Circle (Onew album)
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Circle
| type = studio
| artist = Onew
| cover = Onew - Circle.png
| alt =
| caption = Digital cover
| released = {{start date|2023|03|06}}
| recorded =
| studio =
- SM Big Shot (Seoul)
- SM LVYIN (Seoul)
- SM SSAM (Seoul)
- SM Starlight (Seoul)
- SM Yellow Tail (Seoul)
| genre =
| length = 31:52
| language = Korean
| label =
| producer =
| prev_title = Life Goes On
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title = Flow
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Circle
| type = studio
| single1 = O (Circle)
| single1date = March 6, 2023
}}
}}
Circle is the first Korean-language studio album (second overall) by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on March 6, 2023, through SM Entertainment. The album contains ten songs, including the lead single, "O (Circle)". It peaked at number three on South Korea's Circle Album Chart.
Background
Circle was Onew's first Korean release after almost a year, following on from his 2022 EP Dice.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/shinee-onew-release-new-solo-album-comeback-march-3398143|title=Shinee's Onew announces first solo studio album 'Circle'|website=NME|last=Yeo|first=Gladys|date=February 21, 2023|access-date=March 4, 2023|archive-date=February 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226001238/https://www.nme.com/news/music/shinee-onew-release-new-solo-album-comeback-march-3398143|url-status=deviated}} In the interim, he released the Japanese-language studio album Life Goes On and embarked on a tour across Japan.{{cite web|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/05/17/entertainment/kpop/Korea-Kpop-Onew/20220517160916108.html|title=Onew to drop first full-length album 'Life Goes On' in Japan in July|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Lee|first=Jian|date=May 17, 2022|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524211452/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/05/17/entertainment/kpop/Korea-Kpop-Onew/20220517160916108.html|url-status=live}} Onew originally heard "O (Circle)" before Dice came out, but decided to save it for a future release, believing it to be "too strong" at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/shinee-onew-heard-single-o-circle-before-releasing-dice-3409303|title=Onew reveals he heard new single 'O (Circle)' before his previous record 'Dice' came out|website=NME|last=Yeo|first=Gladys|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=June 9, 2023|archive-date=June 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609215450/https://www.nme.com/news/music/shinee-onew-heard-single-o-circle-before-releasing-dice-3409303|url-status=live}} Kim Eana wrote the lyrics according to his ideas.{{cite web|url=https://www.allurekorea.com/2023/03/17/o-new-note-%ec%98%a8%ec%9c%a0/?ddw=139854&ds_ch=twitter|script-title=ko:치열하게 고민하고 탐구해 찾은 온유다운 마음|website=Allure Korea|last=Kim|first=Jung-hyun|date=March 17, 2023|access-date=June 9, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404162542/https://www.allurekorea.com/2023/03/17/o-new-note-%EC%98%A8%EC%9C%A0/?ddw=139854&ds_ch=twitter|url-status=live}} Onew had previously collaborated with her on his 2021 song "Way", which the two wrote together.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004794271|script-title=ko:'컴백' 샤이니 온유, 신곡 'O (Circle)' 사계절 듣고 싶은 힐링곡|trans-title='Comeback': Shinee Onew's new song 'O (Circle)' is a healing song to listen to in all four seasons|work=Osen|via=Naver|last=Seon|first=Mi-kyung|date=February 22, 2023|access-date=February 26, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144835/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004794271|url-status=live}} He was involved in the production process from beginning to end, undergoing multiple rounds of recording, mixing and mastering, despite struggling with health issues. He noted, "I don't think there was a single part of the entire process that I didn't touch". Onew chose the keywords "healing", "recovery" and "circulation" to describe the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2023/03/732_346578.html|title=Shinee's Onew to drop 1st individual studio album|website=The Korea Times|agency=Yonhap News Agency|date=March 6, 2023|access-date=June 9, 2023|archive-date=June 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604064235/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2023/03/732_346578.html|url-status=live}} He stated that he wanted to "broaden the spectrum" of his music and described it as a "stepping stone" for his future work.
