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I Burn

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I Burn
Digital and streaming cover
EP by
(G)I-dle
ReleasedJanuary 11, 2021 (2021-01-11)
Recorded2020[1]
StudioCube Studio
Length18:40
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
(G)I-dle chronology
Oh My God
(2020) 		I Burn
(2021) 		I Never Die
(2022)
Physical edition cover
Winter, Flower and Fire versions, left to right
Singles from I Burn
  1. "Hwaa"
    Released: January 11, 2021

I Burn (stylized in sentence case) is the fourth Korean extended play (sixth overall) by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released on January 11, 2021, by Cube Entertainment and Republic Records. The EP consists of three physical versions: Winter, Flower and Fire,[3] and contains six tracks, including the lead single "Hwaa". The album contains various emotions felt in the process of regaining happiness after separation.[4] I Burn is the fourth of the 'I' series, which started from the debut album, I Am (2018).[5] Commercially, the EP surpassed 200,000 copies, making it the group's first project to do so. I Burn is the group's final release as a sextet, before Soojin's hiatus and subsequent departure from the group in August 2021.

Background and promotion

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On December 9, Newsen reported that (G)I-dle would be making a comeback in mid-January. Cube Entertainment confirmed the news, stating, "(G)I-dle is preparing for a comeback with goals for release in mid-January. Please look forward to their return."[6] On December 27, Cube released a visual film announcing their comeback through the official YouTube channel of the group.[7] The video features various elements of nature such as rain, fire, flowers, and butterflies.[7] On December 28, the group confirmed the album title in a post across all the group's social media accounts, and that I Burn would be released on January 11, 2021.[8] On December 31, (G)I-dle revealed the album's track-list on their social media.[9] On January 2, 2021, the concept preview video of the album was released.[10] On January 6, the group released the highlight medley for their new album.[11]

On January 11, the group held an online media showcase for the release of I Burn hosted by broadcaster Oh Jung-yeon, who appeared in I'm a Survivor with Yuqi.[12][13] During the showcase, Yuqi described the intro song "Hann (Alone in Winter)" as a song that connects with the digital single "Hann (Alone)" and the title song "Hwaa". "It's similar to "Hann" but it gives a different feel to it."[12]

"I Burn as a 'novel' that begins with the image of a woman in the cold, her heart frozen in the bitter winter of a break-up. By confronting it, she melts the ice that traps her. The fire of acceptance enables the growth of new love in the form of a flower and the arrival of spring.

— (G)I-dle described the six tracks of I Burn, Teen Vogue[14]

Music and lyrics

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Members Minnie, Soyeon and Yuqi participated in the composing and writing of I Burn.[11] (G)I-dle explained that I Burn is about various emotions felt in the process of regaining happiness after separation. "Hann (Alone in Winter)" represents the cold aftermath of a breakup; "Hwaa" is about getting over a heartbreaking farewell; "Moon" touches on the desire to hide one's feelings; and "Where is Love" explores the emptiness of love.[15] "Hann (Alone in Winter)" is a song composed, written and arranged by Soyeon and Ahn Ye-eun. It tells the change of feelings as winter comes from the lonely being alone through betrayal and separation.[16] Minnie, who is in charge of composing "Moon" described that the song contains honest feelings that cannot be shown to others. "I personally cherish it so much."[17] The song was composed by Minnie with the thought of the Moon.[17] Regarding "Dahlia", Minnie explained that the song depicts two opposite meanings; greed and attraction. "It's a song that I studied hard and wrote the lyrics to see if I can express the flowers beautifully."[18] The songs were arranged based on the stories in the lyrics.[19] Minnie explained, "there is a sense of connectivity from the first track through the last track. That's why the story of getting burned by a breakup and then growing into something stronger is easy to follow throughout I burn. It begins with "Hann (Alone in Winter)" — a song about separation — and ends with "Dahlia" — an uplifting track named after a flower."[19]

