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Left & Right (Seventeen song)

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"Left & Right" is a song by South Korean boy group Seventeen. It was released as the lead single from their 2020 extended play, Heng:garæ, on June 22, 2020.

"Left & Right"
Single by Seventeen
from the EP Heng:garæ
LanguageKorean
ReleasedJune 22, 2020 (2020-06-22)
GenreK-pop
Length3:21
LabelPledis
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Seventeen singles chronology
"Fear"
(2019) 		"Left & Right"
(2020) 		"Home;Run"
(2020)
Music video
"Left & Right" on YouTube

Background and release

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On June 8, 2020, Pledis Entertainment announced that Seventeen would be releasing their seventh mini-album titled Heng:garæ.[1] The EP marked an intentional shift in tone for the group, expressing themes of celebration and growth, in contrast to the concept of uncertainty and trepidation for the future that embodied their 2019 studio album An Ode.[2] On June 21, a day before its official release, Seventeen released a clip of the EP's lead single "Left and Right" on TikTok as a dance challenge.[3] On June 22, Seventeen released Heng:garæ alongside "Left & Right" and its accompanying music video.[3][4] This marked Seventeen's first release after the acquisition of their agency Pledis Entertainment by Hybe Corporation in May 2020.[5]

Lyrics and composition

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The lead track, ‘Left & Right,’ is a message for young people who challenge themselves to reach their dream. They may be going left and right, not knowing what path to take, but through that period, they will later be able to shoot up to the sky with their strength.

— Woozi on the song's lyrics, The Korea Herald[6]

"Left & Right" was composed by Woozi and Bumzu, while its lyrics were written by Woozi, Bumzu, and Vernon.[7] The track has been described to be based in "retro hip-hop sounds" that evoke an "early '00s feel" with Seventeen's unique musical color.[8] Although the group's members expressed apprehension on the choice of genre, which they had no previous experience in, "Left & Right" was selected as the title track for their new EP due to its danceability and encouraging themes of cheering on the youth.[6][9] Thematically, the song expresses a message of moving forward with strength and without fear.[4]

Music video

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On June 22, 2020, the music video for "Left & Right" was released on YouTube.[4] It depicted Seventeen spiritedly performing across different sets, including construction sites, vehicles, rooftops, and racing tracks, before launching a car into the sky.[10] On August 8, the video was announced to have surpassed 100 million views.[11] On July 20, a surprise part-switch choreography video, which features the Seventeen members taking on the dance role of a different member, was released.[12] On January 13, 2021, Seventeen released a performance video of the song on The Kelly Clarkson Show, showcasing the group's choreography across sets inspired by offices and gritty subway stations.[13]

Critical response

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Writing for The Line of Best Fit, Sophia Simon-Bashall labeled "Left & Right" as "the perfect title track for an album that throws out the rule book" and noted the song "emphasises the value in trusting your own decisions and revelling in them rather than overthinking".[8] Debushree Dutta of Rolling Stone India positively summarized the song as "a synthesis of their discernible rhythm, passion, and unfailing nonchalance, but optimism before anything" and concluded that "its vivacity, inclusive of bright vocals, frisky rap, and insights inherent, all mesh into candid fun, full of the joys of spring".[14]

Billboard placed the song at number three on its list of the best K-Pop songs of 2020, describing the track to be "so exuberant that every sound [...] bursts forth like aural confetti".[15]

Commercial performance

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"Left & Right" debuted at number eight on the Gaon Digital Chart for the week of June 28 – July 4, 2020.[16] It debuted atop Gaon's component Download Chart on the same week.[17]

Controversy

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Plagiarism accusations

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American singer Cupid posted a series of social media posts on August 13, 2020, alleging that Seventeen had plagiarized his song "Cupid Shuffle."[18] He posted a screenshot from Time that described the refrain as being "resonant of the Cupid Shuffle."[18][19] Cupid also stated that he felt the plagiarism had disrespected his culture and that he wanted financial compensation.[20] Cupid later tweeted that he had contacted Pledis Entertainment, Seventeen's record label, but had not received a reply.

