María (EP)

María is the debut extended play by South Korean singer and Mamamoo member Hwasa. It was released on June 29, 2020, through RBW. The EP was supported by two singles: the lead single "Twit", which reached number one in South Korea, and the title track. Hwasa stated that the album "is like a diary that contains the emotions she felt as a 24-year-old".[1] It was produced by Kim Do-hoon Kim Jin-woo, Park Woo-sang and Zico.

María
EP by
Hwasa
ReleasedJune 29, 2020 (2020-06-29)
Recorded2019–2020
StudioRBW Studios
Genre
Length21:25
Language
  • Korean
  • English
LabelRBW
Producer
  • Kim Do-hoon (exec.)
  • Kim Jin-woo (exec.)
  • Park Woo-sang
  • Zico
Singles from María
  1. "Twit"
    Released: February 13, 2019
  2. "María"
    Released: June 29, 2020

Background and release

In February 2019, Hwasa made her debut as a solo artist with the digital single "Twit", which she co-wrote and co-composed.[2] The song successfully topped the Gaon Digital Chart and scored a "Triple Crown", topping the Gaon Digital, Gaon Download and Gaon Streaming charts in Korea.[3] Hwasa also composed and wrote the song "In the Fall" and was released in October 2019.[4] In March 2020, Hwasa teamed up with English singer Dua Lipa for a new remix version of "Physical" that includes Korean lyrics.[5][6] In April 2020, it was reported that Hwasa had joined the original soundtrack lineup of the Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch and would be releasing her first solo soundtrack song titled "Orbit".[7][8]

On June 15 at midnight KST, Hwasa revealed the first teaser for her upcoming comeback with her first solo mini-album. It was also revealed that the mini-album and main track would be titled "Maria" (which refers to her baptismal name), and would be released on June 29 at 6PM KST.[9] On June 16, a video introduction titled "Nobody Else" was shared in which she is shown in different locations as she tells a story in voiceover.[10] On June 22, the track list for Maria was shared, containing seven songs, including the title track "Maria", the previous single "Twit" and a new song produced by Zico titled "Kidding". It also contains a song featuring rapper DPR Live called "I'm Bad Too".[11]

Music and composition
"I don't think I've ever worked so passionately on something before. I loved it so much to the point that it hurt. Due to that, I think this album will remain in my memory for a long time."

- Hwasa discussing the making of María[1]

At seven tracks, María is the longest EP in Hwasa's catalogue. Musically, the album is a K-pop record that contains influences of dance, R&B and Latin pop. The lead single of the same name was composed by Hwasa, with her working with producer Park Woo-sang and shows her growth as a singer-songwriter. Hwasa also wrote the lyrics for "LLM" and composed "Why".[12]

The opening track of the album, "Intro: Nobody Else", is a song with profound lyrics against a dramatic soft piano and synth melody convey how sometimes behind a dazzling demeanor, dark thoughts still hide and play on a person’s mind.[13] Co-composed by Hwasa and producer Park Woosang, “María” combines elements of trap and synth with an upbeat Latin pop section over the bridge, which makes a slightly strange segue into a ballad-y string section. The lyrics describe the struggles that come with fame, outlining the emotions that need to be suppressed and the effect being in the public eye has on one’s mental health.[14] Produced by Zico, "Kidding" is a song with a "playful R&B melody" that gives the song a bit of a 90s personality. The song tells the story of an unfaithful lover. "Why" is a dynamic contemporary ballad with a trap synth beat. The song is about an unrequited love.[13] Hwasa's collaboration with DPR Live, "I'm Bad Too" is a dynamic song that features R&B and Latin influences. Hwasa wrote the song about her friendship with DPR Live.[13] "LMM" is a "soul stirring track" with a orchestral tone, piano and violin based melody.[13] The final track "Twit" is a bouncing pop melody that features chirpy trap beats and tropical house elements as the artist switches between chanting raps and her soaring, powerful vocals.[15] The song was co-written and co-produced by Hwasa with Dohun Kim and Woosang Park.[16]

Promotion

Singles

"Twit" was released on February 13, 2019 as the lead single from the album.[17] On the same day, the music video of the song was released on YouTube.[18] The music video was directed by Park Sangwon. [19]. Commercially, the single reached the charts in three countries, peaking at number one on digital, download and streaming chart in South Korea. The song also debuted at number 3 on the US World Digital Song Sales chart. In New Zealand the song peaked at number 23 on the Hot Singles chart. Hwasa performed the song on several music programs in South Korea including Show! Music Core, Music Bank, Inkigayo, and M Countdown.[20] "Twit" later won first place at MBC's Show! Music Core on March 2 and March 16.[21]

Accolades
Year-end lists
Critic/Publication List Song Rank Ref.
Billboard The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019 "Twit" 8 [22]
Refinery29 The Best K-Pop Songs Of 2019 "Twit" 13 [23]
Rolling Stone India 10 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2019 "Twit" N/A [24]
Awards
Year Award Song Category Result Ref.
2020 9th Gaon Chart Music Awards "Twit" Song of the Year – February Won [25]
Music program wins
Song Program Date Ref.
"Twit" Show! Music Core March 2, 2019 [26]
March 16, 2019 [27]
"María" Inkigayo July 26, 2020
August 2, 2020
August 9, 2020 [28]
Music Bank August 14, 2020 [29]

