"Flashback" is the fifth Korean single album released by South Korean girl group, After School. The maxi-single marks the first appearance of fifth generation member, Kaeun. This also marks the first comeback since Kahi's official graduation from the group to pursue a solo career.[1]
Background
On April 9, 2012, Pledis revealed that a brand new member would be added to the group. The following day, the member was officially revealed to be Kaeun and details regarding a Korean comeback in June were revealed.[2]
On June 11, 2012, the first teaser image, featuring all eight members, for the comeback was released to the public via Pledis Entertainment's website.[3] Later that day the title of the maxi-single was revealed, "Flashback", along with the tracklist.[4][5]
The following day, a second teaser picture was released featuring third generation member Lizzy. The photo showed that the group are returning to their sexy concept as Lizzy was seen wearing black mesh clothing and was in a seductive, sultry pose which is similar to the concept the group had when they debuted.[6] A day after Lizzy's teaser photo, Uie's photo was revealed, followed by Nana & Raina, Jungah, Juyeon, and lastly E-Young & Kaeun. Although it was speculated that Nana would become the leader, Pledis announced the empty leader position with the graduation of Kahi will be taken on by Jungah.[7]
Critical reception
Flashback received generally positive feedback worldwide. Embrace You magazine described the maxi single as "creative, fun, exciting, well organized, and demonstrates brilliant production efforts. There are no fillers or musically incorrect additions; each track has the potential to stand on its own and appeal to not only pop and dance fans, but to lovers of ballads and r&b." The American-based webzine gave Flashback a rating of 5 out of 5 for perfection.[8]
Flashback was the fourth most played song on Korean broadcast and radio charts according to Air Monitor, a website that monitors and calculates song airplays from 23 different radio stations in Korea. The song managed to beat tough competition from Super Junior, 2NE1 and Sistar.[9]
Flashback placed at No. 6 on Billboard's Top 20 K-Pop Songs of 2012.[10]
Track listing
| 1. |
"Rip Off" (Korean Version) | Jungah | Joleen Belle, William "Bleu" McAuley, Windy Wagner |
3:00 |
| 2. |
"Flashback" | TEXU | TEXU |
3:17 |
| 3. |
"Eyeline" (Nana Solo) | Min Sul | Pitchline |
3:19 |
| 4. |
"Wristwatch" (손목시계; Sonmoksigye) | Kim Hyunah | Wook Park |
4:11 |
| 5. |
"Timeless" (Jungah & Raina Duet) | Raina | Thomas Karlsson, Jukoo, Rike Boomgarden |
3:55 |
Total length: |
17:41 |
Chart performance
The title track, "Flashback", was downloaded 202,940 times in South Korea after 2 days of its release and after only a few hours of being released the song achieved an "all-kill" by topping all major online music charts in South Korea.[11] In July 2012, the song was downloaded 414,825 times, after being downloaded 363,875 times in June 2012, and rose to #26 on the Gaon Monthly Download Chart.[12] The song has since been downloaded over 1 million times.[13] "Flashback" debuted at #15 on the Gaon Weekly Singles Chart and peaked at #14 the following week.[14] The maxi-single debuted at #3 on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart selling 14,197 copies and it also debuted at #2 on the Hanteo Weekly Album Chart.[15] As of the end of 2012, the maxi-single has sold 16,885 copies in South Korea.
Single chart
| Chart |
Peak
position |
|---|
| Gaon Weekly singles chart |
14 |
| Gaon Weekly mobile ringtone chart |
71 |
| Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100 |
10 |
Other songs charted
|
Album chart
Sales
| Chart |
Sales |
|---|
| Gaon physical sales |
16,885+ |
|
Release history
Credits and personnel
- Jungah – main vocals
- Jooyeon – vocals, background vocal
- Uee – vocals, background vocal
- Raina – main vocals, background vocal
- Nana - lead vocals, rap, background vocal
- Lizzy - lead vocals, rap, background vocal
- E-young - vocals, background vocal
- Kaeun - vocals, background vocal
References
- ↑ "Kahi to graduate from After School". Allkpop.com. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "애프터스쿨, 17세 가은 新멤버 전격 발탁" (in Basque). Media.paran.com. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "After School releases first photo teaser for comeback!". Allkpop.com. 2012-06-10. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "리스뮤직을 찾아주셔서 감사합니다". Leesmusic.co.kr. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "'컴백 D-10' 애프터스쿨, 티저이미지 공개 "가장 우리 답게!" – 이투데이". Etoday.co.kr. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "After School releases comeback teaser photo for Lizzy". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "Jung-Ah to become After School’s new leader". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
- ↑ "Music Review: After School’s "Flashback"". embraceyoumagazine.com. 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ http://www.allkpop.com/2012/07/zeas-aftermath-is-the-most-played-song-on-air-for-the-2nd-week-of-july
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481268/20-best-k-pop-songs-of-2012-bigbang-psy-2ne1-more?page=0%2C1
- ↑ http://www.allkpop.com/2012/06/after-school-achieves-an-instant-all-kill-with-flashback
- ↑ http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon
- ↑ http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/total/other.list.gaon
- ↑ http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/total/list.gaon
- ↑ http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/album/list.gaon
- ↑ "Gaon Search - after school" (in Korean). Gaon. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ↑ "Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Music Chart". Billboard. 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
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