Beautiful Liar (Monsta X song)
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Beautiful Liar
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Monsta X
| album = Reason
| released = January 9, 2023
| recorded = 2022
| studio =
- Ingrid Studio
- Klang Studio
| language = Korean
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:03
| label =
| composer =
- Ryan S. Jhun
- Marc Sibley
- Nathan Cunningham
- Josh Cumbee
- SLAY
- AVIN
- Lauren Aquilina
- Marcus Andersson
| lyricist =
- Joohoney
- Hyungwon
- I.M
- Brother Su
- Kim Eung-ju
| producer =
- Ryan S. Jhun
- Space Primates
| chronology = Monsta X
| prev_title = Love
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|2zXg8CbymYc|"Beautiful Liar"}}|type=single}}
}}
"Beautiful Liar" is a song recorded by the South Korean boy group Monsta X for their twelfth extended play Reason. It was released as the EP's lead single by Starship Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment on January 9, 2023.
Background and release
In December 2022, Monsta X announced their comeback by releasing the coming soon image of their twelfth EP Reason through their official SNS, in an intense black image and the release date announced on January 9, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001824738|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 내년 1월 9일 컴백...신보 'REASON' 발매|trans-title=MONSTA X, comeback on January 9 next year... new album 'REASON' release|website=YTN|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Yoo-na|date=2022-12-12|access-date=2023-01-04|language=ko}}
On December 20, the track listing was released, with "Beautiful Liar" confirmed as the lead single.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003605901|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 새 앨범 '리즌' 트랙리스트 오픈..타이틀곡='Beautiful Liar'|trans-title=Monsta X, new album 'Reason' track list open.. Title song = 'Beautiful Liar'|website=K-pop Herald|via=Naver|last=Kim|first=Ji-hye|date=2022-12-21|access-date=2023-01-05|language=ko}}
Joohoney, Hyungwon, and I.M participated in writing its Korean lyrics, alongside Brother Su and Kim Eung-ju.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001833202|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스 신보 '리즌', 형원·주헌·아이엠 프로듀싱 참여|trans-title=MONSTA X's new album 'Reason' participated in the production of Hyungwon, Jooheon, and I.M.|website=YTN|via=Naver|last=Kwak|first=Hyun-soo|date=2023-01-03|access-date=2023-01-04|language=ko}}
The choreography's killing point expresses the feeling of a "snake" ruling the whole body, through the movement that seems to control the mouth from the arm,{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011639696|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 오늘 음방 출격…포인트, 뱀이 온몸을 지배하는 듯한 안무|trans-title=Monsta X, today's music show... Point, choreography as if a snake dominates the whole body|website=Newsis|via=Naver|last=Jeong|first=Jin-ah|date=2023-01-12|access-date=2023-01-12|language=ko}} accompanied by choreography of covering the entire face with one hand, and in which everyone leans their heads and bodies back.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003122159|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 미니 12집 'REASON' 타이틀곡 'Beautiful Liar' 안무 영상 공개|trans-title=MONSTA X, 12th mini album 'REASON' title song 'Beautiful Liar' choreography video released|website=Star News|via=Naver|last=Kim|first=Su-jin|date=2023-01-18|access-date=2023-01-18|language=ko}}
Composition
"Beautiful Liar" is a rhythmical and powerful punk rock-style song that sings the reason for love found in the most extreme and dangerous relationship, with a highly addictive beat and high-quality vocals and performance, providing a more intense sense of immersion.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000669877|script-title=ko:'컴백' 몬스타엑스, 신보 'REASON' 이미지 티저…흑백 카리스마|trans-title=Comeback' Monsta X, new album 'REASON' image teaser... black and white charisma|website=Newsen|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Min-ji|date=2022-12-24|access-date=2023-01-05|language=ko}} It can also be described as a hip-hop- and dance-based track with irresistible punk-rock influences, which give the song its earworm quality, a gorgeous blend of sonic intensity and sauciness.{{cite magazine|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/monsta-x-make-a-powerful-comeback-with-beautiful-liar/|title=Monsta X Make a Powerful Comeback with 'Beautiful Liar'|magazine=Rolling Stone India|last=Dongre|first=Divyansha|date=2023-01-09|access-date=2023-01-09}}
