"Still Life"
Single by BigBang
ReleasedApril 5, 2022
Recorded2022
GenreSoft rock[1]
Length3:07
LabelYG
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • G-Dragon
  • T.O.P
  • Kush
Producer(s)
  • Kush
  • Seo Won-jin
  • 24
BigBang singles chronology
"Flower Road"
(2018)		 "Still Life"
(2022)
Music video
"Still Life" on YouTube

"Still Life" (Korean: 봄여름가을겨울; RR: Bom Yeoreum Gaeul Gyeoul; lit. "Spring Summer Fall Winter") is a song by South Korean boy band BigBang. It was released via YG Entertainment on April 5, 2022, serving as the group's first release in four years since "Flower Road" in 2018, as well as their only release as a quartet, due to T.O.P's departure the following year.

"Still Life" experienced commercial success, topping the charts in several territories upon its release including in South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. It debuted within the top ten on the Billboard Global 200 at number nine, making BigBang only the third K-pop group to do so since the chart's inception in 2020.

Background and release

T.O.P was the first BigBang member to enlist for his two-year service per South Korea's mandatory military service requirement in February 2017.[2] The remaining four members continued group promotions without him, holding several concerts in various countries until December.[3][4] In 2018, members G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung similarly began their military enlistment, thus putting group activities on a hiatus.[5] The digital single "Flower Road" was released in March 2018 as a gift and a farewell from the group to its fans ahead of a lengthy hiatus, as the band members complete their mandatory military service.[6]

The group's fifth member, Seungri, was initially set to enlist on March 25, 2019. On March 11, however, Seungri announced his departure from the group as well as his retirement from the entertainment industry due to the controversy of his involvement in the Burning Sun scandal.[7] The rest of the band members were discharged from the military during the remainder of the year.[8][9] In March 2020, despite reports suggesting otherwise,[10] all four members renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment and were preparing for a comeback,[11] which was eventually delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 21, 2022, local time, YG confirmed that the group would make their comeback with a new single on April 5, 2022;[12][13] the title of the track "Still Life" was unveiled three days later.[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME[15]

"Still Life" received positive reviews from critics. Angela Patricia Suacillo from NME gave the song 5 stars out of 5, saying that the track "honors the distance between where the group were four years ago and where they are now", adding that the song "reminiscent of soft rock from the ’70s and ’ 80s, ’Still Life’ excels at bringing out the unique vocal tones of each member". Suacillo felt that the song "close a chapter of their lives that's been left hanging for the past four years – whether or not this signifies a final bow from the group is something we'll have to wait and see".[15] Rolling Stone's Kristine Kwak felt the song shows BigBang's "vulnerability and growth", and how the members have become "more introspective and seem to be content with where they are at".[1]

"Still Life" was ranked amongst the best songs of 2022 by Slant Magazine (27),[16] Rolling Stone (73),[17] and Time Out (12),[18] as well as one of the best K-pop songs of the year by Billboard (3)[19] and Nylon.[20]

Commercial performance

Upon its release, "Still Life" topped all South Korean's domestic music charts and also topped realtime charts on major music streaming sites in China and Japan.[21] The song debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart in the chart issue dated April 3–9, 2022;[22] on its component charts, the song also debuted at number one on the Gaon Download Chart, Gaon Streaming Chart, and Gaon BGM Chart.[23][24][25] "Still Life" remained atop the Digital Chart for three non-consecutive weeks.[26][27] In addition, it also remained at number one on the Streaming Chart for five consecutive weeks.[28][29] On the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, the song debuted at number two in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022,[30] ascending to number one in the following week.[31]

