WINNER’s Transformation, YOON’s Autumn Vibes→Will They Win the No. 1 Spot for 5 Years Straight
[뉴스엔=황혜진 기자] Group WINNER(YOON, JINU, MINO, HOONY) has changed. They’ve put down the freshness, which has been known as WINNER’s representative charms, and are making return with lonely autumn vibes.
On October 23 at 6 PM, WINNER will release their 3rd mini album titled ‘CROSS’ through all music platforms. Their album will be a new album release in 5 years since they released their second mini album titled ‘WE’, back in May.
The title of the album, ‘CROSS’, signifies WINNER’s relationships, music, and stories that were created while the four members of the group with distinct directions and characteristics cross(X) and unite(+) as group ‘WINNER’. It shows what kind of message WINNER is trying to spread out through their upcoming album, in addition to their thoughtfulness and preparations.
▲ Group+Solo Releases=A Synergy Effect Created Through the Writing·Composing of All Tracks
The album is consisted of 6 new tracks. Starting with the title song ‘SOSO’, composed by YOON and AiRPLAY and written by MINO and HOONY, songs written by YOON including ‘OMG’ and ‘DRESS UP’ were placed at no. 2 and no. 3 on the album, respectively. In addition to the songs mentioned above, ‘DON’T BE SHY’ written and composed by MINO, who has been acknowledged for his songwriting skills since the group’s debut album, has been placed at no. 6 to raise the album’s level of completion.
YOON and HOONY’s solo tracks are highly anticipated by the fans. After MINO released his first solo album ‘XX’ which included the title song ‘FIANCÉ’ last year on November, JINU made debut as a solo artist this year on August with his single ‘JINU’s HEYDAY’, which included the title song ‘CALL ANYTIME’. Following up, YOON and HOONY included their own solo tracks in the album to present their uniqueness as well.
YOON’s solo track ‘WIND’ was placed as track no. 5. YOON wrote the lyrics of the entire track, while the song was composed along with producers Kang Uk Jin, Diggy, and HOYAS. YOON has released 3 solo digital singles back in 2013 including ‘It Rains’, ‘Wild and Young’, and ‘Stealer’ after he was ranked at no. 4 on Mnet’s ‘Superstar K’ season 2 just after Huh Gak, John Park, and Jang Jane, he has only focused on writing songs for WINNER after he made debut as a group in 2014. As a result, the fans are highly anticipating YOON’s solo tracks, which are being released in approximately 6 years. The song ‘WIND’ will present YOON’s transformation and growth as a songwriter you trust and listen to, as he has steadily worked on producing songs for group WINNER.
HOONY will be presenting his first-ever solo track, in 5 years since he made debut as WINNER. The song ‘FLAMENCO’ written by HOONY and composed by HOONY, Kang Uk Jin, and Diggy was placed as track no. 4. HOONY is also a writer and composer who has been improving himself through consistent work and releases. After being ranked at no. 4 on SBS ‘K-Pop Star’ season 1 back in 2012, he not only wrote his own rap lyrics after making debut as WINNER, but also wrote and composed songs including ‘SPECIAL NIGHT’ and ‘RAINING’ on WINNER’s 2nd official album, ‘EVERYD4Y’. It was reviewed that he has successfully added his unique charms to WINNER’s album.
▲ No ‘Fresh Love Songs’, A Twist with Emotional Breakup Songs
The group’s new emotions to be presented are also another point to look forward to. Since ‘REALLY REALLY’ to ‘LOVE ME LOVE ME’, ‘EVERYDAY’, and ‘MILLIONS’, hits released by WINNER that swept no. 1 spots on music charts were YOON’s signature love songs, songs with fresh stories of love on top of a refreshing beat.
On the other hand, the title song ‘SOSO’ will present emotions that go well with lonely autumn vibes. The lyric teaser clip released on the 20th presented lonely lyrics such as ‘My feelings are not good nor bad’, ‘It’s just so-so, so what’, ‘I didn’t ask for your consolation so leave’, and ‘Escape without regrets’. The agency noted, “The song expresses one pretending to be calm despite his inner wounds and anger after a breakup, as being in a state of ‘SOSO’. The song will present ‘WINNER’s autumn vibes’ unlike their previous releases, which usually represent ‘summer’ and ‘freshness’”.
The members also shared spoilers on their upcoming title song. YOON stated, “There are times when you tell everyone and the people around you ‘I’m fine’ or ‘Just so-so’. And sometimes, the comforting words by the people around you makes it even harder. The song expresses these situations during a time of breakup”. He continued, “The lyrics state I’m okay throughout, but the arrangement of the song creates a contrast, expressing the inner wounds unlike what the lyrics state”. MINO stated, “Most people live in situations where they can’t express their emotions such as anger, sadness, and agony. It’s a message which everyone can relate to”. He added, “We tried to capture emotions that stick out throughout the gaps”.
They’ve made a challenge by coming up with a song with different emotions, but the hopes are still high. Prior to becoming popular with fresh love songs, WINNER has successfully grabbed the public’s ears with emotional songs such as ‘EMPTY’, ‘COLOR RING’, and ‘FOOL’. Although it was a fresh summer dance track, the title song ‘AH YEAH’ from their latest album also expressed the emotions of a breakup in a cool way and received positive reviews. That is precisely why people are paying keen attention to WINNER’s new challenge.
▲ WINNER You Trust and Listen to, Will They Keep Their Title ‘No. 1 for 5 Years Straight’
The performance of WINNER on music charts is also grabbing the people’s attention.
Ever since making debut with their first official album titled ‘2014 S/S’, WINNER has never missed the no. 1 spot, living up to their name ‘WINNER’. Starting with ‘EMPTY’ which was one of the double title songs of their debut album, all title songs released by WINNER for the past 5 years including ‘BABY BABY’, ‘REALLY REALLY’, ‘LOVE ME LOVE ME’, ‘EVERYDAY’, ‘MILLIONS’, and ‘AH YEAH’ were ranked at no. 1 on major music platforms including Melon. The people are now paying keen attention on whether WINNER will hit the no. 1 spot once again with their new song.
WINNER will begin their comeback activities after the album’s release on the 23rd. They will first hold the ‘WINNER [CROSS] TOUR IN SEOUL’ on the 26th and 27th in KSPO DOME(Olympic Gymnastics Arena) located in Songpa-gu, Seoul. WINNER will present their first-ever live band performance in Korea. It is said that they planned different setlists for each day that match the sub-titles ‘X’ and ‘+’. ‘X’ symbolizes the title of the concert, ‘CROSS’. After holding their concert in Seoul, the group will go on an Asia tour in 7 cities including Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore.
2019. 10. 20.
