Zone (EP)

Zone
Digital cover
EP by
Jihyo
ReleasedAugust 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
Recorded2022
StudioJYP Studios
GenreR&B
Length21:58
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
Producer
  • Lindgren
  • Hae Sol Hae
  • Earattack
  • Gongdo
  • Rykeyz (Ryan Williamson)
  • Marty Maro
  • Shawn Wasabi
  • Softserveboy
  • Lee Woohyun
Singles from Zone
  1. "Killin' Me Good"
    Released: August 18, 2023

Zone (stylized as ZONE) is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Jihyo of the girl group Twice. It was released on August 18, 2023, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. The EP contains seven tracks, including the lead single "Killin' Me Good" and six other tracks written and composed by Jihyo. The EP features collaborations with American rapper 24kGoldn and South Korean singer-songwriter Heize. It is primarily an R&B record that incorporates dance-pop, dance and ballad production with elements of Latin-inspired sounds and melodic ballads.[1]

Domestically, Zone debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart with half a million copies sold in the first week. Overseas, it charted in various territories, including, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hungary, France, and Germany.

Background

[edit]

Beginning in April 2023, prior to the EP's announcement, Jihyo performed an unreleased track, "Nightmare", on Twice's Ready to Be World Tour, leading to speculation that she would soon make a full solo debut.[2][3] On June 5, 2023, Twice hinted at a mysterious project set to release in August with the text "Killin' Me Good" inscribed on the teaser image through their social media pages. Fans speculated if the teaser is related to a group comeback or the highly-anticipated solo debut of Jihyo.[4] On June 9, 2023, Twice confirmed the upcoming solo debut of Jihyo by revealing another teaser of "Killin' Me Good", accompanied by an image of Jihyo applying lipstick through the rear-view mirror. She is the second Twice member to solo debut officially, following Nayeon in June 2022.[5] Another visualizer of Jihyo with her mouth covered with moving images was teased on June 26, 2023, officially revealing her first EP titled Zone led by the lead track "Killin' Me Good".[6] On September 8, JYP Entertainment posted a teaser poster about Jihyo releasing an English version of "Killin' Me Good" on September 15, 2023. [7]

Release and promotion

[edit]

Zone was released on August 18, 2023, via CD available in four versions including a digipack, and on streaming platforms.[8] The pre-orders for the three-version EP began on July 18, 2023.[9] The three versions of the EP were available at Amazon. At the same time, various album inclusions were exclusively available at Twice's online store, JYP shop, Target, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the digipack version began on August 1, 2023.[10]

On July 22, 2023, a timetable was released through Twice's social media pages indicating the rollout dates for the promotional content.[11] Two consecutive set of spoilers of the sound "Killin' Me Good" was revealed on July 29 and 30 respectively, showing the music production of "Killin' Me Good" using Pro Tools.[11][12] On July 31, 2023, JYP Entertainment revealed the EP's tracklist and released a third spoiler of "Killin' Me Good" with Jihyo humming the tune of the song at a home recording studio.[13] On August 2, 2023, the opening trailer of Zone was unveiled.[14] On August 11, 2023, the first album's sneak peek video was released. In said video, Jihyo went on stage and performed live snippets of each track on Zone.[15] On August 16, 2023, a second sneak peek was unveiled.[16] Jihyo released an English version of "Kilin' Me Good" on September 15, 2023.[17]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

The album opens with the lead single "Killin' Me Good", written by Twice's longtime collaborators, Park Jin-young for the lyrics, Melanie Fontana and Lindgren for composition.[18] It is an up‐tempo R&B and[19] dance track,[20] described as a song that "stands out with Jihyo's timbre over the rhythmic and groovy sound."[21] Its lyrical content revolves around narrating the ups and downs of a relationship that goes from "beautiful beginnings to a bitter break-up."[22] The second track, "Talkin' About It," featuring American rapper 24kGoldn, is primarily a "chic" dance-pop song [23] that incorporates Latin elements. [24] Third track "Closer," is an R&B pop song with a Latin-style chorus.[25] Track four, "Wishing On You," is an R&B song characterized by a dreamy melody and "captivating vocals", with lyrics that express "the excitement and thrill" of thinking about someone all night long.[26] The fifth track, "Don't Wanna Go Back,” a duet with South Korean singer Heize, is an "emotional" ballad[23] and R&B song driven by an acoustic guitar and bass.[24]

Conception and title

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The album name, Zone, is a combination of the alphabet Z, which refers to Jihyo, and the English word One, meaning 'Jihyo's first' and 'Jihyo's complete one' work.[27] In a Q&A with Harpers Bazaar, Jihyo explained that “the concept for [Zone] is me, showing different sides of me...I particularly chose the order of the tracks because I wanted it to tell a story of emotions, like an emotional journey throughout the day. Each track shows different vocal styles, and yes, it’s very different from Twice, but I wanted to focus on that. While the image that I built through the group really helped me identify who I am, I want to show different sides of me.”[1] When asked about the message of the album Jihyo noted that instead of a certain message she wanted to deliver "diversity musically" while show herself as someone "who’s able to express different genres and express [herself] in new ways."[1]

Commercial performance

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Zone debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart with over half million copies sold in the first week.[28] It broke the record for the highest initial sales volume for a extended play released by a K-pop female soloist in Hanteo chart history.[29] In United States, the album debuted at number 14 on Billboard 200 with 41,000 copies sold,[30] in addition, it chartered on Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, Lyric Find Global, and World Album.[31]

