"Replay" (Korean누난 너무 예뻐; RRNunan neomu yeppeo; lit. Noona, You're So Pretty) is the debut single by South Korean boy band Shinee, recorded for the extended play of the same name. It was released on May 22, 2008, through SM Entertainment. A Japanese version of the song was later released on June 22, 2011, through EMI Music Japan.

"Replay"
Japanese version cover
Single by Shinee
from the EP Replay
LanguageKorean
ReleasedMay 22, 2008
GenreContemporary R&B
Length3:33
LabelSM
Composer(s)The Heavyweights
Lyricist(s)Young-hu Kim
Shinee singles chronology
"Replay"
(2008)
"Love Like Oxygen"
(2008)
Music video
"Replay" on YouTube

Background and release

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On May 19, 2008, SM Entertainment announced the formation of their new boy band, Shinee. Described as a "contemporary band", the group was composed of five teenagers and was intended to set trends in music, fashion and dance.[1] A teaser for the music video of their debut single, "Replay", was released the same day.[2] The song and its accompanying music video were released on May 22, alongside the EP of the same name.[3] The music video features Victoria of f(x) as the female lead.[4] The choreography was created by Rino Nakasone.[5] The music video was remastered in 4K and was re-released on April 20, 2022.[6]

"Replay" is a contemporary R&B song composed by The Heavyweights, who co-arranged with Yoo Young-jin, while the lyrics was written by Young-hu Kim.[3] The lyrics are from the perspective of a young man in love with an older woman.[7] The line, "Noona (older sister), you're so pretty", directly targets the adult female demographic.[8][9] The group took an entire day to record the song, finding it unexpectedly challenging and vocal-driven. Prior to their debut, three of the group's five members were training to be rappers; only Jonghyun and Onew were vocalists.[7] The youngest member, Taemin, did not feature on the song at all.[10]

Promotion

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Shinee performed "Replay" for the first time on the music program Inkigayo on May 25, 2008.[11] The performance attracted over 800 fans, and the group held an event afterwards at a nearby park where they handed out lollipops.[12] They also performed at the 2008 Dream Concert on June 7.[13]

Critical reception

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Writing in 2008, Jo I-seul of IZM described "Replay" as a "trendy" and "high-quality" song, but did not find it lived up to the originality implied by Shinee's "contemporary band" label.[14] Retrospectively, "Replay" has met with more positive reviews. It was named one of the top 100 K-pop songs of all time by a panel of 35 music critics and industry experts in association with Melon and the Seoul Shinmun.[15] According to music critic Kim Yun-ha, "Replay" laid the foundation for Shinee's "unique identity", and carries the "mint-coloured freshness" that the public associates with the group.[16] Park Chang-young of Maeil Business Newspaper stated that "Replay" "opened a new chapter in idol music".[17] Writing for Marie Claire, Quinci LeGardye called the song "one of the best idol debuts ever".[18] Insider named it one of the best debut songs of all time in K-pop.[19]

Accolades

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Awards and nominations for "Replay"
Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2008 Rookie of the Month – May Won [20]
Golden Disc Awards 2008 Rookie of the Year – Digital Music Nominated [21]

Japanese version

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A Japanese version of "Replay", titled "Replay (Kimi wa Boku no Everything)", was released on June 22, 2011, featuring the Japanese version of "Hello" as a B-side.[22] Yoona of Girls' Generation appeared in the music video.[23] Shinee celebrated its release with a live showcase at Abbey Road Studios in London, becoming the first Asian artists to perform there.[24] The single sold over 91,000 copies in the first week, setting a new sales record for the Japanese debut single of a Korean group.[25] It was certified Gold by RIAJ for selling over 100,000 copies,[26] the first debut single by a Korean male group to do so.[27] The song was later included on Shinee's first Japanese album, The First.[28]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Replay.[29]

Recording

  • Recorded and mixed at SM Booming System
  • Recorded at SM Blue Ocean Studio
  • Mastered at Sonic Korea

Personnel

  • Shinee – vocals, background vocals
  • Young-hu Kim – lyrics, directing, vocal directing, recording
  • The Heavyweights – composition, arrangement
  • RaVaughn – composition
  • James Burney II – composition
  • Yoo Young-jin – arrangement, directing, vocal directing, background vocals, recording, mixing
  • KAT – recording
  • Jeon Hoon – mastering

Charts

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Korean version

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Chart performance for "Replay"
Chart (2018) Peak
position
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[30] 12

Japanese version

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Chart performance for "Replay (Kimi wa Boku no Everything)"
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[31] 2
Japan (Oricon)[22] 2

