Sketch
EP by
Hyomin
ReleasedMarch 17, 2016
Recorded2015–2016
Genre
Label
ProducerRyan S. Jhun
Hyomin chronology
Make Up
(2014) 		Sketch
(2016) 		Allure
(2019)
Singles from Sketch
  1. "Still"
    Released: March 14, 2016
  2. "Gold"
    Released: March 17, 2016
  3. "Sketch"
    Released: March 17, 2016

Sketch is the second extended play by South Korean singer Hyomin. It was released on March 17, 2016, by MBK Entertainment.

Release background

In January 2016, Hyomin's agency, MBK Entertainment revealed that Hyomin was actively preparing to return to the music scene,[1] and was expected to release a solo album in March after a year and nine months. The music video was previously shot for artists under YG Entertainment.[2] The video was directed by Lee Ki-bo . On February 19, Hyomin posted a photo with JeA through Instagram, saying that JeA is the singing teacher of this album.[3] Hyomin revealed the name and concept photo of the new album through SNS on February 25 and confirmed the name of the new song "Sketch"  . MBK Entertainment released the preview of the new album "Sketch" on March 9, with the song "Still" in the album as the preview melody.[4]

Hyomin released first single "Still" on March 14. The album was released on March 17 with double title tracks "Sketch" and "Gold" along with two versions of the music video for "Sketch". Hyomin made her first comeback at M Countdown on March 17, promoting both title tracks.

On March 18, Hyomin held her first release showcase for the album at Shinhan Card Fan square in Seoul.

On March 28, due to popular demand, Hyomin released a "KIHNO" version of her album, The 'KIHNO' album runs on smartphones as a new music platform.[5]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Gold"
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • David Quinones
  • Edwin Menjivar
  • Mateo Leboriel
  • Cameron Forbes
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • David Quinones
  • Edwin Menjivar
  • Mateo Leboriel
  • Cameron Forbes
3:49
2."Road Trip"Shin Jin-hye (Jam Factory)
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze
  • iDR Taylor Parks
  • Rodnae "chikk" Bell
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze
  • iDR Taylor Parks
  • Rodnae "chikk" Bell
3:44
3."Sketch"Seo Ji-eum (Jam Factory)
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • August Rigo
  • iDR
  • Taylor Parks
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • August Rigo
  • iDR
  • Taylor Parks
3:20
4."Still" (아직은)Yong Jun-hyung
  • Hyomin
  • Mokujin's
Mokujin's3:31
5."Only We Are Unaware of Our Story" (우리의 이야기를 우리만 모르는 채)
  • Hyomin
  • Alex Kang
  • Hyomin
  • Mokujin's
Mokujin's3:32
6."Sketch" (Chinese version)Seo Ji-eum (Jam Factory)
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • August Rigo
  • iDR
  • Taylor Parks
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • August Rigo
  • iDR
  • Taylor Parks
3:20
7."Sketch" (Chorus version)Seo Ji-eum (Jam Factory)
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • August Rigo
  • iDR
  • Taylor Parks
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • August Rigo
  • iDR
  • Taylor Parks
3:20
Total length:23:16

Controversy

On March 1, 2016, MBK Entertainment released a promotional photo of the album teaser. Compared with the previously announced behind-the-scenes photos, it was found that the promotional photo originally taken with clothes was turned into a half-naked photo after it was released, which caused anger to fans. After the comparison, it was found that Hyomin was wearing black underwear when she originally took the promotional photo, and the published promotional photo had obvious traces of editing on Hyomin's arm.[6]

Reception

Gold was well-received by critics praising mostly its lyrics and Hyomin's vocals. Tamar Herman from Billboard praised the song's atmosphere and its "warm embrace of the hazy synths and layered strings paired with the T-ara member’s breathy cooing sounds" pointing out the similarities to British pop singer Sia's songs. She also praised Hyomin's performance of the song "earnestly expresses how love improves her, or makes her golden, it’s hard not to feel the power of love". The song was included on the list of best K-pop songs to listen on Valentine’s Day.[7]

Commercial performance

The album was a commercial success peaking at 3 on the Weekly Gaon album chart and at 8 on the monthly chart becoming Hyomin's highest peaks on the charts. By the end of April, Sketch (Album) sold over 13,000 physical copies becoming Hyomin's best-selling album.[8][9]

Charts

Chart Peak
Gaon Weekly Albums 3[8]
Gaon Monthly Albums 8[9]

Sales

Region Sales
South Korea 13,000

Listicles

Publisher Year Listicle Recipient Placement Ref.
Billboard 2017 The 40 Best K-Pop Deep Cuts of the Decade Critics’ Picks Gold 14th [10]
2019 35 K-Pop Love Songs For Valentine’s Day Placed [7]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
South Korea March 17, 2016 CD
South Korea Digital download MBK Entertainment
Worldwide
South Korea March 28 KIHNO Album MBK Entertainment

References

  1. ^ "T-ara 孝敏預計將 SOLO 回歸" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Kpopn. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  2. ^ "孝敏將於三月回歸，與龍俊亨合作" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Kpopn. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  3. ^ "JeA 助陣孝敏新輯，擔任歌唱老師" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Kpopn. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  4. ^ "Hyomin drops her first MV teaser for 'Sketch'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
  5. ^ "효민 '스케치', 카드형 음악 앨범 '키노'로 출시 | 연예가화제 : 네이트 연예". 모바일 네이트 뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  6. ^ "老闆踹共 女歌手封面照是修出來的". 壹週刊. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  7. ^ a b Herman, Tamar (2019-02-14). "35 K-Pop Love Songs For Valentine's Day". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  8. ^ a b "存档副本" 2016년 12주차 Album Chart (in Korean). Gaon音乐榜. Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  9. ^ a b "2016년 03월 Album Chart" (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  10. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (2017-12-01). "The 40 Best K-Pop Deep Cuts of the Decade So Far: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
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