Hot Sun is Kim Hyun-joong's fourth Japanese single, which was released on June 18, 2014, under Delicious Deli Records and Universal Music Japan. There are six available versions of this single which has six completely different image concepts for each of the single covers. Each version includes different limited editions that may include a DVD with the music video.

"Hot Sun"
"Hot Sun" Normal Edition album cover
Single by Kim Hyun-joong
from the album Imademo
ReleasedJune 18, 2014 (2014-06-18)
GenreJ-pop, Pop rock
LabelDelicious Deli Records
Universal Music Japan
Songwriter(s)Steven Lee
Producer(s)Steven Lee
Kim Hyun-joong singles chronology
"Tonight"
(2013)
"Hot Sun"
(2014)
Music video
"Hot Sun" video teaser on YouTube

Background and development edit

Before the official announcement, Kim Hyun-joong was busy promoting his just completed Inspiring Generation Korean series as it will be aired through the Japanese channel DATV starting in August. On May 31, Kim attended the special fanmeeting event with 10,000 fans in Pacifico Yokohama Convention Hall.[1]

On April 28, it was reported that Kim Hyun-joong will be releasing a new single entitled "Hot Sun".[2] The upcoming single will be Kim Hyun-joong's fourth Japanese single album since "Tonight" in June 2013. Once again, Steven Lee will be producing yet another song for him. AAA group member Mitsuhiro Hidaka is also said to be featured in the album.[3]

On June 5, Universal Music Japan released a 30-second video teaser for "Hot Sun" music video, uploaded onto their official YouTube account.[4] It features various album jackets for the six versions, as well as the behind-the-scenes footage of the photoshoot.[5]

Release and promotion edit

Just like the other singles and album released by him in Japan, "Hot Sun" peaked at number one on Oricon charts as well.[6] The single, selling 65,000 copies on the first day of its release, marked the second time that Kim reached the top spot on the weekly charts since his "Heat" single in 2012. According to Oricon, it was also the first time for a foreign male artist to rank first twice.[7]

The day after its release, Kim met with the fans through handshaking events in Nagoya and Osaka on June 19 and 20 respectively.[6] One week after, Keyeast announced on June 26 that Kim will be having a world tour.[8] His concert tour titled 2014 Kim Hyun Joong World Tour: Dream and Fantasy will include cities in Seoul, Taiwan, China, Japan, Thailand, Mexico and Peru starting on June 28.[9]

Singles edit

"Hot Sun" album single has different concepts. The title song "Hot Sun" is a pop-rock summer song while "Timing" is a pop-dance song. The other tracks in the single includes the punk-rock and up-tempo pop-rock tracks "B.I.N.G.O" and "Good-Bye" respectively.[6]

Track listing edit

No.TitleMusicLength
1."Hot Sun"Steven Lee3:23
2."Timing" (ft. Mitsuhiro Hidaka) 3:43
3."Hot Sun inst." 3:22
4."Timing inst." 3:44
Type A and B: Bonus
No.TitleLength
1."DVD" 
Type C: Bonus (B-side track)
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Goodbye"Steven Lee3:42
2."Goodbye inst."Steven Lee3:45
Type D: Bonus (B-side track)
No.TitleMusicLength
1."B.I.N.G.O."Steven Lee3:54
2."B.I.N.G.O. inst." 3:56
Type E: Bonus
No.TitleLength
1."random postcard" 

Music videos edit

  • "Hot Sun"

Release history edit

Country Date Distributing label Format
Japan June 18, 2014 Delicious Deli Records
Universal Music Japan
CD[10]
Worldwide digital download[11]

Charts edit

Chart Country Peak
position
Oricon Singles Chart Japan 1[12]
Oricon Monthly Chart 5[13]

References edit

  1. ^ "Kim Hyun Joong Donates 18 Tons of Rice to People in Need". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  2. ^ "Kim Hyun Joong to release new album in June". The Star. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  3. ^ "Kim Hyun Joong to Make Comeback in Japan with New Album". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  4. ^ "キム・ヒョンジュン - 「HOT SUN」 SPOT 30sec.". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  5. ^ "KIM HYUNJOONG REVEALS VIDEO TEASER FOR JAPANESE SINGLE, “HOT SUN”" Archived 2014-08-13 at the Wayback Machine. Korean Boo. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  6. ^ a b c "Kim Hyun Joong’s New Japanese Single 'Hot Sun' Ranks No. 1 on Oricon Chart". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  7. ^ "Kim Hyun Joong Sets New Record by Ranking No. 1 on Oricon’s Weekly Chart". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  8. ^ "Kim Hyun Joong to Hit Mexico and Peru for His World Tour". Soompi. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  9. ^ "Kim Hyun Joong to Meet with International Fans through World Tour in Seven Countries". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  10. ^ "Hot Sun (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)". YesAsia. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  11. ^ "Hot Sun (Regular Edition) - EP". iTunes. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  12. ^ Japan's Oricon weekly single charts from June 16, 2014 - June 22, 2014 (in Japanese) Originally from Oricon.co.jp (2014). Archived on June 26, 2014. Retrieved on August 13, 2014.
  13. ^ Japan's Oricon monthly single charts in June 2014 (in Japanese) Originally from Oricon.co.jp (2014). Archived on August 3, 2014. Retrieved on August 13, 2014.

External links edit