Hello (Joy EP)

Hello
Digital and physical (case/cassette) version cover
EP by
Joy
ReleasedMay 31, 2021 (2021-05-31)
Recorded2021
StudioSM Studio Center (Seoul)
Length22:45
LanguageKorean
Label
Producer
  • Kenzie
  • Hwang Seong-je (ButterFly)
  • Hwang-hyun (MonoTree)
  • MinGtion
  • Baek Mun-chi
  • Lundi Blues
Singles from Hello
  1. "Je T'aime"
    Released: May 26, 2021
  2. "Hello"
    Released: May 31, 2021
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[1]

Hello (Korean: 안녕; RR: Annyeong) is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Joy. It was released on May 31, 2021, through SM Entertainment, marketed as a special release. The EP consists of six new remakes of songs from the 1990s and 2000s, including the title song "Hello" and pre-released single "Je T'aime". In addition, a number of top musicians participated in the album such as Kenzie, Hwang Seong-jae, Hwang Hyeon, MinGtion, Park Moon-chi, and Lundi Blues.

Background and release

[edit]

South Korean news outlet Star News reported on May 12, that Joy would be releasing her first solo album later in May.[2] SM Entertainment later confirmed to Newsen that the singer was preparing the project, but did not specify a release date at the time.[3] On May 17, it was announced that Hello will be released on May 31, consisting of six remake songs released from the 1990 to 2000s.[4] On May 26, "Je T'aime" was pre-released, the song is a remake of the same name song by Hey released in 2001.[5] The extended play was released digitally on May 31, alongside the music video for the title track, "Hello".[6]

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

"I really like the retro sentiment to the extent that I think I want to be born in that era, a lot of films and works from those times have this modest but clean feel, and I wanted to put that into my album. My No. 1 goal was to not damage the sentiment of the original songs. I didn't want the (remade version) to sound like completely different songs. At the same time, I thought hard about how I could use my voice for a unique edge.

Joy on the album's sound.[7]

The album contains six covers of classic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.[8] The title track is a modern rock remake of singer Park Hye-kyung's "Hello" released in 2003.[9] The song features Joy's "cool" vocals in harmony, "cheerful" brass, and a "speedy" arrangement.[9] Its lyrics share a "hopeful" message to forget the past and welcome a new day.[9] "Je T'aime" is a cover of the song released by Hey in 2001.[10] The song was reinterpreted from the track's original "fresh and jazzy vibes" into a "colorful and classical arrangement".[11] The track includes a dance-like piano performance and has an "elegant string melody" that maximizes the "fantastic atmosphere" of it.[12] The lyrics are noted for "Joy's lovely confession with a sweet tone".[13] "Day By Day" is a remake of the song of the same name released in 1999 by the female duo As One.[14] The song is a medium-tempo R&B ballad song with a "groovy" bass rhythm and lyrical sound that "stimulates emotions".[14]

"If Only" featuring Paul Kim, is a remake of a song by singer Sung Si-kyung released in 2002.[15] It creates a "poignant and romantic atmosphere" with a band arrangement and soft flute performance. "Happy Birthday to You" is a medium tempo ballad remake of a song released by Kwon Jin Won in 1999.[16] with an acoustic sound-based arrangement, Joy's vocals "vividly express the happiness and excitement you feel on the way to celebrate your loved one's birthday".[16] "Be There for You" is a solo version of Toy's song released in 1996.[17] The track was reinterpreted into a retro synth-pop using a variety of keyboard instruments such as piano, synths, and melodies.[17]

Track listing

[edit]
Track listing for Hello
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Hello" (안녕; Annyeong)
  • Park Hye-kyung
  • Kang Hyun-min
  • Park Ji-won
  • Kang Hyun-min
Kenzie3:38
2."Je T'aime"Lee Do-yeonYoo Jeong-yeonHwang Seong-je4:21
3."Day by Day"Yoon Sa-raShim Sang-wonminGtion4:10
4."If Only" (좋을텐데; Joh-eultende) (featuring Paul Kim)Yoon Young-junYoon Young-junHwang Hyun (MonoTree)3:48
5."Happy Birthday to You"Yoo Ki-hwanKwon Jin-wonLundi Blues2:54
6."Be There for You" (그럴때마다; Geureolttaemada; lit. Every Time)Yoo Hee-yeolYoo Hee-yeolPark Moonchi3:57
Total length:22:45

