“Queendom” by Red Velvet
Red Velvet’s “Queendom” is an inspirational song, as to be expected from a South Korean act. It also utilizes very colorful, uplifting language. And even though Queendom is obviously female-centric, the chorus is more inclusive, i.e. acknowledging both sexes.
And what the thesis sentiment centers on is the vocalist(s) taking a boss-like approach to life. Or put differently, she doesn’t need an official “crown” to feel like a queen, i.e. an extraordinary lady who can accomplish any goal attributing to her happiness. Instead she is under the disposition that we, as individuals, “were born to dazzle”. So the real challenge comes in adopting an I-can-do-it as opposed to defeatist attitude.
Also, another common factor that commonly differentiates between K-pop and its Western equivalents is that the former tends to be more communal. So in the bridge for instance, ‘togetherness’ is being espoused, evidently in relation to all of the above. That is to say that part of being a ‘queen or king’ is teaming up with likeminded individuals who will support you along the way.
Quick Facts about “Queendom”
This song is the title track to an EP that Red Velvet dropped, via SM Entertainment, on 16 August 2021. Although this is the 12th mini-album they have come out with altogether, it is the girl group’s first album since 2019.
Also, Queendom marks the first new music they’ve put out for 2021. However, earlier in the year one of the quintet, Wendy, delivered an EP entitled Like Water, which was the first solo project any of the girls have ever put out. And to note, the other members of the crew are Irene, Joy, Seulgi and Yeri, who as of the writing of this post collectively range in age from 22 (Yeri) to 30 (Irene).
The Queendom project was first teased a couple of weeks prior to it being released.
This post is being written on the same day of the release of Queendom. Therefore we do not have the official chart history of the project as of yet. However, the internet being what it is and Red Velvet being who they are, the EP quickly proceeded to top iTunes’ charts “in 50 regions around the globe” including, perhaps most notably, the United States.
This song was written by SM Town’s Jo Yoon-kyung and produced by another South Korean musician who goes by the name of MinGtion.
