Daydream (D-Crunch EP)

Daydream
EP by
D-Crunch
ReleasedApril 6, 2021 (2021-04-06)
GenreDance
Length18:01
LanguageKorean
LabelAi Grand Korea
D-Crunch chronology
Across the Universe
(2020) 		Daydream
(2021) 		Addiction
(2022)
Singles from Daydream
  1. "My Name"
    Released: April 6, 2021

Daydream (stylized in all caps) is the fourth mini-album by South Korean idol group D-Crunch. It was released on April 6, 2021, by Ai Grand Korea and distributed by Kakao M. It marks the group's first record following the departure of vocalist Hyunwoo. A dance and ballad album, its concept revolves around its three themes: "Memory", "Nightmare", and "Daydream".

Following a series of photo and video teasers, Daydream and its lead single "My Name" were concurrently released. D-Crunch promoted the song by performing on music chart programs across various television networks. Two of the group's members were diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after the album was issued, which forced D-Crunch to cease promotions. The mini-album peaked at number 74 on South Korea's national Gaon Album Chart.

Background and composition

On December 28, 2020, Ai Grand Korea announced that vocalist Hyunwoo, who had halted promotions with D-Crunch due to an ongoing back injury three months earlier, would leave the group. He cited his health as the reason for his departure.[1] Conceptually, Daydream revolves around three themes: "Memory", signifying the longing to return to reminiscent happy moments; "Nightmare", denying the inescapable reality of being abandoned; and "Daydream", expressing the fulfillment of a desire which is only possible in a dream.[2] The album comprises dance music and balladry.[3] Its music conveys dreaming and a rising moon during the day. The dreams present fantasies, illusions, daydreams, and idle dreams, which the dreamer cannot be awoken from.[4]

Daydream opens with "My Name", a future bass-dance track. Its lyrics describe the rebirth of a person who has their named called out by a loved one.[3] "Time to Go to You" is a ballad in which the narrator yearns for the younger self. A pop track, the lyrics of "Childlike" search to recapture the innocence of youth. The mini-album closes with the ballad "Sandcastle", a farewell to a disintegrating sandcastle being swept away by the waves of the ocean.[5][6]

Release and promotion

Rappers Hyunho and Dylan were cast in MBC Dramanet's web drama Time to Be Together 1:11, which began airing in March 2021.[7] Music from Daydream was played as background music throughout its ten episodes.[8] On March 22, Ai Grand Korea announced the release of Daydream and released a "Nightmare"-themed teaser image showcasing the group wearing black-and-white suits under crimson-colored lighting.[9] "Memory"-themed concept images for each group member donning casual wear were uploaded two days later.[4] Individual "Nightmare" photos of the members were published on March 26.[10] Respective photos of the members wearing white outfits showing the "Daydream" versions were unveiled on March 29.[11] Two days later, group portraits of all three concepts were posted by D-Crunch's agency.[2] Two music video teasers for the lead single "My Name" were uploaded on April 1 and 2.[12][13] A day ahead of the album's release, a Daydream highlight medley was shared across social networking services.[6]

Daydream and the music video for "My Name" were simultaneously released on April 6.[5] A performance version music video followed one week later.[14] D-Crunch began promoting the lead single on weekly music chart shows on the day of the album's release. They performed the song on SBS MTV's The Show,[15] MBC Every 1's Show Champion,[16] and Mnet's M Countdown.[17] Vocalist Hyunwook and rapper O.V experienced cold-like symptoms amidst promotions and were diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 24.[18] The pair were placed in quarantine; the remaining six members tested negative for the virus and D-Crunch immediately completed promotions for the album.[19]

Critical reception and commercial performance

Daydream received favorable reviews from both critics from TV Daily. Kim Ji-ha wrote that the tone of each member was charming, while Kim Han-kil expressed being able to feel the record's "powerful" energy.[20] On the chart dated April 4–10, 2021, Daydream debuted at number 74 on South Korea's national Gaon Album Chart.[21]