Music video
On January 5, Monsta X released the first teaser of the music video through their official SNS. The video begins with a tense scene, in which unknown people run in droves with a rhythmic beat. Led by I.M, who appears exuding a strong presence in a red leather outfit, the members walk towards somewhere, creating a sandstorm. Then, the video ends with the two members, being put in a confrontation situation and running towards each other as if attacking.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202301061406360410|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스 'Beautiful Liar' MV 티저 공개…믿고 듣는 기현 목소리|trans-title=MONSTA X 'Beautiful Liar' MV teaser released... Trust and listen to Kihyun's voice|website=Newsen|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|date=2023-01-06|access-date=2023-01-06|language=ko}} On January 6, the second teaser of the music video was released, which begins with an intense beat and sound. In the concert hall lit up with colorful lights, Monsta X is on the main stage and is receiving cheers from many people, and the performance made by the members is revealed little by little in the scene passing by with a sense of speed. At the end of the video, few of I.M's unique and attractive bass notes are revealed.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0006563712|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, '뷰티풀 라이어' MV 2차 티저 공개…믿고 보는 퍼포먼스|trans-title=MONSTA X unveils the 2nd teaser for 'Beautiful Liar' MV... performance to believe in|website=news1|via=Naver|last=Ahn|first=Tae-hyun|date=2023-01-07|access-date=2023-01-07|language=ko}}
The music video, directed by Highqualityfish, was released alongside the song, through Starship Entertainment and 1theK's YouTube channels on January 9, 2023. It portrays their powerful performance from an abandoned warehouse as it catches on fire. Elsewhere in the video, it can be seen that, they stumble through a faceless crowd, as they reckon with their conflicting emotions.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CnMLxyMgN7O/|title=Monsta X - Beautiful Liar M/V|publisher=Highqualityfish|via=Instagram|date=2023-01-09|access-date=2023-01-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/monsta-x-2023-comeback-mini-album-release-reason-3365066|title=MONSTA X drop new mini-album 'Reason' and fiery visual for lead single 'Beautiful Liar'|website=NME|last=Yeo|first=Gladys|date=2023-01-09|access-date=2023-01-09}} Tapping into the dangerous nature of love, the music video features the members performing in arena set ablaze, clad in leather ensembles, which capture the track's sonic potency in sleek choreographed moves and rebellious expressions. The music video shows the members of Monsta X take the stage in front of a crowd full of mysterious people dressed in all black, features imagery of chains and a horse in a red tent.{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2023/01/09/korea-Monsta-X-Reason-EP-Beautiful-Liar-music-video/6551673288430/|title=Monsta X release 'Reason' EP, 'Beautiful Liar' music video|website=UPI|last=Martin|first=Annie|date=2023-01-09|access-date=2023-01-09}}
Promotion
