The Red Summer (EP)

The Red Summer is the first special extended play (fifth overall) by South Korean girl group Red Velvet. Marketed as the group's first "special summer" release, the five-track EP was released digitally on July 9, 2017 and physically on July 10, 2017 by SM Entertainment, with Genie Music served as the South Korean distributor. SM founder Lee Soo-man continued to serve as the release's executive producer, with lyrical and musical composition came from Kenzie, Caesar & Loui, Becky Jerams, Pontus Persson, Kanata Okajima, LDN Noise, Courtney Woolsey, Alice Penrose, Johannes Josh Jorgensen, Lars Halvor Jensen, and Hwang Hyun from production team MonoTree. A dominant dance-pop and EDM record, the extended play is the second major release from Red Velvet to focus solely on their "Red" concept, following their debut studio album The Red (2015). It was later proceeded by Summer Magic as both the second "special summer" extended play and the third major "Red" release.

The Red Summer
Artwork for digital copies and back cover of album
EP by
Red Velvet
Released
  • July 9, 2017 (2017-07-09) (digital)
  • July 10, 2017 (2017-07-10) (physical)
Recorded2017
StudioSM Studio, Seoul, South Korea
Genre
Length17:11
LanguageKorean
Label
Producer
Red Velvet chronology
Rookie
(2017)		 The Red Summer
(2017)		 Perfect Velvet
(2017)
Singles from The Red Summer
  1. "Red Flavor"
    Released: July 9, 2017
Other cover
Physical version cover

Upon its release, The Red Summer received positive reviews from music critics for its "summery" vibe while showcasing the group's "bright and vivid" side. It was a commercial success, becoming the group's sixth consecutive Gaon Album Chart topper and their third to debut atop the Billboard's World Albums chart, thus setting the record for South Korean girl groups with the most number-one albums on the chart at the time.[2] Its lead single "Red Flavor" was a massive commercial success as well, becoming their first to reach number one on the Gaon Digital Chart and the group's first to experience success outside of their native country, becoming their first single to enter the Billboard charts in Philippines and Japan. The song has since become one of the group's signature songs, as well as the group's first single to sell over 2,500,000 downloads in South Korea as of September 2018. It has since appeared on several year-end lists from critics, being hailed as one of the top singles in 2017, later hailed as one of "greatest K-pop song of the 2010s" by Billboard magazine in 2019. The track eventually earned the group their first Korean Music Awards at the 2018 ceremony, in the category of Best Pop Song.

Background and release

After concluding music show promotion for their fourth extended play Rookie in February, Red Velvet released the digital single "Would U" as the first release for the second season of the label project SM Station.[3] The group was then reported to release their first "summer special" extended play through news outlet and the label's official press announcement on June 23, 2017.[4] The first batch of teaser photos was then unveiled on the group's official social media accounts a week later, along with the album's title and tracklist on the same day.[5] A 19-second video teaser for "Red Flavor" was uploaded on the official SMTOWN channel on July 7, with the official video being released two days later to coincide with its digital release.[6] The physical version was released a day later in a single edition, containing a CD, photo booklet and collectibles.[7]

Composition

The Red Summer consists of five songs that corporate genres like dance-pop and EDM. The lead single "Red Flavor" was described by writer Tamar Herman of Billboard magazine as an electropop song with "dramatic synths and a percussive melody." Orginally produced by production team Caesar & Loui, the track features background vocals from songwriter Ylva Dimberg and a distorted lyrics "red flavor" done by Lindell himself. It was later rewritten in Korean by SM songwriter and producer Kenzie, whom had previously worked with the group on their first studio album and their third extended play. Jeff Benjamin of Fuse magazine described the song as a "super-simple-to-swallow piece of pop" and wrote that the album consists of five 'feel-good' tracks. "You Better Know" is a warm EDM song. The tropical dance track "Zoo" is a throwback to the group's animal sound-infused debut single "Happiness". "Mojito" was defined as a saccharine, glossy, electropop song and lastly, "Hear the Sea" is a mid-tempo R&B track.[8][9][10]

Release and promotion

On June 23, 2017, S.M. Entertainment announced that Red Velvet would be releasing an album in July for a summer comeback (a first for the group) and had recently finished filming the music video.[11] At around midnight on June 30, the first set of teaser images were released through the company's official website, the group's official Instagram, and the group's promotional Twitter account, which was created the same month. Later that day, they posted another set of teasers which revealed the album title and the full track list which includes the title track, "Red Flavor". The album was officially released digitally on July 9 and physically on July 10.[12] The physical album was released in two formats-CD and Kihno kit

