Virtuous (EP)
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Virtuous
| type = EP
| artist = Dreamcatcher
| cover = Dreamcatcher Virtuous Album Cover.webp
|border=yes
| alt =
| caption = Digital cover
| released = {{Start date|2024|7|10}}
| recorded = 2024
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 16:55
| language = {{hlist|Korean|English}}
| label = {{hlist|Dreamcatcher Company|}}
| producer =
- Ollounder
- Tankzzo
| prev_title = Villains
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Virtuous
| type = EP
| single1 = Justice
| single1date = July 10, 2024
}}
}}
Virtuous is the tenth Korean extended play by South Korean girl group Dreamcatcher. It was released on July 10, 2024, by Dreamcatcher Company, and distributed by Kakao Entertainment. Virtuous features five tracks including the lead single "Justice", and is available in twelve different physical versions (one limited, four regular and seven "POCA" versions).{{Cite web |title=DREAMCATCHER OFFICIAL STORE |url=https://dreamcatcher.kr/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=DREAMCATCHER OFFICIAL STORE |language=ko}}
Virtuous is the second and last installment of the "Versus" duology.{{Cite web |last=Yoon |first=So-Yeon |date=December 9, 2023 |title=[INTERVIEW] With its dark style, Dreamcatcher shines bright |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/640/0000047045 |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=m.entertain.naver.com}}
Background and release
On June 17, 2024, it was reported that Dreamcatcher would be making a July comeback.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Hyeon-sik |date=2024-06-17 |title=[단독]마의 7년 넘은 드림캐쳐, '서머퀸' 경쟁 합류…7월 컴백 확정 |trans-title=7-Year-Old Dreamcatcher Joins 'Summer Queen' Competition... July Return Confirmed |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01256246638922704&mediaCodeNo=258 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website={{ill|Edaily|ko|이데일리}} |language=ko}}
On June 21, the official Dreamcatcher X (formerly Twitter) account posted a mystery code image containing times and co-ordinates to several locations throughout Seoul. Fans gathered at the corresponding times to receive an AirDrop at each location, each of which contained a unique mystery code image. Upon collating the images, the mystery code could be solved, revealing the comeback date and album title.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Sun-woo |date=2024-06-21 |title='7월 컴백' 드림캐쳐, 미스터리 코드 기습 공개 |trans-title='July comeback' Dreamcatcher suddenly reveals mystery code |url=https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB12201961 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=JTBC News |language=ko}}{{Cite web |last=Rasik |first=Akarsh |date=2024-06-21 |title=Dreamcatcher confirms their comeback in July |url=https://oneilynews.com/vibe/dreamcatcher-confirms-their-comeback-in-july/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Oneily News - Entertainment and Technology |language=en-US}}
The first official teasers for the album were released on June 24, starting with a comeback schedule, followed by individual and group concept photos, a track list, a highlight medley, a lyric spoiler video, a dance preview, and a music video teaser.{{Cite web |last=Ahn |first=Tae-hyun |date=2024-01-14 |title=드림캐쳐, 신보 티저 이미지 공개…새로운 서머퀸의 탄생 |trans-title=Dreamcatcher releases teaser images for new album... and a new Summer Queen is born |url=https://www.news1.kr/entertain/music/5463271 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=뉴스1 |language=ko}}{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Sun-woo |date=2024-07-04 |title='10일 컴백' 드림캐쳐, '저스티스' 리릭 스포일러 영상 공개 |trans-title='10 Days to Comeback' Dreamcatcher Releases 'Justice' Lyric Spoiler Video |url=https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB12203857 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=JTBC News |language=ko}}
On July 5, it was announced on the official Dreamcatcher online message board that the main vocalist Siyeon would not be participating in the album promotions due to anxiety and poor health and would be going on hiatus.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Ye-eun |date=2024-07-10 |title=드림캐쳐, '활동 중단' 시연 없이 컴백…"많이 아쉬워" [엑's 현장] |trans-title=Dreamcatcher, A Comeback Without Siyeon... "It's very disappointing" |url=https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1880167 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.xportsnews.com |language=ko}}
The album and music video for the title track "Justice" were released on July 10, 2024.
Composition
= Songs =
The title track "Justice" is a return to the group's signature rock sound and is described as an alternative rock track with a "180-degree change in concept" when compared to the septet's previous release "OOTD".{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Min-ji |date=2024-01-14 |title='컴백' 드림캐쳐, '버추어스'로 빌런 벗고 히어로 변신 예고 |trans-title=Dreamcatcher sheds their villain role and transforms into heroes for "VirtuouS" |url=https://www.news1.kr/entertain/music/5473201 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=뉴스1 |language=ko}}{{Cite web |last=Jung-youn |first=Lee |date=2024-07-11 |title=Dreamcatcher transformed into heroes through 'VirtuouS' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240711050613 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}} The main concept of the track and music video is a hero fighting against evil, which is in contrast with the themes of temptation and narcissism prevalent in "OOTD".{{Cite web |last=Jang |first=Jung-yoon |date=November 18, 2023 |title="드림캐쳐의 'OOTD' 나르시시즘 끝판왕" |trans-title=[Dreamcatcher's 'OOTD' narcissism reigns supreme] |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000926300 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=m.entertain.naver.com}}
Commercial performance
Commercially, Virtuous sold more than 100,000 copies in its first month of release, including the "POCA" versions.{{Cite web |title=CIRCLE CHART - 써클차트 |url=https://circlechart.kr/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Circle Chart |language=en}} The EP debuted at number 6 on the Circle Weekly Album charts. The music video has amassed 27 million views on YouTube while the EP has over 11 million streams on Spotify as of December 2024.
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Virtuous track listing
| extra_column = Arrangement
| total_length = 16:55
| title1 = Intro : 7'Dreamcatcher
| length1 = 3:55
| lyrics1 =
| music1 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Tankzzo|Hayoung Chu|Hayoung Song|LAKOV}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Tankzzo|Hayoung Chu|Hayoung Song|LAKOV}}
| title2 = Justice
| length2 = 2:59
| lyrics2 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door}}
| music2 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Tankzzo}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Tankzzo}}
| title3 = Stomp!
| length3 = 3:03
| lyrics3 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door|Balm}}
| music3 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door|Tankzzo}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Tankzzo}}
| title4 = 2 Rings
| length4 = 2:47
| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door}}
| music4 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door|Kikoi|Tankzzo}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Kikoi|Tankzzo}}
| title5 = Fireflies
| length5 = 4:11
| lyrics5 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door}}
| music5 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Door|Tankzzo|LAKOV}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Ollounder|Tankzzo|LAKOV}}
}}
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for VirtuouS ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| South Korean Albums (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=07&hitYear=2024&termGbn=month&yearTime=3|title=Circle Album Chart – 2024.07 Month|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|access-date=August 8, 2024}}
| 19 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history for Virtuous ! scope="col" |Region ! scope="col" |Date ! scope="col" |Format ! scope="col" |Label |
| scope="row" |South Korea
| rowspan="2" |July 10, 2024 |CD | rowspan="2" |{{hlist|Dreamcatcher Company|Kakao Entertainment}} |
|---|
| scope="row" |Various
|{{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} |