"Drama" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group aespa for their fourth extended play of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.
A sped up version was released simultaneously on December 15, 2023 along with "Jingle Bell Rock (Sped Up Version)".
Background and release[]
On October 10, SM Entertainment announced that the group would be releasing their fourth extended play titled Drama on November 10. An introduction teaser video was also released on the same day.[1] On November 3, the highlight medley teaser video was released,[2] followed by the music video teaser on November 9.[3] The song was released alongside its music video and the extended play on November 10.[4]
Composition[]
"Drama" was written by Bang Hye-hyun of JamFactory, and Ellie Suh of 153/Joombas, while the composition, arrangement and music production were handled by No Identity, with Waker of 153/Joombas, Ejae, and Charlotte Wilson participating in the composition.[5] Described as a hip-hop and dance track, the song is characterized by "an aggressive drum sound and sophisticated synth bass", and its lyrics convey a theme of having "confident attitude that every story begins with Aespa".[6]
Commercial performance[]
"Drama" debuted at number 90 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated November 5–11, 2023;[7] on its component charts, the song debuted at number ten on the Circle Download Chart,[8] number 146 on the Circle Streaming Chart,[9] and number 138 on the Circle BGM Chart.[10] It ascended to number four on the Circle Digital Chart,[11] number four on the Circle Download Chart,[12] number nine on the Circle Streaming Chart,[13] and number 122 on the Circle BGM Chart in the following week.[14] In Japan, the song debuted at number 34 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the chart issue dated November 22, 2023;[15] on its component charts, it debuted at number 72 on the Top Download Songs,[16] and number 35 on the Top Streaming Songs.[17] On the Oricon Combined Singles, the song debuted at number 36 in the chart issue dated November 27, 2023.[18]
In Singapore, the song debuted at number seven on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart, and number four on the RIAS Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[19] It also debuted at number eight on the Billboard Singapore Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[20] In Hong Kong, the song debuted at number four on the Billboard Hong Kong Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[21] In Indonesia, the song debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Indonesia Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[22] In Malaysia, the song debuted at number seven on the Billboard Malaysia Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[23] It also debuted at number four on the RIM Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[24] In Taiwan, the song debuted at number three on the Billboard Taiwan Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[25]
In the United States, the song debuted at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[26] In Australia, the song debuted at number ten on the ARIA Top 20 Hitseekers Singles Chart in the chart issue dated September 5, 2022. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 15 on the RMNZ Hot Singles in the chart issue dated November 20, 2023.[27] Globally, the song debuted at number 38 on the Billboard Global 200 in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[28] It also debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[29]
Music video[]
The music video was released alongside the song by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.[4] The music video described as "movie-like" with "thrilling action sequences" depicts the group's journey of "returning back to Kwangya", featuring "Winter and Giselle playing the main characters [that] unfolds under a solid story[line]" with scenes transitioning from scenes of "Winter riding a motorcycle" and "Karina performing martial arts with a kendo".[30][31]
Promotion[]
Prior to the release of Drama, on November 10, 2023, Aespa held a live event called "Aespa Drama Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, Weverse, and Idol Plus, aimed at introducing the album and its tracks, including "Drama", and connecting with their fanbase.[32] The group subsequently performed on three music programs in the first week of promotion: KBS's Music Bank on November 10,[33] MBC's Show! Music Core on November 11,[34] and SBS's Inkigayo on November 12.[35] On the second and final week of promotion, they performed on four music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on November 16,[36] Music Bank on November 17,[37] Show! Music Core on November 18,[38] and Inkigayo on November 19.[39]
Accolades[]
On South Korea music programs, "Drama" achieved a triple crown on January 14 episode of Inkigayo in 2024.
| Program | Date |
|---|---|
| Inkigayo (SBS) | November 26, 2023 |
| January 7, 2024 | |
| January 14, 2024 |
Audio[]
Spotify[]
Sped Up version[]
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Performances[]
Music shows[]
Track listing[]
| Standard Edition | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Music | Arrangement | Length |
| 1. | "Drama (Sped Up Version)" | 방혜현 (Jam Factory), Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) | No Identity, Waker (153/joombas), EJAE, Charlotte Wilson (THE HUB) | No Identity | 3:04 |
| 2. | "Drama" | 방혜현 (Jam Factory), Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) | No Identity, Waker (153/joombas), EJAE, Charlotte Wilson (THE HUB) | No Identity | 3:34
|
Lyrics[]
References[]
- ↑ Aespa's comeback with 'Drama' on November 10th, will it cause another syndrome?
