The Table is the seventh Korean extended play by the South Korean boy band NU'EST, released on October 21, 2019.

The Table
Digital and streaming cover
EP by
ReleasedOctober 21, 2019 (2019-10-21)
GenreK-pop
Length19:38
LabelPledis Entertainment
Producer
NU'EST chronology
Happily Ever After
(2019)
The Table
(2019)
The Nocturne
(2020)
Singles from The Table
  1. "Love Me"
    Released: October 21, 2019

Background and release

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On September 30, 2019, Pledis Entertainment confirmed NU'EST's comeback was set for October 21, 2019, and uploaded a teaser ending with the text, "The book has been closed. And shall we meet at...?",[1] officially concluding their "Three-part Knight Series" spanning from Q is to Happily Ever After.[2] After releasing several trailers for each member,[3] a final trailer was uploaded on October 12, 2019.[4]

In contrast to NU'EST's previous albums, The Table featured a "lovely and bright" concept, opting for a more easygoing and familiar concept for listeners.[5] The Table revolves around the theme of love, with each song representing stories that friends and families would share about romances while sitting at a dinner table.[6] The album took more retakes to record than ever due to the members of NU'EST finding difficulties in adjusting concepts.[5] The album is sold in three different versions with alternate photo books and covers: the Forenoon Ver., On The Table Ver., and Pieces of Pie Ver.[7]

Composition

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The album was produced by Baekho and Bumzu. The title track, "Love Me", expresses a "sweet love" while using elements of alternative house and urban R&B.[5][2] The song describes a person in love, strengthened from the sad feelings of protecting his love from the "Three-part Knight Series." It was also described with having an "addictive" chorus.[2] To accentuate the soft image, the choreography of the song focused on romantic and delicate gestures.[5]

The opening track, "Call Me Back", is an R&B song opening with an easygoing acoustic guitar. "One Two Three" is a new jack swing song expressing the happy emotions and heartbeat of a person falling in love. "Trust Me" is a pop R&B song expressing the feeling of running towards a loved one. The lyrics of "Stay Up All Night" express memories of a past love. "If We" is a mixture of folk rock and ballad.[2] JR, who mainly provides rap, notably provided vocals to the song instead.[5]

Reception

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In South Korea, The Table debuted at #2 on the Gaon Music Chart,[8] selling a cumulative total of 219,477 copies.[9]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Baekho and Bumzu[10]

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Call Me Back"
  • Bumzu
  • Baekho
  • Park Gi-tae
  • Aaron Fresh
  • Jo Michael (Singing Beetle)
  • Park Gi-tae
3:09
2."Love Me"
  • Baekho
  • JR
  • Bumzu
  • Bumzu
  • Baekho
  • Park Gi-tae
  • Bumzu
  • Park Gi-tae
  • Nmore
3:03
3."One Two Three"
  • Bumzu
  • Baekho
  • Anchor
  • Bumzu
  • Anchor
3:23
4."Trust Me"
  • Baekho
  • JR
  • Bumzu
  • Bumzu
  • Baekho
Bumzu3:21
5."Stay Up All Night" (밤새 lit. Midnight)
  • Baekho
  • JR
  • Bumzu
  • Bumzu
  • Baekho
  • Park Gi-tae
  • Bumzu
  • Park Gi-tae
3:35
6."If We" (우리가 사랑했다면 lit. If We Were in Love)
  • Baekho
  • Bumzu
  • Bumzu
  • Baekho
  • Bumzu
  • Park Gi-tae
3:07
Total length:19:38

Charts

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Chart (2019) Peak

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South Korean Albums (Gaon)[8] 2

Accolades

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Music programs awards

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Song Program Network Date Ref.
"Love Me" Show Champion MBC M October 30, 2019
M Countdown Mnet October 31, 2019 [11]
Music Bank KBS2 November 1, 2019 [12]
Show! Music Core MBC November 2, 2019 [13]
Inkigayo SBS November 3, 2019 [14]

References

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  1. ^ Dong, Sun-hwa (September 30, 2019). "NU'EST to return on Oct 21". The Korea Times. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "NU'EST、タイトル曲「LOVE ME」MV公開…愛を歌う新曲で大胆なイメージチェンジ". Newsen (in Japanese). October 22, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via KStyle.
  3. ^ "NU'EST アロン、7thミニアルバム「The Table」オフィシャルフォト&トレーラー映像公開…料理姿に注目". TV Report (in Japanese). October 9, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via KStyle.
  4. ^ "NU'EST、7thミニアルバム「The Table」団体フォト&予告映像を公開…青春映画のような映像に注目". Osen (in Japanese). October 12, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via KStyle.
  5. ^ a b c d e Jung, Hae-myoung (October 22, 2019). "NU'EST releases new album "The Table"". The Korea Times. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  6. ^ Herman, Tamar (October 23, 2019). "NU'EST Wants You To 'Love Me' In Vibrant New Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "NU'EST、7thミニアルバム「The Table」オフィシャルフォトのユニットカットを初公開". Osen (in Japanese). October 19, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via KStyle.
  8. ^ a b "The Table – 2019년 43주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  9. ^
  10. ^ "NU'EST、7thミニアルバム「The Table」のトラックリスト公開…タイトル曲は「LOVE ME」". TV Report (in Japanese). October 13, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via KStyle.
  11. ^ "뉴이스트, 컴백 후 1위 2관왕..달콤한 5인의 파죽지세 행보" (in Korean). Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  12. ^ "'뮤직뱅크' 뉴이스트, 1위 3관왕 "상상 이상의 결과 만들어주는 러브 감사" [★밤TView]" (in Korean). Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  13. ^ "[대국민 스타 릴레이] 코로나19 극복 응원 메시지 뉴이스트, 데뷔 첫 '음중' 1위.."러브들 감사해요"[★밤TView]" (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  14. ^ "'인기가요' 뉴이스트, 1위·5관왕..몬스타엑스·위너·TXT 컴백[종합]" (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2019.