Im Nayeon
Digital cover
EP by
Nayeon
ReleasedJune 24, 2022 (2022-06-24)
StudioJYP Studios
GenrePop[1]
Length21:44
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
Singles from Im Nayeon
  1. "Pop!"
    Released: June 24, 2022

Im Nayeon (/aɪm nɑːjʌn/ eye-m na-yun[2]) is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Nayeon of the girl group Twice. It was released through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records on June 24, 2022. The EP contains seven tracks, including the lead single "Pop!" and collaborations with Felix from Stray Kids and Wonstein. The EP is primarily a pop record that blends genres such as R&B, dance, disco, jazz, and ballads. The album's themes revolve around self-confidence, overcoming hardships, struggling with inner anxieties, love, and sad breakups.

Im Nayeon was met with generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its fun and catchy production and its way of blending various genres with pop music. Commercially, the EP debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart. In the United States, it became the first album by a South Korean soloist to reach top ten on the Billboard 200 with over 57,000 pure physical sales. Additionally, the EP was certified 2× Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for selling over 500,000 physical copies.

Background

On May 19, 2022, it was announced via Twice's social media pages that Nayeon would release her first extended play, titled Im Nayeon, on June 24.[3] It was accompanied by a teaser image featuring a close-up shot of what appears to be a coffee table, with trinkets such as bottles of nail polish, jewellery and a cup of tea strewn across.[4] Specifics about Im Nayeon and its impending release were also unveiled in the following weeks, with worldwide pre-orders for the mini-album starting on May 24.[5]

Title and composition

The album's title, Im Nayeon, is a play on the near-identical spelling of the artist's last name and the contraction "I'm".[6] It is twenty-one minutes long and consists of seven songs.[7][8] The EP features two guest appearances from Felix of Stray Kids and the South Korea rapper Wonstein.[9] It features genres such as R&B, dance, disco, jazz, and ballads.[10] Nayeon worked with many notable names, including, Jade Thirlwall, Kenzie, LDN Noise, The Stereotypes, and American singer-songwriter Destiny Rogers.[11][12] The first half of the EP is described as "wonderfully luminescent and colourful," that revolves around more upbeat production, such as dance and disco-pop sounds, with lyrics talking about confidence, " glowing happiness in newfound romance," and pursuing one's own feelings, while the second half is more mature, chill, and gentle, focusing more on R&B, jazzy, and ballad production, with lyrics that deal with inner anxieties while being in a relationship, worries, stress and, a state after a breakup.[13]

Songs

The record opens with the lead single, "Pop!" which described as a song that "conjures classic Twice"[14] It is a pop[15] and bubblegum[16] song that takes inspiration from the sounds of second-generation bubblegum K-pop.[1] Characterized by bright beats, live instruments such as bass, guitar, and horn,[15][16] winding high notes, and a variety of ad libs.[17] Its lyrics revolve around "a bold declaration of confidence." Where the protagonist sings about her ability to capture her lover's heart with ease.[13][18] The lyrics "explored the flirtatious and accrescent sentiments of romance using onomatopoeia to portray popping a lover’s heart like a bubble."[19] The second track "No Problem" is an English-language collab with Felix of Stray Kids. It is a disco-pop song,[13] described as "a comforting song about the power of love."[20] Followed with the second collaboration "Love Countdown" with the South Korean rapper Wonstein. It is an R&B and pop track that incorporate "summery" guitar riffs, synths and "a smooth tempo."[13] Its lyrics revolve around "Nayeon waiting for someone to admit their feelings for her in a very coy fashion, urging the person to hurry as she’s already at the starting line, while Wonstein’s verse provides a great counterpart in showing the other side’s perspective in waiting for her to approach him. It’s a fun and playful track whose lesson is that hesitation won’t get you very far in pursuing your feelings."[13] The fourth track "Candyfloss," was co-composed and produced by Jade Thirlwall of British girl group Little Mix.[11] It is an 80s-Inspired pop track that features synths and saxophone.[13] Some critics described it as "an extension of the typical Twice's image."[21] Fifth track, “All Or Nothing," written by Nayeon. It is an R&B song that maintains a synth-y sound that is "minimal and chill compared to previous tracks."[13] Nayeon wrote the track while on tour with Twice in the United States. It talks about all the things that helped her overcome hardships during the course of her life.[22] Its lyrics shows Nayeon singing about getting into relationship "while combating inner anxieties."[13] Followed with “Happy Birthday to You,” another R&B track, described as "lowkey and vibey," rather than "a bright, festive celebratory track."[13] Lyrically, it's about "Nayeon sings to someone about how worries and stress are omnipresent but it’s okay to let things go once in a while. Although birthdays are frequently treated with cynicism, she refuses to let such days be anything but special." It's described as a "comforting reminder that, whether it’s your birthday or not, there’s nothing wrong with taking time for yourself."[13] The closing track, “Sunset," is a chill and jazzy song that incorporates the production of strings, a gentle tempo, keyboards, and bass. Its lyrics revolve around Nayeon, who "takes solace in watching the sunset after a breakup."[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic78/100[23]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[24]
Beats Per Minute79/100[13]
IZM[21]
NME[20]
Sputnikmusic4.1/5[25]

