Welcome to My World (Aespa song)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Welcome to My World
| artist = Aespa featuring Naevis
| EP = My World
| cover = Aespa - Welcome to My World.png
| alt = Digital cover
| type = single
| released = {{Start date|2023|05|02}}
| language = {{hlist|Korean|English}}
| genre =
| length = 3:27
| label =
| composer =
- Mich Hansen
- Jacob Uchorczak
- Celine Svanbäck
- Patrizia Helander
| lyricist =
- Ellie Suh (153/Joombas)
- Hyun Ji-won
- Danke (Lalala Studio)
| chronology = Aespa
| prev_title = Hold on Tight
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = Spicy
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|0xdB_vo4r2c|"Welcome to My World"}}}}
}}
"Welcome to My World" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa featuring Naevis. Written by Ellie Suh, Hyun Ji-won, and Danke alongside Mich Hansen, Jacob "Ubizz" Uchorczak, Celine Svanbäck, and Patrizia Helander, it was released as a pre-release single for their third extended play My World by SM Entertainment on May 2, 2023.
Background and release
On February 16, 2023, Lee Sung-soo released a 30-minute video stating: "Lee Soo-man was the reason why Aespa's music has been delayed" and that the group was supposed to release new music on February 20. Moreover, he added that Soo-man wanted to start "injecting environmentalist motifs of tree-planting and sustainability into songs" which were eventually later scrapped as they "did not fit the world of Aespa" and made the group "upset".{{Cite web|title=SM Entertainment CEO alleges Lee Soo-man delayed release of new aespa music with insistence on lyrics about sustainability|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sm-entertainment-ceo-alleges-lee-soo-man-delayed-aespa-new-music-lyrics-sustainability-3400447|website=NME|last=Chin|first=Carmen|date=February 17, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=March 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318194832/https://www.nme.com/news/music/sm-entertainment-ceo-alleges-lee-soo-man-delayed-aespa-new-music-lyrics-sustainability-3400447|url-status=live}} On March 16, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing a record in early May.{{Cite web|title=SM "에스파, 5월 컴백 목표로 준비 중" [공식입장]|trans-title=SM "Aespa, preparing for a comeback in May" [Official Position]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003707870|via=Naver|publisher=My Daily|language=ko|last=Oh|first=Yoon-joo|date=March 16, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331093956/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003707870|url-status=live}} On April 17, it was announced that the group's third extended play titled My World, and containing six tracks, would be released on May 8. It was also announced that "Welcome to My World" would be pre-released on May 2.{{Cite web|title=에스파가 돌아온다! 5월 8일 'My World' 컴백 확정[공식]|trans-title=Espa is back! May 8th 'My World' comeback confirmed [Official]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003145008|via=Naver|publisher=MT Star News|language=ko|last=Yoon|first=Sang-geun|date=April 17, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424085306/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003145008|url-status=live}} On April 26, it was revealed that Naevis, the AI character in Aespa's SMCU storyline, would featured in "Welcome to My World" as a virtual artist.{{Cite web|title=에스파, 나이비스 콜링했다...선공개곡 '웰컴 투 마이 월드' 피처링|trans-title=Aespa, Naevis called...Featured in the pre-release song 'Welcome to My World'|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003999755|via=Naver|publisher=Sports Chosun|language=ko|last=Jeong|first=Bit|date=April 26, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502140556/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003999755|url-status=live}} The song alongside its music video was released on May 2.{{Cite web|title='AI'도 초대한 에스파의 세계관 시즌2, '웰컴 투 마이 월드'|trans-title=Aespa's Worldview Season 2 Invited by 'AI', 'Welcome to My World'|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001588157|via=Naver|publisher=X-port News|language=ko|last=Jo|first=Hye-jin|date=May 2, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502140517/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001588157|url-status=live}}
Composition
"Welcome to My World" was written by Ellie Suh (153/Joombas), Hyun Ji-won, and Danke (Lalala Studio), composed and arranged by Mich Hansen, and Jacob "Ubizz" Uchorczak with Celine Svanbäck, and Patrizia Helander participating in the composition.{{Cite web|title=My World|url=https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=11236264|via=Melon|publisher=Dreamus|agency=SM Entertainment|language=ko|date=May 2, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502133917/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=11236264|url-status=live}} It was described as a "dreamy" and "majestic" pop and alternative pop song characterized by "guitar riff and orchestra" with lyrics about "inviting Naevis [and the listener] to the music world of Aespa".{{Cite web|title=에스파, 광야 떠나 리얼 월드로...카리나·닝닝의 압도적 비주얼|trans-title=Aespa, leaving the wilderness to the real world...Overwhelming visuals of Karina·Ningning|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0006756186|via=Naver|publisher=News1|language=ko|last=Koh|first=Seung-ah|date=April 19, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430055450/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0006756186|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=광야 떠난 에스파의 'My World', 기대 포인트 셋|trans-title=Aespa's 'My World' left in the wilderness, three points to look forward to|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001586084|via=Naver|publisher=X-port News|language=ko|last=Jo|first=Hye-jin|date=April 27, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430055450/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001586084|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|title=Aespa Ditches the Metaverse for the 'Real World'|url=https://www.papermag.com/aespa-my-world-2659882663.html|magazine=Paper|last=Gatewood|first=Payton|date=April 26, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=April 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428040743/https://www.papermag.com/aespa-my-world-2659882663.html|url-status=live}} "Welcome to My World" was composed in the key of G major, with a tempo of 152 beats per minute.{{Cite web|title=Key & BPM for Welcome to My World by Aespa featuring Naevis|url=https://tunebat.com/Info/Welcome-To-MY-World-feat-n-vis-aespa-n-vis/6qVqWJxIpsabUKBILG7d6N|website=Tunebat|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230502163238/https://tunebat.com/Info/Welcome-To-MY-World-feat-n-vis-aespa-n-vis/6qVqWJxIpsabUKBILG7d6N|url-status=live}}{{Cbignore}}
