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Protostar (EP)

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"Protostar"
Normal edition cover
Single by JO1
from the album The Star
LanguageJapanese
A-side"Infinity"
ReleasedMarch 4, 2020 (2020-03-04)
Recorded2019–2020
GenreJ-pop
Length
  • 14:17 (Limited edition A)
  • 13:38 (Limited edition B)
  • 14:00 (Normal edition)
LabelLapone Entertainment
Producer(s)
JO1 singles chronology
"Protostar"
(2020) 		"Stargazer"
(2020)
Music video
"無限大(INFINITY)" on YouTube

Protostar (stylized in all caps) is an extended play (EP) marketed as the debut single of Japanese boy band JO1, formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan. It also served as the lead single for their first studio album, The Star (2020). The single was released by Lapone Entertainment in three different editions on March 4, 2020, consisting of songs performed on the final episode of the show and three new songs. It features the participation of various South Korean songwriters and production teams such as KZ, Kim Seung-soo, Nthonious, KCKT, Ryan S. Jhun, Andrew Choi, and others.

Upon its release, the single earned the top spot on the Oricon Singles Chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. According to Oricon, JO1 was the seventh artist to sell over 300,000 copies of a debut single n its first week. The lead track, "Infinity", also topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Background and release

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Shortly after the end of Produce 101 Japan, JO1 flew to South Korea to prepare and produce their first single.[1] On January 14, it was announced that the group's debut EP single, Protostar, would be released on March 4, 2020, with "Infinity" as the lead track.[2] A concept trailer was released on January 28.[3] To help promote the single, an animated music video for "Running" and a short performance video of "La Pa Pa Pam" were also released.[4][5] To commemorate the release, JO1 held a special live streaming event on the group's official social media accounts.[6]

Protostar features of songs performed on the last final of the show and three new songs, released in three different editions. The first edition is a limited CD and DVD bundle that includes a behind-the-scenes video of "Infinity" and a talk segment with members. The second edition is a limited bundle of CD and photo booklet. The final edition is a standard CD-only edition that includes the new songs "Infinity", "Running", and "La Pa Pa Pam".[4][7]

Lead track

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"Infinity" combines several musical genres, including hip hop, EDM, and house music.[8] The song was premiered on J-Wave's radio program, Step One, on February 5, 2020.[9] The full version of the music video was released on February 16 and was directed by Beomjin of VM Project Architecture.[10] According to member Sho Yonashiro, Protostar represents the group's desire to transform from regular people to stars, while "Infinity" embodies JO1's infinite possibilities and growth.[11]

Upon release, "Infinity" led other songs from the EP single on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, scoring first that week and eventually finishing fiftieth place on the chart's year-end rankings.[12][13] The song was used as the theme song for the TV commercial of ABC-Mart x Nike's project titled Nike One,[14] as well as the ending song for TV Asahi's show, Sonna Koto Kangaetakoto Nakatta Quiz! Torinikku-tte Nanno Niku!?, and Kansai TV's variety show Chihara Junior no Zao.[15]

Promotion

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On March 24, 2020, JO1 made their first live appearance on a television program, performing "Infinity" on NTV's morning show Sukkiri.[16] On May 4, the group gave a special "home performance" of "La Pa Pa Pam" on Mezamashi Uchi Festival, a special episode of Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV due to the COVID-19 restrictions.[17] The performance featured images of the members performing at home as well as engaging in home various activities.[18] JO1 then performed remotely on several TV shows, such as Love Music and NHK's Shibuya Note.[19][20] On June 21, JO1 performed songs from the single at the KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, making them the first Japanese boy group to participate in the convention.[21]

Commercial performance

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Protostar debuted at number one on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart and Billboard Japan Top Single Sales.[22][23] It topped the chart for seven consecutive days and finished first on the weekly chart with 327,187 copies sold,[24] making JO1 the seventh artist that managed to sell over 300,000 copies in the first week of a debut single.[25] The single was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for shipments of more than 250,000 units.[26] The single's sales helped JO1 to become second best-selling new artist, by earning an estimated 640 million yen according to Oricon.[27] By the end of 2020, the single had sold 372,820 copies,[28] placing it thirteenth on the Oricon and fourteenth on the Billboard Japan's year-end charts.[29]

Track listing

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"Infinity" and "Tsukame" are common track 1 and 4, respectively, for all editions.