On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, Im Nayeon received a mean score of 78 based on 5 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[23]

NME's Rhian Daly gives the album four stars out of five writing, "Nayeon’s debut solo release contains many layers, not least in its title. Whether you look at it as simply the singer’s name, or as an apostrophe-less declaration of “I’m Nayeon”, it feels like an introduction. And, as introductions go, this record makes for a warm and welcoming one – even if it doesn't stray too much from what you'd expect."[20]

Beats Per Minute's Early. JT wrote "IM NAYEON – whether you want to consider it a natural extension of Twice's massive discography or a separate entity – is a very strong debut that impresses and makes you circle back to replay the moment the last song is finished. Both fun and grounded.[13]

Sputnik Music's Jesper L gives the album four stars out of five, describing the EP as "glossy sweetness," writing, "it’s a delightful 20 minutes of sugary catchiness, and as long as you don’t spend too much time thinking about the specificities of its ingredients you’ll find yourself enjoying a delightful rush."[25]

Uproxx including the album on their list of best pop album of 2022. Praising its way of blending pop production with various genres, writing, "IM NAYEON has set the standard for what’s to come and what to look out for with future solo projects from twice".[1]

Year-end lists

Im Nayeon on year-end lists
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Uproxx The Best pop Albums of 2022 — [1]
The Best K-Pop Albums of 2022 — [26]

Commercial performance

Ahead of its release, the Im Nayeon surpassed over 500,000 pre-orders, the highest number of pre-orders by a female soloist thus far in 2022.[27] The EP debuted and peaked at number 1 on the South Korean Gaon Album Chart.[28] On the US Billboard 200, the EP peaked at number 7 with pure 57,000 copies sold, making Nayeon the first South Korean soloist to enter the top 10 and highest selling female act of the year upon its release.[29][30] In Japan, it reached number 7 on the Japanese Digital Albums chart[31] and number 19 on the Japanese Hot Albums chart.[32] In Europe, it charted in Finland,[33] Poland,[34] and the United Kingdom.[35]

In August 2022, the EP received a Platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for selling over 250,000 units in South Korea. It was later certified 2× Platinum in November 2022 for surpassing 500,000 units sold.[36]

Track listing

Im Nayeon track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Pop!"Lee Seu-ran
LDN Noise2:48
2."No Problem" (featuring Felix of Stray Kids)Lewis Shay JankelJankelJankel3:16
3."Love Countdown" (featuring Wonstein)
  • Earattack
  • Ronnie Icon
  • Willemijn May
  • Eniac
  • 24E!
  • Earattack
  • Eniac
3:17
4."Candyfloss"Shim Eun-ji
Red Triangle3:01
5."All or Nothing"Nayeon
The Stereotypes3:04
6."Happy Birthday to You"E.OneE.OneE.One3:05
7."Sunset" (노을만 예쁘다; Noeulman Yeppeuda; lit. "Only the Sunset Is Pretty")Park Woo-sangParkPark3:13
Total length:21:44

