New Kids: Continue
New Kids: Continue | ||||
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![]() Digital and Red version cover. | ||||
EP by | ||||
Released | August 2, 2018 | |||
Length | 17:18 | |||
Sprache | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | B.I | |||
iKON chronology | ||||
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Singles from New Kids: Continue | ||||
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New Kids: Continue is the first extended play of South Korean boy band iKON. It is the third of the group's four-part album series that began with the single album New Kids: Begin and ended with the second extended play New Kids: The Final.[1] It was released by YG Entertainment on August 2, 2018.[2] iKON's leader B.I was credited as the only record producer of the EP. The EP contains 5 songs including the lead single "Killing Me", all written or co-written by B.I.[3] The physical album comes in two versions: Red & Blue.
Composition
[edit]The lead single of the album, "Killing Me", was released with a music video on August 2, 2018.[4] The song, a trap-dance track driven by wailing synths and a riotous beat,[4] describes feelings after a "painful breakup"; its title was inspired by the common phrase "this is killing me".[5] The music video conveyed the emotional devastation described in the lyrics through the use of flames, darkness, brightly hued sets, and expressive dance movements.[4] "Freedom" was released as the second single (referred to as "sub title") of the album on August 2.[6] It is described as a rock-infused song.[7]
Promotion
[edit]iKON held a dance cover contest for the song "Killing Me" from August 20 to September 30, 2018. Three winners were announced at the end of the contest.[8]
Reception
[edit]Commercial
[edit]In South Korea, New Kids: Continue debuted at 2 on the Gaon Album Chart.[9] In the United States, the album was No. 4 on Billboard World Albums, with about 1,000 copies sold.[10] In South Korea, "Killing Me" debuted at 19 on the Gaon Weekly Chart and rose to a peak of 9 the next week.[11] The song debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's World Digital Song Chart, marking the group's best sales to date.[10]
Critical
[edit]South China Morning Post praised the diversity and wild genre shift of the album but criticized it for following a predictable and standard pop formula.[12] Billboard praised the title song "Killing Me", saying that “unlike most K-pop songs, it forgoes a titular earworm hook, choosing instead a more dramatic declaration.”[13]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Titel | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
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1. | "Killing Me" (죽겠다; juggetda) | B.I |
|
| 3:13 |
2. | "Freedom" (바람; balam) |
|
| Millennium | 3:21 |
3. | "Only You" |
|
| Kang Uk-jin | 3:32 |
4. | "Cocktail" (칵테일; kagteil) |
|
| Millennium | 3:46 |
5. | "Just for You" (줄게; julge) | B.I |
|
| 3:21 |
Total length: | 17:00 |
Charts
[edit]Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
Japan Weekly Albums (Oricon) | 25 |
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) | 22 |
South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 2 |
US Billboard Top Heatseekers | 15 |
US Billboard World Albums | 4 |
US Billboard Independent Albums | 33 |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Music program awards
[edit]Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Killing Me" | M Countdown (Mnet) | August 9, 2018 | [14] |
Release history
[edit]Land | Date | Label | Format | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 2, 2018 | YG | Digital download, CD | [2] |
References
[edit]- ^ "iKON completes New Kids project : 'New Kids:Continue' is third EP for the popular boy band in 15 months". Korea JoongAng Daily. August 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "iKON to return with new album next month". Kpop Herald. July 17, 2018.
- ^ "iKON – 'NEW KIDS:CONTINUE' TRACKLIST". YG Life. July 27, 2018.
- ^ a b c "iKON Makes a Dramatic Return With Haunting New Single 'Killing Me'". Billboard. August 2, 2018.
- ^ "iKon explains meaning behind new single 'Killing Me'". Kpop Herald. August 2, 2018.
- ^ "'Comeback D-7' iKON Reveals Teaser Poster for Sub Title Song 'FREEDOM'". YG Life. July 26, 2018.
- ^ "iKON aims to repeat viral success with new album". Yonhap News. August 2, 2018.
- ^ "3 winners announced for iKON dance cover contest". Kpop Herald. October 4, 2018.
- ^ "2018년 32주차 Album Chart" [Album Chart – Week 32 of 2018 (New Kids: Continue] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
- ^ a b "iKON Hit New Peak on World Digital Song Sales Chart With 'Killing Me'". Billboard. August 9, 2018.
- ^ "2018년 32주차 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart.
- ^ "'New Kids: Continue' by iKon is underbaked, but worth a listen [Review]". South China Morning Post. August 12, 2018.
- ^ "iKON's 'Killing Me' earns Billboard's praise, tops iTunes charts in 24 countries". Kpop Herald. August 3, 2018.
- ^ "iKON Tops 'M Countdown' with the Song 'KILLING ME'… 'Overwhelming Performance in Music Charts'". YG Life. August 10, 2018.