| PLAY |
PLAY is the debut studio album by AKMU, which was released on April 7, 2014 by YG Entertainment and distributed by KT Music as their first release since winning K-pop Star 2 in 2012. The album consists of 11 tracks, including the triple title tracks "Give Love", "200%", and "Melted".
Description[]
| “ |
AKMU, the sibling duo of Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun, are from Mongolia. With a different upbringing than most teenagers, their first appearance on K-Pop Star alongside nature was refreshingly new. Perhaps what we needed in our monotonous daily lives was the ordinary yet beautifully optimistic perspective of these two siblings. With catchy lyrics and lively melodies, AKMU captured the hearts of the judges and the public in an instant during the program. Their reinterpretation of ordinary themes and playful transitions always feel pleasant and comforting. A year after the audition, AKMU is now bringing a breath of fresh air as YG Entertainment's rookie artists with their debut album. Their debut album [PLAY] signifies playing and communicating through music. The teaser video and album jacket, shot in Jeju Island, showcase AKMU's pure and untainted image, reminiscent of mysterious beings in the forest. Raised in Mongolia, the siblings blend seamlessly with nature, and their album exudes a healthy, organic vibe that stands out from the rest, which might even feel extraordinary when seen through the eyes of the outside world. They see the complicated and dizzying world with a pure perspective, naturally expressing it through their music like organic farming. In this debut album, the siblings tackle common subjects with their unique perspectives. Tracks like “On the Subway,” “Anyway,” and “Hair Part” are infused with AKMU's imaginative and creative flair, making them relatable to all listeners. Their music offers subtle healing to those exhausted by the world. LEE CHANHYUK, the main producer of AKMU, composed and wrote lyrics for all the songs, showcasing his talents as a singer-songwriter. SUHYUN's stable and soothing voice adds pure strength to the music. The sight of the guitar-playing brother and singing sister bring a warm smile to our faces. Hoping that AKMU's extraordinary music brings comfort to this chaotic world, we press play on their musical journey. |
” |
| — YG Entertainment Official Website [2] | ||
Background[]
On March 31, 2014, YG Entertainment revealed the first teaser picture. On April 1, the second teaser picture was revealed, followed by the album's track list on April 2.
Composition[]
Lee Chan Hyuk produced and wrote all the songs on the "PLAY" album. YG Entertainment's CEO Yang Hyun-suk explained,
"Up to now, I was in charge of producing albums for many singers. However, Akdong Musician's was the hardest for me. The musical genres I had mainly worked with were hip hop and R&B. However, Akdong Musician's genre is folk. It was a genre I have never tried before, so it was only right that they did it themselves. The two members of Akdong Musician debuted at an extremely young age. This year, Chanhyuk will be 18 and Suhyun will be 15. Because they are so young, if I were to order them to do this and that, their purity could get ruined. I decided it might actually be much more effective if the siblings personally [produced] it. As you can see by the results, this was verified after the album came out.
Promotion and release[]
The album was digitally released on April 7, 2014. The album, consisting of 11 songs, was released worldwide through iTunes, Melon, Genie, and other online music portals. The physical album hit stores on April 9. The group's first stage comeback was on K-pop Star 3 on April 6. "200%" and "Melted" had been chosen directly as the title tracks, and the third title track, "Give Love", was chosen on April 14 after a round of fan voting.
Critical reception[]
In 2024, EBS named PLAY one of the 100 best Korean popular music albums since 2004.[3]
Track list[]
- "Give Love" Title - 2:56
- "200%" Title - 3:13
- "Melted (얼음들)" Title - 3:55
- "On The Subway (지하철에서)" - 3:41
- "Hair Part (가르마)" - 3:46
- "Artificial Grass (인공잔디)" - 3:45
- "Don't Hate Me (안녕)" - 3:47
- "Little Star (작은별)" - 3:47
- "Anyway (길이나)" - 3:09
- "Idea (소재)" - 3:19
- "Galaxy" - 2:59
Audio[]
Spotify[]
Accolades[]
Music show wins[]
| Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "200%" | M! Countdown | April 17, 2014 | [4] |
| April 24, 2014 | [5] | ||
| May 1, 2014 | [6] | ||
| Show! Music Core | April 19, 2014 | [7] | |
| April 26, 2014 | |||
| May 3, 2014 | |||
| May 10, 2014 | |||
| Inkigayo | April 20, 2014 | [8] | |
| April 27, 2014 | [9] | ||
| May 4, 2014 | [10] |
Charts[]
| Country | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Gaon Album Chart (weekly) | 1 |
| Gaon Album Chart (monthly) | 3 | |
| Gaon Album Chart (mid-year) | 32 | |
| United States | Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart[1] | 20 |
| Billboard World Albums Chart[1] | 2 |
Sales[]
| Chart | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gaon physical sales | 33,750+ |
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Billboard.com: Akdong Musician: 21 Under 21 (2014) (11 September 2014)
- ↑ YG Entertainment Official Website
- ↑ 2000년대 한국 대중음악 명반 100 (2004–2023) (ko) (2024-04-01).
- ↑ Choi Ji-ye on My Daily (April 19, 2014): 악동뮤지션, 결방된 '엠카'서 데뷔 후 첫 1위 (Akdong Musician, first place after debut in 'M-Countdown')
- ↑ Moon Wan-sik on StarNews (April 24, 2014): 악동뮤지션, 결방 '엠카'서 2주 연속 1위 (trans-title=Akdong Musician, ranked 1st in Gyeolbang 'M-Countdown' for 2 consecutive weeks)
- ↑ Sun Mi-kyung on Osen (May 2, 2014): 악동뮤지션, 결방 '엠카'서 3주 연속 1위 (trans-title=Akdong Musician, ranked 1st in Gyeolbang 'M-Countdown' for 3 consecutive weeks)
- ↑ 음중차트 (Music Core Chart)
- ↑ Seoul Broadcasting System (April 20, 2014): <4월 셋째 주 인기가요 차트 > Inkigayo chart for the 3rd week of April
- ↑ Seoul Broadcasting System (April 27, 2014): <4월 넷째 주 인기가요 차트> Inkigayo chart for the 4th week of April
- ↑ Seoul Broadcasting System (May 8, 2014): <5월 첫째 주 인기가요 차트> Inkigayo chart for the 1st week of May
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