Never Ever (Jiyeon EP)
| Never Ever | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Digital cover | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | May 20, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2014 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 19:46 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Kwon Shi-bong | |||
| Jiyeon chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Never Ever | ||||
| ||||
Never Ever is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Jiyeon. It was released on May 20, 2014, by Core Contents Media.[1] "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" was released as the lead single.[2]
Release[edit]
On April 2, 2014 it was announced that Jiyeon would have a solo album. Core Contents Media released a statement saying, "Jiyeon’s solo concept is sexy and will be similar to Park Jiyoon's 'Coming of Age Ceremony', but with a modern 2014-esque twist."[3]
On May 20, 2014 the extended play Never Ever was released along with the music video for the title track "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" and a dance practice video.[2] "1 Minute, 1 Second (Never Ever)" is a medium-tempo song produced by Duble Sidekick. The EP also includes the melancholic "Marionette" and "Yeouido Cherry Blossom", a song by composer Ahn Young-min. On May 23, 2014, it was announced that Jiyeon had been forced to change the dance for "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" due to the hip dance being deemed too sexy and provocative for the public. A news release from MBK Entertainment said "It is true that we received the call to adjust the mentioned dance from the major broadcast station reps... We added the sexy hip dance to the beginning and middle of the performance dance and music video not to give an erotic feeling, but rather to match the atmosphere of the sensitive dance song '1 Minute 1 Second'... However, we do think that the major broadcast music show reps do have a point, so we have decided to show a modified dance to the viewers."[4][5]
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
"Never Ever" received generally positive reviews from critics. PopMatters praised Jiyeon's emotional vocals that makes it powerful and relatable. The magazine especially praised the music video and the choreography "but it’s really the music video, with the unique choreography and powerful message that are going to be remembered."[6]
Commercial performance[edit]
The EP reached number 3 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart. The title track "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" made it to number 17 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart.[7]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" (1분 1초; 1 Bun 1 Cho) | Duble Sidekick, David Kim | Duble Sidekick, Radio Galaxy | 3:30 |
| 2. | "Yeouido Cherry Blossom" (여의도 벚꽃길; Yeouido Beotkkotgil) | Ahn Young Min | Ahn Young Min | 2:58 |
| 3. | "Marionette" (꼭두각시; Kkokdugaksi) | Tenzo & Tasco | Tenzo & Tasco | 3:25 |
| 4. | "1 Minute 1 Second (Never Ever)" (Instrumental) | Duble Sidekick, Radio Galaxy | 3:30 | |
| 5. | "Yeouido Cherry Blossom" (Instrumental) | Ahn Young Min | 2:58 | |
| 6. | "Marionette" (Instrumental) | Tenzo & Tasco | 3:25 | |
| Total length: | 19:46 | |||
Charts and sales[edit]
Albums chart[edit]
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Gaon Weekly Albums Chart[8] | 3 |
| Gaon Monthly Albums Chart[9] | 11 |
| Gaon Yearly Albums Chart[10] | 95 |
Sales and certifications[edit]
| Chart | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gaon physical sales[10] | 15,639 |
Accolades[edit]
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaon Chart Music Awards | 2014 | Social Star Award | Never Ever | Nominated | |
| Seoul Music Awards | Bonsang Award | Nominated | [11] | ||
| Popularity Award | Nominated | ||||
| Hallyu Special Award | Nominated | ||||
| Soompi Gayo Awards | Best Female Solo | Never Ever | Nominated | [12] | |
| YinYueTai V-Chart Awards | 2015 | Best Female Singer - Korea | Jiyeon | Won | [13] |
| Favorite Artist of the Year | Nominated |
Listicles[edit]
| Year | Publication | Listicle | Recipient | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | PopMatters | The Best Kpop of 2014 | "Never Ever" | Placed | [14] |
Release history[edit]
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | May 20, 2014 | Digital download | Core Contents Media KT Music |
| South Korea | May 22, 2014 | CD, digital download |
References[edit]
- ^ "Never Ever on Bugs". May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ a b "T-ara's Jiyeon finally kicks off her anticipated solo debut with MV for '1MIN 1SEC' ('Never Ever') + dance practice clip".
- ^ "T-ara's Jiyeon Reveals Teaser Image For Sexy Solo Debut, Remains New Princess of Pop".
- ^ "티아라 지연, '1분1초' 골반춤 지상파서 못본다..안무 긴급 수정". Osen. May 23, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "Jiyeon to perform a modified version of her choreography for '1MIN 1SEC'". askkpop. May 23, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "K-Pop Roundup – May 2014, PopMatters". PopMatters. June 3, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ "2014년 22주차 Digital Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "2014년 23주차 Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "2014년 5월 Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ a b "2014년 총결산 ALBUM CHART". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "제24회 서울가요대상". December 30, 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Announcing the Results of the 10th Annual Soompi Awards 2014". Soompi. February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "티아라, 中 시상식 2관왕 영예…대륙서도 대세 입증 | 홈 : 네이트 뉴스" (in Korean). Nate. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "The Best K-pop of 2014, PopMatters". PopMatters. December 23, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