Music video
The music video portrays the members "taking a road trip to a forest and connect with nature" with "a mysterious aura [following] them [throughout] their journey", later revealed to be Naevis, "a personified AI system from the group's [world]".{{Cite web|title=Aespa drop music video for pre-release single 'Welcome to My World'|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/aespa-music-video-pre-release-single-welcome-to-my-world-3438206|website=NME|last=Yeo|first=Gladys|date=May 2, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502140534/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/aespa-music-video-pre-release-single-welcome-to-my-world-3438206|url-status=live}}
Commercial performance
"Welcome to My World" debuted at number 122 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated April 30 – May 6, 2023.{{Cite web|title=Circle Digital Chart – Week 18 of 2023|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=18&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|date=April 30 – May 6, 2023|access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520061105/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=18&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week|url-status=live}} In the following week, it ascended to number 64.{{Cite web|title=Circle Digital Chart – Week 19 of 2023|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=19&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|date=May 7–13, 2023|access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-date=May 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518131258/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=19&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week|url-status=live}} In Singapore, the song debuted at number 26 on the RIAS Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated May 5–11, 2023.{{Cite web|title=RIAS Top Charts – Week 19 (May 5–11, 2023)|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/#1562208279199-5ec9aa23-80dc|website=Recording Industry Association Singapore|date=May 5–11, 2023|access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520060642/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/#1562208279199-5ec9aa23-80dc|url-status=deviated}} In Vietnam, the song debuted at number 27 on the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 in the chart issue dated May 18, 2023.{{Cite web|title=Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 – Week of May 18, 2023|url=https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/|website=Billboard Vietnam|language=vi|date=May 18, 2023|access-date=May 20, 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520055141/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/|url-status=deviated}}
Critical reception
On NME{{'}}s midyear list of the best K-pop songs of 2023, Abby Webster wrote that the song "set the tone with a perfected alchemy of hard and soft (or, in their parlance, salty and sweet)" and called it "a welcome oasis in their digital terrain".{{cite magazine|date=June 28, 2023|title=The 15 best K-pop songs of 2023 – so far|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/best-k-pop-songs-b-sides-2023-so-far-3462356|access-date=December 17, 2023|magazine=NME}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from EP's liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes|title=My World|last=Aespa|year=2023|at=Credits|type=photobook|publisher=SM Entertainment; Dreamus|location=South Korea}}
Studio
- SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording, digital editing
- Seoul Studio – recording
- SM Starlight Studio – digital editing
- Doobdoob Studio – digital editing
- SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing
- 821 Sound – mastering
Personnel
{{div col}}
- SM Entertainment – executive producer
- Aespa – vocals, background vocals
- Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) – lyrics
- Danke (Lalala Studio) – lyrics
- Hyun Ji-won – lyrics
- Mich Hansen – composition, arrangement
- Jacob "Ubizz" Uchorczak – composition, arrangement
- Celine Svanbäck – composition
- Patrizia Helander – composition
- Kriz – vocal directing, background vocals
- Goldbranch – orchestral recording, orchestral arrangement, orchestral programming
- SM Classics Town Orchestra – orchestration
- Moon Jung-jae – piano, orchestral recording
- Lee Jong-han – orchestral programming
- Noh Min-ji – recording, digital editing
- Jeong Ki-hong – recording
- Choi Da-in – recording
- Lee Chan-mi – recording
- Jeong Yoo-ra – digital editing
- Jang Woo-young – digital editing
- Nam Koong-jin – mixing
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Welcome to My World" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Singapore Regional (RIAS)
| 26 |
|---|
| scope="row"| South Korea (Circle)
| 64 |
| scope="row" | Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)
| 63 |
{{col 2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for "Welcome to My World" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| South Korea (Circle){{cite web |title=Digital Chart – May 2023 |url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=05&hitYear=2023&termGbn=month&yearTime=3 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Circle Chart |language=ko}}
| 92 |
|---|
{{col end}}