To. X is the fifth Korean-languageextended play and eighth overall by South Korean singer Taeyeon. It was released by SM Entertainment on November 27, 2023, and contains six tracks, including the lead single of the same name.
On November 6, 2023, SM Entertainment announced Taeyeon would be releasing her fifth Korean extended play titled To. X on November 27.[1] Two days later, the promotional schedule was released.[2] On November 13, the mood sampler teaser video was released,[3] followed by the highlight teaser video three days later.[4] The highlight teaser video for "Burn It Now" was released on November 20,[5] with "Melt Away" on November 21,[6] followed by "Nightmare" on November 22,[7] and "All For Nothing" on November 23.[8] On November 24, the music video teaser video for "To. X" was released.[9] The extended play was released alongside the music video for the lead single on November 27.[10]
To. X contains six tracks. The lead single, "To. X", is a R&B song that "combines sensuous guitar riffs and rhythmic melodies" with lyrics carrying the message of "[Taeyeon singing] about the end of a controlling relationship after realizing that the other person is controlling her".[11] The second track, "Melt Away", is a R&B song that "combines sensual guitar riffs, trumpets, and percussion" with lyrics containing "a sense of leisure, arrogance, and confident that one can melt the cold heart of the other person".[12] The third track, "Burn It Down", is a pop ballad song featuring "addictive guitar riff" with lyrics about "complaining that everything has been ruined as if everything was burned down by the other person who only hurt them under the guise of love".[13] The fourth track, "Nightmare" (악몽), is a pop ballad song characterized by "simple acoustic guitar riff" with lyrics about "leaving without regrets after a sharp rebuke to the other person who was showing a weak side".[14] The fifth track, "All For Nothing", is a pop ballad song with lyrics written by Taeyeon about "honestly express[ing] the feelings of being hurt by the other person who gave up everything".[15] The final track, "Fabulous", is a R&B song with "jazzy and captivating atmosphere" characterized by "grand and colorful string and trumpet rhythm", its English lyrics describe "the feeling of self-confidence that everyone envies but at the same time feeling in danger".[16]
To. X debuted at number three on South Korea's Circle Album Chart in the chart issue dated November 26 – December 2, 2023[17] and ascended to number two on the Circle Album Chart in the following two weeks;[18] on the monthly chart, the EP debuted at number 14 in the chart issue for November 2023.[19] In Japan, the EP debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums in the chart issue dated December 6, 2023;[20] on its component chart, it debuted at number 20 on the Top Download Albums.[21] On the Oricon chart, the EP debuted at number 19 on the Digital Albums Chart in the chart issue dated December 11, 2023.[22] In the United Kingdom, the EP debuted at number 93 on the OCC's UK Album Downloads Chart in the chart issue dated December 1–7, 2023.[23]
Prior to the release of To. X, on November 27, 2023, Taeyeon held a live event called "Taeyeon 'To. X' Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, Weverse, and Idol Plus, aimed at introducing the extended play and connecting with her fanbase.[24] Additionally, a pop-up store named "Letter 'To. X' Concept Room" was opened in Seoul, South Korea, running from November 27 to December 3.[25] The live performance clip for "All For Nothing" was released on December 6, followed by "To.X" on December 8, and "Fabulous" on December 11 while the lyric video for "Nightmare" will be released on December 15, presented through her YouTube channel.[26]
^Yoon, Sang-geun (November 6, 2023). 믿듣탱 귀환! 태연 미니 5집 'To. X' 27일 컴백 확정[공식] [A trustworthy return! Taeyeon's 5th mini album 'To. X' comeback confirmed on the 27th [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Nam-kyung (November 8, 2023). '11월 27일 컴백' 태연, 신보 'To. X' 스케줄 클립 공개 ['Comeback on November 27th' Taeyeon, new album 'To. X' schedule clip released] (in Korean). MBN. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (November 13, 2023). '27일 컴백' 태연, 신보 'To. X' 무드 샘플러 공개..짙어진 감성 ['Comeback on the 27th' Taeyeon, new album 'To. X' mood sampler released...deepening emotions] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (November 16, 2023). 태연 새 미니앨범 'To. X' 미리 만나는 하이라이트 클립 공개 [Taeyeon's new mini album 'To. X' preview highlight clip released] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ha-young (November 20, 2023). 'D-7' 태연, 신보 하이라이트 필름 공개 ['D-7' Taeyeon releases new album highlight film] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyung. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yul (November 21, 2023). 소녀시대 태연, 'Melt Away' 하이라이트 클립..27일 컴백 [Girls' Generation Taeyeon, 'Melt Away' highlight clip..comeback on the 27th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Mi-hyeon (November 22, 2023). 태연, 수록곡 '악몽' 새 티저 공개...한 남성과 입맞춤 직전 [Taeyeon releases new teaser for the b-side song 'Nightmare'...Right before kissing a man] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ye-bin (November 23, 2023). 태연, '올 포 낫띵' 하이라이트 공개...상처받은 마음 [Taeyeon reveals highlights of 'All for Nothing'...broken heart] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hong, Se-young (November 24, 2023). 태연 맞아? 분위기 확 달라졌네, 'To. X' MV 티저 공개 [Is that Taeyeon? The atmosphere has completely changed, 'To. X' MV teaser released] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023 – via Naver.
^Cho, Sung-woon (November 27, 2023). '겨울은 '믿듣탱'과 함께' 태연 새 미니앨범 'To. X' 오늘(27일) 발매 ['Winter with 'Trustworthy' Taeyeon's new mini album 'To. X' Released today (27th)] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (November 15, 2023). '컴백' 태연 'To. X' 리드미컬한 R&B..불합리한 사랑 속 공허함 ['Comeback' Taeyeon 'To. X' Rhythmic R&B..Emptiness in irrational love] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Esther (November 21, 2023). 태연만의 여유로운 자신감...새 티저 이미지 공개 [Taeyeon's relaxed confidence...new teaser image released] (in Korean). MHN Sports. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hong, Se-young (November 20, 2023). 태연 상처받았네... 원망+분노 담은 수록곡 'Burn It Down' [Taeyeon was hurt... 'Burn It Down', a song containing resentment and anger] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hong, Se-young (November 22, 2023). 태연 '악몽' 날카롭네, 새 미니앨범 기대↑...27일 발매 [Taeyeon's 'Nightmare' is sharp, expectations for new mini album ↑...Released on the 27th] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yul (November 23, 2023). 소녀시대 태연, 'All For Nothing' 하이라이트 클립..27일 발매 [Girls' Generation Taeyeon, 'All For Nothing' highlight clip..Released on the 27th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (November 16, 2023). '컴백' 태연, 'To. X' 미리 만난다 ['Comeback' Taeyeon, meet in advance] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via Naver.
^ ab"週間 デジタルアルバムランキング – 2023年12月11日付" [Weekly Digital Albums ranking – December 11, 2023]. Oricon (in Japanese). November 27 – December 3, 2023. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (November 23, 2023). '컴백' 태연, 더 솔직하고 애절해졌다 ['Comeback' Taeyeon becomes more honest and sad] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kang, Ka-hee (November 22, 2023). 태연, 미니 5집 수록곡 '악몽' 하이라이트 클립 공개..독보적 보컬 매력 [Taeyeon releases highlight clip of 'Nightmare' from her 5th mini album..Unrivaled vocal charm] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ahn Tae-hyun (December 6, 2023). "태연, 신보 '투 엑스' 라이브클립·리릭 비디오 공개 예고" [Taeyeon announces new album 'To. X' live clip and lyric video release] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023 – via Naver.