Look is the ninth extended play (EP) by South Korean girl group Apink. It was released by Play M Entertainment on April 13, 2020, one year and three months after their last EP Percent (2019), the group's longest break since debut. The album contains seven songs including the lead single "Dumhdurum".
On April 1, 2020, Play M Entertainment announced the upcoming release of Apink's ninth extended playLook and lead single "Dumhdurum" on April 13.[1] It marks the group's first release after one year and three months following their previous mini-album Percent (2019).[2] A schedule for the comeback was posted via the group's SNS accounts, containing multiple dates for the release of teasers for the album.[3] The first group teaser was released on April 2.[4] On April 3, unit group teasers were released in two versions- 'YOS' and 'Ju-ji-rong.[5] The full album tracklist was released on April 6.[6] The EP consists of seven songs including two new tracks for fans.[7] Preorders for the album began the same day.[8] From April 7 to April 9, solo teasers for each member were released in sets of two.[9][10][11] On April 10, a highlight medley video featuring previews of the songs from the album was released.[12] A few hours ahead of the album release, a 50-second teaser of the performance version of the music video was released.[13] The album was released on April 13, in both CD and digital formats.[14] An accompanying music video for the lead single "Dumhdurum" was released in conjunction with the release of the album.[15][16]
Hours after the album release, the group held an online showcase which was broadcast live via Naver's V Live app.[17] The group performed songs from the album for the first time at the showcase.[18] The group then promoted the album on music shows, starting with KBS's Music Bank on April 17, where they performed "Be Myself", "Love Is Blind" and "Dumhdurum".[19] In the second week of promotion, Apink won all six music show awards on, The Show, Show Champion, M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[20] They won a total of 8 music show awards including consecutive wins on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[21]
The album's lead single "Dumhdurum" has lyrics written by Jeon Gun and Black Eyed Pilseung, the same team who wrote Apink's previous hit singles "I'm So Sick" and "Eung Eung".[22][23] It is a dance-driven number with an "addictive hook" and features a Spanish yet "Oriental" melody and synth sounds.[24] The lyrics talk about accepting a broken relationship calmly.[23] "Yummy" is a dance song with elements of R&B and features minimalist instrumentation and a "stylish" melody.[24] "Be Myself" is a pop and R&B song featuring flute and keyboards. It is performed by Eunji, Cho-rong and Namjoo. "Love Is Blind" is a unit track performed by Bo-mi, Na-eun, and Ha-young and has lyrics written by Kim Yeonseo and music by MinGtion. It features a drum rhythm and derives from synthesizer and bass instrumentation. "Overwrite" is an R&B ballad with a restrained rhythm. It was written and produced by Dr.JO.[24] The last two tracks of the album are released to mark their 9th anniversary and are both dedicated to their fans.[23] "Moments" is a pop ballad with a "dramatic" melody. "Everybody Ready?" is an uptempodance-pop-style song produced by Jinhwan Kim. It features a funk-based rhythm, "clapping beats", "brass-horns" and "energetic vocals".[24] The lyrics are a celebration of their career.[25]
The album debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart[26] while "Dumhdurum" topped the Gaon Download Chart.[27] "Dumhdurum" entered the Gaon Digital Chart at number four and peaked at number two in its second week.[28] As of June 2020, Look has sold 47,937 physical copies.[29]
^Lee, Seunghoon (April 1, 2020). 에이핑크, 13일 미니 9집 'LOOK' 발매..1년 3개월 만에 '완전체 컴백' [공식] [A-Pink releases the 9th mini album 'LOOK' on the 13th .. 'Complete comeback' in 1 year and 3 months [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Myung, Hee-suk (April 1, 2020). [공식] 에이핑크, 14일 미니 9집 '룩'으로 컴백 확정…1년 3개월만에 완전체 활동 [[Official] A-Pink confirms comeback with Mini 9's 'Look' Complete activity in one year and three months]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jeong-ho (April 1, 2020). 에이핑크, 13일 미니 9집 'LOOK' 발매..완전체 활동 돌입 [A Pink releases the 9th mini album 'LOOK' on the 13th.]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^에이핑크, 'LOOK' 유닛 티저 공개…시크·펑크 매력 [A Pink, 'LOOK' unit teaser released… Chic punk charm]. The Fact (in Korean). April 3, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Hong, Se-young (April 6, 2020). '완전체 컴백' 에이핑크, 미니 9집 'LOOK' 트랙리스트 공개 ['Complete comeback' A Pink, mini 9th album 'LOOK' track list released]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Hyunsik (April 1, 2020). 에이핑크, 4월 13일 미니 9집 '룩'으로 컴백 [A Pink, comeback on April 13 with 9th Mini Album 'Look']. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeon, Hyojin (April 7, 2020). '컴백' 에이핑크 초롱·보미, 레트로→시크 개인 티저 공개 ['Comeback' A Pink Lantern, Bomi, Retro → Cheek Personal Teaser Revealed]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Min-ji (April 8, 2020). 에이핑크 정은지-손나은, 개인 티저 공개...화려한 비주얼 '눈길' [A Pink Jung Eun-ji-Son Na-eun reveals personal teaser ...]. TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (April 9, 2020). '컴백 D-4' 에이핑크 남주-하영 티저, 압도적 비주얼 ['Comeback D-4' A Pink Namju-Hayoung Teaser, Overwhelming Visual]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Deok-haeng (April 7, 2020). 에이핑크, 신곡 '덤더럼' 미리듣기 공개...'중독적 사운드'에 매료 [A-Pink reveals preview of new song 'Dum Durham' ... fascinated by 'addictive sound']. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Myung, Hee-suk (April 13, 2020). '컴백' 에이핑크 "10주년 실감 안나…'역시 에이핑크' 라는 말 듣고 싶어" [일문일답] ['Comeback' Apink "I don't feel 10th anniversary…" I also want to hear the word "Apink" "]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Soo-hyun (April 13, 2020). 에이핑크, 레트로 감성+중독성 甲 멜로디…신곡 '덤더럼' MV 티저 공개 [공식] [A pink, retro sensibility + toxic melody… New song 'Dum Durham' MV teaser released [Official]]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (April 13, 2020). '4억♥' 에이핑크, 신곡 '덤더럼' 최초 공개…주지롱‧ YOS 핫 데뷔 [종합] ['400 million ♥' A Pink, new song 'Dum Durham' first released… Jee Ji-Long‧ YOS Hot Debut [Comprehensive]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-gil (April 17, 2020). [종합] (여자)아이들, '뮤직뱅크'에서 첫 1위…에이핑크 컴백 [[Comprehensive] (Female) Children, first place in 'Music Bank'… A pink comeback]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Yeon-ji (April 27, 2020). '10년차' 에이핑크, '덤더럼'으로 음원차트 올킬·음방 6관왕 [Apink, '10th Year', 'Kingdom' All-Kill & Sound Room 6 Crown with 'Dum Durham']. Daily Sports (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Tae-geon (May 5, 2020). '인기가요' 에이핑크, '덤더럼'으로 1위…음악 방송 8관왕 달성 ['Inkigayo' A Pink, 'Dum Durham' ranked first… Achieve 8 crowns of music broadcasting]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Naver.