- ↑ 'Comeback D-7' Aespa, attention is drawn to the 'highlight medley' in the track poster
- ↑ Aespa releases teaser like a 'Drama'
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A new 'drama queen' is born...Aespa makes a 'drama' comeback today (10th)
- ↑ Drama
- ↑ (Pop's new song) "All the trauma I will break"..Aespa's expanded wilderness worldview 'Drama'
- ↑ Circle Digital Chart – Week 45 of 2023
- ↑ Circle Download Chart – Week 45 of 2023
- ↑ Circle Streaming Chart – Week 45 of 2023
- ↑ Circle BGM Chart – Week 45 of 2023
- ↑ Circle Digital Chart – Week 46 of 2023
- ↑ Circle Download Chart – Week 46 of 2023
- ↑ Circle Streaming Chart – Week 46 of 2023
- ↑ Circle BGM Chart – Week 46 of 2023
- ↑ Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of November 22, 2023
- ↑ Billboard Japan Top Download Songs – Week of November 22, 2023
- ↑ Billboard Japan Top Streaming Songs – Week of November 22, 2023
- ↑ Oricon Weekly Combined Singles Ranking – November 27, 2023
- ↑ RIAS Top Charts – Week 46 (November 10–16, 2023)
- ↑ Billboard Singapore Songs – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Billboard Hong Kong Songs – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Billboard Indonesia Songs – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Billboard Malaysia Songs – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia
- ↑ Billboard Taiwan Songs – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Billboard World Digital Songs Sales – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Hot 40 Singles
- ↑ Billboard Global 200 – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Billboard Global Excl. US – Week of November 25, 2023
- ↑ Aespa bring the 'Drama' in the music video for their new single
- ↑ "Girls in the Bag"...Aespa's confidence, 'drama' to follow the 'taste of iron' lineage (Jukebox)
- ↑ Aespa Winter X Giselle, Top-notch acting in 'Drama'..comeback on the 10th
- ↑ BTS Jungkook beats Taemin to take first place in 'Music Bank'..Aespa, Stray Kids, Zerobaseone comeback (Comprehensive)
- ↑ Taemin ranks 1st on 'Music Core', this is why they call him 'Taemddorol'...Younghoon X Lee Jeong-ha's new MC new ceremony passing score (Comprehensive)
- ↑ Ranked 1st even without Ive's appearance, Aespa → Stray Kids' brilliant comeback (Inkigayo) (Comprehensive)
- ↑ BTS Jungkook, 'M Countdown' 1st place trophy...MC Miyeon "I'm leaving my warm nest" A sad farewell (Comprehensive)
- ↑ 'Music Bank' Stray Kids, 1st place with first appearance..Enhypen → Red Velvet comeback (Comprehensive)
- ↑ 'Music' Stray Kids beat Ive and Jungkook to take first place "Thanks to Stay" (Comprehensive)
- ↑ 'Inkigayo' Ive, ranked 1st despite the end of activities..Red Velvet → Enhyphen comeback (Comprehensive)
[]
 | |
|---|---|
| Members | Karina • Giselle • Winter • Ningning |
| Avatars | æ-KARINA • æ-GISELLE • æ-WINTER • æ-NINGNING |
| Mini Albums | Savage • Girls • MY WORLD • Drama |
| Digital Singles | Black Mamba • Forever • Next Level • Dreams Come True • Life's Too Short (English Ver.) • Welcome To MY World • Better Things |
| Title Tracks | Black Mamba • Forever • Next Level • Savage • Girls • Spicy |
| Unreleased Songs | SYNK • Run • Hold On Tight |
| Youtube Series | MY time, aespa! • MerrY MerrY aespa • Forever Fairies • SYNK TIME with aespa |