Base (EP)

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Base
EP by
Jonghyun
ReleasedJanuary 12, 2015 (2015-01-12)
Genre
Length28:22
LanguageKorean
LabelSM
ProducerJonghyun
Jonghyun chronology
Base
(2015) 		The Collection: Story Op.1
(2015)
Singles from Base
  1. "Déjà-Boo"
    Released: January 7, 2015
  2. "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)"
    Released: January 12, 2015
Music video
"Déjà-Boo" on YouTube
"Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)" on YouTube

Base is the debut and only extended play (EP) by South Korean singer-songwriter Jonghyun, released on January 12, 2015 by SM Entertainment. The EP consists of seven tracks and features collaborations with various artists, such as Zion.T, Younha, Wheesung and Iron. Jonghyun penned the lyrics to every song on the EP. The EP was commercially successful, debuting at number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart. It won the Disk Bonsang at the 30th Golden Disc Awards.

Background[edit]

Jonghyun was the second member of boy band Shinee to debut as a soloist, following his bandmate Taemin. The title, Base, was chosen for its similarity to Taemin's solo debut, Ace (2014). Jonghyun said that he wanted to maintain continuity with the other Shinee members.[1] Jonghyun also played the bass in his high school band.[2] The same rhyme scheme was later adopted by the remaining Shinee members; Key named his solo debut album Face (2018), followed by Onew with Voice (2018) and Minho with Chase (2022).[3] Describing the EP, Jonghyun told the media at a showcase:

To be honest, I am not confident in singing ballad songs. Fans have loved my ballads in the past, but I am not really good at singing them. For this album, I focused on introducing my style of music and what I would like to pursue in my musical career. I wanted to make an album filled with songs I like, and work with musicians who inspired me. When deciding who to collaborate with for this album, I chose artists who can express the songs best.[4]

Production[edit]

Jonghyun wrote lyrics for all the songs on the EP,[4] and composed five of them himself: "Déjà-Boo", "Love Belt", "Neon", "Beautiful Tonight" and "Fortune Cookie".[1][5] The EP was written over a period of several years, with the oldest song dating to around four years before release and the newest song one year.[6] It was recorded while he was touring Japan with Shinee.[1] Jonghyun collaborated with various artists, such as Younha, Wheesung, Zion.T and Iron.[7]

"Déjà-Boo" was co-produced by Zion.T, who also features on the track.[7][8] Jonghyun wanted "Déjà-Boo" to have a "hip hop feel" and wrote the song with Zion.T in mind. He changed the melody to fit his voice once his participation was confirmed. Iron was featured on "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)" at his company's suggestion after he elected to include rap in the song.[1] "Hallelujah" was co-written with Wheesung, Jonghyun's idol and the first person he contacted for the EP.[2] Jonghyun wanted a female vocalist for "Love Belt", and opted for Younha after listening to the Epik High song "We Fight Ourselves", on which she features.[1] He said the song would not have been included if she hadn't agreed to participate.[2] "Beautiful Tonight" was composed as early as 2012 and was inspired by the view of the moon as Jonghyun was walking home from work one night.[9] He felt that it was the most complete of all the songs he had written.[1]

Composition[edit]

"Déjà-Boo" is described as a "retro funk song with a synthesizer comping melody and the funk rhythm of a bass".[7] It has "silky disco guitars" and "thick vocal harmonies".[10] "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)" is a midtempo retro pop song containing neo soul and funk influences.[11] Also described as alternative R&B, it features heavy bass, strings, and filtered keys.[12] "Hallelujah" incorporates gospel, inspired by R. Kelly,[13] with a "choral-infused refrain". It has "stilted beats" and "high-toned piano".[12] Influenced by R&B and soul,[14] it is a romantic song in which Jonghyun thanks his partner for being born, and the lyrics reference Wheesung's 2012 song "Masterpiece of You", which expresses love and reverence for women.[2] "Love Belt" is an "emotional" midtempo R&B song featuring "languid" vocals and a string quartet.[14][15] It uses a seat belt as a metaphor for two lovers holding onto each other tightly to relieve anxiety.[15][16] "Neon" is a midtempo R&B song[14] that contains layered, overlapping vocals[17] and a Dilla break in the bridge.[18] "Mono-Drama" compares feelings of unrequited love to a monodrama. It is a midtempo R&B track with the trademark strong beat and chord development of The Underdogs, who produced the song. Bonus track "Beautiful Tonight" is an urban soul song with a whistling melody.[14] It is about wanting to spend extra time with a lover instead of letting them go home for the night.[19] Finally, "Fortune Cookie", which is exclusive to the CD version, is a neo soul song with a broken beat. The song's title references a "credit cookie", or post-credits scene, which appears after the closing credits of a film.[5]

Release and reception[edit]

