Pink Tape

Pink Tape is the second studio album by South Korean girl group f(x). The album was released on July 29, 2013 by S.M. Entertainment. Pink Tape is the first studio album by f(x) in over two years, the last being the repackage of their first album Hot Summer in 2011, and the first Korean release in over a year since 2012's Electric Shock. The album peaked at the number one position on multiple music charts internationally including Billboard's World Albums and South Korea's Gaon charts.[5]

"Rum Pum Pum Pum" redirects here. For the Christmas song with this phrase, see The Little Drummer Boy.

Pink Tape
Studio album by
f(x)
ReleasedJuly 29, 2013
Recorded2013
StudioSM Studios, Seoul
Genre
LanguageKorean
LabelSM
ProducerLee Soo-man
F(x) chronology
Electric Shock
(2012)		 Pink Tape
(2013)		 Red Light
(2014)
Singles from Pink Tape
  1. "Rum Pum Pum Pum"
    Released: July 29, 2013[2]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Tiny Mix Tapes[3]
Weiv (웨이브)[4]positive

The album was the only K-pop album to be featured on US music channel Fuse's "41 Best Albums of 2013"[6] and was named the "Greatest K-pop Album of the 2010s" by Billboard.[7] "Rum Pum Pum Pum" was ranked at number 59 on Billboard's "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time" list.[8] In a panel of 47 music and pop culture critics organized by The Hankyoreh and Melon, it was ranked at number 96 in a list of the 100 best K-pop albums, making it the only album by an idol group to make the list.[9]

Background and development

On March 6, 2013, member Sulli hinted about the possibility of a new f(x) release on her me2day account.[10] Later in March, f(x) performed at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, becoming the first K-Pop act to do so.[11] While in the United States, f(x) flew to Los Angeles to rehearse choreography for the upcoming album with choreographer Kevin Maher. Maher and member Amber Liu later tweeted pictures of them rehearsing.[12] While in Los Angeles, the group also filmed a sketch with Anna Kendrick for comedy website Funny or Die.[13] While backstage the group did an interview with the Mnet America show "Danny From L.A.", during which members Amber and Krystal Jung stated they were working on choreography for a new song but had "no idea" when it was due to be released. Amber later added that they hadn't recorded the title track yet and were in a process of "picking and choosing".[14]

In June 2013, a clip from an upcoming variety show starring f(x) entitled "Go f(x)!" was leaked onto video sharing site Daily Motion. It showed the group rehearsing choreography with Kevin Maher.[15] On July 9, an S.M. Entertainment representative stated that they were currently planning f(x)'s comeback but "[we] are still looking into a specific comeback date".[16]

Composition

"Rum Pum Pum Pum", the album's single, is a dance-pop song with exotic hand drums, whiplash-y snares, funky sixties' guitar riffs, and synthesized squirt. Lyrically, it expresses first love on a wisdom teeth.[17] f(x) compare themselves to the pesky molars in another one of their typically bizarre metaphors, with lyrics like, “Attention boys! I’m a bit different / I pushed aside all the others and took my place,” and, “I will pierce through your heart’s wall and grow.”[18] The song topped the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart, marking the first number one single for the group on the Billboard Korea charts.[19] The music shows f(x) dancing to choreography by Jillian Meyers.[20][21] It features three sets: one white, sparkling set, another pink room with glossy pink borders, and red room with lights on the sides. Throughout the video, the camera focuses on choreography, and zooms in on each group member walking on the white set room with floating flowers.

"Shadow" is an alternative pop song that features a few non-mainstream instruments such as xylophone chimes to produce its unique sounds.[22] The song was composed and arranged by a team of songwriters that included the British singer-artists Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor and Cathy Dennis, and the American music producer Rob Fusari. Dennis made her debut production in K-pop with "Shadow". The lyrics were penned by Jun Gan-di, who also wrote "Rum Pum Pum Pum".

"Step" an electro house song. The arrangement makes use of heavy instrumentals including beats, bass and the saxophone.[22] "Step" as well as the last track of the album, "Ending Page", were both composed and arranged by the veteran songwriters Fingazz and Glen Choi, members of the music production firm Artisans Music. Both made their entrance in the South Korean music industry with this debut collaboration with f(x).[23] The French entertainer Aria Crescendo, also took participation in the production of the song.[24] The lyrics were penned by lyricist Jo Yun-gyeong.[25]

"Goodbye Summer" marks the first time Amber has self-composed a track and also the first time the music producer team NoizeBank has collaborated with f(x) in composition. Gen Neo of NoizeBank handled the arrangement of the piece using mostly acoustic instruments to produce its background music.[22] Amber also raps while the vocalists Luna, Krystal and guest vocalist D.O. of Exo take on the chorus, verses, and belting in the song. Amber initially wrote the lyrics in English, while Kim Young-hoo wrote all-new Korean lyrics (though keeping Amber's English rap section). According to Amber, Krystal was instrumental in getting the song on the album as she advocated for its inclusion after hearing the demo from Amber's music player. Amber would later go on to record an English version of the song with her original lyrics on her solo EP Beautiful with guest vocals featuring Eric Nam.