Songs

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The opening track, "Hann (Alone in Winter)" is a medium-tempo ballad that connects the group's 2018 single "Hann (Alone)" with the album's title track "Hwaa".[16][11] The second song, "Hwaa" is a moombahton song that adds a cool sensibility to an oriental musical instrument.[11] "Moon", the third song is a pop track about honest feelings.[11] "Where is love" is a disco retro styled dance song with a funky bass.[11] The song is about feelings after parting.[11] "Lost", the fifth song, is an R&B song.[11] The closing track, "Dahlia", is a medium pop genre song with the theme of a Dahlia flower.[11]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Beats Per Minute75/100[20]
Elite Dailypositive[19]
The Kraze7.5/10[21]
The Quietuspositive[22]

Gab Ginsberg and Jason Lipshutz writing for Billboard describe "Dahlia" as "[a] riveting garden that is "Dahlia", where Miyeon, Minnie, Soojin, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua sing about a love that can't be tainted by outsider critics.[23] Oh Jung-yeon praised (G)I-dle for their songwriting and stated, "Listening to the explanation of the philosophy and emotions of the six members melted into each song, I suddenly wanted to call them 'teachers'."[24] Heran Mamo from Billboard, regarded the album as, "together musical arrangements and Eastern instrumentation to collect the pieces of a broken heart, as I burn describes the aftermath of a painful breakup through the motif of a blazing fire and the sequential triumph like a blooming flower."[25] Michele Mendez of Elite Daily affirmed that I Burn is "the breakup album everyone needs to hear because it's a reminder something beautiful can emerge from darkness."[19] Writing for The Quietus online publication, Verónica A. Bastardo remarked: "A theatrical extended player, flooded with grandiloquent orchestral instrumentals mixed with pop structures and EDM drops, that explores in a metaphorical way the path of regaining happiness and strength after the separation from a loved one."[22]

Writing for Beats Per Minute, JT Early gave the album a score of 75/100, describing the material as "surprising and emotional project from a girl-group who have sheathed their sharpness to start repairing their internal hurt" [...] "further established them as one of the most versatile girl-groups in the industry". In the review, the author emphasize that "these songs are self-produced and self-written by the members themselves, as their output has been for years." and concluded "by wholly committing to this concept of defeat and resurrection, they have created a project that is not only relatable and inspiring to listeners, but also an exercise in transparency from the group itself."[20] The Kraze magazine gave the album a rating of 7.5/10 points and overall score including lead single and music video of 8.6/10 points, praising the production work by Soyeon, Minnie and Yuqi and the member's unique vocal colours.[21]

Year-end lists
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Rolling Stone India 10 Best K-pop Albums of 2021 10 [26]

Commercial performance

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According to Hanteo Chart, I Burn debuted at No. 1 on the daily album chart with 75,510 copies sold. This is higher by 19,147 copies compared to (G)I-dle's Dumdi Dumdi album released on August 3, 2020, which recorded 56,363 copies in first-day sales. The album also debuted at No.1 on Gaon Retail Album Chart with 59,086 copies sold.[27] On January 13, it was reported that the album charted on iTunes Top Album charts in 52 regions around the world, including the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, Brazil, Italy and Finland.[28][29] Moreover, on iTunes I Burn spent 3 days atop the summit of the iTunes Worldwide Albums Chart, beating out the record of their previous EP, I Trust.[30] In Melon chart, (G)I-dle not only charted "Hwaa", but also all the songs from I Burn.[31] This is the first time that the group has made such achievement since its debut in 2018.[32]

On the chart issued January 10–16, 2021, I Burn debuted at number 3 on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart,[33] and Gaon Weekly Retail Album Chart.[34] It also scored their best one-week sales with 115,500 copies.[35] Moreover, all songs in the EP entered the Gaon Digital Chart.[36]

The US-released on April 30, 2021, the album debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard World Album,[37] number 20 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums,[38] and rank at number 22 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart.[39] They also charted at number 54 on Billboard Top Album Sales chart, making it their first entry on the chart,[40] and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart since the released of I Trust (2020).[41]

