Binary Code is the fifth extended play by South Korean boy group Oneus. It was released by RBW and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on May 11, 2021.

Binary Code
EP by
ReleasedMay 11, 2021
GenreK-pop
Length16:59
LabelRBW
Oneus chronology
Devil
(2021)
Binary Code
(2021)
Blood Moon
(2021)
Singles from Binary Code
  1. "Black Mirror"
    Released: May 11, 2021
Music video
"Black Mirror" on YouTube

Background and release

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The EP contains the lead single "Black Mirror", a rock version of their debut song "Valkyrie", and three new tracks. Group member Ravn co-wrote the lead single "Black Mirror".[1]

Puah Ziwei, writing for NME, noted that the lead single "Black Mirror"'s music video "seem to draw inspiration from the late Michael Jackson" and the "lyrics also reference a number of the late pop icon's hits, including 'Bad' and 'Man In The Mirror'."[1]

Commercial performance

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The EP ranked at number 2 for the weekly Gaon Album Chart[2] and number 4 for the monthly chart.[2] The EP sold 103,240 copies in South Korea by the end of June 2021.[3]

Critical reception

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In addition, Black Mirror has been listed as one of 'The Best K-Pop Tracks of 2021' by Dazed. Dazed stated " There's the slap of funk bass and washes of strings, elements that comprised the backbone of 1979's Off The Wall, but ONEUS's composers have recalibrated the analogue into a cool, impersonal sheen of digital production. It's a canny twist; a thumping, computerised nu-disco backdrop for the song's flesh and blood lament – the loss of human connection within the technological age."[4]

Year-end lists

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Select year-end rankings of track Black Mirror
Critic/Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Dazed The Best K-Pop Tracks of 2021 14 [5]

Track listing

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No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Black Mirror"
  • Kim Do-hoon
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Seo Yong-bae
  • Basick
  • Inner child
  • Ravn
  • Kim Do-hoon
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Seo Yong-bae
  • Inner child
  • Kim Do-hoon
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Seo Yong-bae
3:40
2."Connect with Us"
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Seo Yong-bae
  • Lee Ho-sang
  • Ravn
  • Leedo
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Seo Yong-bae
  • Lee Ho-sang
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Seo Yong-bae
  • Lee Ho-sang
2:54
3."Polarity" (울과 기름)
  • Koko Tofu Dad
  • Ravn
  • Leedo
  • Koko Tofu Dad
  • Ravn
Koko Tofu Dad3:27
4."Happy Birthday"
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Ravn
  • Leedo
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
3:11
5."Valkyrie (Rock ver.)" (발키리)
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Inner child
  • Ravn
  • Leedo
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Inner child
  • Ming-ki
  • Lee Sang-ho
  • Lee Ho-sang
  • Ming-ki
  • Koko Tofu Dad
3:47
Total length:16:59

Charts

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Album

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Songs

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Weekly charts

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Chart performance for
"Black Mirror"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Japanese Singles (Oricon)[8] 17
South Korea (Gaon)[9] 134

Release history

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Release history and formats for Binary Code
Region Date Format Label
South Korea May 11, 2021
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming

Certification and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Album
South Korea (KMCA) 103,240[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ziwei, Puah (May 11, 2021). "ONEUS drop Michael Jackson-inspired video for 'Black Mirror'". NME. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c 2021년 20주차 Album Chart [Album Chart for Week 20 of 2021]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Cumulative sales for Binary Code:
  4. ^ Glasby, Taylor (December 20, 2021). "The best K-pop tracks of 2021". Dazed. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  5. ^ Glasby, Taylor (December 20, 2021). "The best K-pop tracks of 2021". Dazed. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-05-31/p/4" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
  7. ^ 2021년 05월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  8. ^ ONEUSのランキング [Oneus rankings] (in Japanese). Oricon Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  9. ^ 2021년 20주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Digital Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2022.