Square Up (EP)

Square Up
Digital and Pink version cover.
EP by Black Pink
Released June 15, 2018 (2018-06-15)
Genre
Length

14:03 (Digital version)

17:36 (Physical version)
Language Korean
Label
Producer
Black Pink chronology
Blackpink
(2017)		 Square Up
(2018)
Black version
Alternate "black version" cover
Singles from Square Up
  1. "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du"
    Released: June 15, 2018
  2. "Forever Young"
    Released: July 14, 2018

Square Up (stylized as SQUARE UP) is the Korean debut EP (second overall) by South Korean girl group Black Pink. It was released on June 15, 2018 by YG Entertainment.[3] It is available in two versions and contains four tracks, with "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" as its title track and "Forever Young" as a sub title track. Upon its release, Square Up debuted at the top spot of the Gaon Albums Chart and went on to sell almost 179,000 copies on its first fifteen days of release in South Korea.[4] The EP also debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard 200, becoming Black Pink's highest selling album in a Western market as well as the highest-charting to date by an all-female K-pop group.[5]

Background and release

On April 24, 2018, YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk raised expectations of the group's comeback via SNS stating that by the end of this year Black Pink will return with new music soon.[6] And on May 17, he revealed the month of June for the release while answering fan asked questions on SNS.[7] It wasn't until May 25 that he confirmed the date June 15, which is almost an year after the group's last single release "As If It's Your Last" on June 22, 2017, and revealed the album to be a mini album.[8]

On June 1, the album's moving poster was unveiled,[9] followed by full track list on June 5[10] and individual moving poster of the members simultaneously, teasing audio of "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" and "Forever Young".[11][12][13][14] Subsequently, from June 12 to June 14, the album's teaser posters were released.[15][16][17]

On June 14, a teaser of the music video for "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" was released on both Black Pink's official YouTube channel and the group's official V Live channel.[18][19] On June 15, the mini album was released, along with the music video for "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du".

Promotion

Black Pink at an autograph event for "Square Up" in Bundang on June 24, 2018

On the afternoon of June 15, Black Pink held a press conference for the release of "Square Up" at M-CUBE, Sinsa-dong, Seoul.[20] On the same day, one hour prior to the mini album's release a countdown special live was broadcast on Naver's V LIVE broadcasting site featuring Black Pink discussing the new music. It garnered over 850,000 viewers.[21] On June 16, "Blackpink Area", a Square Up concept pop-up store was made public to the fans, at the same location where Blackpink House was filmed, for 9 days.[22] On June 23, the group appeared as guests on JTBC's Idol Room to promote the EP, making their debut on the show.[23]

Black Pink held their comeback stage on MBC's Show! Music Core on June 16[24] and on SBS's Inkigayo on June 17[25] featuring performances of both the title track "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" and the sub title track "Forever Young", and further continued promoting on various music programs in Korea. On July 15, the group finished promotions for "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" and started promoting "Forever Young" as the second single from the EP[26] and wrapped up their seven week long promotion on August 5 after performing on Inkigayo.[27]

On August 17, it was announced that similar to "Blackpink Area", another pop-up store at BOK Gallery, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Japan will be made public from August 22-26.[28]

Commercial performance

The mini album debuted on the top spot of Japan's Oricon Weekly Digital Albums chart with 3,915 downloads.[29][30] The title track "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" debuted as the highest-charting Hot 100 hit ever by an all-female K-pop act, opening at number 55 with 12.4 million US streams and 7,000 downloads sold in the tracking week ending June 21, 2018,[5] according to Nielsen Music, also entering on the US Streaming Songs tally at number 39, where Black Pink became the first K-pop girl group to chart a title.[5] The single also sat atop Billboard World Digital Songs, making it the group's fourth number one song on the chart. Square Up also brought the group their first entry on the US Billboard 200, debuting at number 40 with 14,000 album-equivalent units. The mini album also topped the Billboard World Albums chart.[5]

In South Korea, the mini album debuted at number one on Gaon Albums Chart.[31] While “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” debuted at number 3 on the Gaon Digital Chart and at number one on the Gaon Download Chart on the chart issue dated June 10–16, 2018 with 31,072,049 digital sales.[32][33] In its second week, the title track peaked at number one on Digital, Download, Streaming, and Mobile Charts on Gaon with 85,411,467 digital sales.[34][35][36][37]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" (뚜두뚜두)Teddy
  • Teddy
  • 24
  • R.Tee
3:29
2."Forever Young"Teddy
  • Teddy
  • Future Bounce
  • Teddy
  • Future Bounce
  • R.Tee
3:57
3."Really"
  • Teddy
  • Danny Chung
Choice373:17
4."See U Later"Teddy
  • Teddy
  • R.Tee
  • 24
  • R.Tee
  • 24
3:18
Total length:14:03

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[38] 61
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[39] 26
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[40] 21
French Albums (SNEP)[41] 125
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[42] 28
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard)[43] 8
Japan (Oricon Digital Albums Chart)[44] 1
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[45] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 24
US Billboard 200[47] 40
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[48] 4
US World Albums (Billboard)[49] 1

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Various June 15, 2018 Digital download YG Entertainment, Genie Music
South Korea June 20, 2018 CD

