Make Up is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Hyomin. It was released on June 30, 2014, by Core Contents Media. "Nice Body" was released as the lead single.

Make Up
EP by
ReleasedJune 30, 2014
Recorded2013–2014
Genre
Length17:33
Label
ProducerKwon Shi-bong
Hyomin chronology
Make Up
(2014)
Sketch
(2016)
Singles from Make Up
  1. "Nice Body (featuring Loco)"
    Released: June 30, 2014

After making an announcement that two members of T-ara would be making their solo debuts, Core Contents Media released a teaser of Hyomin on April 29,[1] followed by another teaser and another announcement about the name of the single and EP on June 2.[2]

Release and promotion

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On May 29, 2014, Hyomin expressed through her agency that she would make her solo debut in the music scene, and the name of the new album will be announced on June 2.[3] Hyomin released the album concept photo on June 11. On June 16, the agency stated that Hyomin's album will be released and on June 2. On June 27, the agency stated that Hyomin's album will be released ahead of schedule on June 30[4]

A press conference for the release of the new album was held at JBK TOWER in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul .

Hyomin made her solo debut stage on the July 4 episode of KBS' Music Bank.[5]

The full music video for "Nice Body" and full EP were released on the June 30, 2014.[6][7]

Creative background

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Hyomin said in an interview on July 2 that "34-24-36" in the music video for the title song "Nice Body" represents a woman's perfect body. In the music video of the title song "Nice Body", Hyomin puts her body in an extreme state of two poses . A regular version and a dance version of the music video were both released on June 30, 2014, the same day as the album's release.

In the interview, Hyomin stated that the creative background of her first self-written song "Overcome" is to convey the meaning of "you can do it, you can stand up" to people in real life .

Hyomin participated in the production of the album's costumes, hair styling, packaging, choreography, music video, design, etc.[8]

Compostion

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The album consists of 5 tracks (3 new songs). It features Hyomin's first attempt at songwriting and composition.[9]

The title song "Nice Body" is a slow-tempo hip-hop track harmonized with groovy organ sounds, in collaboration with composer Brave Brothers. The lyrics express the feelings of a woman who wants to look good to a man. The song also criticizes society's unrealistic body norms for women. Body sizes, gym equipments were features on both the music video and the live stages to better convey the song's message.

The b-side song, "Fake It" is a medium-tempo hip-hop track. It is about the pain of pretending to be okay in order to avoid showing the other person the pain of a breakup. It is a more vocal-based song with simpler choreography in comparison to the title track.

Lastly, "Overcome (談,膽)", a self-composed track, applies a retro Hip-Hop sound. It conveys a dual meaning; a story (based on Hyomin's own life experience) and a courageous and a strong spirited protagonist.

Track listing

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No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Nice Body" (featuring LOCO)D.C. Kang, Loco (H.W. Kwon)D.C. Kang, Elephant Kingdom3:28
2."Fake It" (척했어)D.C. Kang, ChakunD.C. Kang, Star Wars3:09
3."Overcome" (담)HyominHyomin4:04
4."Nice Body" (Instrumental) D.C. Kang, Elephant Kingdom3:28
5."Fake It" (Instrumental) D.C. Kang, Star Wars3:09
Total length:17:33

Reception

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Critical reception

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The album received mixed reviews as the album tracks were praised while the controversial music video caused critics to doubt the song's intentions. Scott Interrante of PopMatters praised the music video's ability the bring attention to current beauty standards "it may actually be trying to bring attention to the ridiculous standards we place on women and pop stars in our society". He also described the song as strong, fun and summery.[10]

Commercial performance

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"Nice Body" charted at number 13 on the Gaon Weekly Single Chart for digital releases.[11]

Awards and nominations

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Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
MTV Best Of The Best Awards 2014 Best Sexy Won [12]
KU Awards Best Female Artist Won [13][14]
Seoul Music Awards Bonsang Award Nominated [15]
Hallyu Special Award Nominated
Popularity Award Nominated

Chart performance

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Albums chart

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Chart Peak
position
Gaon Weekly albums chart[16] 6
Gaon Monthly albums chart[17] 15

Singles

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Chart Peak
position
YinYueTai Chart 1
Gaon Download Singles Chart[18] 9
Gaon Singles Chart[19] 13
Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 18

Sales and certifications

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Make Up Physical Sales
Country Sales
South Korea Gaon[17] 8,868
Nice Body Digital Sales
Country Sales
South Korea (Gaon) 205,741 [20]

Release history

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Region Date Format Publisher
Various June 30, 2014 Digital download
South Korea MBK Entertainment
South Korea CD

References

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  1. ^ "T-ara's Hyomin shows off her new blond hairstyle as she signals her solo debut". Allkpop. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
  2. ^ "Hyomin shows off her 'Nice Body' in first teaser image for solo mini-album debut". Allkpop. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
  3. ^ Kpopn (2014-05-30). "孝敏預告6/2公開主打歌名". www.kpopn.com (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  4. ^ Kpopn (2014-06-12). "孝敏 Solo 專輯概念照公開". www.kpopn.com (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  5. ^ "B2ST win #1 Performances from July 4th 'Music Bank'!". Allkpop. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
  6. ^ "Hyomin shows off her 'Nice Body' in first teaser image for solo mini-album debut". Allkpop. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Hyomin shows off her 'Nice Body' for solo debut with 15 MV & 19 rated dance version MV". Allkpop. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
  8. ^ "T-ara孝敏:走进绯闻女孩孝敏的精彩人生". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  9. ^ "Make Up - 효민". 멜론 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  10. ^ "K-Pop Roundup – June 2014, PopMatters". PopMatters. 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  11. ^ "2014년 28주차 Digital Chart". Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  12. ^ "2014 SBS MTV Best of the Best". MTV Korea. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  13. ^ 헤럴드경제 (2013-12-16). "티아라, 인도네시아 최고의 걸그룹 선정 '한류 입증!' [T-ara selected as Indonesia's best girl group 'Proof of the Korean Wave!']". HeraldCorp (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  14. ^ "KoreanUpdates Awards 2014". KoreanUpdates.com. 2014-10-28. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  15. ^ "제24회 서울가요대상". December 30, 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "2014년 29주차 Album Chart". Gaochart.co.krn (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  17. ^ a b "2014년 07월 Album Chart". Gaonchart.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  18. ^ South Korea's Gaon chart's download sales from June 29, 2014 - July 5, 2014 (in Korean) Originally from Gaon Music Chart (July 2014). Archived on July 14, 2014. Retrieved on September 14, 2014.
  19. ^ South Korea's Gaon chart's weekly singles sales from June 29, 2014 - July 5, 2014 (in Korean) Originally from Gaon Music Chart (July 2014). Archived on July 14, 2014. Retrieved on September 14, 2014.
  20. ^ Sales references for "Nice Body":
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