Last Angel
{{short description|2007 single by TVXQ and Kumi Koda}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = LAST ANGEL feat. TVXQ
| cover = LAST ANGEL (CD).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Koda Kumi featuring Tohoshinki
| album = Kingdom
| B-side = Dear Family
| released = November 7, 2007 (Japan)
| recorded = 2007
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|J-pop|synthpop|Japanese hip hop}}
| length =
| label = Rhythm Zone
| writer = Koda Kumi, H.U.B, Djafari Negin, Ian-Paolo Lira • Hugo Lira • Thomas G:son
| producer =
| chronology = Koda Kumi
| prev_title = Ai no Uta
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = Anytime
| next_year = 2008
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Tohoshinki
| type = single
| prev_title = Shine/Ride On
| prev_year = 2007
| title = Last Angel
| year = 2007
| next_title = Forever Love
| next_year = 2007
}}
}}
"Last Angel feat. Tohoshinki" (stylized as LAST ANGEL feat. 東方神起) is the 38th single by Japanese singer Kumi Koda and is a collaboration with South Korean boy band TVXQ/Tohoshinki, released on November 7, 2007, in Japan. It charted at No. 3 on Oricon and stayed on the charts for twelve weeks. The single was released in CD and CD+DVD.
Limited editions of the single contained a postcard with Koda Kumi and Tohoshinki. The title song was also the first collaboration attempt of Tohoshinki as a group.
Information
Last Angel feat. Tohoshinki is Japanese singer-songwriter Koda Kumi's thirty-eighth single and the first collaboration attempt of South Korean group Tohoshinki/TVXQ.[http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/news/world-groove/world-groove-currently-listening-to-koda-kumi-feat-tohoshinki/ J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review – Koda Kumi feat. Tohoshinki – "1263" | j-entonline.com] It ranked No. 3 on the Oricon Weekly charts and remained on the charts for twelve weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/259698/products/736482/1/|title=KODA KUMI / LAST ANGEL feat. TOHOSHINKI / ORICON STYLE|work=Oricon|accessdate=January 24, 2016}} Upon its release, the single sold 57,310 within the first week, and recent figures show the single having sold 97,620.
The single was released in both CD and CD+DVD editions, with limited editions containing a postcard of Kumi and TVXQ standing in front of the set for the music video.{{cite web|url=http://www.yesasia.com/us/last-angel-feat-dong-bang-shin-ki-single-dvd-japan-version/1005056761-0-0-0-en/info.html|title=Last Angel feat. TVXQ|work=YesAsia|accessdate=January 24, 2016}}
The title track was used as the promotional song for the Japanese release of the Resident Evil: Extinction film.{{cite web|url=http://musicpvmw.blog86.fc2.com/blog-entry-2262.html|title=LAST ANGEL theme for Biohazard|work=Music PV|accessdate=January 24, 2016}} It was also used in a commercial for music.jp.
The rap in the song is performed by TVXQ members Yunho and Yoochun. The b-side, "Dear Family" was written by Kumi, while the a-side was written by Kumi and H.U.B.
At the time, TVXQ was not as well known throughout Japan and collaborated with Kumi to help gain notoriety in the country. The group learned Japanese prior to promoting in the country, whereas, at the time, South Korean groups had a difficult time becoming popular in Japan. It is speculated it is due to the collaboration why TVXQ's next single, Purple Line, was their first song to hit No. 1 on Oricon upon its release in January 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?news_uid=200237&code=100200|title=TVXQ on Oricon Weekly 1 Asia – The First Male Singer|publisher=Newsen|accessdate=December 2, 2008|date=November 2, 2008|language=Korean}}
Tohoshinki is known as "Dong Bang Shin Ki" (동방신기) in South Korea, "Tohoshinki" (東方神起) in Japan and "TVXQ" internationally. The logo TVXQ comes from the Chinese acronym of their name "Tong Vfang Xien Qi," which means "Rising Gods of the East."{{cite news|author1=Lee Jinjoo |author2=Jessica Kim |author3=Shim Nara |title= Korean boy-band TVXQ finds motherly love in Asia|work=Reuters|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSSEO16326720071030?pageNumber=1|accessdate=November 19, 2007|date=October 1, 2007}}{{cite magazine | author=Benjamin, Jeff | title=TVXQ! Q&A: On America, Favorite Artists, Future Touring Plans | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481405/tvxq-qa-on-america-favorite-artists-future-touring-plans | magazine=Billboard | date=December 1, 2012| accessdate=April 30, 2014}}
TVXQ had their own version on their 2008 album T titled "Last Angel -Tohoshinki ver.-" (stylized as LAST ANGEL -TOHOSHINKI ver.-).{{cite web|url=http://www.yesasia.com/global/t-2cd-2dvd-japan-version/1005114000-0-0-0-en/info.html|title=T (2CD+2DVD)(Japan Version)CD|work=YesAsia|accessdate=January 25, 2016}}
Packaging
The single was released in two editions:
- CD: contains four musical tracks.
- CD+DVD: contains four musical track, a music video and making video.
Limited editions contained a postcard with Kumi and TVXQ and a foldout promotional poster. The Korean editions of the single carried a bonus booklet with the translation of the song. The CD+DVD Korean editions also had a translation of the interview in the making video.