Sales and certifications

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Sales and certifications for "Replay"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[32]
Japanese ver.
Gold 100,000^
United States (Billboard) 22,000[33]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Replay"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
South Korea May 22, 2008 Digital download Korean SM [34]
Japan June 22, 2011
Japanese EMI [22]

References

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  1. ^ Lee, Eun-jung (May 19, 2008). SM, 10대 밴드 '샤이니' 공개 [SM unveils teenage band 'Shinee']. Yonhap News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Naver.
  2. ^ '샤이니', '누난너무예뻐' 티저영상, 네티즌 '꺄약' [Shinee release teaser video for 'Replay', netizens respond]. Hankyung (in Korean). May 20, 2008. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Naver.
  3. ^ a b Kim, Hyung-woo (May 22, 2008). SM 혜성 샤이니도 22일 낮 출격 '가요계 빛 떴다' [SM comet Shinee debuted on the 22nd 'The music industry is shining']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  4. ^ f(x) 리더 빅토리아 공개! 중국에서도 폭발적 관심 [f(x) leader Victoria revealed! Explosive interest in China]. Chosun (in Korean). August 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Japanese Woman Behind K-Pop Bands' Moves". Chosun. September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  6. ^ Kim, Joo-hee (April 20, 2022). 샤이니 '누난 너무 예뻐' 리마스터 MV 공개 [SHINee 'Older Sister is Pretty' Remastered MV Released]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Herman, Tamar (June 21, 2018). "Shinee Looks Back on Debut Song 'Replay' Ten Years Later". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  8. ^ Kwaak, Je-yup (May 1, 2012). "Shinee keep changing for fans". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Lee, Hye-rin (May 28, 2008). SM JYP YG 빅3, '신상'으로 대격돌, 승자는? [SM JYP YG, Big 3's 'new faces', who's the winner?]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Daly, Rhian (May 17, 2021). "In his first act, Taemin's passion and flair made him K-pop's most reliable ace". NME. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  11. ^ SM 대형 신인 '샤이니' 25일 '인기가요' 통해 데뷔 [SM's new rookie group Shinee to debut on 'Inkigayo' on May 25]. Hankyung (in Korean). May 25, 2008. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  12. ^ Kim, Myung-shin (May 26, 2008). 샤이니, 첫 데뷔 무대 팬 800여 명 운집…누나들 인기폭발! [800 fans gathered for Shinee's debut stage... Popularity explosion!]. Hankyung (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Kim, Yong-ho (May 20, 2008). 2008 드림콘서트, 역시 톱가수들 집합 [Top singers will gather for the 2008 Dream Concert]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Jo, I-seul (June 2008). "Neo Music Communication IZM" 누난 너무 예뻐 [Replay]. IZM (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Melon" K-pop 명곡100 [100 K-pop Masterpieces]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Kim, Yun-ha. 97위 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay) - Shinee [#97 Replay - Shinee]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  17. ^ Park, Chang-young (June 15, 2018). [박창영 기자의 아이돌SWAG] K팝에 결핍됐던 예술성, '샤이니'가 빛내다 [[Reporter Park Chang-young's Idol SWAG] The artistry lacking in K-pop, 'Shinee' shines]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  18. ^ LeGardye, Quinci (November 8, 2021). "35 Essential K-Pop Songs Every Fan Should Know". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  19. ^ Haasch, Palmer (December 22, 2022). "13 of the Best K-pop Debut Songs of All Time". Insider. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  20. ^ Yoo, Hye-jeong (June 22, 2008). 싸이월드 5월의 신인상 수상한 샤이니 [Shinee wins Cyworld DMA's Rookie of the Month]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  21. ^ "Nominees – YEPP Rookie of the Year Award". Golden Disc Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 8, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c "Replay-君は僕のeverything-". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  23. ^ Lee, Hye-rin (May 26, 2011). 샤이니, 내일 日데뷔 뮤직비디오 공개 [Shinee to release their Japanese debut music video tomorrow]. Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  24. ^ "Korean boy band hits Abbey Road". The Korea Times. Yonhap News Agency. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  25. ^ "Shinee Shine in Japanese Charts". Chosun. June 29, 2011. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  26. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Shinee – Replay -君は僕のeverything-" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2011年6月 on the drop-down menu
  27. ^ "Shinee earns Gold Album in Japan". The Korea Times. July 12, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  28. ^ SHINee、1stアルバムに話題のシングル3曲を収録 [Shinee includes three popular singles on first album]. Natalie (in Japanese). October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  29. ^ Replay (Liner notes). South Korea: SM Entertainment. 2008.
  30. ^ "Shinee Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  31. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2011/06/29 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  32. ^ "Japanese single certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2011年06月 on the drop-down menu
  33. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (December 27, 2017). "Jonghyun & SHINee Music Returns to New Highs on the Charts After His Death". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  34. ^ 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay). Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.