Protostar (single)

"Protostar" (stylized as "PROTOSTAR") is the debut single of Japanese boy group JO1, formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan. Consisting of songs previously performed on the last episode of the show and three new songs, the maxi-single was released by Lapone Entertainment into three different editions on March 4, 2020.

"Protostar"
Normal edition cover
Single by JO1
LanguageJapanese
A-side"Infinity"
ReleasedMarch 4, 2020 (2020-03-04)
Recorded2019–2020
Genre
Length
  • 14:16 (Limited edition A)
  • 13:38 (Limited edition B)
  • 14:00 (Normal edition)
LabelLapone Entertainment
JO1 singles chronology
"Protostar"
(2020)		 "Stargazer"
(2020)
Music video
"無限大(INFINITY)" on YouTube

Upon its release, the single earned the top spot on Oricon Singles Chart and received a Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. The lead song "Infinity" also debuted atop the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Background and release

Shortly after the end of Produce 101 Japan, JO1 was revealed to fly to South Korea for the preparation and the production of their debut.[1] On January 14, it was revealed that the group's debut single is titled "Protostar" and would be released on March 4 with "Infinity" as the lead song.[2] A concept trailer was released on January 28, 2020.[3]

"Protostar" consists of songs previously performed on the last episode of the show and three new songs that were released into three different editions. The first edition is a CD and DVD bundle limited edition that includes a making video for "Infinity" and a talk segment with members. The second edition is a CD and photo booklet bundle limited edition. The third edition is a normal edition that includes the new songs: "Infinity", "Running", and "La Pa Pa Pam".[4][5]

To commemorate the single's release and the group's debut, a special live streaming event was held on the group's official Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channel.[6]

Lead song and promotion

Lead song

On February 3, 2020, a music video teaser for the lead song "Infinity" was released, followed by a short version and making video two days later.[7][8] The song was also aired for the first time on J-Wave's Step One.[9] On February 16, the full music video was released. Sho Yonashiro commented: "Protostar implies our wish that we, who were ordinary people, gather and become stars. And "Infinity" is a song that embodies the infinite possibilities and infinite growth of JO1."[10] To further promote the single, an animated music video for "Running" and a short performance video of "La Pa Pa Pam" were also released.[4][11]

"Infinity" is used as the theme song for the TV commercial of ABC-Mart x Nike's project titled Nike One.[12] The song is also used as an ending song for TV Asahi's show Sonna Koto Kangaetakoto Nakatta Quiz! Torinikku-tte Nanno Niku!? and a Kansai TV's variety show Chihara Junior no Zao.[13]

Upon its release, "Infinity" lead other songs from the single on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 by ranking first on that week.[14]

Live performances

On March 24, 2020, JO1 had their first live performance ever on a TV program by performing "Infinity" on NTV's morning show Sukkiri.[15]

The group delivered a special "home performance" of "La Pa Pa Pam" on Mezamashi Uchi Festival, a special episode of Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV due to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 4.[16] The performance featured combined images of the members performing at their home and doing various activities at home.[17] Subsequently, the group performed remotely on various TV shows, such as Love Music and NHK's Shibuya Note.[18][19]

JO1 performed songs from the single in KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, making them the first Japanese boy group to ever participate in the convention.[20]

Commercial performance

Shortly after its release, "Protostar" peaked at number one on iTunes's real-time album charts in five regions in addition to Japan, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan.[21] The single debuted at number one on Oricon's Daily Singles Chart with an estimate of 215,409 copies sold.[22] It remained at the top spot for seven consecutive days and ranked number one on Weekly Singles Chart with 327,187 sold.[23] Subsequently, it ranked third on the Monthly Singles Chart.[24] The single also topped Billboard Japan's Top Single Sales.[25]

According to SoundScan Japan, the single ranked seventh on their singles chart for the first quarter of 2020.[26] It later received a Platinum certification by the RIAJ for surpassing 250,000 copies sold.[27]

The single's continuous commercial success made JO1 included in various mid-year rankings. The group ranked eighteenth on Billboard Japan's 2020 Mid-Year Top Artists, a chart that combines points from Japan Hot 100 and Japan Hot Albums for the first half of 2020, and ranked eighth on the 2020 Mid-Year Top Singles Sales.[28][29] They also ranked sixth on Oricon's Mid-Year Singles Sales and tenth on Total Singles Sales.[30][31] The group also ranked second on New Artist Total Sales ranking by earning an estimate of 640 million yen from one single alone.[32] SoundScan Japan later reported the single has sold 387,000 copies and earned the ninth place on their singles chart for the first half of 2020.[33]

Track listing

Credits adapted from QQ Music.

