The Dream Chapter: Magic (Korean: 꿈의 장: MAGIC; RR: Kkum-ui Jang: Maejik) is the debut studio album by South Korean boy band TXT. It was released on October 21, 2019, by Big Hit Entertainment and Republic Records.[1] It serves as a follow-up to the band's debut extended play The Dream Chapter: Star (2019). The album contains eight songs, including the lead single, "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)". Musically, the album incorporates different genres including R&B, tropical house, acoustic pop, and hip-hop. Commercially, the album debuted atop South Korea's Gaon Album Chart, becoming TXT's second chart-topping release of the year. It also charted on the US Billboard World Albums chart at number three. To promote the album, TXT appeared on several South Korean music programs.
| The Dream Chapter: Magic | ||||
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 Digital and Sanctuary version cover | ||||
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| Released | October 21, 2019 | |||
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| Length | 27:43 | |||
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| Producer |
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| TXT chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Dream Chapter: Magic | ||||
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Background and release
edit
The Dream Chapter: Magic is the band's first studio album. It follows their debut EP The Dream Chapter: Star released in March 2019. On October 1, a teaser video was dropped on YouTube, announcing that the band will release their first full-length album on October 21.[2] The first official concept trailer for the album was released on October 3.[3] The trailer combines two-dimensional graphics using the group's dynamic performance and projection mapping to stir a mysterious atmosphere.[4] Following the release of the concept trailer, two sets of concept photos-"Sanctuary" and "Arcadia" versions were released.[5] The Sanctuary version of the concept photos was released on October 7, alongside a mood board showing the boys in school.[6] The Arcadia version, released a day later portrayed a darker theme.[7] Both the concept photo versions express the boys' dream of deviance.[8] On October 11, the tracklist of the full album was released, along-with the album cover.[9] On October 17, a second teaser video for the album was released on the group's official website revealing the lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" and demonstrating some of the energetic performances of the members.[10] On October 18, the band released a preview video of the album on their official website.[11] On October 21, The Dream Chapter: Magic was released physically and digitally alongside a music video for the album's lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)".[12][13]
Individual teasers for the members (Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, Huening Kai) were released for the music video of the acoustic pop track "Magic Island" from November 13 to November 16.[14][15][16] The official music video for "Magic Island" was released on November 17.[17] Individual teasers for each of the members were released for the music video of the track "Angel or Devil".[18] The official music video was released on November 28.[19]
Composition
editMusically, the album spans a variety of different music genres, including R&B, tropical house, acoustic pop, and hip-hop.[20] The album opens with "a breathy, groovy jam" of "New Rules" that shifts "into its shout-along, anthemic chorus and turning into the trap-inflected hook". The album's lead single, "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" is a synth-pop track with new wave vibes, featuring a satisfying rock-pop chorus. The song is about finding strength in sacred moments shared among friends, alluding to Platform 9¾.[21] "Can't We Just Leave the Monster Alive?" and "Magic Island" are electropop songs while "Roller Coaster" is a house-pop. "Popping Star" is a bubblegum pop.[22] "Angel or Devil" is an exuberant bouncy hip hop track while "20cm" is an "R&B ballad".[23][24]
Music videos
editA music video for the electro-rock single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" was released on October 21.[1] The video portrays them as high schoolers who are transported to a new world where they are allowed to embrace their magic and be themselves.[25] The music video was directed and produced by OUI.[26]
A music video for "Magic Island" was released on November 17. The video features references to the past videos of "Nap of a Star" and "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)". The 14-minute long video is more along the lines of a short mini-film where the five members of the group are seen as students having adventures together and getting mysteriously transported to a fantasy land.[17] The music video was directed and produced by Digipedi.[27]
A subsequent music video for "Angel or Devil" was released on November 28. The video explores the dichotomy of the song’s lyrics and title and emphasizes the high-energy choreography of the members while debating being "Angel or Devil.”[28]
Promotion
editAccording to a press release, The Dream Chapter: Magic will showcase “the second story of the boys chasing their dreams.”[29]
Pre-release
editOn October 3, the group dropped a concept trailer video. Featuring the group's colorful aesthetics, the members were seen to perform "gravity-defying" choreography. The members were seen playing shapes and perspectives, projections, and 3D graphics against the backdrop of a blank canvas.[29] On October 17, the official teaser of the album's lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" was released. The video begins with Taehyun standing in the middle of the hallway where many students come and go. Close-ups of the members staring at the camera with deep eyes appear in the middle of the video, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The members are also seen to perform dynamic choreography.[30]
Live performances
editOn October 21, TXT began promoting the lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)", "New Rules" and "Angel or Devil" on South Korean music shows. On the same day, they held a live showcase at the concert hall of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.[31] On October 29, "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" won first place at SBS MTV's The Show.[32]
Critical reception
edit"Inspired by the starting point of Harry Potter’s adventures, “9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)” begins with dulcet twinkling and then rapidly takes a dive into pop-rock territory, bolstering the members’ fantastically distorted vocals as punkish instrumentals duke it out with quirky electronic elements and sweet harmonies. Everything about “Run Away” is exciting and pristinely melded together, creating a soundscape is truly magical and casts a spell on those who hear it, making it so that we never want to stop listening to it."
