Ace (Taemin EP)

Ace is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released by SM Entertainment on August 18, 2014.[3] "Danger" was released as the lead single.

Ace
EP by
Taemin
ReleasedAugust 18, 2014 (2014-08-18)
Genre
Length20:31
LanguageKorean
Label
  • SM
  • KT Music
Taemin chronology
Ace
(2014)		 Press It
(2016)
Singles from Ace
  1. "Danger"
    Released: August 18, 2014

Background and release

On August 11, 2014, SM Entertainment announced Taemin would release an EP entitled Ace on August 18.[4] On August 13, a highlight medley video from the EP was uploaded to YouTube.[5] The official music video for the EP's first single, "Danger", came out on August 15.[6]

Composition

The song "Danger" was composed by Thomas Troelsen, who also wrote the theme song for the World Cup in Brazil. On radio show Blue Night Radio a listener asked Taemin, "I liked the shooting sound in your music program performances. Why isn't it included in the digital version [of the song]?" Taemin said, "It was added right before performing on a music program as effect sounds for performance. It's not included because it may damage the musical completion of the song." Another listener asked, "'Danger' has a Michael Jackson feel. Did you have it in mind while working on the song?". To this, Taemin replied,"The song was composed abroad and bought. It wasn't like our goal or role model but just happened so in the process. The company thought it would suit me well, and it's not a style I dislike."[7]

The song's choreography was created by Ian Eastwood. Shinee member Jonghyun also added that he heard from the managers that after seeing Taemin dance, "I heard he found it amazing for you to copy him so well."[7] Eastwood says of the song is "...like Michael Jackson" and pays homage to Jackson's unique dance moves and that Taemin seems to understand what Jackson's performance means.

Release and critical reception

Ace reached number 1 on the weekly[8] and monthly[9] Gaon Albums Charts, and number 2 on Billboard's World Albums Chart.[10] "Danger" reached number 5 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart.[11] At Korea's annual music awards, Ace won the High1/Mobile Popularity Award at the 24th Seoul Music Awards,[12] plus a Bonsang and Popularity Award at the 29th Golden Disk Award.[13]

Korean music publication Weiv described the track "Danger" as "[...] a song that showcases the bright sense of Thomas Troelsen good at using multiple tracks, stands out. Most of all, it is a rare song among recent SM songs which doesn't tire you after many replays."[14] IZE said "the young mysterious thief character with light moves but serious business came to life with Taemin's performance."[15]

Track listing

Credits adapted from his website.[16]

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Ace"Shim Chang-minDaniel "Obi" Klein, Deez, Ylva Dimberg, Charlotte TaftKlein, Deez3:58
2."괴도 (Danger)"Seo Ji-eum (Jam Factory)Thomas Troelsen, Remee S. JackmanTroelsen, Jackman, Command Freaks3:11
3."Experience"Hong Ji-yooWinston Sela, Marcus BroschJake K, Kim Tae-sung3:13
4."Pretty Boy" (featuring Kai of EXO[note 1])Kim Jong-hyunDaniel Caesar, Ludwig Lindell, Ylva DimbergCaesar & Loui3:43
5."거절할게 (Wicked)"KenzieKenzie, Teddy Riley, DOM, Lee Hyun-seung, MageKenzie, Riley, DOM, Hyun-seung, Mage3:25
6."소나타 (Play Me)"Min Hyeon-jae (Jam Factory)Harvey Mason, Jr., Damon Thomas, Mike Daley, Adonis ShropshireMason, Jr., Thomas, Daley, Shropshire3:01
Total length:20:31
  1. Credited as "Kai of EXO-K"

Charts
Country Chart Peak
position
South Korea Gaon Weekly album chart[8] 1
Gaon Monthly album chart[9] 1
Gaon Yearly album chart[17] 23
United States Billboard World Albums[10] 2
Billboard Heatseekers[18] 20

Sales and certifications
Chart Amount
Gaon physical sales 92,213 [19]
Oricon physical sales 5,105

Awards and nominations

Annual music awards
Year Award Category Result
2015 24th Seoul Music Awards Bonsang (Main Prize) Nominated
High1/Mobile Popularity Award Won
Hallyu Special Award Nominated
2015 29th Golden Disc Award Bonsang (Main Prize) Won
Inkisang (Popularity Award) Won
2014 4th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards Album of the Year[20] Nominated

Music program awards
Song Program Date
"Danger" Music Bank (KBS) August 29, 2014
Show! Music Core (MBC) August 30, 2014

Release history
Country Date Format Label
Various[21] August 18, 2014 Digital download SM Entertainment
South Korea[3] CD, Digital download SM Entertainment, KT Music
Taiwan[22] September 26, 2014 CD Avex Taiwan

References
  1. "Genre according to iTunes". Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. "Genre according to Taemin's official site". Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  3. "STARHOME > Notice". TAEMIN OFFICIAL WebSite. SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  4. "Taemin drops solo image teasers + album release date". Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  5. "TAEMIN 태민_The 1st Mini Album 'ACE'_Highlight Medley". Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  6. "TAEMIN 태민_괴도 (Danger)_Music Video". Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  7. "[radio] Taemin at Jonghyun's Blue Night". jujutaem. August 22, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  8. gaonchart.co.kr (2014-08-28). "2014년 35주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Archived from the original on 17 February 2015.
  9. "Gaon Album Chart Monthly (8/2014)". Gaon. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  10. "World Albums (September 6, 2014)". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  11. "Gaon Weekly singles charts". August 18, 2014. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  12. "엑소, 대상 등 3관왕 영예..2014년 최고의 별(종합)[서울가요대상]". Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  13. "Taemin leads votes at Discs". Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  14. "[weekly weiv] 08.08 ~ 08.22". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  15. "[IZE]". Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  16. "STARHOME > Discography". Taemin Official WebSite. SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  17. "2014년 총결산 ALBUM CHART". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  18. "Heatseekers Albums (September 6, 2014)". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  20. "2014 Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards nominees". Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  21. "iTunes – Music – The 1st Mini Album 'ACE' – EP by TAEMIN". iTunes Store. August 18, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  22. "ACE by Taemin" (in Chinese). Avex Taiwan. September 26, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
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