Kwon Ji Yong (EP)

Kwon Ji Yong
EP by G-Dragon 
Released Digital: June 8, 2017
Physical: June 19, 2017
Recorded 2016–17
Genre
Label YG Entertainment
Producer G-Dragon
G-Dragon  chronology
Coup d'Etat
(2013)Coup d'Etat2013		 Kwon Ji Yong
(2017)
Physical edition cover
Singles from Kwon Ji Yong
  1. "Untitled, 2014"
    Released: June 8, 2017

Kwon Ji Yong (Hangul: 권지용; Hanja: 權志龍) is the second EP by South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter G-Dragon, released on June 8, 2017.[1] The release of Kwon Ji Yong marks his first solo music release in four years, since Coup d'Etat in 2013, and his first EP since One of a Kind in 2012.[2]

Background and release

In January 2017, it was confirmed that G-Dragon was working on new solo material, set to be released in the first half of the year.[3] On April 18, YG Entertainment confirmed that G-Dragon would release a new single before his anticipated solo concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium in June.[4] In mid-May, G-Dragon's music video shooting commenced, and concluded at the end of May, filming a total of three music videos.[2][5]

On May 31, YG Entertainment announced the release date of the EP to be June 8, and will be titled Kwon Ji Yong, G-Dragon's birth name.[1] Big Bang members have mentioned the album stating that it is the saddest of G-Dragon's work.[6] "Bullshit" was originally announced as the EP's lead single, but it was replaced by a different song, "Untitled, 2014", amid bandmate T.O.P's marijuana scandal and concerns over the provocative title of the original choice.[7] On June 8, the complete tracklist was released, including 5 songs and individual artworks for each single.[8][9]

The EP's physical release was made on a USB flash drive, rather than a compact disc.[10] The drive is inscribed with G-Dragon's real name "Kwon Ji Yong", along with the his date of birth and blood type.[11] The drive itself does not contain the songs in a digital format; instead, users are directed to a download page for the album and other exclusive content from the YG Entertainment website, redeemed using a serial number.[10] The unorthodox distribution model, however, resulted in concerns over whether the EP would be eligible to appear on South Korea's major album charts.[12] The EP was disqualified from the Gaon Album Chart, as the Korean Music Content Industry Association argued per local copyright law that an "album" is defined as a physical medium supplied with music, and that Kwon Ji Yong was ineligible because the music was not supplied on the drive itself.[10][13]

Promotion

On March 31, it was announced that G-Dragon will hold a concert in Seoul World Cup Stadium on June 10.[14][15] On April 25, his agency announced that G-Dragon will embark on his second world tour, Act III: M.O.T.T.E, and visit 19 cities across Asia, North America and Oceania, with other dates still to be revealed.[16][17] G-Dragon performed the new tracks for the first time on the tour's first show in Seoul, on June 10, 2017.

On June 8, YG Entertainment released the music video of "Untitled, 2014", which features G-Dragon himself singing in it. The music video was originally planned to be filmed within 2 days using different sets, taking different shots. However, G-Dragon shot it in a single take and filming was finished in less than one hour.[18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[19]
SeoulBeats[20]
The Star[21]8/10
Hello Asia[22]8/10

Tamar Herman from Billboard praised the EP, and named the album as the most personal work from G-Dragon, as he puts his "inner thoughts out in the public through a variety of sounds but remains cohesive through its lyrics, as if requesting listeners to forget the singer’s celeb stature and momentarily hear the thoughts of a man struggling with the present he’s achieved through his past efforts" and complimented the lead single and the music video.[23] Fuse's Jeff Benjamin said that the album includes a wide-range of music, and "highlighting some of G-Dragon's biggest strengths as a forward-thinking hip-hop maestro and self-assured superstar, with "Untitled, 2014" counteracting those harder tracks to spotlight GD's less-seen tender side."[24] Seoul Beats gave the EP 5 stars, and describing it as "the most cohesive effort G-Dragon put in to define himself, and who he really is" and stating that "the album is lyrically denser than anything they've heard so far this year", as it tells G-Dragon story: "it’s filled with references to his previous works, rife with references to his personal life, his art he displays on his instagram, and it’s the first time I can say I’m positively blown away after a close listen. His personal struggle with himself, with who he is, G-Dragon or Kwon Ji-yong, and how his idol persona has changed him, clearly comes through on these tracks". They also praised the lead single "Untitled, 2014" and marked it as the standout track of the album and the defining moment of Kwon Ji Yong.[20]