Track listing

Daydream[22]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."My Name"Bull$EyE, Boytoy, Ondin, Disko, O.VBull$EyE, Boytoy, Ondin, DiskoBull$EyE, Boytoy, Ondin, Disko3:49
2."Time to Go to You" (너에게 가는 시간; Neoege Ganeun Sigan)Bull$EyEBull$EyE, Mind182Mind1823:45
3."Childlike"Inner ChildInner Child, Lee Tae-hunLee Tae-hun3:22
4."Sandcastle" (모래성; Moraeseong)Inner ChildInner Child, MysteryMystery3:16
5."Myname" (Inst.) Bull$EyE, Boytoy, Ondin, DiskoBull$EyE, Boytoy, Ondin, Disko3:49
Total length:18:01

Chart

Chart (2021) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[21] 74

References

  1. ^ Lee, Da-kyeom (December 28, 2020). 디크런치 현우, 허리 부상으로 그룹 탈퇴[공식]. MBN News (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Lee, Da-kyeom (March 31, 2021). 디크런치, 미니 4집 '데이드림' 단체컷 공개...팔색조 매력. Star Today (in Korean). Maekyung Media Group. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Ji, Min-kyeong (March 25, 2021). 디크런치, 미니 4집 트랙리스트 공개..타이틀곡은 'My Name'. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Park, Seo-hyeon (March 24, 2021). '컴백' 디크런치, 미니 4집 'DAYDREAM' 첫 콘셉트 포토..부드러운 카리스마. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Hong, Seong-hun (April 6, 2021). 디크런치, 네 번째 미니앨범 'Daydream' 발매. NBN News (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Jung, Byeong-keun (April 5, 2021). 디크런치, 'Daydream' 음원 일부 공개…성숙한 매력. The Fact (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Choi, Ji-eun (March 26, 2021). '1시 11분 너에게 가는 시간' 디크런치 현호X딜란, 첫 연기 도전 베일 벗는다. Top Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Son, Jin-a (March 30, 2021). 디크런치, 새 앨범 'DAYDREAM' 전곡 '1시 11분 너에게 가는 시간'서 듣는다. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Kim, Myeong-mi (March 22, 2021). 디크런치, 4월6일 'Daydream'으로 6개월만 컴백(공식입장). Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  10. ^ Kim, Ye-na (March 26, 2021). '4월 6일 컴백' 디크런치, '데이드림' 2차 콘셉트 포토 공개…시크 아우라. xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Kang, Bo-ra (March 29, 2021). 디크런치, '데이드림' 콘셉트 포토 공개…화이트 스타일링. Single List (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Gong, Mi-na (April 1, 2021). 디크런치, '마이 네임' MV 티저..매혹적 비주얼. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Kim, Ji-ha (April 1, 2021). '컴백 D-5' 디크런치, 신곡 '마이네임' MV 티저 공개. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  14. ^ Kim, Dong-yeok (April 14, 2021). 디크런치, 신곡 'My Name' 퍼포먼스…'강렬+섹시美' 가득. Consumer Times (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  15. ^ Kim, Hee-seo (April 6, 2021). '더쇼' 우주소녀, 김세정·펜타곤 꺾고 '더쇼 초이스' 차지 [가요 Scene]. Celuvmedia (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Kim, Han-na (April 7, 2021). 김세정·우주소녀 컴백 무대...'쇼 챔피언' 라인업. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Dongwha Enterprise. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  17. ^ Jung, Ji-hyeon (April 8, 2021). '엠카' 로제, 'On the Ground'로 방송 출연 없이 1위 [종합]. Mydaily (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  18. ^ Kim, Su-yeong (April 24, 2021). [단독] 디크런치 현욱·O.V 코로나19 확진 "스케줄 중단"(종합). Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  19. ^ Jung, Ha-eun (April 25, 2021). 디크런치 측 "코로나 확진 현욱·O.V 격리 치료…나머지 멤버 전원 음성"[공식]. Sportsseoul (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  20. ^ Kim, Ji-ha (April 11, 2021). 이진혁·웬디·아스트로·디크런치·버벌진트·김재환·온리원오브 [이번주 뭐 들었니?]. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  21. ^ a b 2021년 15주차 Album Chart (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  22. ^ Daydream (liner notes). D-Crunch. Ai Grand Korea. 2021. 1100618939.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)