Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me

Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me
Studio album by Shinee
Released April 26, 2013
(See Release history)
Recorded 2012-2013 at S.M. Studios, Seoul.
Genre Dance,[1] World music,[2] Pop
Length 33:36
Language Korean
Label SM Entertainment (record)
KMP Holdings (distribution)
Producer Lee Soo Man (executive)
Shinee chronology

Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You
(2013)		 Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me
(2013)		 Boys Meet U
(2013)
Singles from Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me
  1. "Why So Serious?"
    Released: April 26, 2013

Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me is the second part from the third full-length album of South Korean group Shinee, released on April 29, 2013 in South Korea. It is the second part of two albums under the umbrella title "Dream Girl", the first being Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You. Member Jonghyun said that the fourth album has a darker and dreamier feel to it compared to the previous album.[3] The album was produced by the record label of S.M. Entertainment and distributed by KMP Holdings.[4]

Background

Why So Serious – The Misconceptions of Me will show our world views. It will have deep and rough sound.

“
”
Jonghyun, at Melon Premiere Shinee Music Spoiler

On February 14, Shinee held the event "Melon Premiere Shinee Music Spoiler" where they revealed three songs off the second album through a medley, which had a darker vibe. They also sang two of them, "Can't Leave" and "It's You". They announced that not only were they releasing a third album, but that it would be split into two versions. The first part would be released physically on the 20th February, titled Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You, and the second part called Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of Me would release in April. Jonghyun said “Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of Me will show our world views. It will have deep and rough sound.[5][6]

"Spoiler" will be a song connecting the two chapters. Member Onew stated on the making of the two albums, "It’s our first full album that we’re releasing in a while, so we worked really hard. Minho and Key worked on the rapping, Jonghyun worked on the lyrics, and Taemin worked on the choreography." Taemin described the album as one where each member's individuality shines through their voices, “We know each other best so a lot of our opinions went into this album." Jonghyun in conjunction said, "Taemin’s delivery of the lyrics is good. Minho's falsetto is really nice these days. Key is good at English. We know each other's strengths so we split the parts up according to who can shine on what. We had fun working on the album."[7][8] Fellow SM Entertainment artist Shim Changmin wrote the song "떠나지 못해" for the group, making this his first time writing outside a TVXQ release.[9]

Director Lee Sungsoo from SM Entertainment's production department said that this album is about "the misconception of me (Shinee)," "the dreams I slowly wanted for myself" and "the misconception of ideals." It evokes the gap between Shinee's reality and dreams and has an overall deep and dark sound, completely opposite of the preceding album." [10] At the event Director Lee also said that there are hidden keywords that connect the songs in the two albums and, "We included a fun point where you can search for keywords and put them together to create several interpretations." [11] Jonghyun also said at the event that "Spoiler" will be a song connecting the two albums," and in a video interview with Billboard, Shinee said the song titles to Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of Me were revealed in Dream Girl's opening track, "Spoiler."[12]

On April 17, 2013 SME announced that the specific date for the album's release would be April 29 and revealed a teaser picture. They also unfortunately revealed that member Jonghyun would not be promoting in the beginning of the album promotion due to his car accident, stating "Jonghyun was discharged from the hospital last weekend, and until he is fully healed, he’ll be focusing on treatments." [13]

Release

At the event "Melon Premiere Shinee Music Spoiler", Shinee revealed that the second part to Dream Girl would be released in April. On April 17, 2013 SME revealed that Shinee would be releasing the album, now titled Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me, on April 29, 2013.[14] On April 18, 2013, it was announced that the album will be released online on April 26, while the physical album will still be released on the previously mentioned date of April 29.[15]

Promotional singles

"Why So Serious?" is a funk rock dance track that was chosen as the title track and lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Kenzie and composed by Kim Cheong Bae, Andrew Choi and Kenzie.[16] It is a genre that combines the powerful and catchy melody of pop with electronica sounds. It talks wittily about a zombie that has lived in darkness for a very long time who falls in love with a human girl.[17] The accompanying music video was filmed in April 2013, featuring the choreography by Devin Jamieson.[18] (Jonghyun didn't participate in the music video due to his injury.)[19] Both the dance and the story present in the music video are reminiscent of the lyrics to the song. As "Why So Serious?" begins describing a zombie's awakening, Shinee lies down on the floor and reaches toward the sky.[20]

