"Rebel" is a song recorded by South Korean duo TVXQ. It was released through SM Entertainment on December 26, 2023, the day of their twentieth debut anniversary, as the lead single from their ninth studio album 20&2 (2023).
| "Rebel" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by TVXQ | ||||
| from the album 20&2 | ||||
| Language | Korean | |||
| Released | December 26, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Dance-pop | |||
| Length | 2:44 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Composer(s) |
| |||
| Lyricist(s) | Kenzie | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| TVXQ singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Rebel" on YouTube | ||||
Background and release
editOn October 5, 2023, SM Entertainment announced TVXQ would be returning in December 2023 with a new full-length studio album and a concert to commemorate their twentieth debut anniversary. They confirmed the new album would be titled 20&2, referring to TVXQ's twenty years since debut, and the two remaining members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin.[1] Their last original Korean release was five years ago, with the EP New Chapter No. 2: The Truth of Love (2018). On December 12, SM confirmed that 20&2 would have ten tracks including the lead single "Rebel" produced by Kenzie, who also co-wrote their 2012 single "Humanoids". A preview of "Rebel" was first revealed on December 24 in an album tracklist preview.[2] A music video teaser was released on December 25.[3] The song was released alongside the album and its music video on December 26.[4]
Composition
edit"Rebel" was composed by Moonshine, Cazzi Opeia, Adrian McKinnon, and Kenzie, who also wrote the lyrics. Produced by Moonshine and Kenzie, the song was described as an energetic dance song with "a seamless blend of intense drum beats with heavy synth bass sounds",[1] characterized by "dynamic vocals" and a "rhythmic track".[5] The song's lyrics contain a potent message, stating, "A true rebel of an era is a person who steadfastly follows their convictions without being swayed."[1] The beginning and chorus of "Rebel" also featured a sample of "Carol of the Bells", referring to the song and the group's anniversary being close to Christmas Day. "Rebel" was composed in the key of C# Major, with a tempo of 126 beats per minute.[6]
Music video
editDirected by Ha Jung-hun and Lee Hye-sung,[7] the music video was released on SM Entertainment's official YouTube channel at 6:00 PM KST on December 26, 2023.[8] The video stars Yunho and Changmin as lab experiments with superhuman powers. They overpower their cages and break free. They then gather an army and start a rebellion.
"Rebel" is choreographed by Ingyoo Kim and EZ Twins.[7]
Promotion
editTVXQ performed "Rebel" for the first time at the SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25. They had their comeback performances on KBS's Music Bank on January 5, 2024, SBS's Inkigayo on January 7, and Mnet's M Countdown on January 11.
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from the album's liner notes.[7]
Studio
- SM Big Shot Studio – recording
- SM SSAM Studio – digital editing
- 77F Studio – digital editing
- SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing
- 821 Sound – mastering
Personnel
- SM Entertainment – executive producer
- TVXQ – vocals, background vocals
- Kenzie – producer, lyrics, composition, arrangement, vocal directing
- Jonatan Gusmark (Moonshine) – producer, composition, arrangement
- Ludvig Evers (Moonshine) – producer, composition, arrangement
- Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition, background vocals
- Adrian McKinnon – composition, background vocals
- Lee Min-kyu – recording
- Woo Min-jeong – digital editing
- Kang Eun-ji – digital editing
- Kim Cheol-sun – mixing
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea Download (Circle)[9] | 38 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | December 26, 2023 |
References
edit- ^ a b c "TVXQ to drop new album in December, marking 20th anniversary of debut". The Korea Times.
- ^ TVXQ! 동방신기 'Rebel Game (Break the rules!)' Soundtrack. SM Entertainment. December 24, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ TVXQ! 동방신기 'Rebel' MV Teaser. SM Entertainment. December 24, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "데뷔 20주년 맞은 동방신기···정규 9집 '20&2' 공개" [TVXQ celebrates their 20th debut anniversary... 9th full-length album ‘20&2’ released] (in Korean). Kyunghyang Shinmun. December 26, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ ""규칙을 깨" 동방신기가 나아갈 길..20년 내공 담은 'Rebel'" [Breaking the rules is TVXQ's path forward... 'Rebel' with 20 years of experience] (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. December 26, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Key & BPM for Rebel by TVXQ". Tunebat. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c TVXQ (2023). 20&2 (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment; Kakao Entertainment. Credits.
- ^ TVXQ! 동방신기 'Rebel' MV. SM Entertainment. December 26, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Download Chart – Week 52 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 20, 2024.