Limited edition A
CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大; Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • B.O
  • B.Eyes
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • B.O
  • Kim Seung Soo
  • KZ
  • Kim Seung Soo
  • Nthonius
3:04
2."Running"
  • Yoske
  • Seion
  • EastWest
  • Yoske
  • EastWest
  • D.stus
  • Holy M
3:50
3."Young" (JO1 ver.)
  • Sun
  • Uno Buckx
  • Kaine
  • Sun
  • Versachoi
Versachoi3:24
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura
  • Eunsol (1008)
  • Seo Yi Sung
3:58
Total length:14:16
DVD[5]
No.TitleLength
1."Making video + JO1 Secrets" 

Limited edition B
CD + photo booklet
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大; Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • B.O
  • B.Eyes
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • B.O
  • Kim Seung Soo
  • KZ
  • Kim Seung Soo
  • Nthonius
3:04
2."La Pa Pa Pam"
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Rosieblue
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
3:08
3."GrandMaster" (JO1 ver.)
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Hasegawa
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Yuki
Coach & Sendo3:28
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura
  • Eunsol (1008)
  • Seo Yi Sung
3:58
Total length:13:38

Normal edition
CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大; Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • B.O
  • B.Eyes
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • B.O
  • Kim Seung Soo
  • KZ
  • Kim Seung Soo
  • Nthonius
3:04
2."Running"
  • Yoske
  • Seion
  • EastWest
  • Yoske
  • EastWest
  • D.stus
  • Holy M
3:50
3."La Pa Pa Pam"
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Rosieblue
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
3:08
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura
  • Eunsol (1008)
  • Seo Yi Sung
3:58
Total length:14:00

Charts

Sales

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[27] Platinum 250,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Label Format Catalog
Japan March 4, 2020 Lapone Entertainment
YRCS-90173
  • CD
  • photo booklet
 YRCS-90174
  • CD
 YRCS-90175
 N/A
Various
N/A

References
  1. "[공식입장] 엠넷 "'프듀 재팬' 최종그룹 JO1, 한국 데뷔 계획 없다"". Naver (in Korean). December 24, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  2. "「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN」から誕生したグローバルグループ「JO1」、デビューシングル『Protostar』3月4日発売 - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE". Tower Records Online (in Japanese). January 14, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  3. "JO1 1st single "Protostar" concept trailer published". JO1 Official Site. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  4. "JO1、デビューシングル『PROTOSTAR』ビジュアル公開　リード曲「無限大」ラジオ初OAも". Real Sound (in Japanese). 5 February 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. "JO1 debut single "Protostar" singer photos and jacket photos published". JO1 Official Site. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
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  7. "JO1『Mugendai(INFINITY)』MV Teaser Published". JO1 Official Site. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  8. "JO1『Mugendai (INFINITY)』MV Short Ver. + Making Video Published". JO1 Official Site. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  9. "JO1デビューシングル曲「無限大」本日初OA、魅力凝縮のアー写＆ジャケ写も公開". @natalie_mu (in Japanese). 5 February 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  10. "JO1デビュー作より「無限大」MVフル尺公開「世界に伝わるようにと想いを込めた」". Natalie.mu (in Japanese). Natasha,Inc. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  11. "JO1 『La Pa Pa Pam』Performance Short Ver. published". JO1 Official Site. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  12. "JO1出演！ABC-MART『NIKE AIRMAX』新CM". ABC-MART (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  13. "JO1『Mugendai(INFINITY)』TV program tie-up decision!". JO1 Official Site. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
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  15. "JO1が明日「スッキリ」で生パフォーマンス" (in Japanese). 23 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  16. "「めざましおうちフェス」の開催が決定！". fujitv.co.jp (in Japanese). 2 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  17. "JO1「めざまし」で"11人別々"おうちパフォーマンス「ダンス揃いすぎ」「さすがのクオリティ」". modelpress (in Japanese). 4 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  18. "JO1 川尻蓮 家の中でのパフォーマンスを披露するも「みんなの前で踊りたい」". フジテレビュー!! (in Japanese). 22 May 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  19. "JO1とSIRUPがリモート出演で「シブヤノオト」2カ月ぶりのリベンジ". natalie.mu (in Japanese). 2 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  20. "JO1、『KCON』初出演 日本人ボーイズグループで初の快挙 豆原一成「これからも出続けられるように」". Oricon News (in Japanese). 21 June 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  21. "「JO1」、デビューシングル「Protostar」が"プラチナ"認定…オーディション開始から半年". wowKorea（ワウコリア） (in Japanese). 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  22. "デイリー シングルランキング 2020年03月03日付". Oricon (in Japanese). March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  23. "2020年03月02日～2020年03月08日 オリコン週間 シングルランキング". Oricon. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  24. 月間 シングルランキング 2020年03月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking 2020/03]. Oricon. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  25. "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard JAPAN. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
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  27. "Japanese single certifications – JO1 – Protostar" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年3月 on the drop-down menu
  28. "ビルボード 2020年上半期TOP Artists". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  29. "ビルボード 2020年上半期TOP Singles Sales". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  30. "オリコン上半期ランキング2020 - シングルランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
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  32. "オリコン上半期ランキング2020 - アーティスト別セールス部門 新人ランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  33. "音楽オーディオ首位はSnow Man vs SixTONES、オーディオ総売上金額は前年比71.5%に　2020年 上半期音楽ソフト売上動向発表【SoundScan Japan調べ】". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 23 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  34. Oricon's cumulative sales for "Protostar":
  35. "Oricon Yearly CD Singles Chart TOP10 (as of 17/8/2020)". Baidu. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  36. Billboard's cumulative sales for "Protostar":
  37. "【ビルボード】JO1「無限大」がシングル344,299枚を売り上げ総合首位　赤ちゃんが泣き止むと話題の反町「POISON」はTwitter 2位で総合38位に" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
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