Fiction and Fact

Fiction and Fact is the first full length album from Korean band Beast. It was released in Korea on May 17, 2011 and contains 10 songs total: 8 new songs, an Unplugged Version of their song "Lightless" and an Orchestra Version of their title track "Fiction".^[1] The album peaked at number 1 on Gaon's Monthly Chart for May 2011 with 90,000 copies sold.^[2]

History

On May 9, 2011, Cube Entertainment announced on their official website that Beast is going to release their first official studio album on May 17, 2011. They stated that Beast had gotten a new type of sound that has a modern feel that wouldn't be expected basing from their past strong background. They also stated that this album has a dramatic story telling like arrangement that would make any listener feel as if they were reading through different novels.^[1]

On May 12, 2011, “Biga Oneun Naren" (비가 오는 날엔, lit. On Rainy Days) was released on various music portals as a special digital single from the album. The single quickly climbed up the charts and peaked at number 3 on Gaon's weekly chart.^[3]

On May 13, 2011, an intro music video for their title track "Fiction" was released on their official YouTube channel which Cube Entertainment described as "like a scene from a movie".^[3] The full music video was then released on May 17, 2011 together with the release of their album in different record stores and various online music portals. A special limited edition was released on May 25, 2011 which includes new pictures, three piece fashion cap buttons, and a special t-shirt. The album ranked first on Gaon's monthly chart for May 2011 with a total sales of 90,000 copies.^[2]

Promotions and awards

Beast started their promotions for Fiction and Fact on the cable channel Mnet‘s M! Countdown on May 19, 2011 with a performance of their pre-released single "Biga Oneun Naren" and their title track "Fiction". In order to fully deliver the feelings of these two very different songs, the M! Countdown staff prepared two different stage sets. For the performance of "Biga Oneun Naren" they built an atmosphere where it seems to be really raining while they created a stage that's unrealistic and dreamy for "Fiction".^[4]

A week after, on May 26, 2011, Beast won their first mutizen award for "Fiction" on M! Countdown and subsequently won first place for the shows June 2 and June 9, 2011 episodes.^[5] They also won first place on KBS Music Bank's May 27, 2011 episode for their single "Biga Oneun Naren" while "Fiction" won first place on the shows June 3 and June 10, 2011 episodes.^[6] Their title track also won a mutizen award on SBS Inkigayo's June 5 and June 12, 2011 episode.

On June 13, 2011, Cube Entertainment announced that Beast will be ending their album promotions for "Fiction" on June 19, 2011 on SBS Inkigayo in order for them to move on to the promotions of their Japanese single "Bad Girl" which was released on June 15, 2011 in Japan.^[7]

Composition

Beast first studio album received generally positive reviews, saying that the group has utilized their full color that has been built up over their past mini-albums.^[4] The album’s intro track, “The Fact“, is meant to fit in with their title track, “Fiction“. The intro song alone was intended to convey a message of deep sensitivity. Just like the title it tells about a person who can’t accept the fact of break-up. “Fiction” is a track that breaks away from Beast’s usual strong sound, and emphasizes its softer piano melody and lyrics. The lyrics convey the desire to write a novel in order to show the hardships one faces upon realizing the pain of a breakup. The depth of this song’s emotions are further explored in the orchestrated version of “Fiction”, which is also included in the album.^[8]

The first single released, “Biga Oneun Naren“, was recorded on an actual rainy day in order to further accentuate the feeling of sorrow emphasized in the song. ^[3] “You” steps away from the sad atmosphere by delivering a song overflowing with the joys of love. To bump it up a notch, “Virus” mixes electronic dubstep and R&B qualities, giving listeners a unique variety of music styles.^[8]

“Freeze” is a song written, composed, and arranged by member Yong Jun Hyung. Jun Hyung wrote this with Beast’s fanbase in mind, and decided to present it to them as a musical gift. An unplugged version of their previously released “Lightless” has also been included in this album.^[8]

Controversy

On July 14, 2011, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) placed a ban on "Biga Oneun Naren" because they “contained content that’s harmful to the youth”. According to them the line "I think I'm drunk, I should stop drinking" alludes to drinking and that it could influence the youth in a negative way, encouraging encourage young listeners to drink.^[9] In response to the ban, member Yang Yoseob posted on his Twitter, “I think I’m going to start singing children songs. I need Tylenol” then added, “This is just too much. Sigh… we can’t perform with this song, agh” grieving over this fact.

On August 25, 2011, Cube Entertainment filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family requesting that they nullify the ban on the song. A representative stated that "The lyrics did not intend to glamorize drinking nor encourage it. The song is not about drinking at all, but rather a love story.” They continued, “Considering the fact that the MOGEF has failed to ban other songs that contain strong lyrical content talking directly about topics that are more harmful to the youth, Beast’s ban is a violation of equality.”^[10] On September 8, 2011, the Seoul Administrative Court suspended the MOGEF's ban. Ultimately, the ministry's decision was waived and now the song is free to be aired at any time slot.^[11]

Track listing

Chart performance

Album chart position

Single chart position

Release

References

External links

• BEAST Official website (Korean)
• CUBE Entertainment Official website (Korean)