The Best Man (EP)

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The Best Man
EP by
Wheesung
ReleasedMay 12, 2014 (2014-05-12)
Recorded2014
GenreR&B
Length27:04
LanguageKorean
LabelYMC Entertainment
Wheesung chronology
They Are Coming
(2011) 		The Best Man
(2014) 		Transformation
(2016)
Singles from The Best Man
  1. "Night and Day"
    Released: May 12, 2014

The Best Man is the third mini-album by South Korean recording artist Wheesung. It was released on May 12, 2014, under YMC Entertainment and distributed by KT Music. The record is the first release following the completion of his military service.

Following a series of photo and video teasers, The Best Man and the lead single "Night and Day" were simultaneously released; the mini-album debuted and peaked at number four on the Gaon Album Chart. Wheesung promoted the record on music chart programs across television networks by performing the single, which earned him one music show win on MBC Music's Show Champion.

Background[edit]

Wheesung was subject to conscription in South Korea and enlisted for military service on November 7, 2011.[1] As 2012 came to a close, it was reported that he became subject to an investigation for abusing propofol. The Chuncheon District Prosecutor`s Office denied summoning Wheesung to investigate any substance abuse.[2] Shortly before completing his service, Wheesung was hospitalized after sustaining spinal disc herniation and developing alopecia areata. In midst of his stay, he utilized his mobile phone without permission; he spent three days in military prison for breaching regulations.[3] He completed his service and discharged on August 9, 2013.[4]

Music structure[edit]

Musically, The Best Man is an R&B record.[5] It opens with "Best Man", a "rhythmical" track where he sings his desires as a man as opposed to a singer. "I Like the Song" begins with the tune of a "tranquil" piano.[6] "Night and Day" is an R&B and pop song accompanied by an electric guitar.[7][8] "Lying Beside You" describes the "fluttering" feeling of loving a woman. Previously released two years prior, "A Masterpiece Called You" was remastered for inclusion on the mini-album; Wheesung creates a "romantic atmosphere" and utilizes a figure of speech to describe the "masterpiece" of loving a person. A breakup song, "I Don't Want to Know" details the feeling of loneliness. "I Need to Make Money" is a slow-tempo track where Wheesung reveals his concern of earning profit as a musician.[6]

Release and promotion[edit]

On March 31, 2014, it was revealed that Wheesung was scheduled to release a mini-album in May.[7] The release date announced was May 12, two years and five months since They Are Coming (2011).[9] It was unclear if Wheesung would pursue a promotional cycle for The Best Man in light of the sinking of MV Sewol the previous month.[10]

A "night version" photo teaser for The Best Man was revealed on May 8.[11] A "day version" was posted on the following day.[12] The music video teaser for "Night and Day", which features cameos by Yura of Girl's Day and C.A.P of Teen Top, was uploaded on the next day.[13] The mini-album and the music video for the lead single were simultaneously released on May 12.[8]

Wheesung began promoting "Night and Day" by performing the song on weekly music chart shows upon release.[8] He first performed on MBC Music's Show Champion, the program's first episode to resume regular broadcasting following the Sewol incident.[14] He followed up with a performance on Seoul Broadcasting System's (SBS) Inkigayo.[15] The following week, Wheesung ranked first on Show Champion, which earned the single its first and only music show win.[16] He continued performing the following days on Mnet's M Countdown[17] and Arirang's Simply K-Pop.[18]

Critical reception[edit]

Writing for online magazine IZM, Kim Ban-ya rated The Best Man three and a half stars out of five, complimenting "Night and Day" for its "grandeur" and "dramatic" rise in scale.[19] Also rating the mini-album three stars out of five, Oh Lee of Rhythmer felt that Wheesung accomplished to "upgrade" himself, describing the album as a reflection of the singer due to the "personal sensitivity" of the lyrics.[20] Jung Hae-wook of News Tomtato gave the musicality of the record a full five stars, while awarding it three for its appeal and experimentation. He named "I Need to Make Money" the best track on the record aside from the lead single.[6]

Commercial performance[edit]

On the chart dated May 11–17, 2014, The Best Man debuted at number four on the Gaon Album Chart.[21] By the end of the month, the mini-album sold 6,102 copies in South Korea.[22]

