Wikipedia

Phantom (EP)

Phantom is the fourth extended play (EP) by Chinese boy band WayV with The Phantom of the Opera-inspired lead single of the same name. It was released by Label V and SM Entertainment on December 28, 2022. Consisting of six new songs and two bonus tracks that fall mostly in R&B and hip hop with influences from trap and classical music, the album saw participation from frequent collaborators, namely Adrian McKinnon, LDN Noise, Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, Ryan S. Jhun as well as first collaboration with the McDonough brothers of Before You Exit. Released almost two years from their previous EP, Phantom marks the group's first album release as a sextet, following suspension of Lucas in August 2021. WayV was set to embark on an eponymous global fanmeeting tour to support the album, with stops including Seoul, Manila, and Bangkok.

Phantom
Digital album cover
EP by
WayV
ReleasedDecember 28, 2022 (2022-12-28)
Genre
Length28:44
Language
  • Mandarin
  • English
Label
Producer
WayV chronology
Kick Back
(2021) 		Phantom
(2022) 		On My Youth
(2023)
NCT chronology
Candy
(2022) 		Phantom
(2022) 		Perfume
(2023)
Singles from Phantom
  1. "Phantom"
    Released: December 28, 2022

Background and release

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Following the release of their third EP, Kick Back, in March 2021, WayV were focused on sub-unit activities.[1] The first sub-unit consisting Kun and Xiaojun released the pop-ballad single "Back to You" in June 2021,[2] while Ten and Yangyang released the hip-hop single "Low Low" in August.[3] The third sub-unit consisting Lucas and Hendery that had been scheduled to release the single "Jalapeño" in the same month was canceled due to Lucas' cheating and gaslighting controversy. He was then suspended from any promotional activities.[4] In December 2021, WayV members participated in NCT's third studio album, Universe, by recording the English song "Miracle" as a quintet: Winwin was away in China after establishing a personal studio to pursue an acting career.[5]

On November 22, 2022, WayV posted a teaser image announcing the release of their fourth EP, Phantom, on December 9, after nearly two years from their previous EP.[6] The image showed only six silhouettes, confirming member Lucas's absence in the EP, making it their first album release as a sextet.[7][8] The release was later postponed due to the national mourning period following the passing of former president of China Jiang Zemin. On December 8, the group announced December 28 as the new release date.[9] A short music video for the b-side track "Diamonds Only" was released ahead of the release on December 22.[10] A short music video for "Good Life" and a live clip for "Broken Love" were also released on January 9 and 16, 2023, respectively.[11][12]

Composition and lyrics

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The EP opens with the eponymous lead single "Phantom", a trap hip-hop based dance-pop song with string sounds and a chorus overlaid with Gregorian chants. Co-composed by frequent collaborator, Adrian McKinnon, the lyrics use masks as the fundamental lyrical motif, describing adversity and suffering as Phantom as well as expressing the will to overcome instead of being swayed by them.[13][6] The following song "Diamonds Only" is a progressive R&B hip-hop song, with lyrics equating long-cherished dreams and love with shining and precious diamonds.[14] The third track "Good Life" is a mid-tempo R&B, produced by the McDonough brothers of the American pop rock band Before You Exit. It tells a story about moving towards a better life.[15] The song is followed by the ballad song "Broken Love" which likens a past love story with a jigsaw puzzle that can't be put together.[15] The fifth song "Bounce Back" is dance-pop track with minimal instrumental that continues the sad love story from the group's previous songs, "Say It", "Come Back", and "Unbreakable".[6][15] The following song "Try My Luck" is a dance track that samples Mozart's "Requiem (Dies irae)", prefacing it with an air-raid siren.[6][15] The EP is then closed by two previously released sub-unit songs as bonus tracks: "Back to You", a delicate yet robust ballad with melancholy trumpet and chimes, and the summery up-tempo hip-hop dance track "Low Low".[8][6][16]

Promotion

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Singles

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The music video of the lead single "Phantom" was released at the same day as the album on December 28, 2022.[13] It features elements from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, such as candelabras, masks and broken chandeliers, as well as Game of Thrones-inspired sword-covered throne.[6] Divyansha Dongre of Rolling Stone India described "Phantom" as a "fine addition" to WayV's discography that "perfectly accentuates the group's vocal tones" and features an "evocative" choreography.[17] The song debuted at number sixteen on Chinese TME UNI chart.[18]