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.[37]

Studios

  • JYP Studios – recording (all tracks), mixing (track 2, 3)
  • Chapel Swing Studios – mixing
  • Sound360 – dolby atmos music mixing & mastering
  • 821 Sound – mastering

Musician

  • Nayeon – vocals (all track), background vocals (track 2), lyricist (track 3, 5)
  • Sophia Pae — background vocals (track 1- 5)
  • LDN Noise – all instruments (track 1)
  • Eunji Shim – vocal director (track 1, 4)
  • Felix of Stray Kids – featured artist (track 2)
  • Sam Carter – vocal director (track 2)
  • Earattack – vocal director (track 2, 3, 5), all instruments (track 3), keyboard (track 3)
  • Wonstein – featured artist, background vocals, vocal editing ( track 3)
  • Eniac – all instrumental, keyboard (track 3)
  • Kim Jong-seong – guitar (track 3)
  • Hohyun Jung (e.one) – keyboard, vocal director (track 6)
  • Eunjin Kwon – chorus (track 6)
  • Park Woo-sang – vocal director (track 7)
  • Young (Jeong Jae-pil) – guitar (track 7)
  • Rb-Inj – string preferences (track 7)
  • Kwon Seok-hong – string arrangement (track 7)
  • Yoo-ra Lee – chorus (track 7)

Technical

  • Eunji Shim – audio engineer (track 1, 4)
  • Kyung-Won Lee – digital editing (track 2, 5)
  • Hyejin Koo - recording (track 1, 2, 4, 6, 7)
  • Tony Maserati – mixing (track 1)
  • David K. Younghyun – mixing (track 1)
  • Sangyeob Lee – recording (track 2)
  • Taeseop Lee – mixing (track 2, 3, 6)
  • Gyeongwon Lee, – digital editing (track 3)
  • Byunghyun Hong – vocal editing (track 3)
  • Sehee Um – recording (track 3, 5)
  • Byunghyun Hong – recording (track 3)
  • Hong-Jin Lim – mixing (track 4, 5)
  • Park Woo-sang – mixing (track 7)
  • Haneul Lee – Immersive mix engineer (track all tracks)
  • Jung-Hoon Choi – Immersive mix engineer (all tracks)
  • Namwoo Kwon – mastering (all tracks)

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications for Im Nayeon
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan — 16,366[45]
South Korea (KMCA)[36] 2× Platinum 544,265[46]
United States — 52,000[47]

