We:th (stylized as WE:TH) is the tenth extended play by South Korean boy group Pentagon. The EP was released digitally and physically on October 12, 2020, by Cube Entertainment, eight months after their first studio album Universe: The Black Hall released in February.[1] The album is the group's first release without member Jinho, who was completing his mandatory military service.[2] After a 440-day hiatus due to health reason, member Yan An participated in the album.[3] The physical version is available in two versions: "Seen" and "Unseen".[4]
| We:th | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Digital cover featuring artwork by Kino of Pentagon | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | October 12, 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 20:06 | |||
| Language | Korean | |||
| Label | Cube | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Pentagon chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Pentagon EP chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Seen version | ||||
 Unseen version | ||||
| Singles from We:th | ||||
| ||||
The group continues its reputation as a self-made idol group by participating in the lyrics and composition of all six tracks.[5] The lead single "Daisy" was composed by members Hui and Wooseok with Nathan. Only through physical album, the EP features Jinho's self-composed solo song "I'm Here".[6]
Commercially, the album recorded 64,045 copies of one-week sales, making Pentagon's best selling work since debut.[7] It debuted and charted at number 4 on the Gaon Album Chart, giving them their fourth top 4 hit. Later, the album surpassed 110,000 copies sold and becomes their first album to break the wall of 100,000 copies.
Name
editRegarding the album name, We:th is a compound word of 'WE' which means 'we' and 'WITH' which means 'together' – "It means the sympathy between Pentagon and Universe (fan name) coexisting for each other. It is an album that contains all the moments and emotions we they feel while living together are captured in a total of 6 tracks under the keyword 'empathy'."[8]
Background and promotions
editOn September 17, 2020, it was reported that Pentagon had confirmed their comeback for October and were in the final stages of preparing for the album.[9] The following day, Cube released a spoiler video of member Yan An, who had ceased activities since July 2019, officially announcing his return and participation in the comeback. In the video, Yan An smiles at the camera while looking at a monitor with a blinking cursor in a studio full of lights. The video ends with the phrase "I've been keeping an eye on you" appearing.[3] On September 22, a monotone interview film about their four-year journey titled 'Re: Pentagon' was released.[2] On September 25, Pentagon released a comeback trailer video called 'Keep us by your side'.[10] Later that month, Cube officially announced their comeback with the release of an artwork teaser image through their social media accounts. The teaser contains a flower drawn with black lines, along with the album name and release date.[11] On September 29, 2020, Cube released a time table for Pentagon's tenth extended play through their official homepage and SNS, which shows the group's promotion schedule beginning October 4 until their first online concert, 2020 Pentagon Online Concert WE L:VE on November 29.[12] On October 6 and 7, Pentagon released their first and second concept images, respectively.[13][14]
On the afternoon before the song's digital release, the group held a media showcase for the release of the EP at the Blue Square iMarket Hall in Seoul, hosted by MC Haru.[15][16] To promote the album, Cube and VT Cosmetics held a 'Daisy' cupholder event on October 17–18 at CUBAKER, Seongdong-gu in Seoul.[17]
Pentagon released Pentagon-10th Mini Album [We:th] Flower Live in Jarasum on October 24. The video includes a total of three live clips, including the acoustic version of "Daisy", "Beautiful Goodbye'" and "Nostalgia". The video was filmed at Jara Island in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do.[18]
Artwork and packaging
editPentagon released two album versions for We:th. In Seen version, Pentagon shows 8 different charms and colors under a pastel-toned background, with flowers as props used to create a pure and romantic mood.[13] In Unseen version, the members shows a deeper sensibility under the vivid colored background.[14]
Kino shared that he drew the online album art cover for We:th. He wanted to gift Hui, the leader of the group, something special for his hard work on making "Daisy".[19] He was hesitant to draw it at first as the album cover but the members persuaded him and this marks his 'debut drawing'.[20]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Daisy" (데이지) |
|
| 3:09 | |
| 2. | "Beautiful Goodbye" |
|
|
| 3:22 |
| 3. | "Nostalgia" (Korean: 그해 그달 그날; RR: Geuhae Geudal Geunal; lit. That Year, That Month, That Day) | Wooseok |
| MosPick | 3:04 |
| 4. | "You Like" |
|
| Minit | 3:15 |
| 5. | "Paradise (This Night Where Stars Shine)" (Paradise (별이 빛나는 이 밤)) |
|
| MosPick | 3:35 |
| Total length: | 16:25 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "I’m Here" (Jinho solo) | Jinho | Jinho |
| 3:41 |
| Total length: | 20:06 | ||||
Songs
