Forever 1 (stylized in all caps) is the seventh Korean full-length album by Girls' Generation. It was released on August 5, 2022 with "Forever 1" serving as the album's title track.
This album marks their first full-group music release in five years.
The physical album comes in two versions: Standard and Deluxe.
Background[]
On May 17, 2022, SM Entertainment announced that Girls' Generation will be making a full-group comeback in August to celebrate their 15th debut anniversary. This marks the group's first comeback in 5 years since the release of Holiday Night.[2] Two months later, on July 4, member Sooyoung announced the group was in the final stages in releasing their seventh studio-album, hence revealing the comeback work's format.[3] On July 24, a moving teaser posted across the group's social media accounts revealed the album's title and release date.[4]
Composition[]
The title track "Forever 1" is described as a pop dance genre song with an energetic melody and dynamic development. The lyrics talk about expressing everlasting love to the people who are always there.[5]
"Seventeen" is described as an R&B dance song with a splendid synth sound added to tough drums and a light piano beat. "Villain" is a dance song with a roaring bass riff and strong drum beat with lyrics expressing the determination to live without fear even if given the role of a villain to become someone's hero, as reminiscent of an action movie.[6] "Lucky Like That" is a pop song with a cheerful guitar and powerful drum beats that features a soft melody complimenting the beautiful vocal harmonization of the Girls' Generation members. "You Better Run" is described as an electronic pop song with sharp sounds and intense vocals. A call back to the group's song "Run Devil Run", the lyrics tell of the aftermath in which the protagonist returns and scares their enemy.[7]
Promotions[]
Girls' Generation held a countdown live for Forever 1 on TikTok and YouTube on August 5, 2022 at 4:30pm KST. During the live, the group celebrated their 15th anniversary and shared stories related to the album.[8]
Girls' Generation was set to perform "Forever 1" at M Countdown on August 11 and Inkigayo on August 14.[9] However, following Seohyun's COVID-19 diagnosis, such appearances were cancelled.[10] It is unknown if the group has plans to attend any other music shows after Seohyun's recovery.
Commercial performance[]
As of 11:30 a.m. KST on August 6, Forever 1 hit #1 on the iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 31 different regions. The album also reached #1 on QQ Music's digital album sales chart in China, and Recochoku's daily album ranking in Japan. Furthermore, the title track "Forever 1" topped Bugs' and Vibe's realtime chart in Korea.[11]
On the first day of the physical album's release, August 8, Hanteo Chart recorded 102,879 copies sold, smashing the group's previous first-day and first-week sales records.[12] With this, Girls Generation became the first second-generation girl group to surpass 100,000 copies of an album sold on its first day.
Circle Chart reported that Forever 1 reached 280,733 copies sold in the month of August.[13] Due to surpassing 250,000 copies sold the album is certified platinum.[14]
Track list[]
- "Forever 1" - 3:22
- "Lucky Like That" - 2:51
- "Seventeen" - 3:08
- "Villain" - 3:02
- "You Better Run" - 2:45
- "Closer" - 3:58
- "Mood Lamp" - 3:48
- "Summer Night (완벽한 장면)" - 3:13
- "Freedom" - 3:02
- "Paper Plane (종이비행기)" - 3:30
Gallery[]
(Standard ver.)
(Deluxe ver.)
References[]
- ↑ (KR) Entertainment Daum: 소녀시대, 15주년 타이틀곡은 '포에버원'
- ↑ Soompi: Girls’ Generation Confirmed To Make Comeback As Full Group For 15th Anniversary
- ↑ Soompi: Sooyoung Reveals Girls’ Generation Will Release Studio Album For Upcoming Comeback + Talks About Boyfriend Jung Kyung Ho And Advice For Juniors
- ↑ @GirlsGeneration on Twitter (July 25, 2022)
- ↑ (KR) Naver: 소녀시대, 15주년 타이틀곡은 ‘포에버원’
- ↑ (KR) Entertainment Daum: 소녀시대 티파니-수영, 정규 7집 '세븐틴' '빌런' 작사 참여
- ↑ (KOR) Entertainment Daum: '15주년 컴백' 소녀시대, 정규 7집서 들려줄 명불허전 보컬
- ↑ (KR) Daum: 소녀시대, 8월 5일 라이브 방송 진행..데뷔 15주년 컴백 기념
- ↑ (KR) News 1: 소녀시대, 5년 만에 음악방송 출격…완전체 무대
- ↑ Soompi: Girls’ Generation Cancels This Week’s Music Show Promotions After Seohyun Is Diagnosed With COVID-19
- ↑ Soompi: Girls’ Generation Tops iTunes Charts All Over The World With Their 1st Album In 5 Years
- ↑ Allkpop: Girls' Generation smashes own first-week sales record on the first day of release for 'FOREVER 1'
- ↑ (KR) Circle Chart: Album Chart 2022.08 Month
- ↑ Soompi: TXT, TWICE, And IVE Earn Circle Million Certifications + NewJeans, Girls’ Generation, THE BOYZ, And BTS Go Platinum
Video links[]
- "Closer" recording behind the scenes
- Mood sampler
- Cosmic Festa
- Jacket behind the scenes
- Countdown live
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