Billboard described the album as a "complex, varied soundscape inspired by the titular theme, with elements of groove, punk-pop, R&B, house, and a whole wide range of other genres littered throughout as the five -- Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai -- share more sides to themselves as one of this year's most sonically exciting rookie acts."[1] Writing for MTV, Crystal Bell commended the "eclectic mix of genres" of the album, that "diversifies the group's sound without completely losing their signature energy and stylistic flourishes".[21] The lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" was ranked No. 2 on Dazed's list of the 20 best K-pop songs of 2019, with the magazine describing the song as "seamlessly woven and infused with a magnetic urgency" that has "the undercurrents – chunky, compressed drums and tight guitar riffs" which "are amplified to stadium rock levels, chasing the melody into a gloriously hooky, firework of a chorus where TXT’s vocals burst forth with a luminous mix of desperation and rebellion".[34] Billboard included the song in its list of "The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019: Critics' Picks".[33] "Magic Island" was included in MTV's list of "The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019".[35]
Commercial performance
editThe Dream Chapter: Magic debuted at No. 1 on the Gaon Album Chart, surpassing 124,000 sales in its first week.[36] This marked the group's second chart-topping album following The Dream Chapter: Star. The album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's World Albums Chart. The album also opened at No. 6 on the Heatseeker's Album Chart. A total of four tracks from the album entered the Billboard World Digital Songs chart with the lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" debuting at No. 2. Additionally, "New Rules" opened at No. 16, "20cm" at No. 18 and "Angel or Devil" at No. 21.[37]
Track listing
editThe credits are adapted from the official album profile on Naver.[24]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "New Rules" |
| Supreme Boi | 2:54 |
| 2. | "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" (9와 4분의 3 승강장에서 너를 기다려[a]) |
| Slow Rabbit | 3:31 |
| 3. | "Roller Coaster" (간지러워[b]) |
| Sam Klempner | 3:34 |
| 4. | "Poppin' Star" |
| Shae Jacobs | 3:13 |
| 5. | "Can't We Just Leave the Monster Alive?" (그냥 괴물을 살려두면 안 되는 걸까[c]) |
|
| 3:50 |
| 6. | "Magic Island" |
| Peter Thomas | 3:12 |
| 7. | "20cm" |
|
| 3:37 |
| 8. | "Angel or Devil" |
|
| 3:52 |
| Total length: | 27:43 | |||
Notes
- ^[a] Gu-wa sa-bun-ui sam seunggangjang-eseo neoreul gidaryeo lit. "Waiting for you at Platform 9 3/4"
- ^[b] Ganjireowo lit. "Itchy"
- ^[c] Geunyang goemur-eul sallyeodumyeon an doeneun geolkka?
