The Misconceptions of Us

The Misconceptions of Us is the third studio album released by South Korean boy band Shinee. It consists of two parts, Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You and the second Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me, that were later collected together as The Misconceptions of Us under the seal of the label SM Entertainment and distributed by KT Music.[5][6][7]

The Misconceptions of Us
Studio album by
Shinee
ReleasedAugust 8, 2013 (see release history)
Recorded2012–2013 at S.M. Studios, Seoul, South Korea.
GenreK-pop,[1] Electropop,[2] Dance[3] World music[4]
Length72:32
LanguageKorean
LabelS.M. Entertainment (record)
KT Music (distribution)
Producer
Shinee chronology
Boys Meet U
(2013)		 The Misconceptions of Us
(2013)		 Everybody
(2013)
Singles from The Misconceptions of Us
  1. "Dream Girl"
    Released: February 19, 2013
  2. "Why So Serious?"
    Released: April 26, 2013
Music video
"Dream Girl" on YouTube
Music video
"Why So Serious?" on YouTube

Background and release

Dream Girl - The Misconceptions of You
From a production stand point, we wanted to express 'Misconceptions of You' in the first chapter and 'Misconception of Me' in the second chapter. The two albums have a lot of stories about 'misconceptions'.

Shinee, at Melon Premiere SHINee Music Spoiler, on the splitting of "Dream Girl"

On February 11, Shinee revealed that the title song "Dream Girl" was produced by Shin Hyuk and his team Joombas Music Factory and described the song as "an acid electro funk song".[8] Several days later the group held the event "Melon Premiere SHINee Music Spoiler" where they revealed six out of the nine songs on the album to 100 music reviewers, as well as a song and a medley of three songs from Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me. Two of the directors for the album also made an appearance to give a basic explanation about the concepts and meanings behind the project.] Director Lee Sung-soo from SM Entertainment's producing department shared information about the songs and their meanings, while Director Min Hee-jin from SM Entertainment's visual and art directing department introduced Shinee's visual concept. Furthermore, the choreography for the title song "Dream Girl" was revealed, which was choreographed by Tony Testa, who previously worked with Shinee on Sherlock. The making of the music video was also shown which showed the members jumping on trampolines and using running machines.[9] Member Onew stated on the making of the two albums, "It's our first full album that we're releasing in a while, so we worked really hard. Minho and Key worked on the rapping, Jonghyun worked on the lyrics, and Taemin worked on the choreography." Taemin described the album as one where each member's individuality shines through their voices, "We know each other best so a lot of our opinions went into this album." Jonghyun in conjunction said, "Taemin's delivery of the lyrics is good. Minho's falsetto is really nice these days. Key is good at English. We know each other's strengths so we split the parts up according to who can shine on what. We had fun working on the album."[10][11]

This album is about "my misconception of you", "the misconception of the world wrapped around me", and "the misconception of reality". The lyrics can be interpreted as the dreams, ideals, and visions of the world through Shinee's eyes. It showcases the original Shinee-esque side which everyone is familiar with.[12] In a video interview with Billboard, Shinee said the song titles to Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me were revealed in this album's opening track, "Spoiler."[13] The album was released digitally and physically on February 19, 2013 and distributed by KT Music.[14]

Why So Serious? - The Misconceptions of Me

On February 14, Shinee held an event called "Melon Premiere Shinee Music Spoiler" where the group revealed three songs off the second album through a medley, which were described to have a darker vibe compared to Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You. Jonghyun stated, "Why So Serious – The Misconceptions of Me will show our world views. It will have deep and rough sound. It embodies our groups unique personality and musical sensation".[15][16] Jonghyun stated "Spoiler" is the main song connecting the two albums, and in a video interview with Billboard, the group confirmed that the song titles to Why So Serious – The Misconceptions of Me were revealed in "Spoiler."[13]

About the making of the two connected album member Onew stated, "It’s our first full album that we’re releasing in a while, so we worked really hard. Minho and Key worked on the rapping, Jonghyun worked on the lyrics, and Taemin worked on the choreography." Taemin described the album as one where each member's individuality shines through their voices, “We know each other best so a lot of our opinions went into this album." Jonghyun additionally adds, "Taemin’s delivery of the lyrics is good. Minho's falsetto is really nice these days. Key is good at English. We know each other's strengths so we split the parts up according to who can shine on what. We had fun working on the album."[17][18] Fellow SM Entertainment artist Shim Changmin wrote the song "떠나지 못해" for the group, making this his first time writing outside a TVXQ release.[19]