Charts

[edit]

Joy's special album "Hello" reached number one on the iTunes Album charts of 26 countries and entered the Top 5 of the US iTunes Album Chart.[18] Joy's title track "Hello" reached the Top 10 of the Gaon Digital Chart, with all 6 tracks from her special album debuting on the chart.[19] Joy's title track "Hello" also reached the Top 10 of Billboard's K-Pop Hot 100, with 5 tracks in total from her album also entering the chart.[20]

Chart performance for Hello
Chart (2021) Peak
position 		Sales
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[21] 4 KOR: 148,874[22]
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[23] 31 JPN: 2363 (Phy.)[24]

Release history

[edit]
Release history for Hello
Region Date Format Label
Various May 31, 2021
South Korea June 3, 2021
August 30, 2021 Vinyl LP

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kim, Do-yeon. "Album Review Joy – 'Hello'". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Chin, Carmen (May 17, 2021). "Red Velvet's Joy unveils details of upcoming solo album, 'Hello'". NME. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Lee, Min-ji (May 12, 2021). "SM 측 "레드벨벳 조이 리메이크 앨범 준비 중"(공식입장)". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Kim, Ye-na (May 17, 2021). "레드벨벳 조이, 31일 스페셜 앨범 발매…데뷔 첫 솔로 [공식입장]". X-sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Lee, Min-ji (May 26, 2021). "레드벨벳 조이, 더 사랑스러워진 소녀의 '쥬뗌므'[들어보고서]". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "[종합] 레드벨벳 조이, 솔로 데뷔 "리메이크 앨범, 밝은 에너지 전하고파"". Sports Donga (in Korean). May 31, 2021. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  7. ^ "Red Velvet's Joy goes retro in debut solo album". The Korea Herald. June 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Yeo, Gladys (June 1, 2021). "Red Velvet's Joy on the old-school sound of 'Hello': "I really like that retro vibe"". NME. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Kwak, Hyun-soo (May 31, 2021). "레드벨벳 조이 '안녕' 들고 솔로 데뷔 (공식)". YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Kang, Da-yoon (May 21, 2021). '솔로 데뷔' 레드벨벳 조이, 수록곡 '쥬뗌므' 26일 선공개 ['Solo Debut' of Red Velvet's Joy, 'Je T'aime' will be Pre-released on the 26th]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  11. ^ Hwang, Chae-hyun (May 21, 2021). 조이, 스페셜 앨범 수록곡 '쥬뗌므' 26일 음원 선공개 [Joy's Special Album Song 'Je T'aime' will be Pre-released on the 26th]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  12. ^ Park, Seo-yeon (May 21, 2021). 레드벨벳 조이, 26일 스페셜 앨범 수록곡 'Je T'aime' 음원 선공개 [Red Velvet's Joy Pre-released Song 'Je T'aime' from Her Special Album on the 26th]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  13. ^ Park, Kyung-hee (May 21, 2021). 레드벨벳 조이, 26일 'Je T'aime' 음원 선공개...러블리 티저 눈길 [Red Velvet's Joy, Pre-release of 'Je T'aime' on the 26th, Lovely Teaser Preview]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Hwang, Ji-young (May 23, 2021). "조이가 부르는 '데이 바이 데이'". Isplus (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "Joy - Hello". Melon (in Korean). May 31, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Park, Dong-jae (May 25, 2021). "레드벨벳 조이, 'Happy Birthday To You' 리메이크..상큼 비타민 보이스". BreakNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Sun, Mi-kyung (May 22, 2021). "레드벨벳 조이, 토이 '그럴때마다' 리메이크..따뜻한 울림 선사". Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  18. ^ 김, 예나. "레드벨벳 조이, 31일 스페셜 앨범 발매…데뷔 첫 솔로 [공식입장]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". Gaon Chart. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  20. ^ "빌보드코리아(Billboard Korea)". billboard.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  21. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 23, 2021". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  22. ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". Gaon Chart. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  23. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-06-21". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  24. ^ "2021년 상반기 일본에서 가장 많이 팔린 한국어앨범 순위.txt". 네이트판 (in Korean). Retrieved September 10, 2021.
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