Personnel
editCredits adapted from AllMusic and Tidal.[38][39]
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|
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (2019–2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[40] | 22 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[41] | 125 |
| French Downloads Albums (SNEP)[42] | 39 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[43] | 31 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[44] | 11 |
| South Korean Albums (Gaon)[45] | 1 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[46] | 29 |
| US World Albums (Billboard)[47] | 3 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2019) | Position |
|---|---|
| South Korean Albums (Gaon)[48] | 27 |
Accolades
edit| Critic/Publication | List | Song | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019 | "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" | 4 | [49] |
| BuzzFeed | Best K-pop Music Videos of 2019 | 6 | [50] | |
| 30 Songs That Helped Define K-Pop in 2019 | 6 | [51] | ||
| Dazed | The 20 best K-pop songs of 2019 | 2 | [52] | |
| South China Morning Post | The 10 best K-pop songs of 2019 | 9 | [53] | |
| MTV | The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019 | "Magic Island" | 9 | [54] |
| Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" | The Show (SBS MTV) | October 29, 2019 | [55] |
Certifications and sales
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | — | 5,600[56] |
| South Korea (KMCA)[58] | Platinum | 202,302[57] |
| United States | — | 2,000[37] |
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | October 21, 2019 | Big Hit[48] | |
| Japan | |||
| Various |
|
| |
| United States | November 22, 2019[A] | ||
| December 6, 2019[B] |
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Herman, Tamar (October 21, 2019). "TXT Release First LP 'Dream Chapter: Magic' Album: Watch the Magical Music Video for Single 'Run Away'". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Ziwei, Puah (October 2, 2019). "TXT announce first full-length album, 'The Dream Chapter: Magic'". NME. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kim Noeul (October 4, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 첫 정규 '꿈의 장: MAGIC' 콘셉트 트레일러 공개" [Tomorrow by Together, the first regular 'Chapter of Dreams: MAGIC' concept trailer released]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "투모로우바이투게더, 첫 정규 앨범 '콘셉트 트레일러'..12시간 만에 200만뷰 돌파" [Tomorrow by Together, the first full-length album 'Concept Trailer', surpasses 2 million views in 12 hours]. Osen (in Korean). October 4, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Hyemin Hong (October 18, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 소년들이 돌아왔다" [Tomorrow by Together, the boys are back]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "투모로우바이투게더, '첫 정규앨범' 콘셉트 포토 공개" [Tomorrow by Together, 'First Regular Album' Concept Photo Released]. Edaily (in Korean). October 7, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Mendez, Michelle (October 8, 2019). "TXT's 'Dream Chapter: MAGIC' Concept Photos Reveal Brand New Looks". Elite Daily. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "투모로우바이투게더, 첫 번째 정규 앨범 트랙리스트 공개" [Tomorrow by Together, first album release tracklist released]. Sports DongA (in Korean). October 11, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kim Joo-won (October 11, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 첫 번째 정규 앨범 트랙리스트 공개..총 8곡 수록" [Tomorrow by Together, the first official album tracklist released]. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Hwang Mi-hyun (October 17, 2019). ""신비로운 비주얼" 투모로우바이투게더, 첫 정규 티저 공개" ["Mystical Visuals" Tomorrow by Together, First Regular Teaser Released]. News1 Korea (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kim Joo-won (October 18, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 정규 1집 '꿈의 장: MAGIC' 8개 음원 프리뷰 영상 공개" [Tomorrow by Together, 8th album preview of 'The Chapter of Dreams: MAGIC']. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Tomorrow X Together to release 1st full album this month". The Korea Herald. October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Ahn, Sung-mi (October 21, 2019). "Rookie TXT returns with new album 'The Dream Chapter: Magic'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Yeo Dong Eun (November 17, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 신인상 3관왕 달성! '글로벌 루키' 수상!" [Tomorrow by Together, Rookie of the Year wins 3 crowns! 'Global Rookie' Award!]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kim Ha-Jin (November 17, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 'Magic Island' 티저 네 번째 주자 휴닝카이…'묘한 긴장감'" [Tomorrowby Together, Fourth Runner of Magic Island Teaser 'A strange tension']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "투모로우바이투게더, 수빈 'Magic Island' 티저 공개" [Tomorrowby Together, Subin 'Magic Island' Teaser]. Star TV (in Korean). November 16, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ a b Herman, Tamar (November 17, 2019). "TXT Have a Fiery Adventure in 'Magic Island' Mini Film: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Cheon Yoon Hye-gi (November 28, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 'Angel Or Devil' 티저 추가 공개..