The EP was promoted with two singles: "Déjà-Boo" and "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)".[4] "Déjà-Boo", which served as a pre-release, was released on January 7.[7] On January 8, Jonghyun played "Love Belt" on his MBC radio show Blue Night.[20] He held a showcase to introduce the EP at the SM Town Coex Artium.[21][13] The official music video for the lead single, "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)", was released on the same day.[11] The concept of the music video reflects the name of the song, "guilty pleasure", and depicts Jonghyun as a man who is "head over heels for an alluring woman". It was filmed using a Phantom camera.[22] Jonghyun started his official album promotions on KBS' Music Bank on January 9.[23] The EP was released on January 12, alongside "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)".[21]

Base debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart.[24] It debuted at number two on Billboard's World Albums chart, rising to number one the following week. It was the first number one for a K-pop artist in 2015 and the first solo number one for a Shinee member on a Billboard chart.[25] Jonghyun's music video for "Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)" was the most watched K-pop video in America and in the world for January 2015. The music video for "Déjà-Boo" ranked sixth on both lists.[26] Base sold over 72,000 copies in South Korea in 2015.[27] It won the Disk Bonsang at the 30th Golden Disc Awards.[28]

Track listing[edit]

All lyrics are written by Jonghyun, except where noted

Base track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Déjà-Boo" (데자-부; Deja-bu) (featuring Zion.T) 
  • Jonghyun
  • Zion.T
  • Wefreaky
Philtre3:29
2."Crazy (Guilty Pleasure)" (featuring Iron)
  • Jonghyun
  • Iron
3:41
3."Hallelujah" (할렐루야; Hallelluya)
3:18
4."Love Belt" (featuring Younha) 
  • Jonghyun
  • Wefreaky
Score3:31
5."Neon" 
  • Jonghyun
  • Deez
Deez3:29
6."Mono-Drama" (일인극; Iringeuk) 
  • The Underdogs
  • Dawkins
4:14
7."Beautiful Tonight" (시간이 늦었어; Sigani neujeosseo; lit. It's Late) (Bonus track) 
  • Jonghyun
  • Sojin
Lee Yoon-jae3:50
8."Fortune Cookie" (포춘쿠키; Pochunkuki) (CD-only track) 
  • Jonghyun
  • Oh Joon-hyuk
Hitchhiker2:42
Total length:28:14

Charts[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Music program awards
Song Music show Date Ref.
"Déjà-Boo" Show! Music Core January 17, 2015 [32]
January 24, 2015 [33]
Inkigayo January 18, 2015 [34]
The Show January 20, 2015 [35]
January 27, 2015 [36]
Show Champion January 21, 2015 [37]
M Countdown January 22, 2015 [38]
Music Bank January 23, 2015 [39]

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for Base
Region Date Format Label
South Korea January 12, 2015
SM Entertainment
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 SM Entertainment