Track listing of Protostar – Limited edition A
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Infinity" (無限大, Mugendai)
  • KZ
  • Nthonius
  • Kim Seung-soo
3:04
2."Running"
  • Yoske
  • Seion
  • EastWest
  • Yoske
  • EastWest
  • D.stus
  • Holy M
3:51
3."Young" (JO1 ver.)
  • Sun
  • Uno Buckx
  • Kaine
  • Sun
  • Versachoi
Versachoi3:24
4."Tsukame (It's Coming)" (ツカメ ～It's Coming～; JO1 ver.)Kanata Nakamura [ja]
  • Eunsol
  • Seo Yi-sung
3:58
Total length:14:17
Track listing of Protostar – Limited edition B
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."La Pa Pa Pam"
  • Young Jay (KCKT)
  • Buggy (KCKT)
  • Ven (KCKT)
  • Rosieblue
  • Young Jay
  • Buggy
  • Ven
  • Young Jay
  • Buggy
  • Ven
3:09
3."GrandMaster" (JO1 ver.)
  • Coach & Sendo
  • Yuki
Coach & Sendo3:28
Total length:13:38
Track listing of Protostar – Normal edition
No.TitleLength
2."Running"3:50
3."La Pa Pa Pam"3:08
Total length:14:00
Track listing of Protostar – Limited edition A (DVD)
No.TitleLength
1."Making video + JO1 Secrets"47:00
Total length:47:00

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for Protostar
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[26] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for Protostar
Region Date Label Format Type Catalog
Japan March 4, 2020 Lapone Entertainment
Limited A YRCS-90173
  • CD
  • photo booklet
 Limited B YRCS-90174
CD Normal YRCS-90175
Various
Limited A —
Limited B
Normal

References

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  1. ^ "[공식입장] 엠넷 "'프듀 재팬' 최종그룹 JO1, 한국 데뷔 계획 없다"". Naver (in Korean). December 24, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN」から誕生したグローバルグループ「JO1」、デビューシングル『Protostar』3月4日発売 - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE". Tower Records Online (in Japanese). January 14, 2020. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "JO1 1st single "Protostar" concept trailer published". JO1 Official Site. January 29, 2020. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "JO1、デビューシングル『PROTOSTAR』ビジュアル公開 リード曲「無限大」ラジオ初OAも". Real Sound (in Japanese). February 5, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "JO1 『La Pa Pa Pam』Performance Short Ver. published". JO1 Official Site. February 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "JO1 on Twitter: "＼ついに明日デビュー／ 3月4日(水)18:00～特別生配信決定！"". Twitter (in Japanese). March 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "JO1 debut single "Protostar" singer photos and jacket photos published". JO1 Official Site. February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. ^ "JO1「無限大（INFINITY）」パフォーマンスに反響「ひと回り成長した無限大最高でした」". Music Voice (in Japanese). June 3, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "JO1デビューシングル曲「無限大」本日初OA、魅力凝縮のアー写＆ジャケ写も公開". @natalie_mu (in Japanese). February 5, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  10. ^ "A:WE Official Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "JO1デビュー作より「無限大」MVフル尺公開「世界に伝わるようにと想いを込めた」". Natalie.mu (in Japanese). Natasha,Inc. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  12. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  13. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year End 2020". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  14. ^ "JO1出演！ABC-MART『NIKE AIRMAX』新CM". ABC-MART (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  15. ^ "JO1『Mugendai(INFINITY)』TV program tie-up decision!". JO1 Official Site. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  16. ^ "JO1が明日「スッキリ」で生パフォーマンス" (in Japanese). March 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "「めざましおうちフェス」の開催が決定！". fujitv.co.jp (in Japanese). May 2, 2020. Archived from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "JO1「めざまし」で"11人別々"おうちパフォーマンス「ダンス揃いすぎ」「さすがのクオリティ」". modelpress (in Japanese). May 4, 2020. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "JO1 川尻蓮 家の中でのパフォーマンスを披露するも「みんなの前で踊りたい」". フジテレビュー!! (in Japanese). May 22, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  20. ^ "JO1とSIRUPがリモート出演で「シブヤノオト」2カ月ぶりのリベンジ". natalie.mu (in Japanese). June 2, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  21. ^ "JO1、『KCON』初出演 日本人ボーイズグループで初の快挙 豆原一成「これからも出続けられるように」". Oricon News (in Japanese). June 21, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  22. ^ "デイリー シングルランキング 2020年03月03日付". Oricon (in Japanese). March 4, 2020. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard JAPAN. March 16, 2020. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "2020年03月02日～2020年03月08日 オリコン週間 シングルランキング". Oricon. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  25. ^ "NiziUデビューシングル、女性アーティスト歴代2位となる初週売上で首位 MAKO「感謝と嬉しい気持ちで一杯". Oricon (in Japanese). December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Japanese single certifications – JO1 – Protostar" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2020年3月 on the drop-down menu
  27. ^ "オリコン上半期ランキング2020 - アーティスト別セールス部門 新人ランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  28. ^ a b オリコン年間ランキング2020 [Oricon Annual Ranking 2020 - Singles]. Oricon (in Japanese). December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales Year End 2020". Billboard JAPAN. December 4, 2020. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  30. ^ "2020年03月02日～2020年03月08日 オリコン週間 合算シングルランキング". Oricon. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  31. ^ 月間 シングルランキング 2020年03月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking 2020/03]. Oricon. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' (Annual Combined Singles Ranking 2020)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
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