Director Lee Sungsoo from S.M. Entertainments production department explained that the album is about "the misconception of me (Shinee)," "the dreams I slowly wanted for myself" and "the misconception of ideals." It evokes the gap between Shinee's reality and dreams and has an overall deep and dark sound, completely opposite of the preceding album."[20] At the event Director Lee also said that there are hidden keywords that connect the songs in the two albums and, "We included a fun point where you can search for keywords and put them together to create several interpretations." [21] On April 17, 2013, S.M. Entertainment confirmed that member Jonghyun would not be promoting in the beginning of the album promotion due to his car accident, stating "Jonghyun was discharged from the hospital [...], and until he is fully healed, he’ll be focusing on treatments."[22]

Singles

"Dream Girl" was produced by Hyuk Shin and his team of composers, Joombas Music Factory. They described the song as "an acid electro funk song".[8] It is written by Jun Gandi and composed by Hyuk Shin, Jordan Kyle, Ross Lara, Dave Cook, DK, and Anthony "TC" Crawford.[23] The song has a fuller sound, featuring electric guitars among various other synths and the beat is very diverse and complex with a lot of tempo changes. The song is described as the most "Shinee-like song" in the album and tells about how the five boys meet their dream girl that only appear in their dreams, and disappear in reality.[8][23] The accompanying music video was filmed in January 2013, with choreography by Tony Testa.[8] The song peaked at number 1 on the Gaon Singles Chart[24] and number 3 on the Korea K-Pop Hot 100.[25] The music video to the single was released on February 19, 2013 and features the members of the group doing unique tricks with mic stands that are noted to be the highlight of the dance routine. It's full of color and modern flair. The music video is the work of Digipedi, a South Korean video production company formed and led by the duo Seong Won-mo and Park Sang-woo.[26]

A Japanese version, written by Hidenori Tanaka and agehasprings, was included as one of the three tracks on their eighth Japanese CD single "Boys Meet U", which was released on August 21, 2013 under the distributing label of EMI Music Japan. Before the release, the version was performed live during their second Japan arena tour Shinee World 2013.[27]

"Why So Serious?" is a funk rock dance track that was chosen as the title track and lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Kenzie and composed by Kim Cheong Bae, Andrew Choi and Kenzie.[28] It is a genre that combines the powerful and catchy melody of pop with electronica sounds. It talks wittily about a zombie that has lived in darkness for a very long time who falls in love with a human girl.[29] The accompanying music video was filmed in Cheongdam-dong and Namyangju in the beginning of April 2013, featuring the choreography by Devin Jamieson, who previously worked with the groups labelmates Super Junior.[30][31] Jonghyun didn't participate in the music video due to his injury.[32] Both the dance and the story present in the music video are reminiscent of the lyrics to the song. As "Why So Serious?" begins describing a zombie's awakening, Shinee lies down on the floor and reaches toward the sky.[33]

"Shine (Medusa I)" is powerful dance track that "combines high quality lyrics that express the love of fans as a ‘shine’ together with tough drum sounds to add enjoyment to listeners".[34] It was chosen as the second promotional single from the album and was performed on various broadcast music shows. Teddy Riley, Andrew Choi and Kim Tae-seong composed the songs whereas Misfit and member Minho penned the lyrics.[35]

"Can't Leave" is a ballad song accompanied by bittersweet tunes of piano.[5] The song was produced by a Canadian songwriter, Matthew Tishler, in his debut collaboration with Shinee, and Im Kwang Ok. Shim Changmin of TVXQ penned the lyrics while Shinee's resident rapper Minho yet again contributed to the rap portion. Its first performance was on their 'Music Spoiler' Dream Girl premier that on February 14, 2013 at Olympus Hall.[36] The song was also the only track to be performed during the Dream Girl Showcase held on February 20, 2013.[15]

"Selene 6.23" (alternative Korean: "너와 나의 거리"; literally: The Distance Between Us) is a collaboration with the internationally renowned pianist Yiruma.[5] According to the South Korean music portal site Naver Music, "Selene 6.23" is a medium tempo pop-ballad integrated with elements of modern orchestra.[5] The instrumental of the piece was composed by the classical pianist Yiruma. "Selene 6.23" is the first collaboration between Yiruma and Shinee. The music producers are Ted Kim and 2Face. The lyrics were penned by Shinee member Kim Jonghyun. The album cover art was done by Shinee member Key.