edit"Daisy" is an alternative rock song that was sung with a sad and sad heart that everyone would have experienced after the breakup. The lyrics are expressed by the use of daisy flowers. The white flower as the sign of hope as a metaphor for love and progress focusing on the ambiguous meaning that describes how one will eventually get burned by that love. Pentagon member explained, "After the breakup, I portrayed the feelings wishing that the other person would be happy while wishing they could miss you because they could not meet someone better than me." The track features heartbreaking and realistic sentiments in a straightforward lyrics.[21]
"Beautiful Goodbye" is a track with the lingering emotions knowing that the love already ended but wishes to take only the good memories of it. The group explained, "I want to leave only good memories. I poured my broken heart into the lyrics. The emotions rises as the track go to the second half, convening the feeling of the person who wants a beautiful breakup."[21]
Based on composer and Pentagon member, Wooseok, he described "Nostalgia" as "a song like a picture of memories that you suddenly take out of an old drawer. People live with many memories and memories of each. And I suddenly remember the happy times and miss them."[21]
"You Like" is an intense hip-hop dance song that converted from intro starting with a piano and change as it continues leading to can intense verse. With this song, Pentagon challenged themselves with combination of two song compositions. The song also features low voice and addictive melody that asking listeners 'What would you like'.[21]
"Paradise" is described as an electronic dance song for listeners who feel nostalgic to the K-pop sensibility of the late 2000s but added with newly digested style by Pentagon. Pentagon member, Kino composed this song with the thought of "this kind of song is rarely here now, so I thought of making a Pentagon's 2000s style." The lyrical lyrics of the song created by two lovers' intense beats along with a melody that is easy to sing along.[21]
"I'm Here" (Jinho solo) is a small gift prepared by Jinho who will always be there for his friends and bandmates who are running toward their dreams. Jinho explained, "When people are faced by exhaustion and discouragement, they bring back the old self of the day when they first dreamt of a dream. I hope that the voice of Pentagon's Jinho with the words 'You are doing great, so don't worry', will comfort everyone who listens to this song."[21] The song was made before he enlisted.[5]
Commercial performance
editWe:th topped iTunes Top Albums chart in 9 countries including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Estonia, Ecuador, Cambodia, Colombia, Peru, and Portugal. The album also ranked second on the iTunes Worldwide Album Chart, becoming their highest record on that platform.[22] According to Billboard chart released on October 13, Pentagon re-entered at number 33 on the Billboard Social 50 chart due to the announcement of their comeback, variety of teasing contents related to the new release, starting with interview films, track list, concept image, audio teaser, music video teaser etc., gaining hot interest from global fans.[23]
According to Hanteo, We:th which was released on the October 12, recorded an initial sales of 64,045 copies. The amount of sales increase twice from the initial sales of their first studio album Universe: The Black Hall released in February, 2020.[7]
On the chart issue dated October 11–17, 2020, the album debuted and charted at number 4 on the Gaon Album Chart and Gaon Retail Album with 49,134 units.[24][25] The group also re-enters at number 14 on Gaon Social Chart 2.0 since Week 50 of 2019.[26][27]
Accolades
edit| Year | Organization | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Seoul Music Awards | Main Award | Nominated | [28] |
| Popular Award | Nominated | |||
| K-Wave Popular Award | Nominated |
Charts
edit
|
|
Certifications and sales
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | — | 8,489[33] |
| South Korea | — | 110,479[34] |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Distributor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | October 12, 2020 | Digital download, streaming | [8] | |
| Various |
|
[35] |
References
edit- ^ Lee Yoojin (September 28, 2020). (여자)아이들 '덤디덤디', 단체 콘셉트 이미지 공개..화려한 파티 분위기 [Pentagon to release 10 mini album'WE:TH' after 8 months...comeback confirmed on October 12]. Hangang Times.
- ^ a b 펜타곤, 인터뷰 필름 'RE: PENTAGON' 공개... 본격 컴백 시동 '기대↑' [Pentagon unveils interview film'RE: PENTAGON]. Tv Report. September 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Ko Seungah (September 18, 2020). 펜타곤 옌안, 스포 영상으로 복귀 예고…10월 컴백 합류 [Yanan Pentagon announces return with a spoiler video... Joined comeback in October]. News1.
- ^ "[공지] 펜타곤 10th Mini Album [WE:TH] 예약 판매 안내". Pentagon Official Twitter (in Korean). @CUBE_PTG. September 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Jeong Ga-young (October 12, 2020). '컴백' 펜타곤 키노 "새 앨범 온라인 커버 내가 그려…후이에게 준 선물" ['There is nothing that cannot be done' Pentagon aims to sympathize with 'WE:TH' (Total)]. SportsWorld.
- ^ Hong Sunghoon (October 5, 2020). 펜타곤, 미니 10집 'WE:TH' 트랙리스트 공개 [Pentagon reveals 10th mini album 'WE:TH' track list]. NBNNews.
