Ace (EP)
Ace is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released by SM Entertainment on August 18, 2014.[3] "Danger" was released as the lead single.
Ace | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | August 18, 2014 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 20:31 | |||
Language | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
Taemin chronology | ||||
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Singles from Ace | ||||
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Background and release
On August 11, 2014, SM Entertainment announced Taemin would release an EP titled Ace on August 18.[4] On August 13, a highlight medley video from the EP was uploaded to YouTube.[5] The official music video for the EP's first single, "Danger", came out on August 15.[6]
Composition
The song "Danger" was composed by Thomas Troelsen, who also wrote the theme song for the World Cup in Brazil. On radio show Blue Night Radio, a listener asked Taemin, "I liked the shooting sound in your music program performances. Why isn't it included in the digital version [of the song]?" Taemin said, "It was added right before performing on a music program as effect sounds for performance. It's not included because it may damage the musical completion of the song." Another listener asked, "'Danger' has a Michael Jackson feel. Did you have it in mind while working on the song?". To this, Taemin replied, "The song was composed abroad and bought. It wasn't like our goal or role model but just happened so in the process. The company thought it would suit me well, and it's not a style I dislike."[7]
The song's choreography was created by Ian Eastwood. Shinee member Jonghyun also added that he heard from the managers that after seeing Taemin dance, "I heard he found it amazing for you to copy him so well."[7] Eastwood says of the song is "...like Michael Jackson" and pays homage to Jackson's unique dance moves and that Taemin seems to understand what Jackson's performance means.
Release and critical reception
Ace reached number one on the weekly[8] and monthly[9] Gaon Album Chart, and number two on Billboard's World Albums Chart.[10] "Danger" reached number five on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart.[11] At Korea's annual music awards, Ace won the High1/Mobile Popularity Award at the 24th Seoul Music Awards,[12] plus a Bonsang and Popularity Award at the 29th Golden Disk Awards.[13]
Korean music publication Weiv described the track "Danger" as "[...] a song that showcases the bright sense of Thomas Troelsen good at using multiple tracks, stands out. Most of all, it is a rare song among recent SM songs which doesn't tire you after many replays."[14] IZE said "the young mysterious thief character with light moves but serious business came to life with Taemin's performance."[15]
Track listing
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Ace" | Max Changmin |
|
| 3:58 |
2. | "Danger" (Korean: 괴도; RR: Goedo) |
| 3:11 | ||
3. | "Experience" | Hong Ji-yoo |
|
| 3:13 |
4. | "Pretty Boy" (featuring Kai of Exo[note 1]) |
|
| 3:43 | |
5. | "Wicked" (Korean: 거절할게; RR: Geojeolhalge) | Kenzie |
|
| 3:25 |
6. | "Play Me" (Korean: 소나타; RR: Sonata) | Min Yeon-jae |
| 3:01 | |
Total length: | 20:31 |
- Credited as "Kai of Exo-K"
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Sales and certifications
Chart | Amount |
---|---|
Gaon physical sales | 97,438[20] |
Oricon physical sales | 5,105 |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Seoul Music Awards | Bonsang (Main Prize) | Nominated |
High1/Mobile Popularity Award | Won | ||
Hallyu Special Award | Nominated | ||
Golden Disc Awards | Bonsang (Main Prize) | Won | |
Inkisang (Popularity Award) | Won | ||
Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards | Album of the Year[21] | Nominated |
Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Danger" | Music Bank | August 29, 2014 | [22] |
Show! Music Core | August 30, 2014 | [23] |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
South Korea | August 18, 2014 | [3] | ||
Various |
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SM Entertainment | [24] | |
Taiwan | September 26, 2014 | CD | Avex Taiwan | [25] |
References
- "Genre according to iTunes". Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- "Genre according to Taemin's official site". Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- "STARHOME > Notice". Taemin Official Website. SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- "샤이니 태민, 6년 만에 솔로 활동…남자 된 막내 매력 폭발" [Shinee Taemin begins solo career after six years... the explosive charm of the youngest member who has become a man]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). August 11, 2014. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2014 – via Nate.
- "TAEMIN 태민_The 1st Mini Album 'ACE'_Highlight Medley". Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- "TAEMIN 태민_괴도 (Danger)_Music Video". Retrieved August 15, 2014.
- "[radio] Taemin at Jonghyun's Blue Night". jujutaem. August 22, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- "2014년 35주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- "Gaon Album Chart Monthly (8/2014)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
- "World Albums (September 6, 2014)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- "Gaon Weekly singles charts". August 18, 2014. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- Kim, Kyung-joo (January 22, 2015). "엑소, 대상 등 3관왕 영예..2014년 최고의 별(종합)[서울가요대상]" [Exo wins three awards including the Daesang... the best star of 2014 [Seoul Music Awards]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2015 – via Naver.
- Kim, Jin-seok (January 2, 2015). "Taemin leads votes at Discs". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
- "[weekly weiv] 08.08 ~ 08.22". Weiv (in Korean). August 28, 2014. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- Kang, Myung-seok (August 27, 2014). "태민, 아이돌의 청춘 증명" [Taemin, An Idol's Way of Proving Youth]. IZE (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- "週間 CDアルバムランキング 2014年09月01日付" [Weekly CD Album Ranking – September 1, 2014]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- "G-Music Combo Chart". G-Music (in Chinese). Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- "Heatseekers Albums (September 6, 2014)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- "2014년 총결산 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- Cumulative sales for Ace:
- "Gaon Album Ranking Yearly (2014) - see #23". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- "Gaon Album Ranking Yearly (2015) - see #126". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016.
- "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (9/2016) - see #160". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016.
- "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (2/2018) - see #92". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (1/2019) - see #148". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019.
- "2014 Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards nominees". Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- Kim, Ji-in (August 29, 2014). 태민, '뮤직뱅크'서 솔로곡 '괴도'로 첫 1위 [Taemin wins first place on 'Music Bank' with his solo song 'Danger']. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
- Kim, Mi-hwa (August 30, 2014). 태민, '뮤뱅' 이어 '음중'도 1위..민호와 격한 포옹 [Following 'Music Bank', Taemin also ranked first on 'Music Core'... A big hug with Minho]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
- "iTunes – Music – The 1st Mini Album 'ACE' – EP by TAEMIN". iTunes Store. August 18, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- "ACE by Taemin" (in Chinese). Avex Taiwan. September 26, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.