On September 6, 2022, SM Entertainment announced that Seulgi would be releasing her first solo album in October 2022.[3] On September 13, it was announced that she will be releasing her first extended play titled 28 Reasons on October 4.[4] On September 19, a schedule poster was released.[5] On September 26, a mood sampler was released through Red Velvet's social media accounts.[6] The remixes EP, including her song from the same parent EP "Los Angeles", by ScreaM Records, called iScreaM Vol. 22: 28 Reasons / Los Angeles Remixes, was released on March 17, 2023.[7]
Composition
"28 Reasons" was composed by Sean Kennedy, Johan Fransson, Henrik Goranson, Yoo Young-jin and Kriz, while the lyrics were written by Jeon Ji-eun, January 8, Jo Yoon-kyung, and Yoo Young-jin. Yoo, Fransson, Goranson and IMLAY took part for the arrangement.[8] The song is composed in the key of F Minor with a tempo of 122 beats per minute.[9]
Musically, the song was described as a dance-pop track characterized by groovy and heavy bass sounds and featuring a whistling sound. Lyrically, it depict a character who is both "good and evil" and the way this affects the relationship they're in.[10] In the lyrics, Seulgi show off "the menacing" side of herself, where she enjoys the power she has to "crush" those who are attracted to her or obsessed with her.[11]
On September 13, a trailer video was released.[13] On October 3, a music video teaser was released.[14] The following day the official music video was released alongside the EP.[15]
The music video and in its teaser images showed Seulgi portrays Snow White (as the good character) and Grimhilde (as the Evil character).[16] On a press conference with "Tong Tong Culture," Seulgi explained that the dance performance and the music video concept was Inspired by the Marvel Universe character, Wanda Maximoff, known as the Scarlet Witch, she furthermore explained: "There are a lot of gorgeous hand movements. There are many grotesque and manipulative choreography with the dancers so that you can look like a witch."[17] She added: "It was filmed outside of England. It captured the old-fashioned and cool feeling well. Snow White and the Queen were my concept and motif this time. Snow White, who is not too good, and the Queen who is not too evil."[18]
Track listing
Digital download / streaming (iScreaM Vol. 22: 28 Reasons / Los Angeles Remixes)
^Jo, Seong-woon (October 3, 2022). "레드벨벳 슬기, 솔로 데뷔곡 '28 Reasons' MV 티저 공개" [Red Velvet's Seulgi releases MV teaser for her solo debut song '28 Reasons']. Sports Club (in Korean). Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (September 6, 2022). "SM 측 "레드벨벳 슬기, 10월 솔로 데뷔 준비 중"[공식]" [SM side “Red Velvet Seulgi, preparing for solo debut in October” [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 20, 2022.
^Park, Seohyun (September 19, 2022). "레드벨벳 슬기, 첫 솔로 '28 Reasons' 스케줄 포스터 공개..기대↑" [Red Velvet's Seulgi, first solo '28 Reasons' schedule poster released Expectations↑]. Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved September 20, 2022.
^Kim, Jinseok (September 26, 2022). "10월 4일 솔로 데뷔 슬기, 타이틀곡은 '28 Reasons'" [Seulgi debuted as a solo artist on October 4, and the title song was '28 Reasons'.]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved September 27, 2022.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (March 17, 2023). "레드벨벳 슬기, 17일 '28 Reasons'+'Los Angeles' 리믹스 싱글 공개" [Red Velvet Seulgi, '28 Reasons'+Los Angeles' Remix Single Release on March 17]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved March 17, 2023.
^Park, Dong-seon (September 26, 2022). "레드벨벳 슬기, 첫 솔로곡 '28 Reasons' 프리뷰 공개…'퓨어&다크 러브빌런'" [Red Velvet's Seulgi releases her first solo song '28 Reasons' preview... 'Pure & Dark Love Villain']. etnews (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Lee, Seung-rok (September 13, 2022). "와, 美쳤다…슬기, 생애 첫 솔로 데뷔 이런거였어? 파격 그자체" ["Wow, it was beautiful" Seulgi, was this her first solo debut? shocking body]. mydaily. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Jo, Seong-woon (October 3, 2022). "레드벨벳 슬기, 솔로 데뷔곡 '28 Reasons' MV 티저 공개" [Red Velvet's Seulgi releases MV teaser for her solo debut song '28 Reasons']. Sports Club (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Sun, Mi-kyung (October 4, 2022). "레드벨벳 슬기, 오늘(4일) 솔로 데뷔..'28 Reasons' 발매" [Red Velvet Seulgi, solo debut today (4th) '28 Reasons' release]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Jeong, Byung-geun (October 5, 2022). ""이 곡이 적격"…슬기, 지난 8년이 보증하는 솔로 출격(종합)" ["This song is suitable"... Seulgi, a solo sortie guaranteed by the past 8 years (comprehensive)]. N,news (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Lee, Ho-Young (October 4, 2022). "레드벨벳 슬기 출격 #비오 #백설공주와 왕비 #마녀 완다" [Red Velvet Seulgi sortie #Pio #Snow White and the Queen #Witch Wanda]. iMBC News (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Seulgi (2022). 28 Reasons (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment; Dreamus. Credits.