Composition
The songs are arranged to give the feeling of watching a single performance. Lead single "O (Circle)" is an R&B song that combines arpeggio synth sounds with a heavy bass line. The lyrics, written by Kim Eana, compare the circular nature of life to the passing of the seasons. The title was chosen by Onew. "Cough" is a pop song that uses acoustic guitar and drum lines to create a lonely atmosphere. It depicts the longing that ensues following a break-up, like a cold that refuses to go away at the change of the season.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0005094520|script-title=ko:온유표 밴드 사운드 '써클'에 다 담긴다|trans-title=Onew includes band sounds in 'Circle'|work=Maeil Business Newspaper|via=Naver|last=Park|first=Se-yeon|date=February 27, 2023|access-date=March 1, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144834/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0005094520|url-status=live}} "Rain on Me" is a ballad with a lyrical melody and acoustic band sound. The second half of the song features layered strings, and the lyrics take the form of a monologue in which Onew describes the person he wants to see in the rain. "Caramel" features rapper Giriboy and is a jazz pop song that likens love to the sweetness of caramel. It contains piano, bass, trumpets and scat singing.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011707916|script-title=ko:샤이니 온유, 정규1집 '써클' 기리보이·샘김 참여…다양한 매력 수록|trans-title=Giriboy and Sam Kim participate in Shinee Onew's first studio album 'Circle'... Contains various charms|work=Newsis|via=Naver|last=Jeong|first=Jin-ah|date=February 23, 2023|access-date=February 26, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144835/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011707916|url-status=live}} "Anywhere" is a pop song with keyboard, bass and synth sounds, sung in falsetto. "Paradise" is a pop song with light guitar riffs and synths. The lyrics describe the sensation of falling in love as feeling like the stars are pouring down.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001853667|script-title=ko:샤이니 온유 첫 정규 앨범 'Circle', 청량미 넘치는 수록곡 예고|trans-title=Shinee Onew's first studio album 'Circle' contains B-side songs full of refreshing beauty|work=YTN|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Yu-na|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=February 26, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144835/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001853667|url-status=live}} Midtempo pop song "Expectations" has a danceable beat created by electric guitar, a rhythmic drum line and synths. It compares feelings of disappointment and expectation in love to a battery that is continually recharged and drained. "No Parachute" is an indie pop song about jumping into unfamiliar situations, containing a strong drum rhythm and synths. "Walk With You" is a midtempo pop song with a nostalgic theme. "Always" is an "emotional" ballad expressing Onew's desire to stay by the subject's side during times of difficulty and provide comfort.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=015&aid=0004815651|script-title=ko:'힐링 보컬' 샤이니 온유, 첫 정규앨범에 따뜻함 담았다|trans-title='Healing vocal' Shinee's Onew puts warmth in his first studio album|work=Korea Economic Daily|via=Naver|last=Kim|first=Soo-kyung|date=February 28, 2023|access-date=March 1, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144834/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=015&aid=0004815651|url-status=live}}
Release and promotion
The album was announced on February 20, 2023, with pre-orders beginning the same day.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004793132샤이니|script-title=ko:온유, 3월 6일 솔로 컴백..첫 정규앨범 'Circle' 발매|trans-title=Shinee's Onew will have a solo comeback on March 6... First studio album 'Circle' to be released|work=Osen|via=Naver|last=Seon|first=Mi-kyung|date=February 20, 2023|access-date=March 4, 2023|language=ko}} Promotional materials, including teaser images and videos, were shared in the lead-up to its March 6 release. Onew held a series of concerts, titled O-New-Note, at the Olympic Hall in Seoul on March 3–5, 2023, which was followed by further concerts in Tokyo on March 14–15.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230213000774|title=[Today's K-pop] Shinee's Onew adds date to 1st solo concert|website=The Korea Herald|last=Hwang|first=You-mee|date=February 13, 2023|access-date=February 25, 2023|archive-date=February 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223201728/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230213000774|url-status=live}} He premiered songs from the album, including the lead single, at the concerts.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000333896|script-title=ko:샤이니 온유, 첫 솔로 콘서트서 '신곡 선공개'|trans-title=Shinee Onew to 'pre-release new song' at his first solo concert|work=JTBC|via=Naver|last=Cho|first=Yeon-kyung|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=March 1, 2023|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144835/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000333896|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end lists for Circle ! scope="col"| Critic/Publication ! scope="col"| List ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class=unsortable| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="1" | Billboard