"Shine (Medusa I)" is powerful dance track that "combines high quality lyrics that express the love of fans as a ‘shine’ together with tough drum sounds to add enjoyment to listeners".[21] It was chosen as the second promotional single from the album and was performed on various broadcast music shows. Teddy Riley, Andrew Choi and Kim Tae-seong composed the songs whereas Misfit and member Minho penned the lyrics.[22]

"Can't Leave" is a ballad song accompanied by bittersweet tunes of piano.[23] The song was produced by a Canadian songwriter, Matthew Tishler, in his debut collaboration with Shinee, and Im Kwang Ok. Shim Changmin of TVXQ penned the lyrics while Shinee's resident rapper Minho yet gain contributed to the rap portion. Its first performance was on their 'Music Spoiler' Dream Girl premier that on February 14, 2013 at Olympus Hall.[24] The song was also the only track to be performed during the Dream Girl Showcase held on February 20, 2013.[25]

Chart performance

"Why So Serious" peaked at number 15 on the Gaon Singles Chart and number 21 on China's Baidu Singles Chart.[26]

Tracklist

Credits adapted from the official homepage.[27][28]

No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "Nightmare"  Kim Bo MinHitchhiker 3:37
2. "Why So Serious?"  KenzieKenzie, Kim Cheong Bae, Andrew Choi 3:40
3. "Shine" (Medusa I)Misfit, MinhoTeddy Riley, Red Rocket, Kim Tae Seong, Andrew Choi 3:49
4. "오르골 (Music Box)" (Orgel)Jonghyun, MinhoIain James Farquharson, Christoper Lee-Joe, Mikko Paavola, Philipe-Marc Anquetil 3:26
5. "Dangerous" (Medusa II)Jo Yun Kyeong, JonghyunTeddy Riley, Red Rocket, Kim Tae Seong, Andrew Choi 3:32
6. "Like a Fire"  Min Yeong JaeThomas Troelsen, Herbert St. Clair, Crichlow 3:42
7. "Excuse Me Miss"  Kim Bo Min, MinhoAmanshia Nunoo, Dwayne Fyne, Ryan Jhun 3:42
8. "Evil"  Kenzie, Fridolin Nordsoe Schjoldan, Frederik Tao Nordsoe SchjoldanKenzie, Fridolin Nordsoe Schjoldan, Frederik Tao Nordsoe Schjoldan 3:27
9. "떠나지 못해 (Can't Leave)" (Sleepless Night)Shim Changmin, MinhoIm Kwang Ok, Matthew Tishler 4:41
Total length:
 33:36

Bold indicates new tracks*

Release history

Region Date Distributing label Format
South Korea [29] April 26, 2013 KMP Holdings Digital download
April 29, 2013 CD
Philippines May 25, 2013 Universal Records CD
Taiwan [30] May 22, 2013 Avex Taiwan CD

Charts

Album chart

Country Chart Peak
position
South Korea Gaon Weekly album chart 1
Gaon Monthly album chart [31] 1
Japan Oricon Albums Chart 8
Taiwan G-Music Asia Chart 1
G-Music Combo Chart 6
United States Billboard World Albums [32] 1
Billboard Heatseekers [33] 5

