Kai (EP)
{{Infobox album
| name = Kai
| cover = Kai - cover.png
| caption = Digital and Flipbook version cover
| alt =
| type = EP
| artist = Kai
| released = {{Start date|2020|11|30}}
| recorded = 2020
| studio =
- Big Shot
- Blue Cup
- Blue Ocean
- Concert Hall
- LVYIN
- Yellow Tail
| length = 17:55
| genre = R&B
| language = Korean
| label = {{Hlist|SM|Dreamus}}
|producer=Lee Soo-man
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Peaches
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Kai
| type = EP
| single1 = Mmmh
| single1date = November 30, 2020
}}
{{External music video|type=ep|{{YouTube|Fc-fa6cAe2c|"Mmmh"}}}}}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Beats Per Minute
| rev1score = 77%{{cite web|url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-kai-kai/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: KAI – KAI|last=Early|first=JT|date=December 10, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=Beats Per Minute|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723072042/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-kai-kai/|url-status=live}}
}}
Kai (Chinese: 开, lit. "Open", stylized as K开I) is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Kai. It was released on November 30, 2020 by SM Entertainment. The album features six tracks including the lead single, "Mmmh".{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-11|title=엑소 카이, 솔로 데뷔…30일 'KAI' 발매 [공식]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/382/0000869959|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114110524/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/382/0000869959|archive-date=2020-11-14|website=Naver News|language=ko}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-11|title=EXO on Twitter: "'World-class performer' KAI to debut solo! 1st Mini Album 'KAI (开)' out on 11/30! To open new world of...|url=https://twitter.com/weareoneEXO/status/1326340229729452033|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111021728/https://twitter.com/weareoneEXO/status/1326340229729452033|archive-date=2020-11-11|website=Twitter.com|language=}} The physical album is available in seven different versions (3 Photobook versions, 3 Jewel case versions and 1 Flipbook version).
Background
On July 3, SM Entertainment announced that Kai would release his first solo album, and was working on the album production with the goal of the second half of 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreastardaily.com/tc/news/128075|title=2020年大驚喜！EXO 舞王 KAI 出道八年首次 solo 發行專輯啦～|work=Korea Star Daily|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116130711/https://www.koreastardaily.com/tc/news/128075|url-status=live}}
On November 11, it was announced that Kai will make his solo debut on November 30, with his 1st mini-album Kai.{{Cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000869959|title=엑소 카이, 솔로 데뷔…30일 'KAI' 발매 [공식]|website=entertain.naver.com/|language=ko|access-date=2020-11-11|archive-date=2020-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111000938/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000869959|url-status=live}}
Kai's debut single title "음 (Mmmh)", was announced on November 19.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-19|title=EXO on Twitter: "KAI's 1st solo album title track '음 (Mmmh)' to be a charming straightforward love song that captures his confident attitude!|url=https://twitter.com/weareoneexo/status/1329239212076408834|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119014545/https://twitter.com/weareoneEXO/status/1329239212076408834|archive-date=2020-11-19|website=Twitter.com|language=}}
Composition
The title song "음 (Mmmh)" is an R&B pop song with a simple yet addictive melody on a minimalist track, it is also described to be a charming, straight-forward love song.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:엑소 카이, 첫 솔로앨범 'KAI'로 보여줄 다채로운 매력|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AOvc50wn0L|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Daum News|language=ko|archive-date=2021-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210233957/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AOvc50wn0L|url-status=live}}{{cite AV media|date=November 30, 2020|title=KAI - The 1st Mini Album|url=https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10525618|publisher=Dreamus|access-date=March 22, 2023|language=ko|via=Melon|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322024324/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10525618|url-status=live}}
"Nothing on Me" is a PBR&B song featuring a heavy bass groove. It portrayed the moment when the protagonist getting intoxicated by the scent of the other person while moving closer them.
"기억상실 (Amnesia)" is an R&B and trap song with attractive grooves and melody. It discusses the moment when the protagonist is falling in love and forgetting all memories from the past, only want to fill in the memories with the current partner.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'솔로 데뷔' 엑소 카이, 첫 앨범 'KAI' 30일 발매..독보적인 퍼포먼스 예고|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AUENNfIPzN|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Daum News|language=ko|archive-date=2020-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124233850/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AUENNfIPzN|url-status=live}}
"Reason" is a progressive R&B song composed by American producer Mike Daley, with an addictive 808 pattern added to minimal club music, and the lyrics are intriguing about searching for one another, and eventually become fascinated to each other.
