Shalala (EP)
| Shalala | ||||
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 Digital cover | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | June 5, 2023 | |||
| Studio | SM Studios | |||
| Length | 23:28 | |||
| Language |
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| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Taeyong chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Shalala | ||||
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Shalala is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean rapper Taeyong. It was released on June 5, 2023, by SM Entertainment through Kakao Entertainment alongside the music video for its lead single of the same name. The EP contains seven tracks all co-written by Taeyong with several other songwriters, including long-time collaborators Royal Dive, Squar and Zayson. The EP was commercially successful, selling over 380,000 copies in its first week, and has sold over 500,000 copies.
Background and release
South Korean rapper Taeyong became known as a member of the K-pop boy group NCT after debuting with the group under SM Entertainment in 2016.[1] He wrote numerous songs for the group and its sub-units, including "The 7th Sense" (2016), "Cherry Bomb" (2017), and "Sticker" (2021), and later joined SM Entertainment's supergroup SuperM.[1] As a soloist, he collaborated with several artists and released some of his songs, including "Long Flight", through the SM Station project while still being active in NCT.[2][3] In 2021, he started independently releasing self-composed tracks on SoundCloud.[4]
On May 15, 2023, SM Entertainment that Taeyong would release his first extended play (EP), Shalala, containing seven tracks including the lead single of the same name.[1]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| NME |   [5] |
Carmen Chin of NME gave Shalala four out of five stars, saying it is an album that "demonstrates [Taeyong's] immense potential as an artist unafraid to forge personal connections with his audience, setting an indelible standard for future K-pop soloists." Chin noted that Shalala retains NCT's signature sound, while delving deeper in Taeyong's personal life presented through his "down-to-earth" songwriting. Chin also highlighted Taeyong's performance on the "emotional" half of the album, commenting that that's where the singer "really shines".[5]
Commercial performance
Shalala surpassed 500,000 pre-orders a day before the release.[6] As of July 6, the EP has sold more than 503,952 copies.[7][8]
Promotion
Single
The music video for the hip hop lead single, "Shalala", was released on June 5, 2023. It shows Taeyong playing the role of a hacker who is capable of modifying reality and traveling among multiverses.[9] Han Seong-hyun of IZM gave the single two out of five stars, criticizing the chorus among other elements.[10]
Live performances
The same day of release, Taeyong presented the EP at his showcase, titled Code: Stage, where he performed several tracks, including the lead single.[3] The show was broadcast live through NCT's YouTube and TikTok channels.[3]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Shalala" (샤랄라) |
|
|
| 3:21 |
| 2. | "Gwando" (관둬) | Taeyong |
|
| 3:37 |
| 3. | "Move Mood Mode" (featuring Wendy) | Taeyong |
| Squar | 2:54 |
| 4. | "Virtual Insanity" | Taeyong |
| Royal Dive | 2:59 |
| 5. | "Ruby" | Taeyong |
|
| 3:18 |
| 6. | "404 File Not Found" | Taeyong |
| Zayson | 4:04 |
| 7. | "Back to the Past" | Taeyong |
| Royal Dive | 3:15 |
| Total length: | 23:28 | ||||
Charts
Weekly charts
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Monthly charts
Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea (KMCA)[18] | Platinum | 250,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | June 5, 2023 | [19] |
References
- ^ a b c Dong, Sun-hwa (May 15, 2023). "NCT's Taeyong to drop first solo album 'Shalala' on June 5". Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ Yeo, Gladys (June 7, 2021). "NCT's Taeyong and Red Velvet's Seulgi team up on new song 'Rose'". NME. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ a b c Hong, Yoo (May 25, 2023). "Taeyong of NCT to hold fan showcase to celebrate solo debut". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ Yeo, Gladys (March 15, 2021). "NCT's Taeyong opens SoundCloud account, releases new song". NME. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ a b Chin, Carmen (June 9, 2023). "Taeyong – 'Shalala' review: a pixelated dreamscape of intimate anecdotes". NME. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ NCT 태용, '샤랄라' 선주문 50만장→아이튠즈 30개 지역 1위..솔로 데뷔 성공 [NCT Taeyong, 500,000 pre-orders for 'Sharala' → No. 1 on iTunes in 30 regions... Successful solo debut]. Herald Pop. June 6, 2023. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Kang, Bo-ra (June 8, 2023). "NCT Taeyong's 'Shalala?, surpasses 400,00 in the first week... 380,00 in 3 days". Singles List. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – June 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ Bowenbank, Starr (June 5, 2023). "NCT 127's Taeyong Delivers Debut Solo Album, Music Video for Lead Single 'Shalala'". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ Han, Seong-hyun (June 2023). "샤랄라". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved June 15, 2023.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-06-26" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-06-26" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of June 21, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 23, 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 15, 2023.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-06" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – June 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ "Album Chart 2023". Circle Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "South Korean album certifications – Taeyong – Shalala" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "앨범 정보 - Shalala - The 1st Mini Album" [Album Information - Shalala - The 1st Mini Album]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.