On January 10, their comeback showcase was held to commemorate the release of their twelfth EP Reason, including "Beautiful Liar", through Naver Now,{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004771582|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 오늘(10일) 네이버 NOW. 컴백쇼 진행..수록곡 무대 최초 공개|trans-title=Monsta X, today (10th) Naver NOW. Comeback show progress..B-side song stage first release|website=OSEN|via=Naver|last=Ji|first=Min-kyung|date=2023-01-10|access-date=2023-01-10|language=ko}} along the release of the global K-pop rhythm game SuperStar Starship's limited-themed digital card for "Beautiful Liar".{{cite web|url=https://www.gamechosun.co.kr/webzine/article/view.php?no=192149|script-title=ko:SuperStar STARSHIP, 몬스타엑스 컴백 기념 미니 앨범 'REASON' 신곡 업데이트|trans-title=SuperStar STARSHIP, MONSTA X comeback commemorative mini album 'REASON' new song update|website=Games Chosun|last=Kim|first=Bong-hyun|date=2023-01-12|access-date=2023-01-12|language=ko}} Monsta X also subsequently appeared on several music programs, including Mnet's M Countdown on January 12,{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000860946|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 오늘 '엠카' 출격…'Beautiful Liar' 첫 공개|trans-title=Monsta X, today's 'M Countdown' sortie... First release of 'Beautiful Liar'|website=Sports Kyunghyang|via=Naver|last=Hwang|first=Hyo-i|date=2023-01-12|access-date=2023-01-12|language=ko}} KBS2's Music Bank on January 13,{{cite web|url=http://www.celuvmedia.com/article.php?aid=1673560811444579007|script-title=ko:'뮤직뱅크' 오늘(13일) 몬스타엑스·SF9·에이티즈·우아!·에스페로·최수환·TO1|trans-title='Music Bank' today (13th) Monsta X · SF9 · ATEEZ · Wooa! · Espero · Choi Soo-hwan · TO1|website=Celuv Media|last=Shin|first=Ah-ram|date=2023-01-13|access-date=2023-01-13|language=ko}} MBC's Show! Music Core on January 14,{{cite web|url=http://m.celuvmedia.com/article.php?aid=1673650871444660007|script-title=ko:'쇼 음악중심' 오늘(14일) 몬스타엑스·SF9·이지영 컴백…민혁·주헌 스페셜MC|trans-title='Show! Music Core' today (14th) Monsta X, SF9, Lee Ji-young's comeback... Minhyuk and Jooheon Special MCs|website=Celuv Media|last=Jeon|first=Ye-seul|date=2023-01-14|access-date=2023-01-14|language=ko}} and SBS' Inkigayo on January 15.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapen.com/news/view/786297|script-title=ko:[인기가요 라인업] 몬스타엑스·SF9·뉴진스·에이티즈·문빈&산하·TO1·아일리원 등|trans-title=[Inkigayo Lineup] Monsta X·SF9·New Jeans·Ateez·Moonbin&Sanha·TO1·Ili One, etc.|website=Media Pen|last=Kim|first=Min-seo|date=2023-01-15|access-date=2023-01-15|language=ko}}
Critical reception
{{Single ratings
| rev1 = IZM
| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=31689&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스(MONSTA X) 'Beautiful Liar' (2023)|website=IZM|last=Jang|first=Jun-hwan|title=Neo Music Communication IZM|date=2023-02-25|access-date=2023-02-25|language=ko}}
}}
Jang Jun-hwan of IZM described "Beautiful Liar" as an "elegant pop grammar with various colors". Jang also added that "the sharp electric guitar and heavy drums, which seem to have been inspired by Kanye West's "Black Skinhead", have produced the existing wild beauty, but they did not miss the sense of creating the "killing part" which they learned from All About Luv and The Dreaming". Jang emphasized "I.M and Jooheon's raps, which alternately use power, draw tension over and over again, and Hyungwon's hook injects sweetness in the right place, that despite its light composition, the song still penetrates the ears excellently and announces its presence".
Taylor Glasby, writing for Dazed, said that as a curveball, it "dissects and reassembles its structure with steely precision", giving "heady and hypnotic, a teasing, persistent spiral of sound", which makes it a "slithery banger".
= Listicles =
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Name of critic or publication, name of listicle and rank ! Critic/Publication ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| List ! data-sort-type="number"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
scope="row"| Dazed
| align="center"| The 50 Best K-pop Tracks of 2023 | align="center"| 17 | align="center"| {{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/61593/1/the-best-k-pop-tracks-of-2023-jung-kook-newjeans-aespa-bts|title=The 50 Best K-pop Tracks of 2023 |website=Dazed|last=Glasby|first=Taylor|date=2023-12-15|access-date=2023-12-16}} |
---|
Commercial performance
"Beautiful Liar" charted at number 15 on the Circle Digital Chart for the week of January 8 to 14, as well as at number 8 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, for the week of January 6 to 12. The track also charted at number 75 on the monthly Circle Digital Chart for the month of January.
