Light Up (EP)

Light Up
Digital and "Light Spectrum" version.
EP by
ReleasedSeptember 24, 2020 (2020-09-24)
Recordedmid 2020
VenueSeoul, South Korea
StudioTOP Media
Genre
Length20:07
LanguageKorean
Label
UP10TION chronology
The Moment of Illusion
(2019)
Light Up
(2020)
Connection
(2021)
Singles from Light Up
  1. "Light"
    Released: September 24, 2020
  2. "Destiny"
    Released: November 27, 2020

Light Up is the ninth extended play from South Korean boy band UP10TION. It was released on September 24, 2020, by TOP Media. The album consists of six tracks including the title track "Light" and promotional single "Destiny".

Background

[edit]

After the release of "The Moment of Illusion" in August 2019. UP10TION continued promoting and interacting with fans in 2019. Starting in 2020, the group was on a hiatus, greeting fans on V Live time to time. On April 7, 2020, TOP Media announced that band-member Jinhoo would go on a hiatus due to health concerns, leaving the group to continue with remaining members Kuhn, Kogyeol, Bitto, Sunyol, Gyujin, Hwanhee and Xiao. TOP Media also announced that UP10TION would attempt a comeback in the summer of 2020, but then it was delay until September 2020.[1][2] Member Sunyoul appeared on "MBN Voice Trot" during their hiatus.[3] Jinhyuk and Wooseok also were not involved in the creation of this album and have been on hiatus since 2019.

Release and promotion

[edit]

The first announcement of a comeback was revealed on their Twitter on August 6 titled "Get ready for UP10TION". It included an album pre-talk, recording behind, dance practice behind and jacket preview expanding August 13 to September 3. All of was released through UP10TION's YouTube channel.

On September 4, 2020, TOP Media released the schedule for UP10TION's ninth mini-album "Light Up".[4] On September 23, 2020, UP10TION released the music video for the eponymous single, "Light".[5] They held a "Rooftop Live" and performed one of their side, "I See You (Waiting For You)" along with the title song "Light".[6] The album was released on various websites digitally and physically.[7][8] The music video took 30 hours to be filmed. The group promoted the record for four weeks from September 23 to October 17 on M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

On October 8, in an interview with various medias, member Kuhn said:

"I would like to thank all the HONEY10s who have been waiting for a long time. It's been a long time since we made a comeback, so I'm unusually nervous".[17]

On November 10, TOP Media announced UP10TION was to release a second single, "Destiny" after it was picked by fans via online vote.[18] The music video was released on November 27. The group began promotion of the single by appearing on Show! Music Core[19] and Inkigayo,[20] but this promotional cycle was halted after Bitto tested positive for COVID-19 on November 30.[21] Kogyeol additionally tested positive on December 1[22] and Xiao tested positive on December 15.[23]

As of December 30, all of three members have recovered from COVID-19.[24][25]

Concept and album

[edit]

The members revealed they have been working on the album for a very long time. In an interview with Pops in Seoul, Gyujin said the concept of the album is there are seven light hunters trying to chase for light. Once they chased the light, they realized they're one another's light, illuminating each other. Melon also described the concept for this album "UP10TION transformed into light hunters who purse the light".[26]

The album had two versions, "Light Spectrum" and "Light Hunter".[27][28] In "Light Hunter" version, the members lost their light and show variety images of the lost. The members are present in black suits with strong charisma. In "Light Spectrum" version, the members have discovered the light with various color suits.[29][30][31]

Each version of the album had an 80-page booklet with 1 photocard, 1 tarot card, 1 bookmark and a CD.

