A Flower Bookmark

A Flower Bookmark (Korean: 꽃갈피; RR: Kkotgalpi) is the first cover extended play by South Korean singer-songwriter IU. It is also her fourth Korean-language extended play. The EP was released on May 16, 2014, the singer's birthday, by LOEN Entertainment under its imprint LOEN Tree. Unlike her previous works, A Flower Bookmark features cover versions of nostalgic K-pop songs popularized from 1980s to 1990s.[1]

A Flower Bookmark
EP by
IU
ReleasedMay 16, 2014
GenreK-pop, ballad
Length25:24
26:38 (LP edition)
LanguageKorean
Label
ProducerKim Jin-myeong
IU chronology
Modern Times
(2013)		 A Flower Bookmark
(2014)		 Chat-Shire
(2015)
Singles from A Flower Bookmark
  1. "My Old Story"
    Released: May 16, 2014
Music video
"My Old Story" on YouTube
"The Meaning of You" on YouTube

The EP was successful both commercially and critically. It spawned two hit singles; the lead single "My Old Story" and "The Meaning of You". The former topped Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100,[2][upper-alpha 1] while the latter was ranked at the top of Gallup Korea's "Song of the Year" in 2014.[3][upper-alpha 2] In particular, the latter has gone to sell more than two million digital copies since release, even outselling the album's lead track. The EP also earned IU a MelOn Music Award for Artist of the Year, and a nomination for Album of the Year[4][5] and was also listed at number three on Billboard's list of "Best K-Pop Albums of 2014".[6]

A limited LP edition, featuring a bonus track "Eoheoya Dunggidunggi", was available for sale.[7] As of February 2021, the album has sold over 50,000 physical copies and six million digital singles in the singer's native country (see Charts).

Background and release

A Flower Bookmark consists of cover versions of nostalgic K-pop songs popularized from 1980s to 1990s, including "My Old Story" (Jo Deok-bae, 1985), "Flower" (Kim Kwang-seok, 1991), "Pierrot Smiles at Us" (Kim Wan-sun, 1990), "When Love Passes By" (Lee Moon-sae, 1987), "The Meaning of You" (Sanulrim, 1984), "Dreams in Summer Night" (Kim Hyun-sik, 1988), and "Boom Ladi Dadi" (Clon, 1996).[8]

On May 15, a video teaser for A Flower Bookmark was uploaded on LOEN Entertainment's official YouTube channel.[9] The teaser features Kim Wan-sun, the original singer of "Pierrot Smiles at Us" (Korean: 삐에로는 우릴 보고 웃지; RR: Ppieroneun Uril Bogo Utji).[10] The official music video for the title track "My Old Story" (Korean: 나의 옛날 이야기; RR: Naui Yetnal Iyagi), starring actor Choi Woo-shik, was released via YouTube on the same day.[11]

The whole album was released on the following day. After the album's release, "My Old Story" reached a perfect all-kill status.[12]

Commercial performance

As of October 2015, the album has sold 53,900 copies in South Korea[upper-alpha 3] and 900 in Japan.[14]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[15]

The album received critical acclaim upon release. The Korea Herald complimented the album for providing "a pleasant, calming respite from the mainstream music of today's times", and praised IU for her reinterpretations: "For every track, IU keeps a careful balance between preserving the song's original sentiments and altering the original with her own color and arrangements."[16] Billboard highlighted the track, "Pierrot Smiles at Us" (Korean: 삐에로는 우릴 보고 웃지), as the "most ambitious tune she tackled" and one that proved her diversity as a singer and called the album a "soothing mix of classic K-pop melodies". Furthermore, A Flower Bookmark was listed at number three on Billboard's Best K-Pop Albums of 2014.[17]

Track listing
CD/Digital download[18]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."My Old Story" (나의 옛날 이야기; Naui Yetnal Iyagi)Jo Deok-baeJo Deok-baeKim Je-hwi3:33
2."Flower" (꽃; Kkot)Moon Dae-hyunMoon Dae-hyunG. Gorilla2:59
3."Pierrot Smiles at Us" (삐에로는 우릴 보고 웃지; Ppieroneun Uril Bogo Utji)Lee Seung-hoSon Mu-hyunLee Jong-hoon3:53
4."When Love Passes By" (사랑이 지나가면; Sarang-i Jinagamyeon)Lee Young-hoonLee Young-hoonG. Gorilla4:00
5."The Meaning of You" (너의 의미; Neoui Euimi, featuring Kim Chang-wan)Kim Han-youngKim Chang-wanGo Tae-young3:15
6."Dreams in Summer Night" (여름밤의 꿈; Yeoreumbamui Kkum)Yoon SangYoon Sang 3:56
7."Boom Ladi Dadi" (꿍따리 샤바라; Kkungddari Shabara, featuring Clon)Kim Chang-hwanKim Chang-hwanLee Jong-min3:48
Total length:25:24
LP (Limited edition)[7]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."My Old Story" (나의 옛날 이야기; Naui Yetnal Iyagi)Jo Deok-baeJo Deok-baeKim Je-hwi3:33
2."Flower" (꽃; Kkot)Moon Dae-hyunMoon Dae-hyunG. Gorilla2:59
3."Pierrot Smiles at Us" (삐에로는 우릴 보고 웃지; Ppieroneun Uril Bogo Utji)Lee Seung-hoSon Mu-hyunLee Jong-hoon3:53
4."When Love Passes By" (사랑이 지나가면; Sarang-i Jinagamyeon)Lee Young-hoonLee Young-hoonG. Gorilla4:00
5."The Meaning of You" (너의 의미; Neoui Euimi, featuring Kim Chang-wan)Kim Han-youngKim Chang-wanGo Tae-young3:15
6."Dreams in Summer Night" (여름밤의 꿈; Yeoreumbamui Kkum)Yoon SangYoon Sang 3:56
7."Boom Ladi Dadi" (꿍따리 샤바라; Kkungddari Shabara, featuring Clon)Kim Chang-hwanKim Chang-hwanLee Jong-min3:48
8."Uhuya Doongi Doongi (LP only)[7][upper-alpha 4]" (어허야 둥기둥기)Eom Ki-wonGeum Soo-hyun 2:34[20]
Total length:26:38