밝고 유쾌한 에너지" [Tomorrow by Together, 'Angel Or Devil' Teaser released .. Bright and cheerful energy]. Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kim Joo-won (November 29, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 정규 1집 후속곡 'Angel Or Devil' 뮤직비디오 공개" [Tomorrow by Together, released the music video for their 1st follow-up song 'Angel Or Devil']. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Park, Boram (October 21, 2019). "TXT returns with 1st studio album 'The Dream Chapter: Magic'". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ a b Bell, Crystal (October 21, 2019). "Good Luck Getting Tomorrow X Together's '9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)' Out Of Your Head". MTV. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- ^ Bell, Crystal (December 27, 2019). "The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019, From Twice to BTS". MTV. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (October 24, 2019). "Tomorrow X Together Unveil 'The Dream Chapter: Magic' in Seoul, Reflect on New Music & Growth: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Best K-pop Music Videos of 2019". BuzzFeed. January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "OUI Works". ouikim. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ "DIGIPEDI". digipediofficial. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ Herman, Tamar (November 29, 2019). "TXT Impishly Debate Being an 'Angel or Devil' in New Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ a b Delgado, Sara (October 2, 2019). "TXT's Comeback Trailer for "The Dream Chapter: Magic" Is Mesmerizing". Teen Vogue. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kang Young Woon (October 17, 2019). "빅히트 투모로우바이투게더 두번째 티저공개로 컴백 준비 잰걸음" [Big Hit Tomorrow by Together Prepared for comeback with second teaser release]. Maeil Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "현장취재] "목표는 신인상"…투모로우바이투게더, '마법 같은' 성과 거둘 수 있을까" [[Reporting on-site] "Goal is Rookie Award"… Tomorrowby Together, Can 'Magic' Achievement?]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Kim Joo-won (October 30, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 정규 1집 발매 8일 만에 '더 쇼'서 1위" [Tomorrow by Together, # 1 in 'The Show' within 8 days of the 1st regular album]. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
- ^ "The 20 best K-pop songs of 2019". Dazed. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ Bell, Crystal (December 27, 2019). "The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019, From Twice to BTS". MTV. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
- ^ Lee Jung-ho (November 1, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, 정규 1집 가온차트 주간 앨범 차트 1위" [Tomorrow by Together, # 1 on Gaon Chart Weekly Album Chart]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2020 – via Naver.
- ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff (October 30, 2019). "Tomorrow X Together Return to Top 5 of World Albums & World Digital Song Sales Charts". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "TXT / The Dream Chapter: MAGIC". Tidal. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ "TXT – The Dream Chapter: MAGIC | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2020. 32. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-11-04" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 43, 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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- ^ a b "2019년 Album Chart". Gaon. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
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- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (December 21, 2019). "The 10 best K-pop songs of 2019: hit tracks from supergroups BTS and Blackpink, and newcomers SuperM and Itzy". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ Bell, Crystal (December 27, 2019). "The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019, From Twice to BTS". MTV. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
- ^ Hwang Mi-hyun (October 30, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더, '더쇼'서 컴백 후 첫 1위 "항상 발전할 것"" [Tomorrow by Together, the first place after the comeback at 'The Show']. News1 Korea (in Korean). Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ 週間 CDアルバムランキング 2019年11月04日付 [Weekly CD Album Ranking on November 4, 2019] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ "2019년 Album Chart" [2019 Year-end Album Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ "South Korean album certifications – TXT – The Dream Chapter: Magic" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "THE DREAM CHAPTER: MAGIC-【CD】TXT UNIVERSAL MUSIC STORE". store.universal-music.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^
- Herman, Tamar (October 21, 2019). "TXT Release First LP 'Dream Chapter: Magic' Album: Watch the Magical Music Video for Single 'Run Away'". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- "The Dream Chapter: Magic- TXT". Apple Music. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ Rowley, Glenn (November 22, 2019). "'Magic': Tomorrow X Together Announce U.S. Release of Special Box Sets". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2020.