User:ILuvSunshine/sandbox/Hot Summer (f(x) song)

"Hot Summer" is a song by f(x). The song written and co-produced by Danish songwriters Remee and Thomas Troelsen for the German pop group Monrose for their second studio album, Strictly Physical (2007). In 2011 it was recorded by the South Korean group f(x), reaching #2 on Gaon's official single chart.

"ILuvSunshine/sandbox/Hot Summer"
Song

The song was re-recorded by the South Korean group, f(x)'s serves as the lead single from the re-packaged version of their debut album, Pinocchio.It was released on June 14, 2011 in South Korea as the repackage's lead single. The Korean version was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on Gaon's official single chart, recording over 375,000 downloads during its release week. Hot Summer was the 16th most successful digital song of 2011 in its native country, selling 2,909,384 copies by the end of the year. Lyrically, Hot Summer is about women finding love during the summer.

The song served as f(x)'s debut Japanese language single in 2012.

Background

"Hot Summer" is a Korean/Japanese version of the original English version performed by German pop group, Monrose. On June 8, 2011, SM Entertainment revealed that the group would return with Hot Summer, the title track of the repackage (rerelease) of their first album, "Pinocchio (Danger)". SM stated that the "follow-up track, [‘Hot Summer’], features the unique color that f(x) is known for. Please look forward to a completely new stage.” The song was released a week later on June 14, 2011.

Hot Summer served as f(x)'s debut release in Japan in August, 2012, after SM Entertainment had announced that they would be debuting in the country earlier in the year. The group prepared for the Japanese debut with the launching of their Japanese website in June, 2012.

Live Performances

Hot Summer received its first live performance on KBS' Music Bank on June 17, 2011. The group donned the red outfits they wore in the Korean version of the music video, which became a staple for the rest of Hot Summer's promotional period. They then performed on MBC's Music Core, SBS's Inkigayo, the following days on June 18, and June 19, 2011. The group also performed on M-Countdown. Hot Summer managed to won an award on SBS's Inkigayo on June 26.

The song was also performed as part of SMTown '10 and SMTown '12

Music Video

Korean Version

The Korean version of Hot Summer was shot at two different locations, in Namyangju and Incheon, in early June, 2011. It was directed by Hong Won Ki, who had directed SHINee's video for "Hello." A teaser was released on June 13, 2011, with the full version being released on June 17, 2011, the same day the group made their comeback performance on Music Bank.

The video begins with the group walking into the middle of the street, filmed in Incheon, donning brightly colored outfits, a pink, black stripped tank is behind them, along with several brightly colored sports cars. They are then joined by a group of backup dancers. The video cuts to white, red-floored room, where the group are wearing red outfits, the same set is used to film the solo shots of the girls. Another set seen is 'light' room, where they also wear red outfits, and Luna dons a red bob wig. At the end of the video, fire hydrants go off, signaling the heat of the day, and the video ends with the group posing in the street set with the words "Hot Summer f(x)" seen as the camera pans up.

Japanese Version

A 1 minute 30 second teaser video for the Japanese version of Hot Summer was released on August 1, 2012, via Avex's official YouTube channel. The full video subsequently appeared online a few days later on August 5, 2012.

The Japanese version is noticeably different from its Korean counterpart. The main set is a desert, with pink and white star shaped props behind the group, and pink cotton candy as clouds. The video begins similar to the Korean version, with the group wearing all white, walking slowly towards the camera. Unlike previous f(x) videos, both the Japanese and Korean version have no true storyline. The video then cuts to another set, similar to the one seen in the groups most recent Korean single (at the time), Electric Shock, as well as one featured in the Korean version. Close-up shots of the group reveal electric blue outfits, topped with elaborate accessories, such as the spikes on Amber's hat. One more set is featured, a street scene, where the group where red outfits, a homage to the ones used in the Korean version, where the group are seen in front of the star shaped prop, while throwing paint over the buildings and at the camera. The video ends with the desert set, and the words "f(x) Hot Summer", just like the Korean version, on the screen as the camera pans back.

Commercial Performance

Korea

The Korean version was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on Gaon's official single chart after debuting at #5, it then moved up three positions to its peak, #2, then falling to #4. It recorded over 375,000 downloads during its release week, debuting at #3, which it then stalled at for the next week. The song then sold a further 536,000 copies the following week After selling 428,000 copies and dropping to number #4 on Gaon's Digital Download chart, the song had sold over 1.3 million copies in its first three weeks. Hot Summer also ranked highly among Gaon's other charts, debuting at #14 on the Karaoke Singles chart, and achieving a peak of #2 the next week. It peaked at number one on Gaon's streaming chart, which tracks internet streaming on Korean music sites like MelOn. Hot Summer was the 16th most successful digital song of 2011 in its native country, selling 2,909,384 copies by the end of the year. And was the 25th most successful song overall in 2011, 21 positions below their previous single, Pinocchio (Danger), which was the 6th most successful.

Charts

Chart (2011 - 2012)	Peak position
Gaon Singles Chart	2
Streaming Singles	1
Gaon Digital Singles	3
Gaon Karaoke Singles	2