Charts

Single

Accolades

Annual music awards
Year Award Category Recipient Result
2014 6th MelOn Music Awards Artist of the Year IU Won
Album of the Year A Flower Bookmark Nominated
Top 10 Artists IU Won
16th Mnet Asian Music Awards The Most Popular Vocalist Won
2015 24th Seoul Music Awards Bonsang (Main Prize) IU Nominated
High1/Mobile Popularity Award Nominated
Hallyu Special Award Nominated

Use in media
  • "The Meaning of You" (Korean: 너의 의미; RR: Neoui Euimi) was featured on SK Telecom's corporate advertisement.[27]

Release history
Region Date Format Edition Label
South Korea May 16, 2014 CD, digital download LOEN Tree
Worldwide[28] Digital download
South Korea August 21, 2014 LP Limited Edition

See also

Footnotes
  1. The song remained IU's sixth and last number-one hit on the chart, which has been discontinued since its issue date of July 16, 2014.
  2. IU herself was entitled "Artist of the Year" in the same survey.[3]
  3. Sales for both CD and LP editions are combined.[13]
  4. The song had been used as one of the wholesome songs (Korean: 건전가요; RR: Geonjeongayo) in South Korea. In the past, all of the K-pop albums had to include at least one "wholesome song", as an ode to the nation's (and by extension the dictatorship's) greatness. This practice continued until 1987.[19]

References
  1. Kim, Young-bae (16 June 2014). "아이유, 리메이크 앨범 '꽃갈피' LP 한정 발매 ("IU Releases Her Remake Album "A Flower Bookmark" as a Limited LP")" (in Korean). GValley. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  2. "Korea K-Pop Hot 100, Week of May 21, 2014". Billboard Korea. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  3. Kwon, Hye-jin (18 December 2014). ""올해를 빛낸 최고의 가수는 아이유" ("IU Was Ranked as "Artist of the Year"")" (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  4. Hong, Ka-hwa (13 November 2014). "'멜론뮤직어워드' 아이유, 올해의 아티스트상 "신이 있는 것 같다" ("IU Wins Artist of the Year at 2014 MelOn Music Awards "I Guess God Exists"")" (in Korean). The Financial News. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  5. Jeon, Yoon-hee (13 November 2014). "'2014 멜론뮤직어워드' 올해의 앨범상 god "큰상 오랜만" '울컥' ("god Wins Album of the Year at 2014 MelOn Music Awards "We Haven't Received Such a Big Prize in a Long Time"")" (in Korean). Hankook Economy. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  6. "Best K-Pop Albums of 2014 - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  7. Jo, Hyeon-joo (16 June 2014). "아이유 '꽃갈피' 한정반 LP로 발매… '어허야 둥기둥기' 추가 수록 ("IU's Remake Album Releases as LP with a Bonus Track")" (in Korean). Sports Hankook. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  8. Park, Se-yeon (20 May 2014). "[연예기자24시]`93년생` 아이유의 꽃갈피, 유난히 예쁜 이유 ("The Reasons Why IU's Remake Album Is Especially Beautiful")" (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  9. 1theK (원더케이) (2014-05-15). "[Teaser] IU(아이유) Remake Album 'Kkot-Galpi(꽃갈피)'" (YouTube).
  10. Lee, Jeong-hyeon (15 May 2014). "아이유-김완선, '삐에로는 우릴 보고 웃지' 깜짝 댄스 ("IU Dances with Kim Wan-sun")" (in Korean). Sports Hankook. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  11. 1theK (원더케이) (2014-05-15). "[MV] IU(아이유) _ Naui Yetnal Iyagi(나의 옛날이야기) : My old story" (YouTube).
  12. "IU scores Perfect All-Kill with My Old Story". May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  13. Sales references for A Flower Bookmark:
  14. Sales references for A Flower Bookmark:
  15. "A Flower Bookmark" (in Korean). IZM. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  16. "Eyelike: IU returns with Korean classics". The Korea Herald. Seoul. May 30, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  17. Benjamin, Jeff; Oak, Jessica (December 11, 2014). "The 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2014". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  18. (in Korean)
  19. "Ask a Korean! 50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists Series Introduction & Brief History". Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  20. JeitcH (2014-10-11). "아이유 (IU) – 어허야 둥기둥기 (High Quality)" (YouTube).
  21. "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – The 22nd Week of 2014". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  22. "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – May 2014". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  23. "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – The Year of 2014". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  24. "2014/05/21 K-POP HOT 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  25. "Digital Chart – Week 22 of 2014". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  26. "2014년 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  27. SK telecom (2014-08-22). "[SK텔레콤 기업광고] 바른 ICT 프로젝트" (YouTube).
  28. "iTunes – Music – 꽃갈피 A Flower Bookmark by IU". iTunes Store. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
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