K-pop band Apink releases new album
K-pop girl group Apink performs during a press showcase to promote its mini-album 'One & Six' held at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Apink released its latest album after members renewed their contracts with agency Plan A Entertainment.
“One & Six” is Apink's seventh mini-album featuring the title track “I'm So Sick” as well as “Alright,” “Don't be silly,” “And stars…,” “You rather than words” and “I Like That Kiss.” This is the first record since its sixth mini-album “Pink UP” was released in June last year.
According to Plan A Entertainment, “One & Six” refers to fans united as “one” and the “six” Apink members ― Park Cho-rong, Yoon Bo-mi, Jung Eun-ji, Son Na-eun, Kim Nam-joo and Oh Ha-young.
For the new album, Kim said, “We wanted to show our charismatic side this time. Apink made a new challenge, and we'd like to show we made it ours,” during a press showcase held at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul, Monday.
Apink excluded the word “pink” from the album title this time to move on from its signature “innocent” beauty. Their previous album titles are named “Pink Blossom,” “Pink LUV,” “Pink Revolution” and “Pink UP.”
“We were worried about the sudden makeover because our fans liked our innocent, lighthearted vibe,” Park said. “But we had a feeling if we do well showing a stronger side of us, we could try more varied music in the future.”
The sextet's black outfits for the showcase also reflected the change in music style.
The lead track “I'm So Sick” is an energetic tropical house tune composed by Black Eyed Pilseung, the hit producer duo popular for songs like “Cheer Up” by Twice and “Only You” by the now-disbanded Miss A. The song tells the story of a woman coping with a breakup.
Marking the seventh year since its 2011 debut, Jung said the members have renewed their contracts with the agency. “We had an early contract renewal because we were confident about showing off our varied musicality,” she said. “For now, we just want to focus on our music and performances.”
There is a so-called seven-year curse in K-pop, an occurrence when band members meet with their agency after seven years to decide whether they will continue on as one or go their separate ways. Many girl groups, including Sistar, 4minute and 2NE1, disbanded after their seven-year contracts expired.
About Apink's comeback, Kim said: “We are excited and a bit worried at the same time. We hope fans appreciate our sincerity and efforts put into this album.”
Apink debuted in 2011 with the mini-album “Seven Springs of Apink.” It has several hit songs including “NoNoNo,” “Mr. Chu” and “Remember.”