Ace is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released by SM Entertainment on August 18, 2014.[3] "Danger" was released as the lead single.
On August 11, 2014, SM Entertainment announced Taemin would release an EP titled Ace on August 18.[4] On August 13, a highlight medley video from the EP was uploaded to YouTube.[5] The official music video for the EP's first single, "Danger", came out on August 15.[6]
Composition[]
The song "Danger" was composed by Thomas Troelsen, who also wrote the theme song for the World Cup in Brazil. On radio show Blue Night Radio, a listener asked Taemin, "I liked the shooting sound in your music program performances. Why isn't it included in the digital version [of the song]?" Taemin said, "It was added right before performing on a music program as effect sounds for performance. It's not included because it may damage the musical completion of the song." Another listener asked, "'Danger' has a Michael Jackson feel. Did you have it in mind while working on the song?". To this, Taemin replied, "The song was composed abroad and bought. It wasn't like our goal or role model but just happened so in the process. The company thought it would suit me well, and it's not a style I dislike."[7]
The song's choreography was created by Ian Eastwood. Shinee member Jonghyun also added that he heard from the managers that after seeing Taemin dance, "I heard he found it amazing for you to copy him so well."[7] Eastwood says of the song is "...like Michael Jackson" and pays homage to Jackson's unique dance moves and that Taemin seems to understand what Jackson's performance means.
Release and critical reception[]
Ace reached number one on the weekly[8] and monthly[9]Gaon Album Chart, and number two on Billboard's World Albums Chart.[10] "Danger" reached number five on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart.[11] At Korea's annual music awards, Ace won the High1/Mobile Popularity Award at the 24th Seoul Music Awards,[12] plus a Bonsang and Popularity Award at the 29th Golden Disk Awards.[13]
Korean music publication Weiv described the track "Danger" as "[...] a song that showcases the bright sense of Thomas Troelsen good at using multiple tracks, stands out. Most of all, it is a rare song among recent SM songs which doesn't tire you after many replays."[14] IZE said "the young mysterious thief character with light moves but serious business came to life with Taemin's performance."[15]
^"샤이니 태민, 6년 만에 솔로 활동…남자 된 막내 매력 폭발" [Shinee Taemin begins solo career after six years... the explosive charm of the youngest member who has become a man]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2014 – via Nate.
^Kim, Kyung-joo (22 January 2015). "엑소, 대상 등 3관왕 영예..2014년 최고의 별(종합)[서울가요대상]" [Exo wins three awards including the Daesang... the best star of 2014 [Seoul Music Awards]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2015 – via Naver.
^Kim, Jin-seok (2 January 2015). "Taemin leads votes at Discs". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
^Kang, Myung-seok (27 August 2014). "태민, 아이돌의 청춘 증명" [Taemin, An Idol's Way of Proving Youth]. IZE (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
^"2014년 총결산 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
