Self-Portrait (Korean: 자화상; RR: Jahwasang) is the debut extended play by South Korean singer-songwriter and actor Suho. It was released on March 30, 2020, by SM Entertainment.[3] The physical edition was released in two versions, Archive #1 and Archive #2,[4][2] while the digital version shares the cover of the latter,[1] a collage of four impressionist paintings of Suho's face.[5] The EP features six tracks including the lead single, "Let's Love".[6]
Self-Portrait | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | March 30, 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Studio | SM Studios, Seoul, South Korea | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 23:18 | |||
Language | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Lee Soo-man | |||
Suho chronology | ||||
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Singles from Self-Portrait | ||||
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Background and release
editOn February 18, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that Suho was preparing for his solo debut.[7][8] On February 27 it was reported that the singer had already completed recording the album.[9] The release date was later announced along with the first promotional photo for the album.[10]
The album and its title track's music video were released on March 30 at 6PM KST both digitally and physically.
Composition
editSelf-Portrait features six tracks of different pop and rock genres. The lead single "Let's Love" is described as a modern rock song with a warm atmosphere. The lyrics convey a message about mustering the courage to express love, even if you feel clumsy or inadequate.[11]
"O2" is a dreamlike acoustic pop song. The lyrics are about two people with empty hearts who become each other's oxygen as they fall in love.[12] The third song "Made in You" is a mid-tempo pop song that features a groovy drum beat and piano melody. The song is dedicated to Suho's fans, and the lyrics are about how he feels he wouldn't have made it this far or be who he is without them.[13] "Starry Night" is described as a ballad rock song that serves as a continuation of the story present in Suho's first solo song, "Curtain" (2017). The lyrics express the pain of parting with a lover.[14] "Self-Portrait" is a sentimental modern rock song with retro synthesizers and strings.[12] The last song "For You Now" is an acoustic pop song with a piano-driven melody. It presents lyrics conveying sincere gratitude and comfort from one person to another. The song features singer Younha.[15]
Suho participated in writing and conceptualizing each song on the EP, and every track represents a piece of the album's connecting storyline.[16]
Commercial performance
editThe EP peaked at number 13 on the US World Albums chart. Additionally, Self-Portrait topped over 50 countries' iTunes charts.[17] The EP was certified Platinum for selling over 55,000 copies on China's biggest music platform, QQ Music.[18]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "O2" |
| DJ HotBoyzZz (Cliff Lin, Ryan Colt Levy, Bryan Cho) | DJ HotBoyzZz (Cliff Lin, Ryan Colt Levy, Bryan Cho) | 3:48 |
2. | "Let's Love" (사랑, 하자) |
|
| Park Moon-chi | 3:49 |
3. | "Made in You" |
|
| minGtion | 3:30 |
4. | "Starry Night" (암막 커튼) |
| Kyo |
| 4:38 |
5. | "Self-Portrait" (자화상) |
|
|
| 3:50 |
6. | "For You Now" (너의 차례, featuring Younha) |
|
| David Nathan | 3:43 |
Total length: | 23:18 |
Charts
editWeekly charts
editChart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[19] | 26 |
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[20] | 22 |
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[21] | 32 |
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[22] | 1 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[23] | 70 |
US World Albums (Billboard)[24] | 13 |
Monthly charts
editChart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[25] | 3 |
Sales
editRegion | Sales |
---|---|
China[26] | 100,034 |
Japan[27] | 1,394 |
South Korea[28] | 289,738 |
United States[29] | 1,000 |
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
South Korea (KMCA)[30] | Platinum | 250,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
South Korea | March 30, 2020 | ||
Various |
|
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Self-Portrait – The 1st Mini Album by Suho". Apple Music. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "YesAsia: EXO: Suho Mini Album Vol. 1 (Archive #2 Version)". YesAsia. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ 엑소 수호, 3월30일 데뷔 첫 솔로 앨범 ‘자화상’ 발매(공식) [EXO Suho releases his first solo album "Self-portrait" on March 30 (official)] (in Korean). Naver. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "YesAsia: EXO: Suho Mini Album Vol. 1 (Archive #1 Version)". YesAsia. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "EXO's Suho Paints an Intimate 'Self-Portrait' With His New Solo EP". Billboard. March 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
I saw the covers were based around four different variants.
- ^ 엑소 수호, 3월 30일 솔로 데뷔 카운트다운 돌입 (in Korean). Naver. March 16, 2020. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ 엑소 수호, 오는 3월 솔로 음반 낸다 [EXO Suho will release a solo album in March] (in Korean). Naver. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ SM 측 “엑소 수호, 첫 솔로앨범 준비 중…일정 확정되면 공개” [공식] [SM “Exo Suho preparing his first solo album… When schedule is confirmed ”[Official]] (in Korean). Naver. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ 아이돌 ‘솔로 대전’ [아이돌 ‘솔로 대전’] (in Korean). Naver. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ 엑소 수호, 3월30일 데뷔 첫 솔로 앨범 ‘자화상’ 발매(공식) [EXO Suho releases his first solo album “Self-portrait” on March 30 (official)] (in Korean). Naver. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Go, Seung-ah (March 18, 2020). "엑소 수호, 첫 솔로 타이틀은 '사랑, 하자'…감성 모던록" [EXO Suho's first solo title is 'Love, Let's ...' Emotional modern rock]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "'D-4' 엑소 수호, 첫 솔로 앨범 '자화상' 다채로운 밴드 사운드 예고" (in Korean). Chosun. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "엑소 수호, 첫 미니앨범 '자화상'으로 애틋한 팬 사랑 전한다 '기대감 UP'" (in Korean). Hankookilbo. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "엑소 수호 첫 미니앨범 수록곡 '암막 커튼', 특별한 솔로곡 서사" (in Korean). Chosun. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ "엑소 수호, 첫 솔로 앨범서 윤하와 호흡..수록곡 '너의 차례' 피처링" (in Korean). Chosun. March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ "'新 열정킹' 엑소 수호, 첫 솔로앨범 작사-콘셉트 기획 참여" (in Korean). Chosun. March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "[공식]엑소 수호, 음악 색깔 제대로 通했다…'자화상' 아이튠즈 전 세계 50개 지역 1위". n.news.naver.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- ^ "QQ Music Chart Report". m.weibo.cn (in Chinese). March 30, 2020. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ^ 13, 2020/ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: April 13, 2020" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums 2020/4/13". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 14, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Suho Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ 2020년 03월 Album Chart [March 2020 Album Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales for Self-Portrait:
- "Self-Portrait" (in Chinese). QQ Music. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ 週間 CDアルバムランキング 2020年04月13日付 [Weekly CD Album Ranking on April 13, 2020] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales for Self-Portrait:
- 2020년 4월 Album Chart [April 2020 Album Chart (see #14)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- 2020년 5월 Album Chart [May 2020 Album Chart (see #27)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "EXO's Suho Makes Debut on World Albums With 'Self-Portrait' Solo EP". Billboard. April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ "South Korean album certifications – Suho – Self-Portrait - The 1st Album" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).