Noir (song)
"Noir" (Korean: 누아르; RR: Nuareu) is a song recorded by South Korean singer Sunmi. It was released on March 4, 2019, through Makeus, as a single. The track was written by Sunmi and produced by her and El Capitxn. "Noir" is a dance-pop and EDM track about "inevitable end of a relationship" similar to a noir film narrative. An official music video for the song was released in conjunction with the single on March 4, 2019. The video shows the singer as a clout-chasing influencer who fakes her lifestyle to make it look great on-screen in the hopes of getting followers and likes, even if it's dangerous.
"Noir" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Sunmi | ||||
Language |
| |||
Released | March 4, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:29 | |||
Label | Makeus | |||
Songwriter(s) | Sunmi | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Sunmi singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music videos | ||||
"Noir" on YouTube |
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
IZM | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Background and release
From February to June 2019, Sunmi held her first world tour titled "Warning".[2] She performed in 18 cities across Asia, America and Europe. Starting from February 24, a series of teasers were posted everyday for the singer's official social media accounts with the name of the single revealed to be "Noir" on February 25.[3][4] The music video teaser was released on March 3, and the song officially premiered on March 4, 2019.[5]
Music video
The music video for "Noir" was directed by Choi Yongseok,[6] who previously directed "Gashina", "Heroine" and "Siren". In the clip, Sunmi portrays our generation’s addiction to social media validation and ‘likes’–symbolized by the tiny heart-shaped candies she keeps consuming.[7] She starts participating in various viral online challenges to garner more internet fame and fakes trips to exotic destinations for likes and popularity. Soon her actions escalate, with each challenge getting darker than the last until she begins to physically cause harm to herself, but seems unable to stop. Hashtags like "#nofilter" and "#followme" make appearances all through, but other than the comments on her social media posts she is alone, depicting the crushing loneliness and desperation of the "real world" that pushes people to social media.[7] It was included in Rolling Stone India's list of 10 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2019.[7]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
South Korea (Gaon Digital Chart)[8] | 8 |
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)[9] | 9 |
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] | 3 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
South Korea (Gaon)[11] | 130 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Various | March 4, 2019 | Digital download, streaming | Makeus Entertainment |
References
- Park Su-jin. "누아르(Noir)". IZM (in Korean). IZM. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- "Sunmi Announces 'Warning' World Tour: See the North American Dates". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- "[1st Teaser] 선미 (SUNMI) - Spoiler Video". Instagram. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- "[선미 (SUNMI)] Title Teaser Release l 2019.03.04 (MON) PM 6:00". Instagram. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- "'누아르(Noir)' MV Trailer Release 2019.03.04 (MON) PM 6:00". Instagram. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- GDWDOP (March 25, 2019). "Sunmi 'NOIR' Music Video". Vimeo.
- "10 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2019". Rolling Stone India. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- "2019년 10주차 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- "BILLBOARD KOREA K-POP 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
- "World Digital Song Sales: March 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- "2019년 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 11, 2020.