Duality is the debut extended play by the South Korean rapper I.M. It was released by Starship Entertainment on February 19, 2021. The digital EP contains five tracks including the lead single "God Damn".

Duality
EP by
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2021
Genre
Length14:27
Language
  • Korean
  • English
LabelStarship
I.M chronology
Duality
(2021)
Overdrive
(2023)
Singles from Duality
  1. "God Damn"
    Released: February 19, 2021

Background and release edit

In January 2021, I.M announced that the solo work he had been preparing in 2020 will be released as his first solo album, rather than a mixtape release, and an intended release later in 2021.[2][3][4][5] The EP was released digitally, rather than as a physical album, to avoid restrictions on its sales by an explicit rating.[6]

Its physical was released in LP version on April 20, 2023.[7]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME     [8]

The tracks on the album were noted for all being themed around "duality" (二重性).[9] I.M was noted for "showing versatility as an artist" and "expanding his musical style when compared to his work in Monsta X".[10][11] That the difference of his musical style in Monsta X to his solo work, as noted by Ruby C for NME, it was "part of showing the theme of the album" along with the "emotion and delivery of the tracks".[8]

Track listing edit

Duality track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."God Damn"I.M
  • I.M
  • Wooki
  • I.M
  • Wooki
3:27
2."Howlin'"I.M
  • I.M
  • Long Drive
  • The Need
  • I.M
  • Long Drive
  • The Need
2:45
3."Burn"I.M
  • I.M
  • Long Drive
  • I.M
  • Long Drive
2:46
4."Happy to Die"I.M
  • I.M
  • Wooki
  • I.M
  • Wooki
2:58
5."시든 꽃" (Flower-ed)I.M
  • I.M
  • Long Drive
  • I.M
  • Long Drive
2:29
Total length:14:27

Charts edit

Album edit

Weekly chart edit

Chart performance for Duality
Chart (2023) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)[12] 44

Songs edit

Weekly charts edit

Certification and sales edit

Certification and sales for Duality
Region Certification Certified units/Sales
South Korea 4,895[12]

Release history edit

Release history and formats for Duality
Region Date Format Label
Various February 19, 2021
South Korea April 20, 2023

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "God Damn" did not enter on the Digital Chart but appeared on the component Download Chart.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ Deen, Sarah (February 19, 2021). "'I don't want to be a big star, I just want to be a better person than before': MONSTA X star I.M on how new album Duality helped him through 'a tough time'". Metro. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Choi, Hee-jae (February 8, 2021). 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 첫 솔로 앨범 '이중성' 19일 발매 확정 [공식입장]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved February 8, 2021 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Jang, Woo-young (January 10, 2021). 몬스타엑스 아이엠 "솔로 앨범 준비 중"…셔누 "오래 준비" 기대감 UP. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Jeong, Hee-yeon (January 20, 2021). 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 2월말 솔로 음원 발표. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Daum.
  5. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (January 20, 2021). 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 데뷔 6년만 정식 솔로 데뷔 "2월 말 음원 발매". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Daum.
  6. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (March 11, 2021). "I.M's Unwavering Vision on 'Duality' Makes Good On His Promise As A Global Hip-Hop Artist: 'I'm Satisfied'". Forbes. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Park, Seo-hyun (March 30, 2023). 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 첫 솔로앨범 '듀얼리티' LP 발매(공식) [Monsta X I.M. Releases First Solo Album 'Duality' LP (Official)]. Kpop Herald (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ^ a b C, Ruby (February 19, 2021). "I.M – 'Duality' review: defining duality in more ways than one". NME. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (February 19, 2021). 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 6년만 꽃피운 이중적 퇴폐美 'God Damn'[들어보고서]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (February 19, 2021). "괜찮다 말할까" 몬스타엑스 아이엠, 방황 속 희망 찾아나선 '갓 댐'..'이중성'을 깨우다(종합)[한낮의 신곡]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Gong, Mi-na (February 19, 2021). 아이엠, 몬스타엑스와 다른 이중적 매력 'God Damn'. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Naver.
  12. ^ a b "Week 16 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). April 16–22, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  13. ^ 2021년 8주차 Download Chart [Week 8 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e "World Digital Song Sales Chart for the week of March 6, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2021.