The music video ranked on YouTube's Rapidly Rising Video and topped the Music videos trending worldwide,{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000328279|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스, 전 세계 차트 최정상 석권… 글로벌 파워 증명|trans-title=Monsta X, topped the charts around the world... proof of global power|website=JTBC|via=Naver|last=Park|first=Sang-hoo|date=2023-01-10|access-date=2023-01-10|language=ko}} as well as placing at number 5 on YouTube Korea popular music video, for the week of January 6 to 12, with 505,341 views.{{cite web|url=https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=14971319|script-title=ko:[유튜브인기뮤비] 뉴진스의 'Ditto' 2주차 1위, 뉴진스·임영웅·몬스타엑스 TOP5…5곡 이상 진입은 뉴진스·임영웅·김호중|trans-title=[YouTube Popular Music Video] New Jeans' 'Ditto' 2nd week, top 5 New Jeans, Lim Young-woong, Monsta X... Entering 5 or more songs is New Jeans, Lim Young-woong, Kim Ho-joong|website=Top Star News|last=Kim|first=Seong-hee|date=2023-01-15|access-date=2023-01-15|language=ko}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Melon.{{cite web|url=https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=36014317|title=Beautiful Liar - song details|website=Melon|access-date=2023-01-09|language=ko}}
- Monsta X – vocals
- Joohoney – lyrics
- Hyungwon – lyrics
- I.M – lyrics
- Brother Su – lyrics
- Kim Eung-ju – lyrics
- Ryan S. Jhun – composition, arrangement
- Marc Sibley – composition
- Nathan Cunningham – composition
- Josh Cumbee – composition
- SLAY – composition
- AVIN – composition
- Lauren Aquilina – composition
- Marcus Andersson – composition
- Space Primates – arrangement
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "Beautiful Liar" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
scope="row"| South Korea (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=02&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3|title=Week 2 of 2023 Digital Chart|website=Circle Chart|date=January 8–14, 2023|access-date=January 19, 2023|language=ko}}
| 15 |
---|
scope="row"| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/monsta-x/chart-history/wdt/|title=Monsta X Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 18, 2023}}
| 8 |
{{col-2}}
= Monthly chart =
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "Beautiful Liar" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
scope="row" style="width:13em"| South Korea (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=month|title=January 2023 Digital Chart|website=Circle Chart|access-date=February 9, 2023|language=ko}}
| 75 |
---|
{{col-end}}
Accolades
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Music program award for "Beautiful Liar" ! scope="col" style="width:7em" | Program ! scope="col" style="width:8em" | Date ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
scope="row" | Music Bank
| style="text-align:center" | January 20, 2023 | style="text-align:center" | {{cite web|url=http://www.newsinside.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1151050|script-title=ko:몬스타엑스 '뷰티풀 라이어', '뮤직뱅크' 1위 "사랑한다 몬베베"|trans-title=Monsta X's 'Beautiful Liar', 'Music Bank' No. 1 "I love you Monbebe"|website=News Inside|last=Kim|first=Hye-mi|date=2023-01-20|access-date=2023-01-20|language=ko}}{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003689736|script-title=ko:'뮤뱅' 몬스타엑스 1위 "사랑한다!"…뉴진스, 민지 MC 데뷔→심쿵 무대 [종합]|trans-title='Mubang' Monsta X won 1st place "I love you!"... New Jeans, Minji MC debut → heart-thumping stage [Comprehensive]|website=My Daily|via=Naver|last=Oh|first=Yoon-joo|date=2023-01-20|access-date=2023-01-20|language=ko}} |
---|
Release history
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Release history and formats for "Beautiful Liar" !Region !Date !Format !Label |
scope="row"| South Korea
| rowspan="2"| January 9, 2023 | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Starship Entertainment|Kakao Entertainment}} |
---|
scope="row"| Various |