Accolades

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Music program awards for "Left & Right"
Program Date Ref.
Show Champion July 1, 2020 [21]
M Countdown July 2, 2020 [22]
Music Bank July 3, 2020 [23]
Show! Music Core July 4, 2020 [24]

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance for "Left & Right"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[25] 50
South Korea (Gaon)[26] 8
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[27] 8

Monthly charts

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Monthly chart performance for "Left & Right"
Chart (2020) Position
South Korea (Gaon)[28] 39

Certifications

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Certifications for "Left & Right"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[29] Gold 50,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Lee, Gyu-Lee (June 8, 2020). "Seventeen set to return with new mini-album". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Pawa, Anjana (August 10, 2020). "SEVENTEEN Members Talk "Heng:garae" and Love for Carats". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kim, Jihye (June 24, 2020). 세븐틴, 'Left & Right' 챌린지 신드롬..뉴이스트 렌→지코·정은지 동참 [Seventeen, 'Left & Right' Challenge Syndrome..NU'EST Ren → Zico, Jung Eun-ji join]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  4. ^ a b c Hong, Hye-min (June 22, 2020). 세븐틴이 말하는 ‘Left & Right’는? (일문일답) [What does SEVENTEEN mean by 'Left & Right'? (Q&A)]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  5. ^ "With 'Heng:garae,' Seventeen earns astounding feat after Big Hit integration". The Korea Herald. July 6, 2020. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Kwon, Yaerim (June 23, 2020). "Seventeen is back and they are fearless". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  7. ^ 곡 정보 - Left & Right [Song Information - Left & Right]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Simon-Bashall, Sophia (June 27, 2020). "K-Pop's self-producing idols Seventeen embark on a powerful journey of youth". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (June 22, 2024). 세븐틴, 한계없는 성장 '헹가래'→역사에 깊이 남을 'Left & Right'..청춘의 여정은 계속된다[종합] [SEVENTEEN, limitless growth 'Heng:garae' → 'Left & Right' that will leave a deep mark in history.. The journey of youth continues [Comprehensive]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (June 22, 2020). "걱정없이 같이 가보자" 세븐틴, 청춘의 여정 기록한 'Left & Right'..여름에 '힐링' 더했다 [퇴근길 신곡] ["Let's go together without worry" Seventeen, 'Left & Right' records the journey of youth.. Added 'healing' to summer [New song on the way home from work]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Seventeen's 'Left & Right' music video". Yonhap News Agency. August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  12. ^ Jeong, Hee-yeon (July 20, 2020). 세븐틴, ‘Left & Right’ 파트스위치 안무 영상 기습 공개 [SEVENTEEN Surprise Releases 'Left & Right' Part Switch Choreography Video]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Chan, Anna (January 13, 2021). "Seventeen Get to Work With 'Left & Right' Performance on 'Kelly Clarkson Show'". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  14. ^ Dutta, Debushree (October 4, 2023). "Best of Seventeen: Our Top 10 Songs by the Band". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "The 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2020: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "Circle Digital Chart - Week 26 of 2020". Gaon Digital Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  17. ^ "Circle Download Chart - Week 26 of 2020". Gaon Download Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Cupid alleges Seventeen's 'Left & Right' inspired by 'Cupid Shuffle', Internet says 'blame Pledis, not the boys'". meaww.com. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  19. ^ "Everything to Know About K-Pop Group SEVENTEEN". Time. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  20. ^ "アメリカ歌手Cupid、SEVENTEENが自分の歌「Cupid Shuffle」を盗作したと主張！". クリップケーポップ (in Japanese). 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  21. ^ Park, Seo-hyu (July 1, 2020). [종합]'쇼챔피언' 세븐틴, 출연無에도 1위 "좋은 무대 보여드릴 것" [[Comprehensive] 'Show Champion' Seventeen, 1st place despite no appearance "We will show you a good stage"]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  22. ^ Jo, Seung-woon (July 2, 2020). ‘엠카운트다운’ 세븐틴 1위 영광… 선미-화사 등 화려한 컴백 ['M Countdown' Seventeen's 1st place glory... Sunmi, Hwasa, etc. make a splendid comeback]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Ha, Soo-jung (July 4, 2020). 세븐틴, 신곡 'Left & Right' 음악방송 3관왕 기록 '무서운 질주' [Seventeen, New Song 'Left & Right' Wins 3 Music Shows 'Fearsome Run']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Jin, Juhee (July 4, 2020). '음악중심' 세븐틴, 블랙핑크ㆍ아이유 제치고 1위 ['Music Core' Seventeen Beats Blackpink and IU to Take 1st Place]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Naver.
  25. ^ "Seventeen Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  26. ^ "2020년 26주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). June 27, 2020. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  27. ^ "Seventeen Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  28. ^ "Digital Chart – July 2020". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  29. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Seventeen – Left & Right" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 27, 2023. Select 2023年8月 on the drop-down menu
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