Commercial performance

In South Korea, the title track "Untitled, 2014" debuted at number 1 on all major Korean music charts[25], and later earned G-Dragon multiple Perfect All-Kills.[26]

In China, the album was available for pre-order on June 5, on China's three major music platforms QQ Music, KuGou and Kuwo.[27] In less than 24 hours, pre-orders for the album on QQ Music reached over 200,000 copies.[28] After one week of sales, the album has sold more than 1,100,000 copies in China.[29]

In Japan, the digital version topped the Oricon weekly digital chart, selling 11,641 copies, making G-Dragon the first Korean artist to top the chart.[30]

Upon release, the album topped iTunes album charts in 46 countries, and in total reached number one in 46 countries at different times, setting a new record for Korean artists.[31] The EP debuted at No. 192 on the US Billboard 200 with a little more than 4,000 equivalent album units sold in a single day, achieving his personal best sales week in America. G-Dragon earned his third number one album on the World Albums Chart, and his first number one album on Heatseekers Albums.[32]

Track listing

Digital download[33]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Middle Fingers-Up" (Intro. 권지용; Kwon Ji-Yong)G-DragonG-Dragon, 24, Kush243:42
2."Bullshit" (Act I. 개소리; gaesori)G-DragonG-Dragon, Teddy, Cawlr, Future Bounce, Choice37Cawlr, Future Bounce, Choice37, 243:02
3."Super Star" (Act II)G-Dragon, Teddy, Joe RheeTeddy, G-Dragon, Joe Rhee, 24, Choice37, Future Bounce, Seo Won Jin24, Teddy, Joe Rhee, Choice37, Future Bounce, Seo Won Jin3:45
4."Untitled, 2014" (Act III. 무제(無題); muje)G-DragonG-Dragon, Choice37Choice37, Seonwoo Jeonga3:42
5."Divina Commedia" (Outro. 신곡(神曲); singok)G-Dragon, 8!, Brian Lee, Safe, Frank DukesG-Dragon, 8!, Brian Lee, Frank Dukes, SafeFrank Dukes, Murda Beatz, Brian Lee3:44
Total length:18:06

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[34] 44
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[35] 52
French Download Albums (SNEP)[36] 33
Oricon Weekly Digital; Album[37] 1
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard)[38] 1
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[39] 39
Taiwan (G-Music)[40] 1
Taiwan (Five Music)[41] 1
US Billboard 200[32] 192
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[32] 1
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[42] 8
US Rap Album Sales (Billboard)[43] 3
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[44] 47
US World Albums (Billboard)[32] 1

Sales and certifications

Sales

Country Sales
South Korea 100,463+[45]
China 1,376,595+[46]
Japan 16,047[47]
United States 7,000+[48]

Release history

Country Date Label Format Ref
World June 8, 2017 YG Entertainment digital download [33]
South Korea June 19, 2017 YG Entertainment, KT Music USB , digital download [49]