Track listing[edit]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Best Man" (featuring Esna)WheesungKim Do-hunKim Do-hun3:57
2."I Like the Song" (노래가 좋아; Noraega Joha)WheesungCrazy MelodyCrazy Melody4:03
3."Night and Day"WheesungKim Do-hun, Lee Sang-hoLee Sang-ho3:40
4."Lying Beside You" (네 옆에 누워; Ne Yeope Nuwo)WheesungMoon Ji-yeongMoon Ji-yeong3:57
5."A Masterpiece Called You" (너라는 명작; Neoraneun Myeongjak) (2014 Remastered Ver.)WheesungKim Do-hunKim Do-hun3:49
6."I Don't Want to Know" (모르고 싶다; Moreugo Shipta)WheesungCrazy Melody, KZ, Jeon Da-woonCrazy Melody, KZ, Jeon Da-woon4:12
7."I Need to Make Money" (돈 벌어야 돼; Don Beoreoya Dwae)WheesungWheesung, Moon HaMoon Ha3:26
Total length:27:04

Charts[edit]

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Gaon Album Chart[21] 4

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Wheesung to Enlist in the Military in November". KBS World Radio. Korean Broadcasting System. October 4, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Yoon, Seong-yeol (June 1, 2013). 휘성, 프로포폴 투약혐의 부인..검찰도 "소환계획無"(종합). Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  3. ^ 프로포폴 무혐의 '휘성', 또 영창 3일 처분…왜. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). July 30, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  4. ^ 영창처분 가수 휘성 전역. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). News World Communications. August 9, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  5. ^ Yoo, Sun-ho (March 31, 2014). '히든싱어'로 진가확인한 휘성 '명품' R&B 들고 2년5개월 만에 컴백. Metro Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Jung, Hae-wook (May 13, 2014). (정해욱의 가요별점)휘성씨, 당신은 퇴물이 아닙니다. News Tomtato (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  7. ^ a b 휘성, 전역 후 첫 미니앨범…5월 알앤비로 컴백. Kookje Daily News (in Korean). March 31, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Lee, Jeong-a (May 12, 2014). 휘성, 금일 정오 미니앨범 'The Best Man' 전격 공개. SBS Entertainment Sports (in Korean). Seoul Broadcasting System. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  9. ^ Kwon, Ji-yeong (May 2, 2016). 휘성, 2년 7개월 만에 컴백..12일 '더베스트맨' 발표. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  10. ^ Park, Su-jeong (May 2, 2014). 휘성, 12일 미니앨범 발표…"방송 활동 여부는 아직"". 10asia (in Korean). Korea Entertainment Media. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Kim, Hyeong-woo (May 8, 2014). 컴백 D-4 휘성 나이트앤데이 티저 공개 '거물이 돌아온다'. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  12. ^ Park, Su-jeong (May 9, 2014). 휘성, 2차 티저 이미지 공개…보일 듯 말 듯 미소 머금고 기대감 증폭. 10asia (in Korean). Korea Entertainment Media. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  13. ^ Seon, Mi-gyeong (May 10, 2014). '컴백' 휘성, 티저영상 공개..폭발적인 가창력 '소름'. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  14. ^ Pyo, Jae-min (May 14, 2014). '쇼! 챔피언', 방송 재개..차분한 진행 속 언론 비공개. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  15. ^ Kim, Ga-yeong (May 18, 2014). '인기가요' 휘성, 완벽한 신고식…명품 보이스의 귀환. TVreport (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  16. ^ Seon, Mi-gyeong (May 21, 2014). 휘성, '쇼챔'서 컴백 첫 1위.."태진아 회장님 감사". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  17. ^ Kim, Seong-jin (May 22, 2014). [MD포토] 휘성 '폭발적인 성량'. MyDaily (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  18. ^ "Simply K-Pop Ep 113 Line-up". Simply K-Pop (in Korean). Arirang. May 30, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  19. ^ Kim, Ban-ya (May 2014). "The Best Man". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  20. ^ Oh, Lee (May 22, 2014). 휘성 – The Best Man. Rhythmer (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  21. ^ a b 2014년 21주차 Album Chart (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  22. ^ 2014년 05Album Chart (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
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