Protostar (EP)

Protostar (stylized as PROTOSTAR) is an extended play (EP) marketed as the debut single of Japanese boy group JO1, formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan. Consisting of songs previously performed on the last episode of the show and three new songs, the EP was released by Lapone Entertainment into three different editions on March 4, 2020.

"Protostar"
Normal edition cover
Single by JO1
LanguageJapanese
A-side"Infinity"
ReleasedMarch 4, 2020 (2020-03-04)
Recorded2019–2020
GenreJ-pop
Length
  • 14:17 (Limited edition A)
  • 13:38 (Limited edition B)
  • 14:00 (Normal edition)
LabelLapone Entertainment
JO1 singles chronology
"Protostar"
(2020)		 "Stargazer"
(2020)
Music video
"無限大(INFINITY)" on YouTube

Upon its release, the EP earned the top spot on Oricon Singles Chart and received a Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. The lead track "Infinity" also peaked atop the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Background and release

Shortly after the end of Produce 101 Japan, JO1 was revealed to fly to South Korea for the preparation and the production of their debut.[1] On January 14, it was revealed that the group's debut EP single was titled Protostar and would be released on March 4 with "Infinity" as the lead track.[2] A concept trailer was released on January 28, 2020.[3]

"Protostar" consists of songs previously performed on the last episode of the show and three new songs that were released into three different editions. The first edition is a CD and DVD bundle limited edition that includes a making video for "Infinity" and a talk segment with members. The second edition is a CD and photo booklet bundle limited edition. The third edition is a normal edition that includes the new songs: "Infinity", "Running", and "La Pa Pa Pam".[4][5]

To commemorate the EP's release and the group's debut, a special live streaming event was held on the group's official Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channel.[6]

Promotion

Lead track

On February 3, 2020, a music video teaser for the lead track "Infinity" was released, followed by a short version and making video two days later.[7][8] The song was also aired for the first time on J-Wave's Step One.[9] On February 16, the full music video was released. Sho Yonashiro commented: "Protostar implies our wish that we, who were ordinary people, gather and become stars. And "Infinity" is a song that embodies the infinite possibilities and infinite growth of JO1."[10] To further promote the EP, an animated music video for "Running" and a short performance video of "La Pa Pa Pam" were also released.[4][11]

"Infinity" is used as the theme song for the TV commercial of ABC-Mart x Nike's project titled Nike One.[12] The song was also used as an ending song for TV Asahi's show Sonna Koto Kangaetakoto Nakatta Quiz! Torinikku-tte Nanno Niku!? and a Kansai TV's variety show Chihara Junior no Zao.[13]

Upon its release, "Infinity" lead other songs from the EP on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 by ranking first on that week and eventually earned the fiftieth place on the chart's year-end rankings.[14][15]

Live performances

On March 24, 2020, JO1 had their first live performance ever on a TV program by performing "Infinity" on NTV's morning show Sukkiri.[16]

The group delivered a special "home performance" of "La Pa Pa Pam" on Mezamashi Uchi Festival, a special episode of Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV due to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 4.[17] The performance featured combined images of the members performing at their home and doing various activities at home.[18] Subsequently, the group performed remotely on various TV shows, such as Love Music and NHK's Shibuya Note.[19][20]

JO1 performed songs from the EP in KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, making them the first Japanese boy group to ever participate in the convention.[21]

Commercial performance

Shortly after its release, "Protostar" peaked at number one on iTunes's real-time album charts in five regions in addition to Japan, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan.[22] The EP debuted at number one on Oricon's Daily Singles Chart with an estimate of 215,409 copies sold.[23] It remained at the top spot for seven consecutive days and ranked number one on Weekly Singles Chart with 327,187 sold.[24] Subsequently, it ranked third on the Monthly Singles Chart.[25] The single also topped Billboard Japan's Top Single Sales.[26]

According to SoundScan Japan, the single ranked seventh on their singles chart for the first quarter of 2020.[27] It later received a Platinum certification by the RIAJ for surpassing 250,000 copies sold.[28]

The single's continuous commercial success made JO1 included in various mid-year rankings. The group ranked eighteenth on Billboard Japan's 2020 Mid-Year Top Artists, a chart that combines points from Japan Hot 100 and Japan Hot Albums for the first half of 2020, and ranked eighth on the 2020 Mid-Year Top Singles Sales.[29][30] They also ranked sixth on Oricon's Mid-Year Singles Sales and tenth on Total Singles Sales.[31][32] The group also ranked second on New Artist Total Sales ranking by earning an estimate of 640 million yen from one single alone.[33] SoundScan Japan later reported the single has sold 387,000 copies and earned the ninth place on their singles chart for the first half of 2020.[34]

By the end of 2020, the single ranked fourteenth on the Billboard Japan 2020 Year-End Top Singles Sales and thirteenth on the Oricon Annual Ranking 2020 with 372,820 copies sold.[35][36]

Track listing

Credits adapted from QQ Music.

Limited edition A
CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大; Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • B.O
  • B.Eyes
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • B.O
  • Kim Seung-soo
  • KZ
  • Kim Seung-soo
  • Nthonius
3:04
2."Running"
  • Yoske
  • Seion
  • EastWest
  • Yoske
  • EastWest
  • D.stus
  • Holy M
3:51
3."Young" (JO1 ver.)
  • Sun
  • Uno Buckx
  • Kaine
  • Sun
  • Versachoi
Versachoi3:24
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura
  • Eunsol (1008)
  • Seo Yi-sung
3:58
Total length:14:17
DVD[5]
No.TitleLength
1."Making video + JO1 Secrets" 

Limited edition B
CD + photo booklet
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大; Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • B.O
  • B.Eyes
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • B.O
  • Kim Seung-soo
  • KZ
  • Kim Seung-soo
  • Nthonius
3:03
2."La Pa Pa Pam"
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Rosieblue
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
3:09
3."GrandMaster" (JO1 ver.)
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Hasegawa
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Yuki
Coach & Sendo3:28
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura
  • Eunsol (1008)
  • Seo Yi-sung
3:58
Total length:13:38

Normal edition
CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大; Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • B.O
  • B.Eyes
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • B.O
  • Kim Seung-soo
  • KZ
  • Kim Seung-soo
  • Nthonius
3:04
2."Running"
  • Yoske
  • Seion
  • EastWest
  • Yoske
  • EastWest
  • D.stus
  • Holy M
3:50
3."La Pa Pa Pam"
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Rosieblue
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
3:08
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura
  • Eunsol (1008)
  • Seo Yi-sung
3:58
Total length:14:00

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[28] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Label Format Catalog
Japan March 4, 2020 Lapone Entertainment
YRCS-90173
  • CD
  • photo booklet
 YRCS-90174
 YRCS-90175
 N/A
Various
N/A

References
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  2. "「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN」から誕生したグローバルグループ「JO1」、デビューシングル『Protostar』3月4日発売 - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE". Tower Records Online (in Japanese). January 14, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
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