References

  1. 1 2 "G-DRAGON – NEW ALBUM ‘권지용’". YG Life. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "[단독] 지드래곤, 컴백 엔진 가동…오늘 극비 뮤비 촬영". JTBC News. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  3. ↑ "[Exclusive] GD&TAEYANG confirmed to come back as solo artists… BIGBANG is coming again". YG Life. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  4. ↑ "[단독]GD, 6월10일 콘서트前 ‘솔로신곡’ 낸다..수염 안깎는 이유有". Star News. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  5. ↑ "양현석, GD 뮤비촬영장 방문 “타고난 연예인·강력추천곡”". Chosun News. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  6. ↑ "[Oh! 뮤직] “역대 가장 슬픈 앨범?”…지드래곤, 변화의 서막". OSEN. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  7. ↑ "[Official Announcement] Title of G-DRAGON’s New Album is “KWON JIYONG”, and the Title Song is “BULLSHIT”". YG Life. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  8. ↑ "G-DRAGON - ‘KWON JI YONG’ TRACKLIST". YG Family. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  9. ↑ "(LEAD) G-Dragon switches new album's title song amid T.O.P scandal". Yonhap News. June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 "Korea won’t count K-pop rapper G-Dragon’s USB drive release as an album". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  11. ↑ "Big Bang’s G-Dragon Releases USB Drive For New Album ‘Kwon Ji Yong’". Korea Portal. June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  12. ↑ "G-Dragon's 'Kwon Ji Yong' USB Release Opens Debate About What Makes an Album". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "G-Dragon's new solo album 'Kwon Ji Yong' ineligible on the Gaon Chart". SBS PopAsia. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  14. ↑ "GD, 세 번째 솔로 콘서트 개최…YG "날짜 확정無" [공식입장]". Naver. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  15. ↑ "[단독] 빅뱅 지드래곤, 6월10일 4년 만에 솔로 콘서트 개최…상반기 컴백 임박". NEWSPIM. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Twitter: G-DRAGON 2017 WORLD TOUR <ACT III, M.O.T.T.E>". YG Family Twitter. April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Official site: G-DRAGON 2017 WORLD TOUR <ACT III, M.O.T.T.E>". YG Entertainment. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  18. ↑ "YG "지드래곤 '무제' MV, 한 시간만에 촬영"". Naver News. June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  19. ↑ "지드래곤(G-Dragon) – 권지용: Album Review". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  20. 1 2 "G-Dragon Defines Himself on "Kwon Ji Yong"". SeoulBeats. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Review: Kwon Ji Yong by G-Dragon". The Star. July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  22. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: G-DRAGON – “KWON JIYONG” (SOUTH KOREA, 2017)". Hello Asia. July 24, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  23. ↑ Herman, Tamar (June 9, 2017). "G-Dragon Gets Personal With Eponymous 'Kwon Ji Yong' EPy". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  24. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (June 8, 2017). "G-DRAGON MAKES HIS SOLO RETURN WITH 'KWON JI YONG' ALBUM & 'UNTITLED 2014' VIDEO". fuse. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  25. ↑ "G-DRAGON Dominated the Charts for Four Days in a Row and is Expected to do so for Some Time Now". YG Life. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  26. ↑ "G-Dragon Rules The Charts With Perfect All-Kill For Untitled, 2014". YG Life. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  27. ↑ "G-Dragon 《KWON JI YONG》". QQ Music. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  28. ↑ "G-Dragon's 'Kwon Ji Yong' Solo Album Sells 200,000 On Pre-Order, Reaches Double Platinum Status Before Release". China QQ Music. June 7, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  29. ↑ Kwon Ji-Yong sales in China's three major music platforms:
  30. ↑ "週間　デジタルアルバムランキング 2017年06月19日付". Oricon. June 14, 2017. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  31. ↑ "G-DRAGON, number one in 39 countries, new record". YG Life. June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "G-Dragon's 'Kwon Ji Yong' Earns His Best U.S. Sales Week Yet in Just 1 Day". Billboard. June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  33. 1 2 "Kwon Ji Yong - EP by G-DRAGON on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  34. ↑ "ultratop.be - G-DRAGON - KWON JI YONG [EP]". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  35. ↑ "G-Dragon – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for G-Dragon. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Téléchargés". SNEP. June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  37. ↑ "週間　デジタルアルバムランキング". Oricon Digital Album Chart. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Japan Hot Albums – Kwon Ji-Yong". Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  39. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Weekly Chart (20170630-20170706)". G-Music. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Kwon Ji Yong by G-Dragon - Five Chart: Wek 25 of 2017". 5music.com.tw. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  42. ↑ "Independent Albums - June 24, 2017". Billboard. June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017. (Subscription required (help)).
  43. ↑ "Rap Album Sales - June 24, 2017". Billboard. June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017. (Subscription required (help)).
  44. ↑ "Top Album Sales - June 24, 2017". Billboard. June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017. (Subscription required (help)).
  45. ↑ Sales for Kwon Ji-Yong:
  46. ↑ Kwon Ji-Yong sales on China's three major music platforms:
  47. ↑ Digital sales of Kwon Ji-Yong in Japan:
  48. ↑ Kwon Ji-Yong sales on Nielsen Music:
  49. ↑ "[G-DRAGON - ‘권지용 (KWON JI YONG)’]". G-DRAGON Facebook. June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
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