- ^ a b Oh Jiwon (October 20, 2020). 펜타곤, 미니 10집 'WE:TH' 트랙리스트 공개 [Pentagon 'WE:TH' surpasses 60,000 copies of initial sales... Own best record]. TVDaily.
- ^ a b "[EP] WE:TH Pentagon". Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Melon.
- ^ Jung Anji (September 17, 2020). [공식]펜타곤, 8개월 만에 전격 컴백…10월 목표로 막바지 준비 중 [[Official] The Pentagon, comeback in 8 months… Final preparations for October]. Sports Chosun.
- ^ Kim Han (September 25, 2020). 펜타곤, 강렬한 눈 맞춤 심쿵...컴백 트레일러 영상 '눈길' [Pentagon, intense eye-matched heartbeat...comeback trailer video 'Gaze']. Hankookilbo.
- ^ Yoon Sang-geun (September 28, 2020). 펜타곤, 10월 12일 '위드' 컴백..8개월만 새 앨범[공식] [Pentagon,'WE:TH' comeback on October 12th.. New album in 8 months [Official]]. Star News.
- ^ '컴백' 펜타곤, 미니 10집 'WE:TH' 스케줄 티저 오픈 ['Comeback' Pentagon opens mini 10th album'WE:TH' schedule teaser]. Daily Sports. September 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Yoo Byung-cheol (October 6, 2020). 펜타곤, 미니 10집 `WE:TH` 콘셉트 이미지 공개…`꽃을 든 남자` [Pentagon, 10th mini album 'WE:TH' concept image released... 'Man with Flowers']. Korea Economic Daily.
- ^ a b Kim Nayeon (October 7, 2020). 펜타곤, 'WE:TH' 두번째 콘셉트 이미지 공개…한층 깊어진 감성 [Pentagon unveils second concept image of'WE:TH '... Deeper emotion]. Single list.
- ^ Kim Minji (October 12, 2020). '컴백' 펜타곤 키노 "새 앨범 온라인 커버 내가 그려…후이에게 준 선물" ['Comeback' Pentagon Kino "New Album Online Cover I Draw…A Gift to Hui"]. News1.
- ^ @mc_haru7121 (October 13, 2020). "Pentagon Showcase". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ @cubaker_cube (October 14, 2020). "데이지 컵 홀더는 음료 구매 시 음료 수량에 맞게 증정됩니다⭐️". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25.
- ^ Yoo Byung-cheol (October 26, 2020). 펜타곤, `데이지` 어쿠스틱 버전 최초 공개…`플라워 라이브 인 자라섬` 영상 화제 [Pentagon unveils the first acoustic version of'Daisy'... 'Flower Live in Jarasum' video topic]. Korea Economic Daily.
- ^ 키스 더 음감회 with 펜타곤(PENTAGON) full ver. /201012[박원의 키스 더 라디오]. KBS CoolFM. October 13, 2020.
- ^ Kim Soo-jeong (October 12, 2020). [현장EN:]'컴백' 펜타곤 "노래가 너무 좋아서 큰 걱정 없었다" [[현장EN:]'컴백' 펜타곤 "노래가 너무 좋아서 큰 걱정 없었다"]. No Cut News.
- ^ a b c d e f "PENTAGON - WE:TH album information". Cube Entertainment. October 12, 2020.
- ^ Hwang Ji-young (October 14, 2020). 펜타곤, 아이튠즈 톱 앨범차트 9개지역 1위 [Pentagon, #1 on iTunes Top Album Chart in 9 Regions]. Daily Sports.
- ^ Jeong Ha-eun (October 15, 2020). 펜타곤, 美 빌보드 '소셜 50' 차트 재진입…글로벌 관신 입증 [Pentagon re-enters the US Billboard 'Social 50' chart... Proof of global interest]. Sports Seoul.
- ^ a b "2020년 42주차 Album Chart - WE_TH". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). October 11–17, 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "2020년 42주차 Retail Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). October 11–17, 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "2020년 42주차 (2020-10-11 ~ 2020-10-17)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). October 11–17, 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "2019년 50주차 (2019-12-08 ~ 2019-12-14)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). December 8–14, 2019. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "30th Seoul Music Awards". Seoul Music Awards. Archived from the original on 2020-12-12. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2020-11-02" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved =November 2, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Albums (2020/10/26)". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "2020년 42주차 Digital Chart – 데이지". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "2020년 42주차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart. October 11–17, 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ 月間 アルバムランキング 2020年10月度 [Monthly album ranking October]. Oricon. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Monthly Album Chart – November". Gaon Album Chart. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ "PENTAGON – WE:TH - EP". Retrieved October 13, 2020 – via iTunes Store.