Release history

Release dates and formats for Im Nayeon
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various June 24, 2022
[48][49]
United States November 18, 2022 Vinyl [49]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Best Pop Albums Of 2022". Uproxx. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  2. ↑ Hwang, Hye-jin (June 24, 2022). ""널 갖길 원해" 트와이스 나연, 톡톡 튀는 사랑스러움 'POP!'[들어보고서]" ["I want you" TWICE's Nayeon, the loveliness that pops out 'POP!'[Listen]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  3. ↑ "TWICE's Nayeon will make her solo debut next month". NME. May 19, 2022. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ "NAYEON The 1st Mini Album "IM NAYEON"|Release on 2022.06.24 FRI 1 pm KST/0AM EST". Twitter. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ "TWICE's Nayeon to release solo album in June". Rappler. May 19, 2022. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  6. ↑ "TWICE's Nayeon overcomes limits with first solo EP 'Im Nayeon'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 25, 2022. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  7. ↑ Rowley, Glenn (May 18, 2022). "Nayeon of Twice Set to Release Her First Solo EP 'Im Nayeon'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  8. ↑ "From BTS to Twice's Nayeon, K-pop hotshots prepare June releases". The Korea Times. May 27, 2022. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  9. ↑ Ziwei, Puah (June 24, 2022). "TWICE's Nayeon makes her solo debut with 'POP!'". NME. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  10. ↑ "The Best Pop Albums Of 2022". Uproxx. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff (June 25, 2022). "TWICE's Nayeon Is the Perfect 'Pop!' Star With Debut Solo Album: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  12. ↑ Kang, Kyung-yoon (June 14, 2022). "트와이스 나연, 첫 솔로 음원 일부 선공개..."스키즈 필릭스와 특별한 조합"" [Twice Nayeon, pre-release of some of her first solo songs..."A special combination with SKZ Felix"]. SBS News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Early, JT (July 7, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: NAYEON – IM NAYEON". Beats Per Minute. Beats per minute. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  14. ↑ Kwak, Kristine (June 24, 2022). "Nayeon Is a 'Pop!' Star – and the First Twice Member to Go Solo". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Im Nayeon - first mini album". JYP Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  16. 1 2 Rafael, Bautista (August 1, 2022). "Trend Alert: TikTok's Obsession With Nayeon's POP!". Nylon Manila. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Our favorite K-pop songs of 2022". CNN Philippines. December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  18. ↑ Lee, Seul (June 23, 2022). "'솔로 데뷔' 트와이스 나연, 화려한 여름 축제…'POP!' 두 번째 MV 티저" ['Solo debut' TWICE Nayeon, splendid summer festival... 'POP!' Second MV teaser]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  19. ↑ "The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022". Teen Vogue. December 15, 2022. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  20. 1 2 3 Daly, Rhian (June 30, 2022). "Nayeon – 'IM NAYEON' review: TWICE's oldest member steps into the solo spotlight". NME. NME. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  21. 1 2 Han Seong-hyeon. "Im Nayeon". IZM (in Korean). IZM. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  22. ↑ Dong, Sun-hwa (June 24, 2022). "'Im Nayeon': TWICE's Nayeon shows who she is with her 1st solo EP". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  23. 1 2 "IM NAYEON by Nayeon Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  24. ↑ Yeung, Neil Z. (July 15, 2022). "NAYEON – IM NAYEON". AllMusic. AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  25. 1 2 Jesper L. (June 27, 2022). "Review: NAYEON - IM NAYEON". Sputnikmusic. Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  26. ↑ "The Best K-Pop Albums Of 2022". Uproxx. December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  27. ↑ Seon, Mi-kyung (June 24, 2022). 트와이스 나연, 오늘(24일) 솔로 데뷔..선주문 50만 장 돌파[공식] [Twice Nayeon's Solo Debut Today (24th) .. Exceeded 500,000 Pre-orders [Official]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  28. 1 2 "Gaon Album Chart – Week 26, 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  29. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (July 3, 2022). "Bad Bunny Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 'Un Verano Sin Ti'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  30. ↑ Oh, Myung-joo (July 8, 2022). ""K팝 솔로 최초이자, 최고!"…나연, 美 빌보드 18개 차트인" ["The first K-pop solo, and the best!"... Nayeon, 18 US Billboard charts]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Weekly Digital Albums Chart – July 4, 2022" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  32. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2022/06/29 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  33. 1 2 "Nayeon: Im Nayeon" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  34. 1 2 "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  35. 1 2 "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  36. 1 2 "South Korean album certifications – Nayeon – Im Nayeon" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  37. ↑ "IM NAYEON - 나연 (TWICE)". 멜론 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  38. 1 2 "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 July 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1687. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 4, 2022. pp. 10, 24.
  39. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of July 9, 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-07-25" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  41. ↑ "World Albums: Week of July 9, 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-07". Oricon. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Album Chart – June 2022". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  44. ↑ "2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  45. ↑ Combined physical sales for Im Nayeon in Japan:
  46. ↑ Total Album sales: "2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  47. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (July 3, 2022). "Bad Bunny Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 'Un Verano Sin Ti'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  48. ↑ "NAYEON The 1st Mini Album "IM NAYEON" Pre-Order". Twice Official Site. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  49. 1 2 Citations concerning Im Nayeon release formats:
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