Songs

[edit]

Kuhn was co-credited with writing all six songs, while Bitto was co-credited on five songs on the albums.[32]

The first track, "Light" is the title track of the album and was written and produced by Choi Hyun-Joon and Kim Seung Soo.[33] It's described with a "catchy house" with "electric guitars" with refreshing and cool "synth sounds".[7] "Destiny" is a bright up light song with whistling and finger snapping. The song has a groovy feeling to it. "Stop The Clock" has been a song the group has been wanting to release for a long time. The song shifts from a slow pace before a fast pace at the chorus with an attractive feeling to it. "Dawn" has a tropical sound at first before shifting into a somewhat EDM with Spanish guitar sounds. "Waiting For You" is a sentimental song. The lyrics described by Kuhn as "How I see you whenever I go. It describes a person in love". The last track of the album, "Empty House" first has a mellow tempo and a jazzing piano playing before the mood of the song slightly increases. The song also shows the harmonization of the member's vocals and the whisper raps.[34]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The EP sold 52,048+ copies in South Korea in 2020.[35] It peaked at number four on the 40th week of Gaon Album Chart.[36] On the Monthly chart, it peaked at 20 on Gaon Monthly Charts of September with 24,974 copies sold and October 2020 with the same ranking with an additional 23,721 copies sold.[37][38] It dropped 62 places in November with an additional 3,353+ copies sold before it dropped out of the charts.[39]

Track listing

[edit]
Official track list[40]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementsLength
1."Light"최현준, 김승수, Kuhn, Bitto최현준, 김승수최현준, 김승수3:28
2."Destiny"$UN, Kuhn, Bitto$UN, Moon Kim, 배민수, $aimon배민수, $UN, $aimon3:05
3."Stop The Clock"미성 (Music Cube), Kuhn, BittoSimon Janlov, MLCSimon Janlov for Hitfire Production (Simon Janlov)3:13
4."Dawn"YOSKE, Alive Knob, Kuhn, Bitto이민영 (Eastwest), YOSKE, Holy M이민영 (Eastwest), Holy M3:38
5."Waiting For You"오브로스 (OBROS), zomay, real-fantasy, MAYFLY, Kuhn, Bitto오브로스 (OBROS), zomay, real-fantasy, MAYFLY오브로스 (OBROS), real-fantasy, zomay3:18
6."Empty House"Choi Jeon Gun (Ryan IM), KuhnChoi Jeon Gun (Ryan IM), 1HzChoi Jeon Gun (Ryan IM), 1Hz3:25
Total length:20:07

Credits and personnel

[edit]
  • Kuhn - rap, background vocals
  • Kogyeol - vocals, background vocals
  • Bitto - rap, background vocals
  • Sunyoul - vocals, background vocals
  • Gyujin - vocals, background vocals
  • Hwanhee - vocals, background vocals
  • Xiao - vocals, background vocals

Release history

[edit]
Country Date Format Label
South Korea September 24, 2020 TOP Media, Kakao M
Worldwide