Critical and commercial performance

Billboard K-Town columnist Jeff Benjamin wrote that the lead single, "Dream Girl", is a "safe, enjoyable mainstream single" while the album is "a triumph that never lacks in energy and balances nods to 80s pop stars and forward-thinking pop". He said "songs like 'Punch Drunk Love' and 'Aside' sonically recall the sounds of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, respectively", while "tracks like 'Beautiful' and 'Runaway' combine unique electronic production elements over sugary boy band harmonies to create year-round pop music".[37]

"Why So Serious" peaked at number 15 on the Gaon Singles Chart[38] and number 21 on China's Baidu Singles Chart.[39]

Track listing
Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You - CD 1
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Spoiler"
3:31
2."Dream Girl"
3:00
3."Hitchhiking" (Korean: 히치하이킹; RR: Hichiha-iking)
  • Kim Boo-min
4:07
4."Punch Drunk Love"
3:39
5."Girls, Girls, Girls"
2:46
6."Aside" (Korean: 방백; RR: Bangbaek)
  • Hwang Hyun (MonoTree)
  • MonoTree
3:44
7."Beautiful" (Korean: 아름다워; RR: Areumda-wo)
3:10
8."Dynamite" (Korean: 다이너마이트; RR: Da-ineoma-iteu)
3:39
9."Runaway"
3:10
10."Selene 6.23" (Korean: 너와 나의 거리; RR: Neo-wa Na-ui Gari; lit. The Distance Between You and Me)
4:10
Total length:30:46
Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me - CD 2
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Nightmare"
  • Kim Boo-min
3:37
2."Why So Serious?"
3:40
3."Shine" (Medusa I)
3:49
4."Orgel" (Korean: 오르골; RR: Oreugol; lit. Music Box)
3:26
5."Dangerous" (Medusa II)
3:32
6."Like a Fire"
  • Min Yeon-jae (lalala Studio)
3:42
7."Excuse Me Miss"
3:42
8."Evil"
3:27
9."Sleepless Night" (Korean: 떠나지 못해; RR: Tteonaji Mothae)
4:41
10."Better Off" (Korean: 버리고 가; RR: Beorigo Ga)
  • Hong-seok
4:00
Total length:33:36

Notes

  • ^[a] Minho is credited for the rap lyrics
  • ^[b] Key is credited for the rap lyrics
  • ^[c] JQ is credited for the rap lyrics

Charts

Album charts
Country Chart Peak
position		 Album
South Korea Gaon Weekly album chart[40] 1 Dream Girl - The Misconceptions of You
Gaon Monthly album chart[41] 1
Japan Oricon Albums Chart[42] 10
Taiwan G-Music Asia Chart[43] 1
United States Billboard World Albums[44] 2
Billboard Heatseekers[45] 5
South Korea Gaon[46] 1 Why So Serious - The Misconceptions of Me
Taiwan G-Music Asia Chart[47] 1
United States Billboard World Albums[44] 1
Billboard Heatseekers[45] 5
South Korea Gaon Weekly album chart[48] 4[49] The Misconceptions of Us
Gaon Monthly album chart[48] 7[50]
Gaon Yearly album chart[48] 42[51]
Japan Oricon album chart[52] 17

Accolades

Music program awards
Song Program Date
"Dream Girl"
Show Champion (MBC Music) February 27, 2013
March 6, 2013
March 13, 2013
March 20, 2013
M Countdown (Mnet) February 28, 2013
March 7, 2013
March 14, 2013
Music Bank (KBS) March 8, 2013
March 15, 2013
Inkigayo (SBS) March 17, 2013

Release history
Region Date Edition(s) Format(s) Label(s)
South Korea February 19, 2013 Dream Girl - The Misconceptions of You
April 26, 2013 Why So Serious? - The Misconceptions of Me
August 8, 2013 The Misconceptions of Us

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