What a Life (EP)

What a Life is the debut extended play by Exo-SC, the second official sub-unit of the South Korean–Chinese boy group Exo. It was released on July 22, 2019 by SM Entertainment. The EP features six tracks, including three singles.[1][2]

What a Life
Digital cover
EP by
Exo-SC
ReleasedJuly 22, 2019 (2019-07-22)
Recorded2019
Genre
Length20:08
LanguageKorean
Label
Producer
Exo-SC chronology
What a Life
(2019)		 1 Billion Views
(2020)
Singles from What a Life
  1. "What a Life"
    Released: July 22, 2019
  2. "Just Us 2"
    Released: July 22, 2019
  3. "Closer to You"
    Released: July 22, 2019

Background and release

On June 5, 2019, it was revealed that Chanyeol and Sehun would be debuting as Exo's second sub-unit and were preparing to release an album in July.[3] On June 28, the EP's title and number of songs were revealed.[4] On July 9, an instrumental teaser of one of the singles was released by W Korea following the duo's photo shoot for the magazine.[5] On July 11, the album details were released on Exo's social media accounts.[6] On July 12, it was revealed that the EP will feature three singles,[7] and that it was produced by Dynamic Duo's Gaeko and Devine Channel.[8] On July 15, it was revealed that the duo participated in writing and producing the album, and that the message of the EP is for youth.[9] On July 17, three videos of the duo with Gaeko and Divine Channel were released where they talked about the making of the album.[10][11][12] On the same day, a teaser of the music videos for the three singles was released.[13] On July 20, a highlight medley video for the album was released,[14] On the same day, the music video for "Just us 2" was released prior to the album's release.[15] On July 22, the official music video for "What a Life" was released.[16] On July 25, a video of Sehun and Chanyeol shooting What a Life was released.[17] On July 26, the official music video for "Closer to You" was released.[18] On July 29, a jacket making video of the duo was released.[19]

Composition and production

"What a Life" is described as a hip hop track with a "unique" plucking sound and lyrics containing a message of both working and playing happily.[20]

"Just Us 2" is a hip hop song featuring piano instrumentation, soft synthesizers and a melodious chorus, with lyrics about vacationing in a hot summer spot. The track features rapper Gaeko and was composed by the South Korean artist Gray. The lyrics of the song were written by Boi B, Chanyeol and Sehun.[21]

"Closer to You" is a hip hop R&B song with romantic sensibility. It features an emotional melody and a "highly addictive" chorus, with lyrics expressing the desire to be closer to a person. Chanyeol and Sehun participated in writing the lyrics with hip hop group Rhythm Power member Hangzoo.[22]

Promotion

Exo-SC performed "What a Life" and "Closer to You" for the first time on Exo's 5th concert EXO Planet #5 - The EXplOration on July 19, and will continue to do so for all the concerts in the tour.[23]

Exo-SC held a press showcase event on July 22 at MUV Hall in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.[24][25] On the same day, they held a showcase for the fans with Gaeko where they talked about the album, the process of making it and performed "What a Life", "Just Us 2" and "Closer to You".[26]

On July 25, Exo-SC held a live stream show on the Chinese website Sina Weibo, where they recorded 2.11M concurrent viewers, becoming the first Korean artists to do so.[27]

They received their first-ever music show win since debut on August 2, 2019 on KBS's Music Bank.[28] On August 8, Exo-SC held a promotion event in Gwangjang-dong.[29]

Commercial performance

Sales of What a Life on QQ Music exceeded 1M yuan, and it received a Platinum record certification.[30]

Track listing

Credits taken from Melon and Apple Music.[31][32]

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."What a Life"
  • Gaeko
  • Devine-Channel
  • Aris Maggiani
  • Devine-Channel
  • Aris Maggiani
3:23
2."Just Us 2" (있어 희미하게; isseo huimihage) (featuring Gaeko)
  • GRAY
  • DAX
3:18
3."Closer to You" (부르면 돼; buleumyeon dwae)
  • Gaeko
  • Devine-Channel
Devine-Channel3:07
4."Borderline" (선; seon)
  • Gaeko
  • Loey
  • Sehun
  • Devine-Channel
  • Mike Dupree
2:39
5."Roller Coaster" (롤러코스터; lolleokoseuteo)
  • Studio 519 (Loey, MQ, Jeon Yong-joon, Yunji)
  • Sehun
  • Gaeko
  • Studio 519 (Loey, MQ, Jeon Yong-joon, Yunji)
  • Sehun
Studio 519 (Loey, MQ, Jeon Yong-joon, Yunji)3:10
6."Daydreamin'" (夢; mèng)
  • Studio 519 (Loey, MQ, Jeon Yong-joon, Yunji)
  • Sehun
  • Studio 519 (Loey, MQ, Jeon Yong-joon, Yunji)
  • Sehun
Studio 519 (Loey, MQ, Jeon Yong-joon, Yunji)4:31
Total length:20:08

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
French Digital Albums (SNEP)[33] 29
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[34] 19
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[35] 26
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[36] 43
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[37] 1
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[38] 78
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[39] 32
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard)[40] 10
US World Albums (Billboard)[41] 8

Year-end charts
Chart (2019) Position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[42] 12

Accolades
Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Nominated work Result Ref
2020 Golden Disc Awards Disc Bonsang What a Life Won [43]
Disc Daesang Nominated

Music program awards
Song Program Date Ref.
"What a Life" Music Bank August 2, 2019 [44][45]

Sales
Region Sales
South Korea[46] 419,103
China[47] 179,443
Japan[48] 5,436
United States[49] 1,000

Release history
Region Date Format Label
South Korea July 22, 2019
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 SM Entertainment

References
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  2. "'엑소新유닛' 세훈-찬열의 트리플 매력". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  3. "[단독] 엑소 찬열X세훈, 비주얼+음악 다되는 듀오조합 탄생..7월 첫 앨범 발표". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  4. ""엑소 新 유닛 출격"…세훈&찬열, 7월 22일 'What a life' 발매 [공식입장]". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  5. W Korea 더블유 코리아 (2019-07-09), 세훈&찬열 'What a life' 수록곡 최초 공개?? 신곡 맛보기와 어디서도 볼 수 없는 세훈, 찬열의 귀염뽀짝 셀프캠, retrieved 2019-07-09
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  47. Cumulative sales:
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