In Hong Kong, "Still Life" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hong Kong Songs in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022.[32] In Indonesia, the song debuted at number eight on the Billboard Indonesia Songs in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022.[33] "Still Life" debuted atop the charts in other Asian territories such on the Billboard Malaysia Songs for two consecutive weeks,[34][35] in Singapore on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart in the chart issue dated April 1–7, 2022[36] and Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, which in the latter remained at number one for three consecutive weeks.[37][38][39] In Taiwan, "Still Life" debuted at number three on the Billboard Taiwan Songs in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022.[40] In Japan, the song debuted at number seven on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the chart issue dated April 13, 2022;[41] on its component charts, it debuted at number two on the Download Songs,[42] number seventeen on the Streaming Songs,[43] and number nine on the Top User Generated Songs.[44] On the Oricon Combined Singles, "Still Life" debuted at number eleven in the chart issue dated April 18, 2022.[45]

In New Zealand, the song debuted at number eight on the RMNZ Hot Singles in the chart issue dated April 11, 2022,[46] In Australia, "Still Life" debuted at number three on the ARIA Top 20 Hitseekers Singles Chart in the chart issue dated April 11, 2022.[47]

In United States, "Still Life" debuted at number one on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales[48] making it BigBang's fifth single to do so. In addition, it peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022.[49] In Canada, the song debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022.[50] Globally, the song topped iTunes Top Songs charts in 33 regions[21] and debuted at number nine on the Billboard Global 200, with 34 million streams and 29,700 sold worldwide,[51][52] making BigBang the third Korean group to enter the top 10 on the chart, and debuted at number three on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated April 16, 2022.[53][51]

Accolades

Awards and nominations
Organization Year Category Result Ref.
Asian Pop Music Awards 2022 Record of the Year – Overseas Nominated [54]
Best Music Video – Overseas Nominated
Best Lyricist – Overseas[lower-alpha 1] Nominated
Top 20 Songs – Overseas Won [55]
Genie Music Awards 2022 Song of the Year Nominated [56]
Golden Disc Awards 2023 Digital Daesang Nominated [57]
Digital Bonsang Won [58]
MAMA Awards 2022 Best Vocal Performance – Group Won [59]
Melon Music Awards 2022 Song of the Year Nominated [60]
Music program awards (9 total)
Program Date Ref.
M Countdown April 14, 2022 [61]
April 21, 2022 [62]
April 28, 2022 [63]
Inkigayo April 17, 2022 [64]
April 24, 2022 [65]
May 1, 2022 [66]
Show! Music Core April 23, 2022 [67]
April 30, 2022 [68]
May 7, 2022 [69]

Credits and personnel

  • Big Bang – lead vocals
  • Kush – lyrics, composition, arrangement, piano
  • VVN – composition
  • Vince – composition
  • Seo Won-jin – arrangement, guitar
  • 24 – arrangement, keyboard

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Still Life"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Streaming
South Korea (KMCA)[79] Platinum 100,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Still Life"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 5, 2022 YG [80]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Nominated for G-Dragon, T.O.P and Kush