Track listing

[edit]
Zone track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Killin' Me Good"J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
  • Lindgren
  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
3:05
2."Talkin' About It" (featuring 24kGoldn)
  • Jihyo
  • 24kGoldn
  • Earattack
  • Fontana
  • Lindgren
  • Earattack
  • Lindgren
2:50
3."Closer"Jihyo
  • Rykeyz
  • Marty Mario
2:35
4."Wishing on You"
  • Jihyo
  • Young
3:14
5."Don't Wanna Go Back" (duet with Heize)
  • Jihyo
  • Heize
  • Jihyo
  • Heize
  • Earattack
  • Nikki Flores
Earattack3:42
6."Room"Jihyo
  • Jihyo
  • Earattack
Earattack2:57
7."Nightmare"Jihyo
  • Jihyo
  • Earattack
Earattack3:35
Total length:21:58

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications for Zone
Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[49] 2× Platinum 584,225[28]
United States — 41,000[30]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Zone
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
  • Z
  • Y
  • O
[50]
CD
[51]
United States August 21, 2023 (2023-08-21) Digital album ZYO'S ZONE [52]
November 17, 2023 (2023-11-17) Vinyl
  • Deep Sea
  • Melon
 [53][54]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c India, Roby (August 21, 2023). "Jihyo Breaks Out of Her Shell for Her New Album, "Zone"". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Yeo, Gladys (June 5, 2023). "TWICE drop mysterious teaser for August release 'Killin' Me Good'". NME. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  3. ^ Bell, Crystal (July 10, 2023). "On The 'Ready To Be' Tour, TWICE Embraced Individuality". Nylon. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Yoo, Byung-cheol (June 9, 2023). "지효, 8월 나연에 이어 트와이스 두 번째 솔로 아티스트로 출격…오묘한 긴장감 감도는 포스터 눈길" [Jihyo, following Nayeon in August, scrambles as Twice's second solo artist... A poster with a subtle sense of tension]. Korea Economy TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Jeong, Seung-min (June 9, 2023). "지효, 나연 이어 트와이스 두 번째 솔로 주자 출격" [Twice's second solo runner after Jihyo and Nayeon]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Kim, Na-yul (June 26, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 'ZONE'으로 솔로 데뷔..8월 18일 발매" [Twice Jihyo, solo debut with 'ZONE'..Released on August 18th.]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
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  12. ^ Kim, So-jeong (July 29, 2023). "지효, '킬링 미 굿' 스포일러…"경쾌한 비트, 중독성 예고"" [Jihyo, 'Killing Me Good' spoiler... "Upbeat beat, addictive notice"]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (July 31, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 솔로 데뷔앨범 'ZONE' 6곡 참여 '헤이즈 지원사격'" [Twice Jihyo, participated in 6 songs on her solo debut album 'ZONE' 'Support shooting for Heize']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Song, Soo-min (August 2, 2023). ""리더의 낮과 밤은?"…지효, 'ZONE' 오프닝 트레일러" [“What is a leader’s day and night?”… Jihyo, 'ZONE' Opening Trailer]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Ahh, Yoon-ji (August 11, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 첫 솔로 데뷔작 미리 듣기..'파워 보컬' 완성" [Twice Jihyo, preview of her first solo debut...'Power Vocal' completed]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Kim, Na-yul (August 16, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 첫 솔로 발매 D-2..하이라이트 메들리 공개" [Twice Jihyo, first solo release D-2..highlight medley released]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Sun-ah, Shim (September 8, 2023). "Twice's Jihyo to drop English version of 'Killin' Me Good'". Yonhap News Agency.
  18. ^ Jung, Hyeon-tae (August 15, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 첫 솔로 타이틀곡 'Killin' Me Good' MV 티저..고혹적 분위기" [Twice Jihyo, the first solo title song 'Killin' Me Good' MV teaser...alluring atmosphere]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Sofia E, Gomez (August 16, 2023). "TWICE's Jihyo Takes Steps Into Her 'Zone' On Debut EP". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (August 18, 2023). "Jihyo of Twice loving life as she drops first solo album". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  21. ^ Choi, Ryeong (August 16, 2023). "'솔로 데뷔' 트와이스 지효, 하이라이트 음원 공개" ['Solo Debut' Twice Jihyo, highlight sound source released]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Gladys, Yeo (August 18, 2023). "TWICE's Jihyo goes through relationship blues in 'Killin' Me Good' MV". NME. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Zhan, Jennifer (August 18, 2023). "Jihyo's New Zone: Stardom on Her Terms". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Eoh, Hwan-hee (August 20, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 첫 솔로…美 그래미 '꼭 들어봐야 할 앨범' 선정" [Twice Jihyo, first solo... Selected as a Grammy 'You Must Hear Album']. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  25. ^ Lee, Jae-hoon (August 27, 2023). "숙성과 성숙의 시간…트와이스 지효, 실존의 증거 'ZONE'" [Time of ripening and maturity... TWICE Jihyo, proof of existence ‘ZONE’]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  26. ^ Yoo, Byung-cheol (August 16, 2023). "트와이스 지효, 첫 솔로 앨범 'ZONE' 하이라이트 음원 공개…다채로운 음악 담았다" [Twice Jihyo, first solo album 'ZONE' highlight sound source released... Contains colorful music]. Korea Economy TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  27. ^ Jeong, Byeong-geun (August 18, 2023). ""춤 안 추면 무의미"…지효, 'ZONE'에 담은 정체성(종합)" [“It’s meaningless if you don’t dance”… Jihyo, identity contained in ‘ZONE’ (comprehensive)]. The Fact (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Naver.
  28. ^ a b c "Circle Album Chart – Week 33, 2023" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
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