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kang, Tae-myung (January 8, 2015). 종현, 첫 솔로 "난 발라드 못 한다"···'자작곡' 힘을 보여줘(종합) [Jonghyun, first solo "I can't do ballads"... Show the power of 'self-composed song' (summary)]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Naver.
  2. ^ a b c d Park, Ui-ryeong (February 2015). "Guilty Pleasure". Dazed Korea (in Korean).
  3. ^ Yang, Haley (December 6, 2022). "Minho becomes last piece of the Shinee puzzle with solo EP 'Chase'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Yoon, Sarah (January 9, 2015). "'Deja-Boo' is my musical color: Jonghyun". Kpop Herald. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Lee, Jeong-ah (January 13, 2015). 종현, 첫 솔로 쿠키 트랙 '포춘 쿠키'...앨범에만 특별 수록 [Jonghyun's first solo cookie track 'Fortune Cookie'... included exclusively in the album]. SBS Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Ko, Hyun-kyung (February 2015). 끼와 정의 사이, 종현 [Between Talent and Justice, Jonghyun]. The Celebrity (in Korean).
  7. ^ a b c d Kim, Hyung-woo (January 6, 2015). "Shinee's Jonghyun to Pre-release Song with Zion.T". Newsen. Translated by Danbi Hong, Grace. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2015 – via Mwave.
  8. ^ Kim, Sara (January 7, 2015). [한밤의 신곡] 종현의 매력적인 고백..펑키 그루비 '데자-부' [[Midnight New Song] Jonghyun's charming confession.. Funky, groovy 'Deja-Boo']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2015 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Shinee's Wonderful Day (in Korean). April 9, 2013. MBC M.
  10. ^ Interrante, Scott (February 16, 2015). "K-pop Roundup: January 2015 – Life After the 'K-pocalypse'". PopMatters. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Han, In-gu (January 5, 2015). 종현, 첫 솔로 타이틀은 'Crazy'…아이언 피처링 참여 [Jonghyun's first solo title is 'Crazy'... Iron features]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Herman, Tamar (December 20, 2017). "Jonghyun's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Kim, Su-ji; Hwang, Soo-yeon (January 11, 2015). [스타캐스트] "본 적 없는, 데자~부?"…종현, 크레이지 솔로출격 [[Starcast] "Never seen before, Deja-Boo?"... Jonghyun's crazy solo]. Naver Starcast (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 1, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d Hong, Jeong-won (January 9, 2015). 종현 첫 솔로 쇼케이스, 감성에 섹시미까지 곁들이다 [Jonghyun's first solo showcase, full of emotion and sexiness]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Kim, Mi-ji (December 20, 2017). [엑's 초점] '혜야'부터 '산하엽'까지…故샤이니 종현의 숨겨진 명곡들 [[X's Focus] From 'Hyeya' to 'San Ha-yeop'... Hidden masterpieces of the late Shinee Jonghyun]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Lee, Ji-hyeon (December 18, 2019). [Opinion] 그의 이야기 [음악] [[Opinion] His story [Music]]. Art Insight (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  17. ^ Mimyo (January 22, 2015). "종현 – Base (2015)". Idology (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  18. ^ Dorof, Jakob (December 9, 2015). "The Top 20 K-pop Songs of 2015". Vice. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Jeong, Jun-hwa (May 21, 2014). 샤이니 종현, 자작곡 '시간이 늦었어' 깜짝 공개…방송 최초 [Shinee's Jonghyun surprisingly releases his self-composed song 'Beautifil Tonight'... First broadcast]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 – via Naver.
  20. ^ '음원 1위' 종현, '푸른밤'서 윤하 피처링 '러브벨트' 선공개…깜짝선물 ['No.1 Song' Jonghyun pre-released 'Love Belt' featuring Younha on 'Blue Night']. My Daily (in Korean). January 7, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2015 – via Naver.
  21. ^ a b Danbi Hong, Grace (January 5, 2015). "Shinee's Jonghyun to Collaborate with Younha, Wheesung and Iron in First Solo Album". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015 – via Mwave.
  22. ^ Ghim, Sora (January 9, 2015). "Jonghyun's Music Video Is An Hot Issue". BNT News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  23. ^ Danbi Hong, Grace (January 2, 2015). "Shinee′s Jonghyun to Go Solo with First Mini Album 'Base'". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015 – via Mwave.
  24. ^ a b "Album Chart – Week 4, 2015". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff (January 22, 2015). "Shinee's Jonghyun Rises to No. 1 on World Albums Chart With 'Base' EP". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  26. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (February 11, 2015). "Most Viewed K-Pop Videos in America & Around the World: January 2015". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "2015 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  28. ^ Lee, Yoon-min (January 21, 2016). '골든디스크' 엑소·샤이니 종현 3관왕 'SM 쌍끌이 활약' [종합] ['Golden Disc': Exo and Shinee's Jonghyun both won three awards]. TV Daily. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  29. ^ 週間 CDアルバムランキング 2015年01月26日付 [Weekly CD Album Ranking – January 26, 2015] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  30. ^ "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. January 24, 2015. Archived from the original on January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  31. ^ "Album Chart – January 2015". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021.
  32. ^ Heo, Seol-hee (January 17, 2015). '음악중심' 종현, 솔로 첫 1위에 얼떨떨 "머리 어지러워" [Jonghyun's first win as a soloist on 'Music Core', "I'm dizzy"]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Jung, Jun-hwa (January 24, 2015). 종현, '음중'도 1위…'데자부'로 여섯번 째 트로피 [Jonghyun also ranked first on 'Music Core'... sixth trophy for 'Deja-Boo']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Kim, So-yeon (January 18, 2015). '인기가요' 샤이니 종현 1위, 솔로 通했다 [Shinee's Jonghyun won first place on 'Inkigayo' as a soloist]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (January 20, 2015). [포토] 종현, '나 1위 가수야~'(더쇼) [[Photo] Jonghyun, 'I'm the number one singer' (The Show)]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  36. ^ Song, Jae-won (January 27, 2015). [포토]'불참' 종현, 더쇼 1위 등극! [[Photo] 'No Attendance' Jonghyun wins first place on The Show!]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  37. ^ Lee, Seung-gil (January 21, 2015). 종현 '데자부', 방송재개 '쇼챔피언'서 1위…거침없는 정상질주 [Jonghyun's 'Deja-Boo' takes first place on Show Champion after broadcasting resumes... a relentless race to the top]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  38. ^ Kwon, Soo-bin (January 22, 2015). 종현 '엠카'마저 1위, 팬들과 셀카 찍으며 자축 [Jonghyun took first place on M Countdown, celebrating by taking selfies with fans]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  39. ^ Kim, Sara (January 23, 2015). 종현, '엠카' 이어 '뮤뱅' 1위..공약 '데자-부' 랩 버전 [Jonghyun is number one on 'Music Bank' following 'M Countdown'.. promised rap version of 'Deja-Boo']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021 – via Naver.
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