References

  1. 1 2 Kwak, Kristine (April 4, 2022). "Big Bang Return to Remind the World Why They're K-Pop Legends". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  2. ↑ Choi, R. (February 10, 2017). "T.O.P and Kim Jun-su begin military service". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  3. ↑ [단독] 빅뱅 "공백은 없다"…4인체제로 亞투어. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). February 15, 2017. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Big Bang to hold year-end concert at Gocheok Sky Dome". Kpop Herald. October 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ "(Lead) Daesung fourth BIGBANG member to enter into military". Yonhap News Agency. March 13, 2018 – via MSN.
  6. ↑ Herman, Tamar (March 13, 2018). "K-Pop Icons BIGBANG Walk the 'Flower Road' In Final Single Before Hiatus". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Big Bang's Seungri announces retirement amid controversy". ABS-CBN News. March 11, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  8. ↑ "지드래곤, 3천팬 응원 속 전역…"군인 아닌 본업으로 돌아가 충실히 임하겠다" [종합]". Xports News (in Korean). October 26, 2019. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  9. ↑ "YG 측 "빅뱅 태양-대성, 돼지열병 관계로 10일 용인서 전역"[공식입장]". Edaily (in Korean). November 10, 2019.
  10. ↑ "[단독] 4인 빅뱅, YG와 함께 가나…재계약 '긍정적'". Hankyung (in Korean). Naver News. January 3, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  11. ↑ Kim, Ga-young (March 10, 2020). "빅뱅, YG엔터테인먼트와 세번째 재계약 [공식입장]". Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  12. ↑ Lim, Yian Lu (March 22, 2022). "Big Bang drops teaser photo, confirms comeback in April". Yahoo! Life. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  13. ↑ Yoon, Su-jeong (March 21, 2022). "빅뱅 '승리' 없이 4월5일에 돌아온다...'버닝썬' 이후 4년 만" [Big Bang will return on April 5th without 'Seungri' ... It's been 4 years since 'Burning Sun'] (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  14. ↑ "빅뱅(BIGBANG), 컴백 타이틀 '봄여름가을겨울' 포스터 공개" [Big Bang unveils comeback title 'Spring Summer Autumn Winter' poster] (in Korean). Top Star News. March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Suacillo, Angela (April 6, 2022). "Big Bang's 'Still Life' is a bittersweet retrospection on growth and the passage of time". NME. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ "The 50 Best Songs of 2022". Slant Magazine. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2022". Rolling Stone. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  18. ↑ "The 22 best songs of 2022". Time Out. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  19. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff; Bowenbank, Starr; Lynch, Joe; Rowley, Glenn (December 21, 2022). "The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  20. ↑ "The 20 best K-Pop releases of 2022". Nylon. December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  21. 1 2 "빅뱅, 컴백과 동시 1위…아이튠즈 33개 지역 정상 석권". Xports News (in Korean). April 5, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Digital Chart – Week 15 of 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Gaon Download Chart – Week 15 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Gaon Streaming Chart – Week 15 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Gaon BGM Chart – Week 15 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Gaon Digital Chart – Week 16 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Gaon Digital Chart – Week 18 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  28. ↑ "빅뱅‧몬스타엑스 가온차트 2관왕, 임영웅 3관왕". Nate (in Korean). SK Communications. May 6, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Gaon Digital Chart – Week 19 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Billboard K-Pop 100 (Week of April 16, 2022)". Billboard Korea. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  31. 1 2 "Billboard K-pop 100 (Week of April 23, 2022)". Billboard Korea. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  32. 1 2 "Hong Kong Songs: Week of April 16, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  33. 1 2 "Indonesia Songs: Week of April 16, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  34. 1 2 "Malaysia Songs: Week of April 16, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Malaysia Songs: Week of April 23, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  36. 1 2 "RIAS Top Charts Week 14 (1–7 Apr 2022)". March 29, 2022. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  37. 1 2 "Billboard Vietnam Hot 100". Billboard Việt Nam. April 14, 2022. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Billboard Vietnam Hot 100: Week of April 23, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Billboard Vietnam Hot 100: Week of April 30, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  40. 1 2 "Taiwan Songs: Week of April 16, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  41. 1 2 "Bigbang Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Download Songs [2022/04/13 公開]". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Streaming Songs [2022/04/13 公開]". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Top User Generated Songs [2022/04/13 公開]". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  45. 1 2 "Weekly Combined Singles Chart – April 18, 2022" (in Japanese). Oricon. April 16, 2022. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  46. 1 2 "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  47. 1 2 "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 April 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1675. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 11, 2022. p. 23.
