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Protostar (EP)

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"Protostar"
Normal edition cover
Single by JO1
from the album The Star
LanguageJapanese
A-side"Infinity"
ReleasedMarch 4, 2020 (2020-03-04)
Recorded2019–2020
GenreJ-pop
Length
  • 14:17 (Limited edition A)
  • 13:38 (Limited edition B)
  • 14:00 (Normal edition)
LabelLapone Entertainment
Producer(s)
JO1 singles chronology
"Protostar"
(2020) 		"Stargazer"
(2020)
Music video
"無限大(INFINITY)" on YouTube

Protostar (stylized as PROTOSTAR) is an extended play (EP) marketed as the debut single of Japanese boy group JO1, formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan. It also served as the lead single for their first studio album, The Star (2020). Consisting of songs previously performed on the last episode of the show and three new songs, the EP single was released by Lapone Entertainment into three different editions on March 4, 2020. It features the participation of various South Korean songwriters and production teams such as KZ, Kim Seung-soo, Nthonious, KCKT, Ryan S. Jhun, Andrew Choi, and others.

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. It made the group became the seventh artist that managed to sell over 300,000 copies in the first week with a debut single according to Oricon. The lead track "Infinity" also peaked atop the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Background and release

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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 EP single was titled Protostar and would be released on March 4 with "Infinity" as the lead track.[2] A concept trailer was released on January 28, 2020.[3] 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][5] A special live streaming event was then held on the group's various official social media accounts to commemorate the single's release and the group's debut, .[6]

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 final edition is a CD-only normal edition that includes the new songs: "Infinity", "Running", and "La Pa Pa Pam".[4][7]

Lead track

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"Infinity" incorporates various musical components, such as hip hop, EDM, and house music.[8] The song was aired for the first time on J-Wave's radio program, Step One, on February 5, 2020.[9] The full version of the music video was released on February 16 and directed by Beomjin from VM Project Architecture.[10] According to member Sho Yonashiro, Protostar implies the group's wish that they, who were ordinary people, gather and become stars, and "Infinity" is a song that embodies the infinite possibilities and infinite growth of JO1.[11]

Upon its release, "Infinity" led other songs from the EP single on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 by ranking first on that week and eventually earned the fiftieth place on the chart's year-end rankings.[12][13] The song was used as the theme song for the TV commercial of ABC-Mart x Nike's project titled Nike One,[14] as well as the 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.[15]

Promotion

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On March 24, 2020, JO1 had their first live performance ever on a TV program by performing "Infinity" on NTV's morning show Sukkiri.[16] The group later presented 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.[17] The performance featured combined images of the members performing at their home and doing various activities at home.[18] Subsequently, the group performed remotely on various TV shows, such as Love Music and NHK's Shibuya Note.[19][20] On June 21, JO1 performed songs from the single in KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, making them the first Japanese boy group to ever participate in the convention.[21]

Commercial performance

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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.[22] The single debuted at number one on Oricon Daily Singles Chart with an estimate of 215,409 copies sold.[23] It remained at the top spot for seven consecutive days and ranked number one on the weekly chart with 327,187 sold,[24] making JO1 the seventh artist that managed to sell over 300,000 copies sold in the first week with a debut single.[25] It subsequently ranked third on the monthly chart,[26] and received a Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for shipments of more than 250,000 units.[27] Protostar eventually ranked sixth on Oricon's mid-year chart,[28] and tenth on the Combined Singles Sales category.[29] JO1 also ranked second on the New Artist Total Sales ranking by earning an estimate of 640 million yen from one single alone.[30] By the end of 2020, the single ranked thirteenth on the 2020 Oricon Annual Ranking with 372,820 copies sold.[31]

Protostar also debuted atop Billboard Japan Top Single Sales,[32] and ranked eighth on the mid-year edition of the chart.[33] That achievement helped the group to rank on Billboard Japan 2020 Mid-Year Top Artists, a chart that combines points from Japan Hot 100 and Japan Hot Albums for the first half of 2020.[34] The single eventually ranked fourteenth on the chart's annual edition.[35]

Track listing

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"Infinity" and "Tsukame" are common track 1 and 4, respectively, for all editions.

Track listing of Protostar – Limited edition A
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大, Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • Kim Seung-soo
3:04
2."Running"
  • Yoske
  • Seion
  • EastWest
  • Yoske
  • EastWest
  • D.stus
  • Holy M
3:51
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 [ja]
  • Eunsol
  • Seo Yi-sung
3:58
Total length:14:17
Track listing of Protostar – Limited edition B
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."La Pa Pa Pam"
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Rosieblue
  • Young Jay
  • Buggy
  • Ven
  • Young Jay
  • Buggy
  • Ven
3:09
3."GrandMaster" (JO1 ver.)
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Yuki
Coach & Sendo3:28
Total length:13:38
Track listing of Protostar – Normal edition
No.TitleLength
2."Running"3:50
3."La Pa Pa Pam"3:08
Total length:14:00
Track listing of Protostar – Limited edition A (DVD)
No.TitleLength
1."Making video + JO1 Secrets"47:00
Total length:47:00

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for Protostar
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[27] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for Protostar
Region Date Label Format Type Catalog
Japan March 4, 2020 Lapone Entertainment
Limited A YRCS-90173
  • CD
  • photo booklet
 Limited B YRCS-90174
CD Normal YRCS-90175
Various
Limited A —
Limited B
Normal

References

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  1. ^ "[공식입장] 엠넷 "'프듀 재팬' 최종그룹 JO1, 한국 데뷔 계획 없다"". Naver (in Korean). December 24, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. 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. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "JO1 1st single "Protostar" concept trailer published". JO1 Official Site. January 29, 2020. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "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). February 5, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "JO1 『La Pa Pa Pam』Performance Short Ver. published". JO1 Official Site. February 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "JO1 on Twitter: "＼ついに明日デビュー／ 3月4日(水)18:00～特別生配信決定！"". Twitter (in Japanese). March 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "JO1 debut single "Protostar" singer photos and jacket photos published". JO1 Official Site. February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. ^ "JO1「無限大（INFINITY）」パフォーマンスに反響「ひと回り成長した無限大最高でした」". Music Voice (in Japanese). June 3, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  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). February 5, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  10. ^ "A:WE Official Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "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. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
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  13. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year End 2020". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
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  17. ^ "「めざましおうちフェス」の開催が決定！". fujitv.co.jp (in Japanese). May 2, 2020. Archived from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "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). May 4, 2020. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "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). May 22, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  20. ^ "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). June 2, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  21. ^ "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). June 21, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  22. ^ "「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). April 15, 2020. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  23. ^ "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. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "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 March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  25. ^ "NiziUデビューシングル、女性アーティスト歴代2位となる初週売上で首位 MAKO「感謝と嬉しい気持ちで一杯". Oricon (in Japanese). December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  26. ^ a b 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 April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Japanese single certifications – JO1 – Protostar" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年3月 on the drop-down menu
  28. ^ "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). June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  29. ^ "オリコン上半期ランキング2020 - 合算シングルランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  30. ^ "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). June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  31. ^ a b オリコン年間ランキング2020 [Oricon Annual Ranking 2020 - Singles]. Oricon (in Japanese). December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard JAPAN. March 16, 2020. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "ビルボード 2020年上半期TOP Singles Sales". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  34. ^ "ビルボード 2020年上半期TOP Artists". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  35. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales Year End 2020". Billboard JAPAN. December 4, 2020. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  36. ^ "2020年03月02日～2020年03月08日 オリコン週間 合算シングルランキング". Oricon. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  37. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' (Annual Combined Singles Ranking 2020)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
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