"Airplane" belongs to the 'reversed' electronic-dance music genre and uses heavy instrumentals.[22] The song was composed and arranged by a team of Norwegian music producers and songwriter Martin Mulholland from Dsign Music, and co-produced by Julia Fabrin and Tim McEwan. Julia Fabrin made her debut composition in the K-Pop music industry with "Airplane". The lyrics were penned by lyricist Misfit.

"No More" is a retro styled track in the soul music genre. The instrumental makes use of xylophones similar to "Shadow".[22] The song's origins come from a track by American singer Ariana Grande that was recorded during sessions for her first album Yours Truly. Titled "Boyfriend Material", the song was a favorite of Grande's (as it was one of the first songs she wrote) but didn't make it onto the album's final track list.[26][27] Executives at Republic Records then sold the rights to the song to SM Entertainment. The song was slightly re-arranged and composed by the veteran songwriters Alex Cantrall, Dwight Watson and Jeff Hoeppner. As Grande's lyrics were not purchased, the song's lyrics were penned by Dana, who made her debut in songwriting career with "No More".[28]

Release and promotion

On July 17, S.M. Entertainment announced that f(x) would return to the South Korean music market with their second full-length studio album, Pink Tape , on July 29, 2013 after a year of absence.[29] That day S.M. uploaded a film onto their official YouTube account,[29] which contained a behind-the-scenes video showing the photo shoot for the album's jacket and previewed the track "Shadow".[30] On July 23, Pink Tape's track listing was confirmed, with a total of 12 tracks being featured on the album.[31] The same day, the album's cover art and an album preview medley were revealed.[32] Pink Tape was released on July 29, 2013, in digital and physical formats.[33] On July 25, Mnet premiered the "Go! f(x)" special.[34]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Rum Pum Pum Pum" (Korean: 첫 사랑니; RR: Cheot Sarangni)Jun Gan-diErik Lewander, Iggy Strange Dahl, Ylva Anna Birgitta Dimberg, Anne Judith Wik3:18
2."Shadow" (Korean: 미행 (그림자); RR: Mihaeng (Geurimja))Jun Gan-diSophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor, Cathy Dennis, Rob Fusari3:30
3."Pretty Girl"MisfitHyuk Shin, DK, 2xxx!, John Major, Chel Hill, Jasmine Kearse3:06
4."Kick"Kim Bo-minHitchhiker3:38
5."Signal" (Korean: 시그널; RR: Sigeuneol)KenzieKenzie3:21
6."Step"Jo Yun-gyeongArtisans Music (Fingazz, Glen Choi), Aria Crescendo3:36
7."Goodbye Summer" (f(Amber+Luna+Krystal); feat. D.O. of EXO[note 1])Kim Young-huAmber Liu, Gen Neo (of NoizeBank)3:11
8."Airplane"MisfitMartin Mulholland, Julia Fabrin, Tim Mcewan3:34
9."Toy"Seo Ji-eumHerbert St. Clair Crichlow, Anne Judith Wik, Erik Lidbom3:12
10."No More" (Korean: 여우 같은 내 친구; RR: Yeou Gat-eun Nae Chingu)DanaAlex Cantrall, Jeff Hoeppner, Dwight Watson3:36
11."Snapshot"MisfitVincent Stein, Konstantin Scherer, Michelle Leonard2:50
12."Ending Page"Hong Ji-yooArtisans Music (Fingazz, Glen Choi), Brodie Stewart3:58
  1. Credited as "D.O. of EXO-K"

Charts

Weekly chart
Pink Tape
Region Chart Peak
position
South Korea Gaon Weekly Albums Chart 1[35]
Japan Oricon Weekly Albums Chart 30[36]
United States US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[37] 21
Billboard World Albums Chart 1[38]

Monthly chart
Pink Tape
Region Chart Peak
position
South Korea South Korea Gaon Monthly Albums Chart 4[39]

Accolades

Music program awards
Song Program Date
"Rum Pum Pum Pum"
Show Champion (MBC Music) August 7, 2013
M Countdown (Mnet) August 8, 2013
Music Bank (KBS) August 9, 2013
Inkigayo (SBS) August 11, 2013

Release history
Country Date Distributing label Format
Worldwide[40]
July 29, 2013
S.M. Entertainment
Digital download
South Korea
S.M. Entertainment, KT Music
CD
Hong Kong[41]
July 31, 2013
Avex Hong Kong

