during their inaugural concert, Synk: Hyper Line, the group performed the then-unreleased songs: "Hot Air Balloon", "YOLO", and "Don't Blink".[1] On October 10, SM Entertainment announced that the group would be releasing their fourth extended play titled Drama on November 10. An introduction teaser video was also released on the same day.[2] Six days later, the promotional schedule was released.[3] On October 30, the mood sample teaser video was released,[4] followed by the highlight medley teaser video on November 3.[5] On November 6, teaser videos inspired by the concept of television drama were released for Winter and Giselle,[6] with Karina and Ningning's teasers following the next day.[7] On November 9, the music video teaser for "Drama" was released.[8] The extended play was released alongside the music video for "Drama" on November 10.[9]

Conception

[edit]

According to SM Entertainment, Drama will showcase Aespa "evolving personalities" with "fresh music" while "also build[ing upon] on a previous narrative thread" as the group is "now breaking out from the trauma caused by a series of events with 'Synk Out', and 'Hallucination Quest' [in the SMCU's storyline for Aespa]".[10]

Composition

[edit]

The standard edition of Drama consists of six tracks of various genres including hip hop, dance, and acoustic pop. As with the group's previous releases, Drama will "bring a new chapter to their SMCU lore" by writing stories through "unique music and visuals".[10] The lead single "Drama" was described as a hip-hop and dance song characterized by "an aggressive drum sound and sophisticated synth bass" with lyrics about having "confident attitude that every story begins with Aespa". The second track "Trick or Trick" is a dance song with "heavy bass", and "a hypnotic charm".[11] The third track "Don't Blink" is a "country-like" song with "rusty synth" focusing "Aespa's vocals". The fourth track "Hot Air Balloon" has lyrics that "described a journey up into the sky with someone special". The fifth track "YOLO" is a pop-punk song with "mixture of pop and metal guitar". The sixth track "You" carries lyrics filled with "full of sincerity towards the [group's fans]".[11][12] In the digital edition that features the group's previously released English single "Better Things" as a bonus track, stands out as an "up-tempo" dance song characterized by "rhythmic percussion sound" with lyrics about "shrugging off the past" while "focusing the given time on more valuable things".[13][14]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Drama debuted at number three on South Korea's Circle Album Chart in the chart issue dated November 19–25, 2023.[15] In Japan, the EP debuted at number 27 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums in the chart issue dated November 15, 2023;[16] on its component chart, the EP debuted at number 11 on the Top Download Albums.[17] On the Oricon chart, the EP debuted at number 11 on the Albums Chart,[18] and number ten on the Combined Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 27, 2023.[19]

In the United States, Drama debuted at number 33 on the Billboard 200,[20] and number two on the Billboard World Albums in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[21] In United Kingdom, the EP debuted at number ten on the OCC's UK Album Downloads Chart,[22] number 33 on the UK Albums Sales,[23] and number 45 on the UK Physical Albums in the chart issue dated November 17–23, 2023.[24] In Australia, the EP debuted at number four on the ARIA Top 20 Hitseekers Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 20, 2023.[25] In France, the EP debuted at number 30 on the SNEP's Top Albums in the chart issue dated November 17, 2023.[26] In Hungary, the EP debuted at number 19 on the MAHASZ Top Albums 40 Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[27] In Poland, the EP debuted at number 28 on the ZPAV's OLiS in chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[28] In Scotland, the EP debuted at number 43 on the OCC's Scottish Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 17–23, 2023.[29] In Spain, the EP debuted at number 79 on the PROMUSICAE Top 100 Albums Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[30]

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)'s Global Music Report for 2023, Drama was the twentieth best-selling album worldwide, having sold 1.5 million units.[A][31]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash7/10[12]

Abbie Aitken writing for Clash called Drama as "a welcomed expansion to the Aespa universe [by] present[ing] the vocal prowess of [Aespa] and highlights their versatile musicality". She concluded that the "narrative got slightly muddled [by] the overall energy, especially from [the lead single], [making the listener] felt rousing [while] eager for more".[12]