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (2020-04-08). "Jinhoo focus on health issues, skips UP10TION's album". koreajoongangdaily. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  2. ^ "Jinhoo goes on hiatus, UP10TION comeback in summer as 7". Soompi. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  3. ^ J.K (2020-05-22). "Sunyoul joins "Voice Trot"". Soompi. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  4. ^ Myung, Hisk (2020-09-04). "UP10TON revealed "comeback schedule"!" UP10TION、9月24日に約1年ぶりのカムバック!スケジュールを公開…7人組で活動を予告 [UP10TION makes a comeback on September 24th for the first time in about a year! Schedule released ... 7 people announce activity]. kstyle (in Japanese). mydaily. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  5. ^ Park, Seo-hyun (2020-09-24). "UP10TION new song "Light" is released!" [팝's신곡]"닫힌 널 열어줘"‥업텐션, 7人7色 매력의 헌터들 '라이트' [[Pop's new song] "Open the closed you"… UP10TION, 7人7-color charm hunters'Light']. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  6. ^ Park, Seo-hyun (2020-09-24). "UP10TION helds "Rooftop Live" for fans who've been waiting for comeback for a long time" '컴백' 업텐션, 오늘(24일) '루프탑 라이브'서 수록곡 '니가 보여' 최초 공개 ['Comeback' UP10TION, the first released song'I Can See You' in'Rooftop Live' today (24th)]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  7. ^ a b Ji, Min-kyung (2020-09-24). "UP10TION new album "Light Up" released on various music charts!" "한계를 뛰어 넘어" 업텐션의 빛나는 순간..치명적 청량 매력 'Light' [퇴근길 신곡] [“Beyond the Limits” The shining moment of UP10TION.. Deadly refreshing charm'Light' [New song on the way home from work]]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  8. ^ Top Media (2020-09-09). "UP10TION physical copy can be pre-order!" [공지] 업텐션(UP10TION) [Light UP] 예약 페이지 오픈 안내 [[Notice] UP10TION [Light UP] Reservation page open announcement]. itopgroup (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  9. ^ Kim, Eunae (2020-09-25). "UP10TION comeback with "Light" on Music Bank on the 25th!" ‘뮤직뱅크’ 업텐션, 컬러 슈트로 청량섹시 발산..시선강탈 ‘Light’ ['Music Bank' UP10TION, radiating cool and sexy with a color suit...'Light' stealing eyes]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  10. ^ Jin, Ju-hee (2020-09-26). "UP10TION comeback with "Light" on Show! Music Core on the 26th!" `음악중심` 업텐션, 청량 섹시 가득 `Light`로 컴백 ['Music-oriented' UP10TION, comeback with'Light' full of cool and sexy]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  11. ^ Park, Seo-yeon (2020-09-27). "UP10TION comeback with "Light" on Inkigayo on the 27th!" '인기가요' 업텐션, 블랙 수트로 팬심 저격..청량 섹시+절제美 [ko: 'Inkigayo' UP10TION, snipers fan hearts with black suit..Cool sexy + moderation beauty]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  12. ^ Kwak, Hyun-soo (2020-10-08). "UP10TION perform "Light" on M Countdown on the 8th!" 업텐션, 네이비 슈트ver ‘Light’로 청량 섹시 美 (‘엠카운트다운’) [UP10TION, a sexy beauty with a navy suit ver'Light' ('M Countdown')]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  13. ^ Kim, Na-kyung (2020-10-10). "UP10TION performs "Light" on Show! Music Core on the 10th!" ‘음악중심’ 업텐션, 대체불가 매력 Light’로 무대 장악 ['Music-oriented' UP10TION, dominated the stage with irreplaceable charm Light]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  14. ^ Jo, Yoo-kyung (2020-10-11). "UP10TION perform "Light" on Inkigayo on the 11th!" ‘인기가요’ 업텐션, 핑크 슈트로 ‘청량 섹시’ UP…팬심 저격 완료 ['Inkigayo' UP10TION,'Cool Sexy' UP with a pink suit... Fan-Sim Sniper Complete]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  15. ^ Jin, Ju-hee (2020-10-15). "UP10TION "Light" performance on M Countdown on 15th!" '엠카' 업텐션, 퍼플 슈트 장착→완벽 칼군무 '절제 섹시' ['M-Ka' UP10TION, equipped with purple suit → Perfect sword group dance'Moderate sexy']. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  16. ^ Kim, Minji (2020-10-17). "UP10TION "Light" goodbye stage on MBC Show! Music Core" '음악중심' 업텐션, '라이트'로 아쉬운 굿바이 무대…눈부신 성장 입증 ['Music-oriented' UP10TION,'Light' disappointing goodbye stage… Proof of remarkable growth]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  17. ^ Park, Arum (2020-10-08). "UP10TION "Light UP" interview!" UP10TION、9thミニアルバム「Light UP」をリリース“7人体制で初の活動…不足していた部分を補った” [UP10TION releases 9th mini-album "Light UP" "First activity with 7 people ... Compensating for the lacking part"]. kstyle (in Japanese). newsen. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  18. ^ "Destiny picked by fans, UP10TION starts to promote Destiny". 10 November 2020.