| The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023 | 1 | {{cite magazine|title=The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-k-pop-albums-2023/|magazine=Billboard|date=December 29, 2023|access-date=December 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230002359/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-k-pop-albums-2023/|archive-date=December 30, 2023|url-status=live}} |
|---|
Track listing
{{track listing
| headline = Circle track listing
| extra_column = Arrangement
| total_length = 31:52
| title1 = O (Circle)
| lyrics1 = Kim Eana
| music1 = Haris
| extra1 = Haris
| length1 = 3:17
| title2 = Cough
| note2 = {{Korean|hangul=환절기|rr=Hwanjeolgi|lit=Change of Seasons|labels=no}}
| lyrics2 = Danke (Lalala Studio)
| music2 = {{hlist|Alma Goodman|Jake Torrey|Todd Spadafore}}
| extra2 = Spadafore
| length2 = 3:04
| title3 = Rain on Me
| note3 = {{Korean|hangul=우중산책|rr=Ujungsanchaek|lit=A Walk in the Rain|labels=no}}
| lyrics3 = Tomboy1
| music3 = {{hlist|Jisoo Park (153/Joombas)|Sam Kim}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|MRey (153CreatorsClub)|Sam Kim|Park}}
| length3 = 3:48
| title4 = Caramel
| note4 = featuring Giriboy
| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Park|Giriboy}}
| music4 = {{hlist|Park|Bendik Møller|Giriboy}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Møller|Park}}
| length4 = 3:11
| title5 = Anywhere
| lyrics5 = Kim Min-ji (Jam Factory)
| music5 = {{hlist|Ryan Bickley|Andrea Rosario|Fridolin Walchin}}
| extra5 = Freedo
| length5 = 3:02
| title6 = Paradise
| lyrics6 = Danke
| music6 = {{hlist|Paul Meehan|Kjetil Mørland|Etham Basden|Hautboi Rich}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Meehan|Mørland}}
| length6 = 3:12
| title7 = Expectations
| lyrics7 = Kang Eun-jung
| music7 = {{hlist|Jordy Shulman|Jonny Shorr|Will Jay|Matthew Crawford|Aaron Theodore Berton}}
| extra7 = Theo & The Climb
| length7 = 3:12
| title8 = No Parachute
| lyrics8 = Jeon Ji-eun (Lalala Studio)
| music8 = {{hlist|Liam Geddes|Talk Like Tigers}}
| extra8 = Geddes
| length8 = 2:48
| title9 = Walk with You
| note9 = {{Korean|hangul=기억을 걷다|rr=Gieogeul Geotda|lit=Walking Through Memories|labels=no}}
| lyrics9 = Mola
| music9 = {{hlist|James Birt|Nermin Harambasic (Dsign Music)|Isac Elliot|Britt Pols}}
| extra9 = Birt
| length9 = 3:14
| title10 = Always
| note10 = {{Korean|hangul=보통의 밤|rr=Botongui Bam|lit=An Ordinary Night|labels=no}}
| lyrics10 = Lee Yeong-seok (PNP)
| music10 = {{hlist|Ju Chan-yang (Pollen)|Lavin}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Ju|Lavin}}
| length10 = 2:58
}}
Personnel
{{div col}}
- Onew – vocals, background vocals
- minGtion – vocal directing (tracks 1, 7–9)
- Heritage (Kim Hyo-sik, Lee Sin-hui, Park Ui-yeong) – background vocals (track 1)
- Lee Min-gyu – recording (tracks 1, 4, 7), digital editing (tracks 1, 4, 7), mixing (tracks 4, 7)
- Nam Gung-jin – mixing (track 1)
- Ju Chan-yang – vocal directing (tracks 2, 5, 10), background vocals (tracks 2, 6, 10)
- Lee Ji-hong – recording (tracks 2, 10), digital editing (tracks 2, 10), mixing (track 10)
- Jeong Eui-seok – mixing (tracks 2, 5)
- Kim Yeon-seo – vocal directing (tracks 3–4, 6)
- Jeong Yu-ra – recording (tracks 3, 8–9), digital editing (tracks 3, 8–9), mixing (tracks 3, 9)
- Giriboy – vocals (track 4), background vocals (track 4)
- Jisoo Park – background vocals (track 4)
- Ryan Bickley – background vocals (track 5)
- Kang Eun-ji – recording (tracks 5, 9), digital editing (track 5)
- No Min-ji – recording (track 6), digital editing (track 6)
- Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 6)
- Liam Geddes – background vocals (track 8)
- Gu Jong-pil – mixing (track 8)
- Isac Elliott – background vocals (track 9)
- Nermin Harambasic – background vocals (track 9)
- Oiaisle – background vocals (track 9)
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for Circle ! scope="col" | Chart (2023) ! scope="col" | Peak |
| scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon){{cite web |title=Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-03 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-03/ |publisher=Oricon |access-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230412060905/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-03/ |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |language=ja}}
| 46 |
|---|
| scope="row" | South Korean Albums (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=03&hitYear=2023&termGbn=month&yearTime=3|title=Album Chart – 2023.03 Month|website=Circle Music Chart|language=ko|access-date=April 6, 2023|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406022432/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=03&hitYear=2023&termGbn=month&yearTime=3|url-status=live}}
| 11 |
{{col-end}}
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Music program awards ! scope="col" width="150"|Song ! scope="col"| Program ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| "O (Circle)"
| March 18, 2023 |
|---|