See also

References

  1. ↑ "'1년 만의 컴백' 블랙핑크, 더 강렬한 음악과 퍼포먼스로 돌아오다(종합) ("A comeback in one year," Blackpink comes back with even stronger music and performances)" (in Korean). Naver Entertainment. June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  2. ↑ Chase McMullen (June 28, 2018). "Review: K-pop favorites BLACKPINK aim for global domination with SQUARE UP". The 405. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ Herman, Tamar. "BlackPink Release 'Square Up' EP Fronted by Sharp-Shooting 'Ddu-Du Ddu-Du' Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  4. ↑ http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&termGbn=month
  5. 1 2 3 4 Zellner, Xander (June 25, 2018). "BLACKPINK Makes K-Pop History on Hot 100, Billboard 200 & More With 'DDU-DU DDU-DU'". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  6. ↑ "이번엔 진짜 컴백..YG 양현석이 스포일러한 블랙핑크 6월 컴백(This time a real comeback.. YG Yang Hyun Suk spoiler black pink June comeback)". Daily Sports (in Korean). April 24, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  7. ↑ "YG 양현석 "블랙핑크, 컴백초읽기..연말까지 접수할 것"(YG Yang Hyun-seok "Black Pink, Comeback Countdown.. should be accepted until the end of the year")language=korean". Osen. May 17, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  8. ↑ "YG 양현석 "블랙핑크, 6월 15일 첫 미니앨범 발표..공백 길었다"(YG Yang Hyun Suk "Black Pink, June 15, the first mini album release)". Osen (in Korean). May 25, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ "ＢＬＡＣＫＰＩＮＫ 初のミニアルバムを１５日リリース(Releasing BLACKPINK's first mini album on 15th)". Yonhap News (in Japanese). June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ "블랙핑크, 전곡 '테디 프로듀싱' 컴백…트랙리스트 공개(Black Pink, the whole song 'Teddy Producing' comeback... Track list public)". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 'SQUARE UP' ROSÉ MOVING POSTER". BlackPink YouTube. June 6, 2018.
  12. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 'SQUARE UP' JISOO MOVING POSTER". BlackPink YouTube. June 7, 2018.
  13. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 'SQUARE UP' JENNIE MOVING POSTER". BlackPink YouTube. June 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 'SQUARE UP' LISA MOVING POSTER". BlackPink YouTube. June 9, 2018.
  15. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 'SQUARE UP' TEASER POSTER". YG Life. June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  16. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 'SQUARE UP' TEASER POSTER". YG Life. June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  17. ↑ "BLACKPINK - 1st MINI ALBUM 'SQUARE UP' D-DAY POSTER". YG Life. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ "BLACKPINK - '뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)' M/V TEASER". BlackPink YouTube. June 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ "BLACKPINK - '뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)' M/V TEASER". V Live. June 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ Jeong, Kyoung-joon. ""블랙핑크, 더 세게! 더 멋있게!"…양현석 조언의 참의미("Black Pink, more hard! More cool!"... The true meaning of Yang Hyun Suk's advice)". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  21. ↑ Jeong, Jiwon. ""3억♥·85만 시청자"…블랙핑크, 글로벌 축하 속 화려한 컴백("300 million ♥ , 85k viewers"... Black Pink, a colorful celebration in a global celebration". Osen. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  22. ↑ "'컴백' 블랙핑크, 16일 '스퀘어 업' 콘셉트 팝업스토어 오픈('Comeback' Black Pink, 'Square Up' concept pop-up store opened on 16th)". Osen (in Korean). June 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ Jeong, Kang-seo. "블랙핑크, '아이돌룸' 완전체 출연확정..컴백 후 첫예능(Black Pink, 'Idol Room' complete cast confirmed .. After the first comeback)". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ Noh, Kyung-min (June 16, 2018). "'음악중심' 블랙핑크 컴백…'포에버 영'·'뚜두뚜두' 반전 매력(Music Core' Black Pink comeback... 'Forever Young', 'Ddu-Du Ddu-Du')". Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  25. ↑ Go, Myungjin (June 17, 2018). "'인기가요' 컴백 블랙핑크, 4人4色 빈틈 없는 매력 '뚜두뚜두'('Inkigayo' comeback Black Pink, 4 people 4 colors Charming charm')". The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  26. ↑ "블랙핑크, 일간차트 30일 연속 1위! 전무후무 대기록!". YG LIFE. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  27. ↑ "BLACKPINK Finalizes 7-Week Promotional Period… Set Milestone by Entering Billboard's Main Charts". YG LIFE. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  28. ↑ "「BLACKPINK POPUP STORE」開催決定！". YGEX (in Japanese). August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Oricon chart - June 25, 2018". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  30. ↑ "【オリコン】BLACKPINK、デジタルアルバム初首位". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  31. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  32. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  33. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  34. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  35. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  36. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  37. ↑ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  38. ↑ "ARIA Chart Watch #478". auspOp. June 23, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Blackpink – Square Up" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Xxxtentacion's Death Spurs Surge In Album Catalogue". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums – SNEP (Week 25, 2018)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Top 40 album DVD és válogatáslemez-lista – 2018. 25. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums Charts". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Oricon Albums Chart - June 25, 2018". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 25, 2018". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Blackpink – Square Up". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Blackpink Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Blackpink Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Blackpink Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
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