Promotion

[edit]

Prior to the release of Drama, on November 10, 2023, Aespa held a live event called "Aespa Drama Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, Weverse, and Idol Plus, aimed at introducing the extended play and connecting with their fanbase.[32] Additionally, the group launched a pop-up store named "Aespa Week? Drama City?" in Seoul, South Korea, running from November 10 to 26, to "commemorate the release of the extended play".[33]

Track listing

[edit]
Drama – CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Drama"
  • No Identity
  • Waker (153/Joombas)
  • Ejae
  • Charlotte Wilson
No Identity3:35
2."Trick or Trick"Kim Min-ji (JamFactory)
  • Kristin Langsrud
  • August Dagestad
  • Johanne Lid
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen
Stian Nyhammer Olsen2:55
3."Don't Blink"Hwang Yu-bin (VeryGoods)
  • Dillon Deskin
  • Tima Dee
  • Deanna Villarreal
Dillon Deskin2:49
4."Hot Air Balloon"Jo Yoon-kyung
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen
  • Alysa
3:19
5."YOLO"Na Yun-jeong (Lalala Studio)
  • Albi Albertsson (Clarity-X)
  • Anna Timgren
Albi Albertsson (Clarity-X)3:09
6."You"Lee O-neul
  • Jake K (Artiffect)
  • Maria Marcus
  • MCK (Artiffect)
  • St_Knox (Artiffect)
  • Louise Frick Sveen
  • Jake K (Artiffect)
  • MCK (Artiffect)
  • St_Knox (Artiffect)
3:23
Total length:19:11
Drama – Digital download / streaming
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
7."Better Things"
  • Leroy Clampitt
  • Rachel Keen
  • Leroy
  • Rachel Keen
3:23
Total length:22:34

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes in the physical edition, which excluded the track "Better Things".[34]

Studio

  • SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording, engineered for mix (track 1), digital editing (track 1, 5)
  • SM Big Shot Studio – recording (track 1–3), engineered for mix (track 2), digital editing, mixing (track 3)
  • SM SSAM Studio – recording (track 1, 6)
  • SM LVYIN Studio – recording, engineered for mix, mixing (track 4), digital editing (track 6)
  • Golden Bell Tree Sound – recording (track 4)
  • SM Blue Cup Studio – recording, mixing (track 5)
  • SM Starlight Studio – recording (track 6), digital editing, mixing (track 2)
  • Seoul Studio – recording (track 6)
  • SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing (track 1, 6)
  • 821 Sound – mastering (all tracks)

