Free Somebody Explained

Free Somebody
Type:ep
Artist:Luna
Cover:Luna - Free Somebody.png
Caption:Digital cover
Border:yes
Recorded:2016 at S.M. Studios, Seoul
Length:20:24
Language:Korean

Free Somebody is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Luna, released on May 31, 2016 by SM Entertainment, and distributed by KT Music. It contains six tracks, including the single and title song "Free Somebody". It debuted at number five on the Gaon Album Chart, and has sold over 10,000 copies. The EP marks Luna's debut as a solo artist, and incorporates a range of genres, including electropop and R&B.

Background and release

On May 17, 2016, it was reported that Luna would make her solo debut in late June. This was confirmed on May 27 by S.M. Entertainment, with the announcement that Luna would debut as a solo artist with the mini album "Free Somebody" on May 31, with a title track of the same name.[1]

On May 29, 2016, S.M. Entertainment posted a music video teaser for the title track. It was reported on May 30 that Luna composed the tracks "Pretty Girl (I Wish)" and "My Medicine".

The album was released digitally worldwide on May 31, 2016, along with a music video for the title track. In South Korea, the album was distributed physically and digitally by S.M. Entertainment and KT Music.

Promotion

On May 30, 2016 Luna held a live preview of the album on the SMTOWN channel on the Naver V app.[2]

Luna began promotions of title track "Free Somebody" on music shows on June 4. She first performed the song on Show! Music Core,[3] followed by performances on SBS's Inkigayo, MBC's Show Champion, Mnet's M! Countdown, KBS' Music Bank, and SBS MTV's The Show. She also performed the b-side "Keep On Doin'" several times, alongside the title track.

"Free Somebody" was also promoted on Yoo Hee-yeol's Sketchbook,[4] at KCON 2016 in Paris,[5] and the 2016 Miss Korea Competition.[6]

Singles

On May 26, 2016, Luna was announced to be releasing "Free Somebody", a promotional song for the album. A teaser video for the song was released on May 29, followed by its music video and digital release on May 31. Luna performed the song for the first time at the Show! Music Core. The song peaked at number 57 on Gaon Digital Chart.[7]

Composition

The title track is a future house track composed by Swedish production team "The Family" and the American singer-songwriter JoJo. Lyrically, the song describes a desire to freely spread the dreams in the heart of the other party.[8] "Keep On Doin'" is of the electronic dance genre, and has an "addictive sound with a hook melody and a groovy funky base rhythm". "Breathe" is a trip hop based song, and "Galaxy" is of the electronic pop genre, its lyrics about "trying to stand out in the colourful galaxy".

"Pretty Girl (I Wish)" and "My Medicine" were both written and composed by Luna. According to Luna, the lyrics of "Pretty Girl (I Wish)" describe her hope that "young girls and young boys will never know the bitter taste of coffee and the dark side of the world".[9] "My Medicine" is an "R&B ballad song with a warm and fantasy-like feeling" that Luna wrote for her mother.[10]

Reception

The EP entered the Gaon Album Chart at number five, and charted on the Billboard World Albums Chart at number three. It was the fifteenth best selling album in South Korea, in the month of May, selling over 8,000 physical copies. As of September 2016, it has sold over 10,000 copies.[11]

Free Somebody was considered a refreshing and unexpected move from Luna's predominant image as a ballad singer, its electronic style resonating especially with international audiences.[12]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeYearRank
XiamiTop 50 Most Popular Albums of 20162016
BillboardWorld Digital Song Tally 2016Title Track - Free Somebody

Charts

Weekly charts

ChartPeak
position
5
US World Albums (Billboard)3

Monthly charts

Release history

Region Date Format Label
South Korea[14] May 31, 2016CD, digital downloadS.M. Entertainment, KT Music
WorldwideDigital downloadS.M. Entertainment

Notes and References

  1. News: f(x) 루나, 솔로 데뷔…31일 'Free Somebody' 발표 [공식입장]]. May 26, 2016. Sports Donga. January 3, 2017. Naver.
  2. Web site: [V LIVE] LUNA Preview]. May 30, 2016. V Live. July 19, 2016.
  3. Web site: [Comeback Stage] LUNA - Free Somebody, 루나 - 프리 썸바디 Show Music core 20160604]. June 4, 2016. YouTube. July 19, 2016.
  4. Web site: 유희열의 스케치북 - 루나 - Free Somebody. 20160603. June 3, 2016. YouTube. July 19, 2014.
  5. Web site: [KCON 2016 France×M COUNTDOWN] LUNA(루나) _ Free Somebody M COUNTDOWN 160614 EP.478]. June 14, 2016. YouTube. July 19, 2016.
  6. Web site: Plenty of tension for Miss Korea finalists . Park . Si-soo . July 10, 2016 . The Korea Times . July 19, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160711112854/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/07/296_208998.html . July 11, 2016 .
  7. Web site: 2016년 23주차 Digital Chart. June 4, 2016. gaon music chart. July 15, 2016.
  8. News: f(x) 루나, 31일 첫 솔로 'Free Somebody' 발표..새로운 디바. May 26, 2016. OSEN. ko. January 3, 2017.
  9. Web site: 네이버 뮤직 :: 루나 '요즘 푹 빠져있는 노래들'. 2016-09-22.
  10. News: 루나, 31일 첫 솔로 앨범 'Free Somebody' 공개…자작곡 2곡 포함. May 30, 2016. Busan News. ko. September 22, 2016. Naver.
  11. Web site: 2016년 상반기 결산 ALBUM CHART. 2016. gaon music chart. September 22, 2016.
  12. f(x)'s Luna Sees 'Free Somebody' Solo Debut Hit Top 3 on World Albums Chart. Benjamin. Jeff. June 8, 2016. Billboard. September 22, 2016.
  13. News: 2016년 05월 Album Chart. gaon music chart. June 19, 2016. ko.
  14. Web site: (EP) Free Somebody - The 1st Mini Album by 루나 (LUNA). May 31, 2016. Melon. LOEN Entertainment, Inc.. ko. July 15, 2016.