  19. ^ Jo, Sung-woon (2020-11-28). "UP10TION comes back with follow up single "Destiny" on Show! Music Core on the 28th!" ‘음악중심’ 업텐션, ‘Destiny’ 무대 최초 공개…‘텐션 UP 중독성 UP’ ['Music Core' UP10TION,'Destiny' first released on stage... 'Tension UP Addictive UP']. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  20. ^ Jo, Yoo-kyung (2020-11-29). "UP10TION performs follow up single "Destiny" on Inkigayo on the 29th!" ‘인기가요’ 업텐션, ‘Destiny’로 비주얼+퍼포먼스 정점 ['Inkigayo' UP10TION, visual + performance peak with'Destiny']. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  21. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (2020-11-30). "Bitto tested positive for COVID-19, Destiny promotions end" [단독]업텐션 멤버 비토 코로나19 양성 판정, 가요계 초비상 [[Exclusive] Uptension member Vito tested positive for Corona 19, first prize in the music industry]. Naver (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  22. ^ Kim, Minji (2020-12-01). "Kogyeol tested positive for COVID-19" 업텐션 고결, 비토 이어 코로나19 확진…몬스타엑스 민혁·아이즈원 '음성'(종합) [Uptension Kogyeol, Vito followed Corona 19 confirmed... Monsta X's Minhyuk and IZone'Voice' (Comprehensive)]. koreajoongangdaily (in Korean). news1. Retrieved 2021-03-02 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Reakkana (2020-12-17). "Xiao tested positive for COVID-19". anewsa. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  24. ^ Kim, Hyun-seo (2020-12-15). "Bitto tested negative for COVID-19" 업 텐션 샤오, 비토, 코로나 19 무증상 확인 [UP10TION Xiao, Vito, corona 19 asymptomatic confirmed]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  25. ^ Lee, Mi-young (2020-12-30). "Xiao and Kogyeol recover from COVID-19, return to normal life" 업텐션 샤오·고결, 격리해제 "일상 생활 복귀" [UP10TION Xiao and Kogyeol releases quarantine "Return to everyday life"]. joynews24 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  26. ^ "UP10TION "Light Up" behind!" 업텐션 (UP10TION) TMI 작성 현장 & 'Light' MV 촬영 현장 [UP10TION TMI creation site &'Light' MV shooting site]. Melon (in Korean). Melon Magazine. 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  27. ^ "Light Up Spectrum version, individual photos". 9 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Light Up Hunter version, individual photos". 14 September 2020.
  29. ^ Park, Arum (2020-10-08). "UP10TION "Light Up" album interview" UP10TION、9thミニアルバム「Light UP」をリリース“7人体制で初の活動…不足していた部分を補った” [UP10TION releases 9th mini-album "Light UP" "First activity with 7 people ... Compensating for the lacking part"]. kstyle (in Japanese). newsen. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  30. ^ "UP10TION album concept". Twitter. 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  31. ^ Cho, Ji-eun (2020-09-14). "UP10TION "Hunter" photos released individually" 업텐션, 오는 24일 'Light UP'으로 컴백 [UP10TION, comeback with'Light UP' on the 24th]. topdaily (in Korean). Top Daily. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  32. ^ "Kuhn and Bitto participation in album". slist.kr (in Korean). 9 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  33. ^ "Choi Hyun-Joon and Kim Seung Soo composed and written UP10TION's "Light"" [UP10TION, [Light UP] Release the tracklist...Choi Hyun-joon and Kim Seung-soo raised expectations for 'Light']. fannstar (in Korean). 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  34. ^ Ly (2020-09-25). "UP10TION "Light Up" track review". hellokpop. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  35. ^ Gaon (2021-01-01). "UP10TION sells 52,048 copies of their album" 2021년 01월 Album Chart. gaonchart (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  36. ^ Gaon (2020-10-03). "UP10TION peaks at number 4 on Gaon Weekly Charts between September 27 - October 3" 2020년 40주차 Album Chart. gaonchart (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  37. ^ Gaon (2020-10-01). "UP10TION peaks at 20 on Gaon Monthly Charts of September" 2020년 09월 Album Chart. gaonchart (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  38. ^ Gaon (2020-11-01). "UP10TION stays at 20 on Gaon Monthly Charts of October" 2020년 10월 Album Chart. gaonchart (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  39. ^ Gaon (2020-12-01). "Light Up ranks at 82, drops 62 places from 20" 2020년 11월 Album Chart. gaonchart (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  40. ^ "UP10TION track list for "Light Up"". Vibe (in Korean). 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2021-03-01.