Superstar is the first Japanese extended play by South Korean boy group Shinee. It was released digitally on June 28, 2021, through EMI Records, with its physical release following a month later on July 28. The EP contains five songs including the lead single, "Superstar". It reached number one on Oricon's weekly album chart.
Background and release
On May 23, 2021, Shinee commemorated the 10th anniversary of their debut in Japan with an online fan meeting, Bistro de Shinee. They announced the release of their upcoming Japanese album, their first in three years, and previewed two new songs, "Superstar" and "Seasons".[1][2] Lead single "Superstar" was released on digital music platforms the following day.[3] "Superstar" is a dance-pop song with the message, "Let's live our lives trusting ourselves instead of comparing ourselves with others."[4] On June 25, it was announced that Shinee would release the digital edition of the EP on June 28, followed by the physical release a month later on July 28. The EP features the two songs already previewed, as well as three additional tracks: a Japanese version of Shinee's previous Korean release, "Don't Call Me", "Atlantis", and another new Japanese song, "Closer". The music video for "Superstar" premiered on YouTube on June 29.[5]
Commercial performance
Superstar debuted at number seven on Billboard Japan Hot Albums on the chart issue dated July 7, 2021.[6] It rose to number two following the release of the EP's physical edition on July 28.[7] The EP also debuted at number one on the weekly Oricon Albums Chart, selling 73,975 copies in the first week.[8] It was Shinee's first release to top the chart since 2018's Shinee The Best From Now On, and their fourth overall.[9]Superstar was certified Gold by RIAJ for selling 100,000 album shipments.[10]
^"駆け抜けた軌跡に思いあふれ涙、SHINeeの10周年ファンミでテミンが約束「20周年は一緒に" [Taemin promises at Shinee's 10th anniversary fan meeting, "Together for the 20th anniversary"]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 23, 2021. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
^Choi, Jin-kyung (May 24, 2021). "샤이니, 日 신보 타이틀곡 '슈퍼스타' 음원 선공개" [Shinee pre-released new Japanese title track 'Superstar']. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
^"SHINeeが会見場に乗り込む!? 新作『SUPERSTAR』ジャケ写&収録内容公開" [Shinee enters the press conference hall!? New 'Superstar' jacket photo and contents released]. Oricon (in Japanese). June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
^"SHINee、最新アルバム『SUPERSTAR』が通算4作目の1位獲得【オリコンランキング】" [Shinee's latest album 'Superstar' becomes their fourth number one album [Oricon Chart]]. Oricon (in Japanese). August 3, 2021. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
^年間 アルバムランキング 2021年度 [Yearly album ranking – 2021] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
"SHINee SUPERSTAR【通常盤・初回プレス】【CD】" [SHINee SUPERSTAR [Regular Edition / First Press] [CD]] (in Japanese). EMI Records Japan. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via UNIVERSAL MUSIC (JAPAN) LLC.