Live performances

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To commemorate the release, WayV held a special live broadcast, titled WayV "Phantom" Countdown, on December 28.[13] A pretaped performance of "Phantom" was also broadcast on JTBC's Music Universe K-909 on the same day.[19] WayV performed "Phantom" along with their old songs "Love Talk" and "Take Off" at SM Entertainment's yearly online concert, SMCU Palace at Kwangya.[20] The group also performed the English version of "Phantom" without Winwin in various South Korean music shows, namely M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo.[21][22][23][24]

Fanmeeting tour

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On January 10, 2023, WayV announced that they would embark on an eponymous global fanmeeting tour, starting with two shows at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace in Seoul on February 11.[25] Beside performing songs from Phantom, the group also performed their previous songs, such as "Kick Back", "Dream Launch", "Action Figure", "Love Talk", and "Nectar". The fanmeeting featured playful corners and games, as well as SM Dance Medley, featuring NCT Dream's "Candy", Shinee's "Sherlock (Clue + Note)", and Aespa's "Illusion".[26]

Tour dates

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List of fanmeetings, showing specific tour date, city, country and venue
Date City Country Venue Ref.
February 11, 2023 (Day) Seoul South Korea Kyunghee University Peace Hall
Beyond Live[a] 		[25]
February 11, 2023 (Night)
March 26, 2023 Manila Philippines Araneta Coliseum [27]
April 1, 2023 Bangkok Thailand Thunder Dome [28]
April 2, 2023
April 29, 2023 Jakarta Indonesia Indonesia Convention Exhibition [29]
May 6, 2023 Yokohama[b] Japan Pia Arena MM [31]
May 7, 2023
May 27, 2023 Hong Kong China KITEC Star Hall [32]
June 2, 2023 Singapore The Star Theatre [33]
June 8, 2023 London United Kingdom Eventim Apollo [34]
June 11, 2023 Paris France La Seine Musicale
August 12, 2023 Macau China Broadway Theater [30]
August 13, 2023

Commercial performance

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Upon its release, Phantom continued WayV's success on South Korean Circle Chart by sitting at number one on the chart for the second time in a row[35] and ranked at number fourteen on the monthly chart with 99,019 copies sold.[36] The album also debuted at number four on Oricon's physical album chart with 9,337 copies sold[37] and number five on Billboard Japan Hot Albums.[38]

Track listing

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Phantom track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Phantom"Pan Yanting
Choi3:47
2."Diamonds Only"Lin Xinye
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
  • Tiyon "TC" Mack
  • Deez [ko]
  • Daley
  • Owens
3:29
3."Good Life"Zhou Weijie
Connor McDonough3:13
4."Broken Love" (Chinese: 时间拼图; pinyin: Shíjiān Pīntú; lit. 'Time Jigsaw Puzzle')Pan
  • David Simon
  • Alyssa Ayaka Ichinose
  • ron
  • Ichinose
  • minGtion
4:04
5."Bounce Back"Pan
3:38
6."Try My Luck"Zhou
  • Daley
  • Owens
  • Michael "TruPopGod" Jiminez
  • Mckinnon
  • Daley
  • Owens
3:21
7."Back to You" (Chinese: 这时烟火; pinyin: Zhèshí Yānhuǒ; lit. 'This Moment's Fireworks') (Bonus track; sung by Kun and Xiaojun)XiaohanJin Min-ho
  • Jin
  • Lee Jong-han
4:12
8."Low Low" (Bonus track; sung by Ten and Yangyang)
  • Jhun
  • Sorana
  • Carney
  • Wilson
  • Jhun
  • Wilson
2:57
Total length:28:44

Charts

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Notes

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  1. ^ Night only.
  2. ^ Under title WayV Japan Event 2023 "The First Vision"[30]