Promotional advertisements
Last Angel feat. Tohoshinki was used as the theme for the Japanese release of Resident Evil: Extinction. The film was better known as Biohazard III in Japan, whereas film, along with the other films in the series, is based on the survival horror video game series Resident Evil.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%90%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%8F%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89III-%E3%83%87%E3%83%A9%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3-DVD-%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A9%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%83%81/dp/B0012KL5B0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476316135&sr=8-1&keywords=%E3%83%90%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%8F%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89III%E3%81%AE%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB|title=Biohazard III Deluxe • Collector's Edition [DVD]|work=Amazon Japan|date=March 19, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5204463/why-was-biohazard-changed-to-resident-evil|title=Why Was "Biohazard" Changed To "Resident Evil"?|work=Kotaku|date=April 9, 2009 |accessdate=October 12, 2016}}
Television performances
During the single's promotions, Kumi and Tohoshinki performed the song on several television stations to aid in the single's sales and notoriety. This included Music Fighter, Music Fair21, Music Japan, Music Station and Utaban.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ccVlEL7MA4 |url-status=|title=071102 Music Fighter Tohoshinki TVXQ & Koda Kumi – Last Angel|work=YouTube & Music Fighter|accessdate=October 12, 2016}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3dmkr_071103-music-fair-21-forever-love-t_music|title=071103 MUSIC FAIR 21 (Forever Love & Talk & LAST ANGEL)|work=YouTube & Music Fighter|accessdate=October 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://wearet-tvxq.com/2007/11/16/16808.html|title=071116 Tohoshinki "Music Station" ♪Last Angel (with Koda Kumi)|work=we are T with TVXQ!|accessdate=October 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/ie4-YtmO09U/|title=[LIVE]Koda Kumi – LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki[UTABAN 071122]|work=tudou|accessdate=October 12, 2016}}
- November 2, 2007: Ongaku Senshi Music Fighter
- November 3, 2007: Music Fair21
- November 9, 2007: Music Japan
- November 16, 2007: Music Station
- November 22, 2007: Utaban
Along with the televised performances, TVXQ performed the song with Kumi during her Live Tour 2007 ~Black Cherry~. Kumi would later perform the song with TVXQ during their 3rd Live Tour 2008 ~T~ concert.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGxoYngxKYw| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131131500/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGxoYngxKYw| archive-date=2009-01-31 | url-status=dead|title=東方神起（ＤＢＳＫ） Last Angel ~T~ tour. ft.Koda Kumi|work=YouTube|accessdate=October 1, 2016}}
Music video
The music video for "Last Angel" was shot in Seoul, South Korea. The theme in the video carried an apocalyptic-theme, most notably due to the song being the theme for Japan's release of Resident Evil: Extinction. This is shown by the graying sky in the video's opening.
Both Kumi and the members of TVXQ wear outfits that are completely white. Kumi performs a dual role, also being shown in a large, open room, donning futuristic attire.
During the filming, TVXQ's lead vocalist, Jaejoong, donned his blonde hair, which he had been known to wear during his early years in the group.{{cite web|url=http://www.elosoulonline.net/2010/01/dbsk-jaejoong-is-back-to-blonde.html|title=DBSK Jaejoong is Back to Blonde?|work=ELO SOUL|accessdate=October 12, 2016}}
Track listing
{{track listing
| collapsed =
| headline = CD
| extra_column = Arranger(s)
| total_length = 17:32
| title1 = LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki
| note1 =
| lyrics1 = Koda Kumi • H.U.B.
| music1 = Negin • Ian-Paolo Lira • Hugo Lira • Thomas Gustafsson
| extra1 = Negin • Ian-Paolo Lira • Hugo Lira • Thomas Gustafsson
| length1 =
| title2 = Dear Family
| note2 =
| lyrics2 = Koda Kumi
| music2 = Tomokazu "T.O.M" Matsuzawa
| extra2 = Tomokazu "T.O.M" Matsuzawa
| length2 =
| title3 = LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki
| note3 = Instrumental
| lyrics3 =
| music3 = Negin • Ian-Paolo Lira • Hugo Lira • Thomas Gustafsson
| extra3 = Negin • Ian-Paolo Lira • Hugo Lira • Thomas Gustafsson
| length3 =
| title4 = Dear Family
| note4 = Instrumental
| lyrics4 =
| music4 = Tomokazu "T.O.M" Matsukawa
| extra4 = Tomokazy "T.O.M" Matsukawa
| length4 =
}}
{{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline = DVD
| extra_column = Director(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki
| note1 = Music Video
| extra1 =
| length1 =
| title2 = LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki
| note2 = Making Video
| extra2 =
| length2 =
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable"
!Release !Chart !Peak position !First week sales !Sales total |
| rowspan="4"|November 7, 2007
|Oricon Daily Charts |align="center"|2 | | |
| Oricon Weekly Charts
|align="center"|3 |57,310 |91,620 |
| Oricon Monthly Charts
|align="center"|9 | | |
| Oricon Yearly Charts
|align="center"|100 | | |
Alternate versions
LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki
- LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki: Found on the single (2007) and corresponding album Kingdom (2008)
- LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki [Instrumental]: Found on the single (2007)
- LAST ANGEL -TOHOSHINKI ver.-: Found on TVXQ album T (2008)
- LAST ANGEL feat. Tohoshinki [neroDoll remix]: Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 2 (2010)
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Kumi Koda}}
{{Kumi Koda songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Koda Kumi
Category:Japanese television drama theme songs