Artwork and packaging

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(G)I-dle released three physical album versions for I Burn. In Winter version (寒), the group showed a cold and lonely winter atmosphere wearing white dresses in a space full of antique props, lace fabrics, and lit candles.[42] In Flower version (花), the group showed in dresses with colourful patterns that contrast with the cold blue background.[43] In Fire version (火), the group shows their charms through shaking images that expressed as the fire is spreading while holding props reminiscent of a blazing flame in the pitch-black darkness and emit vivid light.[44] Every version of the EP contains a sleeve, a booklet, a lyric paper, a CD, a CD package, a mini-poster, a postcard with a message on the card, a photo card, a lucky card and a sticker paper.[45][46]

Track listing

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I Burn track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Hann (Alone in Winter)" (한(寒))
  • Soyeon
  • Ahn Ye-eun
  • BreadBeat
  • Ahn Ye-eun
  • Soyeon
2:55
2."Hwaa" (화(火花))Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Pop Time
  • Soyeon
3:17
3."Moon"
  • Soyeon
  • FCM Houdini
  • Minnie
3:20
4."Where Is Love"Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Lee Woo-min "Collapsedone"
Lee Woo-min "Collapsedone"2:57
5."Lost"
  • Yuqi
  • Seo Jae-woo
  • Soyeon
  • Seo Jae-woo
  • Yuqi
Seo Jae-woo3:01
6."Dahlia"
  • Minnie
  • BreadBeat
  • Soyeon
  • BreadBeat
  • Minnie
BreadBeat3:10
Total length:18:40

Notes

  • "Hann (Alone in Winter)" stylized as "HANN (Alone in winter)".
  • "Hwaa", "Moon", "Lost", and "Dahlia" stylized in all caps.
  • "Where Is Love" stylized in sentence case.

Accolades

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I Burn was included in the mid-year list of South China Morning Post's Best K-pop albums of 2021, calling it "short and sweet" and an "intense, impassioned show of the band’s dynamic vocals, offering up the ultimate take on getting over a fiery love affair and its resulting break-up. [...] The cinematic album [...] incorporates elements of moombahton, nu-disco, R&B, and pop, blending with traditional Eastern musical elements to create something that is very 2021 and yet timeless."[47]

Awards
Year Organization Category Result Ref.
2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards Album of the Year Nominated [48]
2022 Golden Disc Awards Album Bonsang Nominated [49]

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[53] Platinum 202,573[51]

Release history

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Release dates and formats for I Burn
Region Date Format Label
Various January 11, 2021
January 12, 2021 CD
United States April 30, 2021