References

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  1. ^ "웨이션브이, 3월 10일 컴백 확정…'Kick Back' 발매(공식)". n.news.naver.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "WayV 쿤-샤오쥔, 첫 유닛 출격..16일 새 싱글 'Back To You' 발매[공식]". Naver (in Korean). HeraldPop. June 11, 2021. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "威神V第二支小分队出击威神V（WayV）- TEN&YANGYANG单曲《Low Low》17日发行 娱乐中国". chinayule (in Chinese). August 13, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "NCT's Lucas Wong on hiatus after being accused of taking advantage of female fans". The Straits Times. August 26, 2021. Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "[Y이슈] 웨이션브이 윈윈, 中 연기 활동 위한 개인공작실 설립". Naver (in Korean). September 30, 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Glasby, Taylor (January 11, 2023). "WayV: the Chinese boyband steps into their new era". Dazed Digital. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Dongre, Divyansha (November 22, 2022). "WayV Teases Fourth EP 'Phantom'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Chin, Carmen (November 23, 2022). "NCT subunit WayV announce fourth mini-album 'Phantom'". NME. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Dongre, Divyansha (December 8, 2022). "WayV Announces New Release Date For Their Forthcoming EP 'Phantom'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  10. ^ Martin, Annie (December 22, 2022). "WayV shine in 'DiamondsOnly' track video". United Press International. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Yeo, Gladys (January 10, 2023). "NCT subunit WayV release laidback video for new B-side track 'Good Life'". NME. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
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  14. ^ "威神V迷你四辑收录曲《Diamonds Only》Track Video公开引热议！28日正式回归备受期待！". Tom.com (in Chinese). December 24, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d "威神V迷你四辑《Phantom》将于12月28日公开共收录8首多样类型的歌曲". Tom.com (in Chinese). December 16, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Ford, Lucy (September 6, 2021). "NCT's Ten and YangYang on new single 'Low Low': "At first we were like, 'we didn't ask for this'"". NME. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  17. ^ Dongre, Divyansha (December 28, 2022). "WayV Return With The Hauntingly Beautiful Single 'Phantom'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  18. ^ "China TME UNI Chart". Billboard. January 7, 2023. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  19. ^ WayV (December 28, 2022). [4K/First Stage Performance] WayV - Phantom l @JTBC K-909. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  20. ^ "SM 콘서트 개최…갓더비트·엑소 무대, 슈퍼엠 컴백 예고". No Cut News (in Korean). January 1, 2023. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "'엠카운트다운' 샤이니 민호-NCT DREAM-웨이션브이(WayV) 컴백무대 펼친다". Onews (in Korean). December 29, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  22. ^ "'뮤직뱅크' 에이티즈, 컴백과 동시에 1위..문빈&산하·하이키 컴백". Osen (in Korean). January 6, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  23. ^ "'음악중심' 뉴진스, 출연없이 1위‥아스트로 문빈&산하·에이티즈 컴백". Newsen (in Korean). January 7, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  24. ^ "뉴진스, 출연 없이 '인기가요' 1위…문빈&산하→에이티즈 컴백". Newsen (in Korean). January 8, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Yang, Hale (January 10, 2023). "Boy band WayV to embark on global fan meet tour". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  26. ^ "WayV, 2023 글로벌 팬미팅 투어 스타트… 한국 공연 성황". Sports Donga (in Korean). February 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  27. ^ Ng, Scott (February 1, 2023). "WayV announce March fanmeet in Manila". NME. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  28. ^ Judine Basbas, Franchesca (February 6, 2023). "WayV to hold fanmeeting in Bangkok this April". Bandwagon. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  29. ^ "WayV Gelar Fan Meeting Tour Phantom di Indonesia 29 April". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). February 18, 2023. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  30. ^ a b "WayV, 2023 글로벌 팬미팅 투어 대성황..마카오서 피날레". Hearld Pop (in Korean). August 16, 2023. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  31. ^ "WayV、日本初単独イベントで歌って踊って恋ダンス！緑一色の会場で叫んだ「待っててくれてありがとう」". Natalie (in Japanese). May 7, 2023. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  32. ^ "WayV將要在5/27來香港跟WayZenNi見面啦！". Yahoo Taiwan (in Twi). April 9, 2023. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  33. ^ Siwei, Puah (May 9, 2023). "WayV to hold Fanmeeting Tour 'Phantom' in Singapore". NME. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  34. ^ Siwei, Puah (May 18, 2023). "WayV announce 'Phantom' fanmeeting tour in Europe". NME. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Circle Album Chart – Week 53, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  36. ^ "Circle Album Chart – December 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  37. ^ 週間 CDアルバムランキング 2023年01月23日付 [Weekly CD Album Ranking on January 23, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  38. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of January 18, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  39. ^ "Phantom – Week 5, 2023" (in Croatian). HDU. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  40. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 3. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  41. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-01-23" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  42. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-01-23" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  43. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-01" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  44. ^ "Circle Album Chart – January 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
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