Jeon Won Diary (Korean: 전원일기; RR: Jeon Won Ilgi, also translated as "Countryside Life", "Countryside Diaries" or "Rural Life") is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean girl group T-ara N4, a sub-unit of T-ara. It was released on April 29, 2013, and was promoted by the lead single of the same name. The song was written and produced by Duble Sidekick, with additional arrangement by Hwang Ho-jin. It features a guest verse from Speed's rapper, Woo Tae-woon. Musically, "Jeon Won Diary" is a dance-pop song with elements of hip-hop, while the lyrics are about wanting to escape from the day-to-day routine.
| Jeon Won Diary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| EP by | |
| Released | April 29, 2013 |
| Genre | |
| Label | Core Contents Media |
| Producer | Duble Sidekick |
| Singles from Jeon Won Diary | |
| |
Background and composition
editIn late March 2013, T-ara's agency Core Contents Media were in the midst of forming a new unit from the group with the members Eunjung, Areum, Jiyeon and Hyomin. The group previously tried sub-units with the release of their sixth Japanese single "Bunny Style!", in which the B-sides were sung by units of two and three members; however, this was their first time doing formal unit activities.[1]
The title track, "Jeon Won Diary", was inspired by the 1980s South Korean drama of the same name.[2] Produced by Duble Sidekick, the song is said to have "funky and intense" dance music combined with elements of hip-hop,[3] with the main motif of "Jeon Won Diary" being about breaking away from the same everyday routine.[2] Another version of the song, with traditional harmonies and instruments, was arranged by Hwang Ho-jun.[2]
The choreography was done by Jo Soo Hyun, known for his popular / viral works Psy's "Gangnam Style" and "Gentleman".
Music video
editBackground and synopsis
editThe music video for "Jeon Won Diary", directed by Jo Soo-hyun, was filmed over a period of three days and four nights. Jo, who is known for directing Psy's "Gangnam Style" and "Gentleman",[4] previously worked with T-ara on their "Bunny Style!" music video. The dance version of the music video was directed by Hong Won-ki.[4] A teaser for the video was shown at the 2013 M! Countdown in Taiwan concert, while the full music video premiered on YouTube, GomTV and other online music sites on April 29, 2013.[5] The video features cameo appearances from singer Kim Wan-sun, politician Huh Kyung-young, actor Jung Woon-taek, retired baseball player Yang Joon-hyuk, Davichi's Kang Min-kyung and Speed (aside from Tae-woon's rap verse, the other Speed members can be seen dancing alongside T-ara N4 in the end of the video).[6] Choi Bool-am and Kim Soo-mi, both actors from the Jeon Won Ilgi TV drama, came together for the first time in eleven years to appear in the video.[7]
The drama version depicts the group as tired farmhands who are bored of farm life. As their supervisor gets distracted, the members play hooky and decide to join a dance competition held in the city. The group members practice their dance routine throughout the farm, before heading out to the city where they win the competition.
Critical reception
editGrace Danbi Hong of enewsWorld rated the music video three and a half stars out of five, praising the video for its mix of "old and new" while commenting that international audiences won't be able to get the references.[8]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jeon Won Diary" (전원일기; Jeon Won Ilgi) (Feat. Duble Sidekick, Taewoon) | Duble Sidekick | Duble Sidekick, Hwang Ho-jun | 3:50 |
| 2. | "Can We Love" (Feat. Duble Sidekick) | Duble Sidekick | Duble Sidekick | 3:51 |
| 3. | "Jeon Won Diary (Electronic)" (Feat. Duble Sidekick, Taewoon) | Duble Sidekick | Duble Sidekick | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Jeon Won Diary (MR ver.)" | Duble Sidekick | 3:50 | |
| 5. | "Can We Love (Instrumental)" | Duble Sidekick | 3:51 | |
| Total length: | 19:14 | |||
Charts
edit| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Korea Gaon weekly albums | 3 |
| Japan Oricon weekly albums[9] | 24 |
Reported sales
edit| Chart | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gaon physical sales | 28,360 |
| Oricon physical sales[10] | 4,771 |
Awards and nominations
edit| Ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synnara Awards | 2013 | Best Album | Jeon Won Diary | Nominated | [11] |
| MTV Best of The Best Awards | best Sub-unit | T-ara N4 | Nominated | ||
| SBS Pop Asia Awards | Best Newcomer | Won | [12] | ||
| Inkigayo Awards | Best Popular Song | Jeon Won Diary | Nominated |
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | April 29, 2013 | CD, digital download | Core Contents Media, LOEN Entertainment |
Credits and personnel
edit- Park Hyomin – vocals, rap
- Ham Eunjung – vocals
- Park Jiyeon – vocals
- Lee Areum – vocals
- Woo Jiseok – rap
- Duble Sidekick – producing, songwriting, arranger, music
- Hwang Ho-jun - music
References
edit- ^ "신사동 호랭이 노래 들고 티아라 '4인조 유닛' 컴백". The Dong-a Ilbo. Nate. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ a b c "티아라엔포 '전원일기'에 국악 접목…휘몰아친다". Star In. Nate. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ "티아라 유닛 팀명은 '티아라 엔포'. 효민은 코르셋 의상으로…". Sports Chosun. Nate. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ a b "최불암-김수미, 티아라엔포 신곡 '전원일기' 뮤비서 11년 만에 '해후'". The Chosun Ilbo. SK Communications. Archived from the original on 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
- ^ "티아라엔포, '전원일기' 음원·뮤비 29일 동시 공개" (in Korean). 18 April 2013. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ "티아라엔포 '전원일기' 하루만에 100만 조회수". Newsen. Daum Communications. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ "최불암-김수미, 티아라엔포 신곡 '전원일기' 뮤비서 11년 만에 '해후'". Nate. SK Communications. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ Grace Danbi Hong. "[Video Review] T-ara N4 Parties It Up in the Countryside for ′Countryside Diaries′". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ "2013年05月06日～2013年05月12日のCDアルバム週間ランキング" [May 6, 2013-May 12, 2013 CD Album Weekly Ranking] (in Japanese). Oricon. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service "You Big Tree"]. Oricon. Archived from the original on April 9, 2004. Retrieved May 21, 2013. (subscription only)
- ^ "2013 Synnara Awards - Best Album". Synnara.co.kr (in Korean). 30 July 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "SBS PopAsia award winners for 2013". SBS PopAsia. 2013-12-16. Archived from the original on 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2023-01-17.