Personnel

  • SM Entertainment – executive producer
  • Park Sun-young – creative executive
  • Lee Sung-soo – A&R executive
  • Tak Young-jun – IP executive
  • Jang Cheol-hyuk – executive supervisor
  • Aespa – vocals, background vocals (all tracks)
  • Bang Hye-hyun (JamFactory) – lyrics (track 1)
  • Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 1)
  • No Identity – producer, composition, arrangement, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming (track 1)
  • Waker (153/Joombas) – composition, keyboards (track 1)
  • Ejae – composition, background vocals (track 1)
  • Charlotte Wilson – composition (track 1)
  • Kim Min-ji (JamFactory) – lyrics (track 2)
  • Kristin Langsrud – composition, background vocals (track 2)
  • August Dagestad – composition (track 2)
  • Johanne Lid – composition (track 2)
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen – producer, composition, arrangement (track 2, 4), background vocals (track 2)
  • Hwang Yu-bin (VeryGoods) – lyrics (track 3)
  • Dillon Deskin – producer, composition, arrangement (track 3)
  • Tima Dee – composition (track 3)
  • Deanna Villarreal – composition (track 3)
  • Jo Yoon-kyung – lyrics (track 4)
  • Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition (track 4)
  • Ellen Berg – composition (track 4)
  • Alysa – producer, composition, arrangement (track 4)
  • Nermin Harambasic – composition (track 4)
  • Na Yun-jeong (Lalala Studio) – lyrics (track 5)
  • Albi Albertsson (Clarity-X) a.k.a. Mussashi – producer, composition, arrangement (track 5)
  • Anna Timgren – composition, background vocals (track 5)
  • Lee O-neul – lyrics (track 6)
  • Jake K (Artiffect) – producer, composition, arrangement, vocal directing, bass, guitar, piano, synthesizer (track 6)
  • Maria Marcus – composition, background vocals (track 6)
  • MCK (Artiffect) – producer, composition, arrangement, guitar, piano, synthesizer (track 6)
  • St_Knox (Artiffect) – producer, composition, arrangement, guitar, piano, synthesizer (track 6)
  • Louise Frick Sveen – composition (track 6)
  • Deez – vocal directing (track 1)
  • Red Anne – vocal directing, background vocals (track 2)
  • Kriz – vocal directing (track 3)
  • MinGtion – vocal directing (track 4)
  • Kim Jin-hwan – vocal directing (track 5)
  • Kim Kwang-hoon – guitar (track 6)
  • Nile Lee – strings conducting, strings arrangement (track 6)
  • On The String – strings (track 6)
  • Noh Min-ji – recording, engineered for mix (track 1), digital editing (track 1, 5)
  • Lee Min-kyu – recording (track 1–3), engineered for mix (track 2), digital editing, mixing (track 3)
  • Kang Eun-ji – recording (track 1, 6)
  • Lee Ji-hong – recording, engineered for mix, mixing (track 4), digital editing (track 6)
  • Kim Kwang-min – recording (track 4)
  • Jung Eui-seok – recording, mixing (track 5)
  • Jeong Yoo-ra – recording (track 6), digital editing, mixing (track 2)
  • Jeong Ki-hong – recording (track 6)
  • Choi Da-in – recording (track 6)
  • Kang Sun-young – digital editing (track 1)
  • Woo Min-jeong – digital editing (track 2)
  • Jang Woo-young – digital editing (track 4)
  • Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 1, 6)
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (all tracks)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Drama
Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[48] Million 1,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide (IFPI) — 1,500,000[31]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history for Drama
Region Date Format Label
South Korea November 10, 2023 CD
Various