The single "Red Flavor" had an unconventional release and was performed live by the group at an SMTOWN concert in Seoul on July 8 before the song's digital release along with its music video a day later.[13] 10 minutes after its release on July 9, the group had their first music show performance on Inkigayo where they also performed "You Better Know".[14] They continued appearing on several music shows such as The Show, M Countdown, Music Bank and Show Champion where they earned their first music show trophy for "Red Flavor" on July 20, 2017.[15]

Reception and commercial performance
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM
The Star8/10
The 4058/10

While Tamar Herman of Billboard, Jeff Benjamin of Fuse magazine and Chase McMullen of The 405 praised the title track and EP for its summery vibe, with McMullen giving the EP an 8/10 and Hermann commenting on its "dynamic in its jam-packed but not overpowering production" while concluding that it is "sure to be one of the summer's K-pop earworms", Lee Gi-seon of IZM magazine was more neutral and gave the EP 3 out of 5 stars, but had a more positive response to the single "Red Flavor".[16][17] Chester Chin of The Star described the album as a "sizzling affair that highlights the girl group's more vivid and upbeat side".

The Red Summer claimed the no.1 spot on the South Korean Gaon Album Chart on the third week of July, with the title track "Red Flavor" topping both the Gaon Digital Chart and the Gaon Download Chart. All five tracks from the EP also debuted in the Top 50 of the Digital Chart: "Red Flavor" (no. 1), "You Better Know" (no. 14), "Zoo" (no. 24), "Mojito" (no. 32) and "Hear The Sea" (no. 35).[18]

The Red Summer marks the third time the group has topped Billboard's World Albums chart, making them, at the time, the k-pop girl group with the most no. 1 albums on the chart. The record was later tied by their label mate Girls' Generation in August of the same year but was once again beaten by Red Velvet with the release of their second studio album Perfect Velvet in November. According to the site, the EP sold over 1,000 copies within the week, making it at the time the group's best US sales week. It also entered Billboard's Top Heatseekers Albums Chart at no. 8, the first time the group has charted in the Top 10.[2] The album also peaked at no. 25 on Billboard's Independent Albums which is the first time the group entered the chart.[19] In Japan, it debuted at no. 27 on the Oricon Albums Chart which was also their highest peaking position at the time.[20]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Naver

The Red Summer
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Red Flavor" (Korean: 빨간 맛; RR: Ppalgan Mat)
  • Daniel Caesar (Caesar & Loui)
  • Ludwig Lindell (Caesar & Loui)
  • Caesar & Loui (The Kennel)
3:11
2."You Better Know"
  • Pontus Persson
4:10
3."Zoo"
3:24
4."Mojito" (Korean: 여름빛; RR: Yeoreumbit; lit. Summer Light)
3:04
5."Hear the Sea" (Korean: 바다가 들려; RR: Badaga Deullyeo)
  • Hyun Hwang (Monotree)
  • Hyun Hwang (Monotree)
  • Hyun Hwang (Monotree)
3:22
Total length:17:18

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Red Summer.[21]

  • S.M. Entertainment Co., Ltd. – executive producer
  • Lee Soo-man – producer
  • Lee Seong-soo – producing director
  • Jeong Eui-seok (S.M. Blue Cup Studio) – recording engineer
  • Lee Ji-hong (S.M. LYVIN Studio) – recording engineer
  • Lee Min-gyu (S.M. Big Shot Studio) – recording engineer
  • Yoo Ji-sang (MonoTree Studio) – recording engineer
  • Hwang Hyun (MonoTree Studio) – recording engineer
  • Jeong Eun-kyeong (In Grid Studio) – recording engineer
  • Ahn Chang-kyu (doobdoob Studio) – recording engineer
  • On Seong-yoon (sound POOL Studios) – recording engineer
  • Jeong Ki-hong (Seoul Studio) – recording engineer
  • Ji Yong-joo (Seoul Studio) – recording engineer assistant
  • Nam Koong-jin (S.M. Concert Hall Studio) – mixing engineer
  • Koo Jong-pil (Beat Burger) (S.M. Yellow Tail Studio) – mixing engineer
  • Kim Cheol-soon (S.M. Blue Ocean Studio) – mixing engineer
  • Jeong Ui-seok (S.M. Blue Cup Studio) – mixing engineer
  • Chris Gehringer (Sterling Sound) – master engineer
  • Min Hee-jin – creative director
  • Min Hee-jin – music video direction and arrangement
  • Kim Ju-young – music video direction and arrangement
  • Park Yoon-seon – music video direction and arrangement
  • Seong Chang-won – music video director
  • Jo Woo-cheol – art direction and design
  • Cho Woo-shik – art direction and design
  • Kim Ye-jin – stylist
  • Yoon Seo-ha – hair stylist
  • Soon-ee – hair stylist
  • Shin Kyung-mi – make-up artist
  • Song Si-young – photography
  • Kim Young-min – executive supervisor
  • Red Velvet – vocals, Polaroid photography
    • Irene – vocals, Polaroid photography
    • Seulgi – vocals, Polaroid photography
    • Wendy – vocals, Polaroid photography
    • Joy – vocals, Polaroid photography
    • Yeri – vocals, Polaroid photography