  48. 1 2 "World Digital Song Sales (Week of April 16, 2022)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  49. 1 2 "Bigbang Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  50. 1 2 "Bigbang Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  51. 1 2 Lee, Jian (April 12, 2022). "Big Bang's single 'Still Life' makes it to Billboard Global's top 10". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  52. ↑ Trust, Gary (April 11, 2022). "Harry Styles' 'As It Was' Soars In at No. 1 on Billboard Global Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Billboard Global Excl. US (Week of April 16, 2022)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  54. ↑ "【APMA 2022】亚洲流行音乐大奖2022年度入围名单" [[APMA 2022] Asian Pop Music Awards 2022 Shortlist]. Weibo (in Chinese). December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  55. ↑ 【APMA 2022】亚洲流行音乐大奖2022年度获奖名单 [【APMA 2022】Asian Pop Music Awards 2022 Winner List] (in Chinese). Asian Pop Music Awards. December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Weibo.
  56. ↑ "2022 GMA – Song of the Year Nominees". Genie Music (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Golden Disc Awards: Digital Song Division Nominees". Golden Disc Awards. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  58. ↑ "37회 골든디스크 어워즈, 방탄소년단 - 아이브 대상". KStar (in Korean). KBS. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  59. ↑ Bowenbank, Starr (November 29, 2022). "Here Are the 2022 MAMA Awards Winners: Full List". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  60. ↑ "MMA 2022 Voting by Category" (in Korean). Melon. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  61. ↑ Jo, Jung-yoon (April 14, 2022). 빅뱅, 출연 없이 아이브 꺾고 ‘봄여름가을겨울’ 1위 (엠카) [Big Bang defeated Ive without appearing and ranked No. 1 in ‘Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter’ (M Countdown)] (in Korean). Xports News. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  62. ↑ Jang, Woo-young (April 21, 2022). '엠카' 빅뱅, 2주 연속 1위..'봄여름가을겨울' 3관왕 등극 [종합] ['M Countdown' Big Bang, 1st place for 2 weeks in a row... 'Still Life' 3 crowns in total [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  63. ↑ Lee, Chang-gyu (April 28, 2022). 빅뱅, 아이브 꺾고 3주 연속 1위…5년 만의 트리플 크라운 (엠카)[종합] [Big Bang, beats Ive to win 1st place for 3 weeks in a row... triple crown for the first time in 5 years 'M Countdown' [General]]. X Sport News (in Korean). Retrieved April 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  64. ↑ Ji, Min-kyung (April 17, 2022). ‘인기가요’ 빅뱅, 1위 트로피 사냥 시작..온유·제시 컴백 [종합] [‘Inkigayo’ Big Bang, start hunting for the 1st place trophy... Onew·Jessi comeback [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved April 17, 2022 – via Naver.
  65. ↑ Ji, Min-kyung (April 24, 2022). ‘인기가요’ 빅뱅, 2주 연속 1위..송가인 컴백·유나이트 데뷔 [종합] [‘Inkigayo’ Big Bang, 1st for 2 weeks in a row... Song Ga-in comeback·Younite Debut [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved April 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  66. ↑ Lee, Ye-jin (May 1, 2022). '인기가요' 빅뱅, 3주 연속 1위…싸이→미연 컴백 [종합] ['Inkigayo' BIGBANG topped the charts for 3 weeks in a row... Psy → Miyeon Comeback [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved May 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  67. ↑ "'음악중심' 빅뱅, 활동 안 해도 1위‥온유·송가인 컴백(종합)" ['Music Core' Big Bang, 1st place even if not active] (in Korean). Newsen. April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  68. ↑ Ha, Soo-jeong (April 30, 2022). "'음악중심' 빅뱅, 출연 안해도 1위x7관왕..싸이·태진아·문별 컴백 러시 [종합]" [‘Music Core' Big Bang, win 1st place even without appearance x 7 crowns... Psy·Tae Jin-ah·Moonbyul comeback rush [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  69. ↑ Lee, Ha-na (May 7, 2022). "'음악중심' 빅뱅, 출연없이 3주 연속 1위‥려욱·몬스타엑스 컴백(종합)" [‘Music Core' Big Bang, win 1st place for 3 consecutive weeks even without appearance... Ryeowook·Monsta X comeback [General]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022 – via Naver.
  70. ↑ "Bigbang Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  71. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  72. ↑ "Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia – Week 14". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. April 1–7, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022 – via Facebook.
  73. ↑ "Dutch Global 40 – Week 16". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  74. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  75. ↑ "Digital Chart – April 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  76. ↑ "Digital Chart 2022". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  77. ↑ "Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 Top Songs of 2022". Billboard Việt Nam. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  78. ↑ "Digital Chart 2023". Circle Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  79. ↑ "South Korean single streaming certifications – Big Bang – Still Life" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  80. ↑ "Still Life – Single". Apple Music (KR). April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
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