Track listing
María track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Intro: Nobody Else"Park WoosangPark Woosang1:57
2."María" (마리아)
  • Hwasa
  • Woosang
  • Hwasa
  • Woosang
3:19
3."Kidding" (prod. Zico)
  • Kim Eana
  • Zico
  • Kim Eana
  • Hwasa
  • Zico
2:45
4."Why"
  • Hwasa
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Cosmic Sound
  • Cosmic Girl
3:21
5."I'm Bad Too" (featuring DPR Live)
  • Hwasa
  • DPR Live
  • Hwasa
  • DPR Live
2:12
6."LMM"
  • Hwasa
  • Woosang
  • Hwasa
  • Woosang
4:41
7."Twit" (멍청이)
  • Kim Dohoon
  • Hwang Sungjin
  • Hwasa
  • Woosang
3:10
Total length:21:25

Charts

Charts
Sales chart performance for María
Chart (2020) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[30] 5
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[31] 81
US World Albums (Billboard)[32] 7

Release history
Release formats for María
Region Date Format Label Ref.
South Korea June 29, 2020 CD, digital download, streaming RBW
[33]
Various
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References
  1. "마마무 화사 "팬은 내 삶의 활력, 내 진심 잘 전달됐으면"[일문일답]". Naver. June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. "멍청이(twit)". www.melon.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  3. OSEN (2019-02-28). "마마무 화사, 솔로 데뷔곡 '멍청이'로 가온차트 3관왕". mosen.mt.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  4. "가을속에서". m2.melon.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  5. "Dua Lipa & Mamamoo's Hwasa's 'Physical' Remix: Listen". Billboard. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  6. Benjamin, Jeff. "Dua Lipa Taps Into The K-Pop World Again With 'Physical' Remix Featuring Hwa Sa Of MAMAMOO". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  7. Kim, Eun-gu (April 18, 2020). "자이언티·화사가 부른 '더 킹' OST 1·2번째 OST 정식 발매" [Official release of ‘The King’ OST 1st and 2nd OST by Giants and Hwasa]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved June 29, 2020 – via Naver.
  8. Lee, Ho-yeon (April 18, 2020). "자이언티·화사, '더 킹' OST 원투펀치부터 화려한 라인업". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved June 29, 2020 – via Naver.
  9. @RBW_MAMAMOO (June 15, 2020). "Hwa Sa 1st Mini Album María" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. "화사 1st Mini Album María Intro : Nobody else". RBW. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020 – via YouTube.
  11. @RBW_MAMAMOO (June 22, 2020). "1st Mini Album [María] Track List 2020.06.29 6PM RELEASE" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. "마마무 화사, 첫 미니앨범 'Maria' 트랙리스트 공개". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  13. "K-Pop Debut Spotlight: MAMAMOO's Hwasa – First Mini-Album "María"". Hellokpop. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  14. "Watch Hwasa's Striking Music Video for 'Maria'". The Rolling Stone India. June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  15. Herman, Tamar (February 14, 2019). "Mamamoo's Hwasa Artistically Calls Out A 'Twit' In New Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  16. "Watch Hwasa's Fierce Solo Debut Video 'Twit'". Rolling Stone India. February 14, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  17. "Watch Hwasa's Fierce Solo Debut Video 'Twit'". Rolling Stone India. February 14, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  18. "[MV] Hwa Sa(화사) _ TWIT(멍청이)". February 13, 2019 – via YouTube.
  19. "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com.
  22. "The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  23. Morin, Natalie (December 20, 2019). "The Best K-Pop Songs Of 2019". Refinery29 . Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  24. "10 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2019". Rolling Stone India. March 27, 2019. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  25. 방탄소년단 3관왕 인기 입증, 청하·엑소·세븐틴·벤 2관왕(종합)[2020 가온차트] [Bulletproof Boy Scouts 3 crowns proved popular, Chunngha, Exo, Seventeen, Ben 2 crowns (general) [2020 Gaon Chart]]. Newsen (in Korean). January 8, 2020. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  26. "[DA:리뷰] '쇼음악중심' 화사 1위…(여자)아이들 컴백-하성운 솔로 데뷔 (종합)" [[DA: Review] No. 1 in 'Show Music Center' Girls Comeback-Ha Sung Woon Solo Debut]. Naver (in Korean). Sports Dong-A. March 2, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  27. "화사 '음악중심' 1위, 마마무 박봄 홍진영 컴백 [종합]" [1st Place in 'Music Center', Mamamu Park Bom Hong Jin Young Comeback [General]]. Naver (in Korean). March 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  28. "MAMAMOO's Hwasa Takes 3rd Win And Triple Crown For "Maria" On "Inkigayo"; Performances By TREASURE, (G)I-DLE, Kang Daniel, And More". Soompi. 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  29. "Watch: MAMAMOO's Hwasa Takes 4th Win For "Maria" On "Music Bank"; Performances By Kang Daniel, (G)I-DLE, Cherry Bullet, And More". Soompi. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  30. "Gaon Album Chart – Week 27, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  31. "Top Album Sales". Billboard. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  32. "Hwasa Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  33. "María". Itunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
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