The Little Prince (EP)

The Little Prince (Korean어린왕자; RREorin Wangja) is the solo debut extended play (EP) by South Korean singer and actor Kim Ryeowook, a member from boy group Super Junior. It was released on January 28, 2016, by Label SJ, S.M. Entertainment and distributed by KT Music. The EP featured six tracks in total, including the lead single, "The Little Prince".[1][2]

The Little Prince
The Little Prince album cover
EP by
Released28 January 2016 (2016-01-28)
Recorded2016
StudioSM Studios, Seoul, South Korea
Genre
Length23:03
LanguageKorean
Label
ProducerLabel SJ (executive), Lee Soo-man
Kim Ryeowook chronology
The Little Prince
(2016)
Drunk on Love
(2019)
Singles from The Little Prince
  1. "The Little Prince"
    Released: January 28, 2016
Music video
"The Little Prince (Music Video)" on YouTube

Background edit

The release of The Little Prince was not only anticipated as Ryeowook's first official solo album since his debut 11 years ago but also because it was the first release under Super Junior's own label "Label SJ", established by SM Entertainment in 2015 during the group's 10th anniversary.[3][4]

Production and composition edit

The title track bearing the same name as the album was a ballad inspired by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's novel "The Little Prince".[1] The title track "The Little Prince" was a ballad song and a conversation between a man in pain from love and The Little Prince.[2]

His album consists of songs that are very different in flavor.[5] The lyrics for "POOM" was written by Ryeowook, and depicts the words that a son wants to tell his mother but doesn't know where to begin. "Foxy Girl" is a light mid-tempo dance song, and features rapper DinDin. Ballad song "Like a Star" help to bring out the clear vocals of Ryeowook, with orchestra and piano music. The album also includes a retro song "Hello" and the song "People you may know" which tells of one's feelings after seeing the photos of someone you have just broke up with appear on the social media recommendations.[6]

Promotion edit

Release edit

On 19 January 2016, the first two teasers were uploaded via SMTOWN. The Little Prince was officially available on 28 January through online and regular stores.[3]

Live Performance edit

Ryeowook hold his commemorative showcase for his mini-album release on the 25 January at 4pm. During the event, he presented the first stages of the songs from The Little Prince as well as the episodes related to the album.[7] He also hold his first broadcast stage via M Countdown on the day of release.[2]

Solo Concert edit

In addition to Ryeowook's solo promotions and album release, he held his first solo concert through SMTOWN's The Agit series called "Ever Lasting Star - RyeoWook" from February 19 until the 21st for three days at the SMTOWN's Coex Artium in Samseong-dong, Seoul.[1] Due to popular demand, an additional three concerts were held from March 11 through the 13th.[8]

Track listing edit

CD/Digital
No.TitleLyricsMusicArranger(s)Length
1."Like a Star"4th Hitter4th Hitter4th Hitter3:33
2."The Little Prince"Red Head Anne, Oh Ja HyunRed Head Anne, Shin Yoon SooHwang Seong Je4:21
3."Hello"G-High, GDLOG-High, GDLOG-High, GDLO3:21
4."People you may know"Park Chang HyunPark Chang HyunPark Chang Hyun4:20
5."Foxy Girl" (featuring DinDin)Ecobridge, HILO (Isaac Han), Aaron KimEcobridge, HILO (Isaac Han), Aaron KimEcobridge, HILO (Isaac Han), Aaron Kim3:18
6."POOM"Kim Ryeowook, G-High, Asher ParkG-High, Asher Park, Song Shi YoonG-High, Asher Park4:10
Total length:23:03

Release history edit

Region Date Format Label Producer
South Korea January 28, 2016 CD, digital download S.M. Entertainment, KT Music Label SJ (executive), Lee Soo-man
Worldwide Digital download S.M. Entertainment

Chart performance edit

Album charts edit

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Sales
South Korean Gaon Weekly Albums Chart 1
South Korean Gaon Monthly Albums Chart 3
South Korean Gaon Year-End Albums Chart
US Billboard World Albums Chart 5

Single charts edit

A Little Prince

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Sales
South Korean Gaon Weekly Singles Chart 7 279,574+ (digital downloads only)
South Korean Gaon Monthly Download Chart 62
South Korean Gaon Year-End Download Chart

Other charted songs edit

Title Peak chart position Sales
KOR
Gaon

[9]
"Like A Star" 141
  • KOR: 17,532+ (digital downloads only)[10]
"People You May Know" 161
  • KOR: 15,523 + (digital downloads only)[11]
"POOM" 166
  • KOR: 15,136+ (digital downloads only)[12]
"Hello" 174
  • KOR: 13,402+ (digital downloads only)[13]
"Foxy Girl" 189
  • KOR: 12,799+ (digital downloads only)[14]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Super Junior's Ryeowook to release first solo album 'The Little Prince'". Inquirer. January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Ryeowook seeks an answer to his pain in "The Little Prince" MV teaser". Koreaboo. January 24, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Super Junior's Ryeowook is "The Little Prince" in debut solo image teasers". Koreaboo. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  4. ^ "Ryeo Wook to Be the First Solo Runner of SM Entertainment". BNTNews. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  5. ^ "Ryeo Wook to Release His First Solo Album". BNTNews. January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  6. ^ "Super Junior's Ryeowook drops 'The Little Prince' MV teaser". kpopfighting. January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  7. ^ "Ryeo Wook Holds Showcase for His Mini Album". BNTNews. January 20, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  8. ^ "Super Junior's Little Prince Ryeowook Adds Three More Shows to His Solo Concert!".
  9. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  10. ^ Sales references for "Like A Star":
  11. ^ Sales references for "People You May Know":
  12. ^ Sales references for "POOM":
  13. ^ Sales references for "Hello":
  14. ^ Sales references for "Foxy Girl":

External links edit