References

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  1. ^ Pimpilai, Boonjong (June 24, 2021). L’Officiel Muse มินนี่-ณิชา ยนตรรักษ์ สมาชิกสาวไทยหนึ่งเดียวของวง (G)I-DLE [L'Officiel Muse Minnie-Nicha Yontararak, the only Thai girl member of the band (G)I-DLE.]. L'Officiel Thailand. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "[EP] I burn (여자)아이들". Retrieved January 16, 2021 – via Melon.
  3. ^ "[Ktown4u Event] [3CD SET] (G)I-DLE - Mini Album Vol.4 [I burn] (WINTER Ver. + FLOWER Ver. + FIRE Ver.)". www.ktown4u.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Hye-min, Hong (January 11, 2021). (여자)아이들 "2021년, 새롭고 재미있는 감정 도전할 것" [(G)I-dle "I will challenge new and fun emotions in 2021"]. Hankook.
  5. ^ Seung-Hyeon, Cho (January 12, 2021). [SE★현장] "1년 아껴둔 곡" (여자)아이들의 필살기, 역시 독보적(종합) [[SE★Site] "A song saved for a year" (G)I-dle's special moves are also unique]. Seoul Economic Daily.
  6. ^ (여자)아이들, 5개월 만에 전격 컴백...1월 글로벌 대세행보 이어간다 [(G)I-dle, comeback in 5 months...The global trend continues in January]. BNT News. December 9, 2020.
  7. ^ a b (여자)아이들, 비주얼 필름 공개…본격 컴백 준비 [(G)-Idle, visual film released... Ready for a full-fledged comeback]. Naver. December 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "(G)I-DLE 4th Mini Album [I burn] 2021.01.11 18:00 (KST) #여자아이들 #GIDLE #I_burn". (G)I-dle. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ (여자)아이들, 미니 4집 'I burn' 트랙리스트 공개…전곡 자작곡 [(G)I-dle, 4th mini album 'I burn' track list released... All self-composed songs]. www.wowtv.co.kr. December 31, 2020.
  10. ^ "아이들이 온다 (여자)]". Naver. January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
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  12. ^ a b Eun-Jae, Ahn (January 11, 2021). '(여자)아이들' 우기 "오정연 언니 봐서 기뻐…예능 열심히 하겠다" ['(G)I-dle' Yuqi "I'm glad to see Oh Jung-yeon... I'll work hard in entertainment"]. Sports Seoul.
  13. ^ Eun-mi, Cho (January 12, 2021). 오정연, (여자)아이들 우기와 다정 투샷..앨범 선물+편지에 감동 [Oh Jung-yeon, (G)I-dle Yuqi and sweet two shots...]. Herald Pop.
  14. ^ De Luna, Elizabeth (January 13, 2021). "(G)I-DLE Members on Fire, Friendship, and Their New EP "I Burn"". Teen Vogue.
  15. ^ Ye Eun, Kim (January 11, 2021). "(G)I-DLE TELLS A STORY OF LOVE AND HEARTBREAK ON NEW MINI ALBUM, 'I BURN'". Hypebae.
  16. ^ a b Jinah, Son (December 31, 2020). 안예은, (여자)아이들 새 앨범 1번 트랙 참여 “영광스러워” [Yeeun Ahn, (G)Idle New Album “It’s Glorious”]. MK Sports.
  17. ^ a b Soo-young, Kim (January 12, 2021). (여자)아이들, 한 겨울 불꽃 같은 컴백…'화'로 음원 1위 노린다 [종합] [(G)IDLE, comeback like a winter fireworks... Aiming for No. 1 music source with'Tue' [Overall]]. Korea Economic Daily.
  18. ^ Na-young, Kim (January 11, 2021). (여자)아이들 민니 “‘달리아’, 매혹적인 상대에 끌리는 마음 담았다” [(G)I-dle Minnie "'Dalia', I put my heart attracted by a fascinating partner"]. Maekyung.
  19. ^ a b c d Mendez, Michele (January 12, 2021). "(G)I-DLE's 'I Burn' Is The Breakup Album Everyone Needs In Their Life — EXCLUSIVE". Elite Daily.
  20. ^ a b JT, Early (January 19, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: (G)I-DLE – I BURN". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Skye, Sutton (January 16, 2021). "(G)I-DLE Brings the Heat In New Release "화(火花)(HWAA)"". The Kraze. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Verónica, A. Bastardo (January 20, 2021). "The Quietus | Reviews | (G)I-DLE | I BURN". The Quietus.
  23. ^ Ginsberg, Gab; Lipshutz, Jason (January 11, 2021). "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Olivia Rodrigo, (G)I-dle & More". Billboard.
  24. ^ Soo-min, Lee (January 12, 2021). 오정연, (여자)아이들 새 앨범 극찬 “선생님이라 부르고 싶어” [SNS★컷] [Oh Jung-yeon, (G)I-dle's new album "I want to call you teacher" [SNS ★ cut]]. Newsen.
  25. ^ Mamo, Heran (January 11, 2021). "(G)I-DLE Releases New Mini-Album 'I Burn': Stream It Now". Billboard.