Sales and certifications

Chart Amount
Gaon physical sales[34] 131,438+ [35]
Oricon 23,604+

References

  1. ↑ "Shinee's Discography- Why So Serious". Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  2. ↑ "SHINee The 3rd Album Chapter 2 'Why So Serious?'". SM Entertainment. 2013-04-29.
  3. ↑ 이니 "샤이니, 정규 3집 수록곡 최초 공개 ″청량하게, 혹은 거칠게…역시 샤이니!″(종합)" (in Korean). asiatoday.co.kr. 2013-02-14.
  4. ↑ "Shinee - Why So Serious". S.M. Entertainment. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  5. ↑ 이니 "샤이니, 정규 3집 수록곡 최초 공개 ″청량하게, 혹은 거칠게…역시 샤이니!″(종합)" (in Korean). asiatoday.co.kr. 14 February 2013.
  6. ↑ 샤이니 3집, ’앨범 그 자체‘에 담긴 샤이니스러움의 결정판 (in Korean). reviewstar.hankooki.com. 15 February 2013.
  7. ↑ news.sportsseoul (2013-02-14). 샤이니 "멤버들 보컬 개성 가장 많이 담긴 3집입니다" (in Korean).
  8. ↑ news.naver.com (2013-02-14). 샤이니의 방식으로 본 현실·꿈 담았죠 (in Korean).
  9. ↑ 샤이니 정규 3집, 최강창민 작사곡 수록…26일 음원 공개 (in Korean). news.nate.com. April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  10. ↑ dispatch.co.kr (2013-02-14). "자신감 있는 미리보기"…샤이니, '핫'한 뮤직 스포일러 (in Korean).
  11. ↑ dispatch.co.kr (2013-02-14). ""자신감 있는 미리보기"…샤이니, '핫'한 뮤직 스포일러".
  12. ↑ Jeff Benjamin, Jessica Oak and Billboard Korea Staff (2013-03-12). "SHINee on 'Dream Girl,' MJ Comparisons and K-Pop Globalization: Exclusive" (in Korean).
  13. ↑ view.asiae.co.kr (2013-04-17). "샤이니, 정규 3집 Chapter 2 출시··4人 체제로 활동" (in Korean).
  14. ↑ news.nate.com (2013-04-17). 샤이니 정규3집 챕터2, 종현 없이 4인 체재 활동 돌입 (in Korean).
  15. ↑ "SHINee to release album online on 26th + "Why So Serious?" MV teaser on 22nd". allkpop.com. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  16. ↑ "3집 SHINee The 3rd Album Chapter 2. 'Why So Serious?-The Misconceptions Of Me`" (in Korean). music.naver.com. 2013-04-26.
  17. ↑ "SHINee The 3rd Album Chapter 2 ‘Why So Serious?-The misconceptions of me’". Sm ENtertainment. 2013-04-29.
  18. ↑ 샤이니, 신곡에 어셔·마이클 잭슨 안무가 참여 (in Korean). star.mt.co.kr. 2013-04-24.
  19. ↑ 샤이니, 4인조 체제 컴백.."종현 치료 전념" (in Korean). m.news.naver.com. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  20. ↑ 샤이니 신곡, 장난기+유쾌함 가득..'누웠다 벌떡' (in Korean). osen.mt.co.kr. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "SHINee The 3rd Album Chapter 2. `Why So Serious? (Album Introduction)". SM Entertainment. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  22. ↑ "SHINee The 3rd Album Chapter 2. `Why So Serious? (Track Information)". SM Entertainment. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Shinee Chapter 2. 'Why So Serious? - The misconceptions of me'" (in Korean). Naver. April 26, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  24. ↑ "SHINee Releases ‘Music Spoiler’ Videos from Premiere Event". M! Wave. February 18, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ "SHINee's 'Dream Girl' comeback showcase footage released". Allkpop. February 23, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Baidu Music Charts" (in Chinese). Baidu. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  27. ↑ "Shinee's Official Homepage - Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me". SM Entertainment. August 25, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Shinee's Official Homepage - The Misconceptions of Us". SM Entertainment. August 25, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Shinee - Why So Serious" (in Korean). S.M. Entertainment. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  30. ↑ "Shinee - Why So Serious" (in Chinese). Avex Taiwan. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  31. ↑ gaonchart.co.kr (2013-02-28). "Gaon Charts" (in Korean).
  32. ↑ Billboard Charts
  33. ↑ Billboard Heatseekers Albums
  34. ↑ "Gaon album chart". Gaon (in Korean). Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  35. ↑ "Gaon Charts for the year 2013" (in Korean). Retrieved January 23, 2014.