"Ride or Die" is a PBR&B song created by producer Cha Cha Malone, it incorporates oriental guitar sound and a dreamy atmosphere. The lyrics are about stepping out of the boundaries to enjoy life.
"Hello Stranger" is a progressive R&B song that stands out with a lyrical guitar sound, the lyrics depict a situation which a person feels a sense of sympathy to a stranger.
Release and promotion
A video highlight "Film: Kai" was released on November 27, a video consists of the performance videos from all of the 6 tracks. The video was released on V Live, Naver, and YouTube.{{Cite web|title="솔로 데뷔 D-3" 엑소 카이 'FILM: KAI' 오늘 낮 12시 공개[공식]|url=https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/AoRhJYrZhC|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Daum News|language=ko|archive-date=2023-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111011501/https://v.daum.net/v/AoRhJYrZhC|url-status=live}} The video is said to raise anticipation for fans, and the inspiration for the concept come from various movies.{{Cite web|title=[V LIVE] KAI (开): THE OPENING LIVE|url=https://www.vlive.tv/video/225063|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.vlive.tv|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130075803/https://www.vlive.tv/video/225063|url-status=live}}
Kai appeared on DoReMi Market along with VIXX's Ravi, where he played along with the other cast members and gave spoiler to Mmmh's point dance{{Cite web|title=[세로캠] 훠! 눈호강! 안방1열로 즐기는 카이의 댄스 세로캠.mp4#놀라운토요일-도레미마켓 {{!}} amazingsaturday EP.136 - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V3w4JfIDiQ&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.youtube.com| date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=2020-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128125232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V3w4JfIDiQ&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}} in the show.
On November 30, the official music video for "Mmmh" was released at 12pm KST, 6 hours before the album's release. The music video incorporates various sci-fi like materials, and shows Kai's teleportation skill, which is his assigned superpower in Exo. An hour after the music video release, Kai appeared on Kim Shinyoung Noon Song of Hope Radio to promote the album and talked about various things related to the album.{{Cite web|title=[FULL] 데뷔 8년만에 첫 솔로 데뷔🎉🎉 음(Mmmh) 쫌 짱인 듯ㅎ ✨카이(KAI)✨님을 모십니다😘❤ / 정오의 희망곡 김신영입니다 - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2zoA8hNv9Q&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.youtube.com| date=29 November 2020 |archive-date=2020-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204170127/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2zoA8hNv9Q&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}} Exactly an hour before the album's release, Kai hosted a V Live broadcast where he promoted and discussed about the album with fans through interactive comments. Kai performed "Mmmh" for the first time on Naver Now Party B.{{Cite web|title=카이가 PARTY B에 초대합니다💌ㅣNOW. - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0LiixyKhKA&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.youtube.com| date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130000651/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0LiixyKhKA&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Kai track listing
| extra_column = Arrangement
| title1 = Mmmh
| note1 = 음
| length1 = 3:12
| lyrics1 = {{hlist|Jane|JUNNY}}
| music1 = {{hlist|Keelah Jacobsen|Cameron Jai|JUNNY|Jane}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Keelah Jacobsen|Alawn}}
| title2 = Nothing on Me
| length2 = 2:40
| lyrics2 = Hwang Yoo-bin
| music2 = {{hlist|Jake Torrey|Michael Matosic|Luke Niccoli}}
| extra2 = Luke Niccoli
| title3 = Amnesia
| note3 = 기억상실
| length3 = 2:58
| lyrics3 = Lee Seu-ran
| music3 = {{hlist|Joe Thibodeau|Bryant Thompson|Rian Ball}}
| extra3 = Joe Thibodeau
| title4 = Reason
| length4 = 2:53
| lyrics4 = Jo Yoon-kyung
| music4 = {{hlist|Mike Daley|Mitchell Owens|Michael Jiminez}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Mike Daley|Mitchell Owens}}
| title5 = Ride or Die
| length5 = 3:20
| lyrics5 = Kim Yeon-seo
| music5 = {{hlist|Cha Cha Malone|Singing Beetle|Adrian Mckinnon}}
| extra5 = Cha Cha Malone
| title6 = Hello Stranger
| length6 = 2:48
| lyrics6 = Hwang Yoo-bin
| music6 = {{hlist|Rob Grimaldi|Theron Thomas|Ivory Scott}}
| extra6 = Rob Grimaldi
| total_length = 17:51
}}
Charts
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Kai}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=February 10, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for Kai !Region !Date !Format !Label |
| scope="row"| South Korea
| rowspan="2"| November 30, 2020 | {{Hlist|CD}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Various
| {{Hlist|Digital download|streaming}} |{{Hlist|SM}} |