References
  1. Oak, Jessica (July 30, 2013). "f(x) Stay Quirky With Sophomore LP 'Pink Tape'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on August 30, 2014.
  2. "KBS Radio Playlist". KBS International Radio. Korean Broadcasting System. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  3. Dorof, Jakob (August 9, 2013). "f(x) – Pink Tape". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  4. "Weekly Weiv Reviews" (in Korean). Weiv. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  5. "Q&A: f(x) Reacts to Topping K-Pop Hot 100 & World Albums Chart (Exclusive)". billboard.com. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  6. "f(x)′s Album Listed as Fuse TV's 'The 41 Best Albums of 2013'". Mwave. December 20, 2013. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  7. Billboard Staff (December 17, 2019). "The 25 Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  8. "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  9. Melon. August 28, 2018 https://www.melon.com/masterpiece/timeline.htm. Retrieved August 3, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. "설리, f(x) 컴백 예고?…"이제 자주 보겠죠 우리?"". nate.com. March 6, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  11. "K-Pop Night Out at SXSW". sxsw.com. February 26, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  12. ""Pull back your brows and now give me dramaaa" lol hanging out w f(x) last week @ajol_llama @kmaher56". instagram.com. March 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  13. "f(x), 안나 켄드릭과 'FUNNY OR DIE' 호흡…美 반응↑". news.nate.com. March 29, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  14. Danny From L.A. EP 19 - F(X) Interview on YouTube
  15. Leaked Daily Motion video, June 2013.
  16. "EXO, 후속곡 발매 결정…'폭풍' 인기몰이 이어가나". news.nate.com. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  17. Cha, Yo-rim (August 9, 2013). "Eyelike: Expect the unexpected in 'Pink Tape'". Korea Herald. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  18. Peterson, Jacques (July 25, 2013). "f(x) Sings About Wisdom Teeth In Weirdly Amazing New Single, "Rum Pum Pum Pum"". Pop Dust. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  19. Benjamin, Jeff; Oak, Jessica (August 9, 2013). "Quirky girl group f(x) notch their first K-Pop Hot 100 No. 1 with new single "Rum Pum Pum Pum," plus chart notes on COOL, T-ara, Davichi, EXO and more". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  20. Oak, Jessica (July 30, 2013). "f(x) Stay Quirky With Sophomore LP 'Pink Tape'". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  21. Cha, Yo-rim (July 30, 2013). "f(x) makes vibrant comeback with 'Pink Tape'". Korea Herald. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  22. "The 2nd Album: Pink Tape" (in Korean). Naver. July 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  23. "Artisans Music profile" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  24. "Aria Crescendo profile" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  25. "Joyungyeong discography" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  26. "K-Pop Group f(x)'s 'No More' Was Originally Ariana Grande's 'Boyfriend Material': Listen". billboard.com. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  27. "Wah, Lagu di Album f(x) Ini Hampir Masuk dalam Album Ariana Grande?". dreamersradio.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  28. "Dana discography" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  29. 걸그룹 ‘에프엑스’, 오는 29일 새 앨범 발매 앞두고 ‘아트필름’ 선공개: Date July 7, 2013; Accessdate July 28, 2013; Publisher news.newsway.co.kr; Language Korean.
  30. 에프엑스 컴백, 몽환적 아트필름 공개 ‘기대UP’ Date July 17, 2013; Accessdate July 28, 2013; Publisher unionpress.co.kr; Language Korean
  31. Archived August 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine 에프엑스 [f(x) - 2집 / Pink Tape [초도한정 포스터+지관통 무료증정] Date July 23, 2013; Accessdate July 23, 2013; Publisher leesmusic.co.kr; Language Korean
  32. Check out f(x)'s 'Pink Tape' highlight medley! Date July 23, 2013; Accessdate July 23, 2013; Publisher allkpop.com.
  33. f(x), 타이틀 곡 ‘첫 사랑니’ 뮤비 티저 공개 ‘기대감 UP’ Archived May 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Date July 22, 2013; Accessdate July 25, 2013; Publisher; eto.co.kr
  34. 에프엑스 컴백 특집, "'Go! f(x)'공개…일상 생활 모습 담아" Date July 24, 2013; Accessdate July 24, 2013; Publisher news.nate.com; Language, Korean.
  35. "2013년 32주차 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  36. "Oricon" (in Japanese). Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  37. "f(x) Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard.
  38. "Billboard World Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  39. "2013년 7월 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2015.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  40. "The 2nd Album 'Pink Tape' by f(x)". iTunes.
  41. f(x) Pink Tape Hmv.com.hk (July 31, 2013). Retrieved on June 26, 2014.
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