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The IFPI Global Albums chart ranks, in order, the albums that generated the most money globally across streaming, download, and physical record sales (combined) in a calendar year. The Global Album Sales Chart measures global unit sales across all physical formats, as well as full album downloads.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lee, Jian (April 17, 2023). "Aespa's upcoming third EP will be titled 'My World'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Park, Soo-in (October 11, 2023). 에스파 11월10일 'Drama'로 컴백, 신드롬 또 일으키나 [Aespa's comeback with 'Drama' on November 10th, will it cause another syndrome?] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Park, Dong-seon (October 16, 2023). 에스파, 신보 'Drama' 스케줄러 공개 [Aespa unveils new album 'Drama' scheduler] (in Korean). ET News. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  4. ^ Kim, Na-yul (October 30, 2023). 에스파, 'Drama' 무드 샘플러 공개..드라마틱한 변신 [Aespa unveils 'Drama' mood sampler..dramatic transformation] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Naver.
  5. ^ Lee, Seong-myeong (November 3, 2023). 에스파 '드라마' 강렬한 퍼포먼스 예고 [Aespa's 'drama' strong performance preview] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyung. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Kim, Na-yul (November 6, 2023). 에스파 윈터X지젤, 'Drama'서 수준급 연기..10일 컴백 [Aespa Winter X Giselle, Top-notch acting in 'Drama'..comeback on the 10th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. ^ 에스파 '드라마' 발매기념 팝업스토어 연다 [Aespa opens a pop-up store to celebrate the release of 'Drama']. Sports Kyunghyung. November 7, 2023. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Go, Seung-ah (November 9, 2023). 에스파, 카리스마 넘치는 매력...신곡 '드라마' 뮤비 티저 공개 [Aespa, charismatic charm...New song 'Drama' music video teaser released] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Kim, Ji-hye (November 10, 2023). 에스파, 오늘(10일) 새 미니앨범 베일 벗는다..新 '드라마퀸' 탄생 [Aespa unveils new mini album today (10th)..new 'drama queen' born] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
  10. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (October 11, 2023). "Aespa Will Bring Larger Than Life 'Drama' on Fourth Mini Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Cho, Hye-jin (November 3, 2023). '컴백 D-7' 에스파, 트랙 포스터 속 '하이라이트 메들리' 이목 ['Comeback D-7' Aespa, attention is drawn to the 'highlight medley' in the track poster] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Naver.
  12. ^ a b c Aitken, Abbie (November 10, 2023). "aespa – Drama". Clash. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Murray, Robin (August 22, 2023). "aespa Share Summer Anthem 'Better Things'". Clash. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (July 31, 2023). 에스파 서머송 온다, 8월 18일 영어 싱글 'Better Things' 발매 [Aespa Summer Song Comes, English single 'Better Things' released on August 18th] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  15. ^ a b "Circle Album Chart – Week 46 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of November 15, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums – Week of November 15, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  18. ^ 週間 アルバムランキング – 2023年11月27日付 [Oricon Weekly Albums Ranking – November 27, 2023]. Oricon (in Japanese). November 13–19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  19. ^ 週間 合算アルバムランキング – 2023年11月27日付 [Oricon Weekly Combined Albums Ranking – November 27, 2023]. Oricon (in Japanese). November 13–19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  20. ^ "Billboard 200 – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Billboard World Albums – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart – November 17–23, 2023". Official Charts Company. November 17–23, 2023. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Official Albums Sales Chart – November 17–23, 2023". Official Charts Company. November 17–23, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Official Physical Albums Chart – November 17–23, 2023". Official Charts Company. November 17–23, 2023. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  25. ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commercing November 20, 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1759. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 20, 2023. p. 25.
  26. ^ "Top Albums – Week of November 17, 2023". SNEP (in French). November 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 46. hét" [Album Top 40 Chart – Week 46 of 2023]. MAHASZ (in Hungarian). November 10–16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  28. ^ a b "OLiS – Oficjalna Lista Sprzedaży – Albumy – November 10–16, 2023" [OLiS – Official Sales Chart – Album – November 10–16, 2023]. OLiS. ZPAV. November 10–16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart – November 17–23, 2023". Official Charts Company. November 17–23, 2023. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  30. ^ a b "100 Albums Weekly – Week 46 (November 10–16, 2023)". PROMUSICAE. November 10–16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Taylor Swift, Seventeen and Morgan Wallen top IFPI Global Album Charts" (Press release). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. March 28, 2024. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  32. ^ Jo, Hye-jin (November 6, 2023). 에스파 윈터·지젤 수준급 연기력...주연 된 'Drama' 공개 [Aespa Winter and Giselle's top-notch acting skills...'Drama' starring the main character revealed] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Kim, Na-yul (November 7, 2023). '컴백 D-3' 에스파, 'Drama' 팝업스토어 오픈..자이언트 테마 ['Comeback D-3' Aespa opens 'Drama' pop-up store...Giant theme] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Aespa (2023). Drama (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment. Credits.
  35. ^ "Drama – Week 1, 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  36. ^ "Lescharts.com – Aespa – Drama". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-12-11" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  38. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-12-11" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of December 6, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Aespa – Drama". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  42. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  43. ^ "Aespa Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  44. ^ "Aespa Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  45. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-12" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  46. ^ "Circle Album Chart – November 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  47. ^ "Album Chart 2023". Circle Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  48. ^ "South Korean album certifications – Aespa – Drama" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved January 11, 2023.
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