Charts

Accolades

Annual music awards
Year Award show Category Nominated work Result
2017 Melon Music Awards Dance Award (Female) Red Flavor Nominated
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Dance Performance Female Group Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
2018 Golden Disc Awards Digital Single Division Main Award Won
Digital Single Division Grand Award Nominated
Korean Music Awards Best Pop Song Won
Song of the Year Nominated
Gaon Chart Music Awards Song of the Month (July 2017) Nominated

Music program awards
Song Program Date
"Red Flavor" Show Champion (MBC Music) July 19, 2017
M Countdown (Mnet) July 20, 2017
Music Bank (KBS) July 21, 2017
Show! Music Core (MBC) July 22, 2017
Inkigayo (SBS) July 23, 2017

Release history
Region Date Format Label
South Korea July 9, 2017
Various SM Entertainment
South Korea July 10, 2017
  • CD
  • SMC
  • SM Entertainment
  • Genie Music

References
  1. Kim, Hyun-sik (July 9, 2017). "레드벨벳, '빨간맛'으로 여름 가요계 공략". nocutnews (in Korean). Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  2. Benjamin, Jeff (July 19, 2017). "Red Velvet Scores Third No. 1 on World Albums, Lead Among K-Pop Females". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  3. tenasia.hankyung.com, Digital (2017-03-31). "레드벨벳, 봄맞이 달콤설렘송… SM 스테이션2 막 올랐다 | 텐아시아". 텐아시아 연예뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  4. "Red Velvet confirm their comeback in July!". naver. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  5. Jung, Hee-yeon (June 30, 2017). "'컴백' 레드벨벳, 타이틀곡 '빨간 맛'…7월 9일 공개". naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  6. "Red Velvet Offers a Taste of Summer With 'Red Flavor' Song & Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  7. "Red Velvet - Summer Mini Album [The Red Summer]". www.ktown4u.com. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  8. Benjamin, Jeff (July 10, 2017). "RED VELVET CAPTURE THE TASTE OF SUMMER WITH 'RED FLAVOR': WATCH THE VIDEO". Fuse. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  9. Herman, Tamar (July 9, 2017). "Red Velvet Offers a Taste of Summer With 'Red Flavor' Song & Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  10. "#레드벨벳, 여름 미니앨범 '#TheRedSummer'". Vyrl (in Korean). July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  11. Kim, Hwi-seok (June 23, 2017). "레드벨벳, 7월 컴백 예정..SM "뮤비 촬영 마쳤다"(공식)". naver (in Korean). Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  12. Jung, Hee-yeon (June 30, 2017). "'컴백' 레드벨벳, 타이틀곡 '빨간 맛'…7월 9일 공개". naver (in Korean). Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  13. Yang, Ji-yeon (July 2, 2017). "레드벨벳, SM타운 콘서트서 신곡 '빨간 맛' 최초 공개···조이 티저 오픈". naver (in Korean). Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  14. Cho, Yoon-seon (July 9, 2017). "이효리, '인기가요'로 음방 피날레…레드벨벳 신곡 첫 공개". Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  15. Ji, Min-kyung (July 19, 2017). "'쇼챔피언' 레드벨벳, 1위 등극...'빨간맛' 통했다 [종합]". Korea Daily (in Korean). Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  16. McMullen, Chase (July 14, 2017). "Review: Red Velvet's concise and carefree new offering Red Summer is the perfect K-pop treat for the height of the season". The 405. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  17. Lee, Gi-seon. "The Red Summer". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  18. Park, Geon-wook (July 20, 2017). "레드벨벳 '빨간 맛', 가온차트 3관왕 '인기 이어간다'". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  19. "Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  20. "CDアルバムランキング - 2017年07月24日付". Oricon (in Korean). Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  21. The Red Summer (booklet) (in Korean). Red Velvet. S.M. Entertainment. 2017.CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Téléchargés(Top Albums Downloaded)". July 14, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  23. South Korea's Monthly Gaon Albums Chart (in Korean) Originally from Gaon Music Chart (July 2017). Retrieved on August 12, 2017.
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