  26. ^ Dongre, Divyansha (December 31, 2021). "10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  27. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (January 12, 2021). "(G)I-DLE comes back with 'I Burn,' debuts at No. 1 on music charts". Manila Bulletin.
  28. ^ Gyu-lee, Lee (January 13, 2021). "(G)I-DLE tops iTunes charts in 51 countries with 'I burn'". The Korea Times.
  29. ^ Byung-cheol, Yoo (January 28, 2021). (여자)아이들, 빌보드 K-POP 100 차트 5위 기록…불붙은 `화(火花)` [(G)I-dle, ranked 5th on the Billboard K-POP 100 chart... 'Fire Flower']. Korea Economic Daily.
  30. ^ "New iTunes Album Chart Record for Idle". January 13, 2021.
  31. ^ Baek, Ji-eun (January 12, 2021). [SC초점] (여자)아이들, "차트1위 목표" 꿈 이뤘다…글로벌 성장 [[SC Focus] (G)I-dle, "Chart No. 1 Goal" dream achieved... Global growth]. Sports Chosun.
  32. ^ Sun-hwa, Dong (January 12, 2021). "(G)I-DLE creating splash with new song 'Hwaa'". The Korea Times.
  33. ^ a b "Album Chart – Week 3 of 2021". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  34. ^ "Retail Album Chart – Week 3 of 2021". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  35. ^ Lee, Moon-won (January 25, 2021). [이문원의 쇼비즈워치] K팝 세대론, (여자)아이들을 주목하라 [[Lee Moon-won's Showbiz Watch] K-pop generation theory, pay attention to (G)I-dle]. Sports World.
  36. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 3 of 2021". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  37. ^ "I Burn (EP) on Billboard World Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  38. ^ a b "I Burn (EP) on Billboard Heatseekers Album". Billboard. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  39. ^ a b "I Burn (EP) on Billboard Top Current Albums". Billboard. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  40. ^ a b "I Burn (EP) on Billboard Top Albums". Billboard. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  41. ^ "(G)I-dle Billboard Emerging Artists". Billboard. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  42. ^ A-Ram, Jeon (January 4, 2020). (여자)아이들, 미니 4집 'I burn' 콘셉트 이미지 공개…파격 비주얼 변신 [(G)Idle, 4th mini album'I burn' concept image released... Unconventional visual transformation]. XSPortsNews.
  43. ^ Ji-sun, Lee (January 5, 2020). (여자)아이들, 11일 미니 4집 'I burn' 발매... 꽃 버전 콘셉트 이미지 공개(공식) [(G)Idle, 4th mini album 'I burn' released on the 11th...Concept image of flower version released (official)]. HeraldPop.
  44. ^ Ji-eun, Baek (January 6, 2020). [공식] (여자)아이들, '화'버전 콘셉트 이미지 공개…"콘셉트 장인" [[Official] (G)Idle, 'Fire' version concept image released... "Concept craftsman"]. Sports Chosun.
  45. ^ "[공지] (여자)아이들 미니 4집 [I burn] 예약 판매 안내" (in Korean). @G_I_DLE. December 29, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Bodegon, Kara (January 12, 2021). "(G)I-dle drop their 4th mini album I Burn and stunning visual for lead single 'HWAA' – listen". Bandwagon.
  47. ^ Tamar Herman (June 17, 2021). "Best K-pop albums of 2021 so far: Twice, Exo, Tomorrow x Together and others fly the flag for South Korea's idol scene". South China Morning Post. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  48. ^ "2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards Nominees". MAMA. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  49. ^ "Golden Disc Awards – Nominees". Golden Disc Awards. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  50. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-02-15" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  51. ^ a b "2021년 01월 Album Chart (see #3)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  52. ^ "2021년 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  53. ^ "South Korean album certifications – (G)I-dle – I Burn" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  54. ^ "US Physical of I Burn mini album by (G)I-dle". Republic Records. April 30, 2021.
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