''Daydream'' (stylized in

all caps In typography, text or font in all caps (short for "all capitals") contains capital letters without any lowercase letters. For example: All-caps text can be seen in legal documents, advertisements, newspaper headlines, and the titles on book co ...

) is the fourth

mini-album A mini-LP or mini-album is a short record album or LP, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered full-length. It is distinct from an EP due to containing more tracks and a slightly longer running length. A mini- ...

by South Korean

idol Idol or Idols may refer to: Religion and philosophy * Cult image, a human-made object that is venerated or worshipped for the deity, spirit or daemon that it embodies or represents * Murti, a devotional image of a deity or saint used during puja ...

group

D-Crunch D-Crunch () was a South Korean Korean idol, idol group formed by All-S Company in Seoul. They debuted as a nine-member group with rappers Hyunho, O.V, Minhyuk, Chanyoung, Jungseung, and Dylan, and vocalists Hyunwook, Hyunoh, and Hyunwoo. The non ...

. It was released on April 6, 2021, by Ai Grand Korea and distributed by

Kakao M Kakao M Corp. (; formerly Seoul Records, YBM Seoul Records and LOEN Entertainment) was a South Korean entertainment company established by Min Yeong-bin in 1978. It was one of the largest co-publisher companies in South Korea. The company opera ...

. It marks the group's first record following the departure of vocalist Hyunwoo. A

dance Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

and ballad album, its concept revolves around its three themes: "Memory", "Nightmare", and "Daydream". Following a series of photo and video teasers, ''Daydream'' and its

lead single A lead single (or first single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. A similar term, "debut ...

"My Name" were concurrently released. D-Crunch promoted the song by performing on music chart programs across various television networks. Two of the group's members were diagnosed with

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

shortly after the album was issued, which forced D-Crunch to cease promotions. The mini-album peaked at number 74 on South Korea's national

Gaon Album Chart The Circle Album Chart, previously known as the Gaon Album Chart, is a record chart ranking the 100 most popular albums, extended plays and single albums in South Koreabased on their Record sales, physical sales. It is a part of the Circle Chart, ...

Background and composition

On December 28, 2020, Ai Grand Korea announced that vocalist Hyunwoo, who had halted promotions with D-Crunch due to an ongoing back injury three months earlier, would leave the group. He cited his health as the reason for his departure. Conceptually, ''Daydream'' revolves around three themes: "Memory", signifying the longing to return to reminiscent happy moments; "Nightmare", denying the inescapable reality of being abandoned; and "Daydream", expressing the fulfillment of a desire which is only possible in a dream. The album comprises

dance music Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole piece or part of a larger musical arrangement. In terms of performance, the major categories are live dance music and recorded dance musi ...

and balladry. Its music conveys dreaming and a rising moon during the day. The dreams present fantasies, illusions, daydreams, and idle dreams, which the dreamer cannot be awoken from. ''Daydream'' opens with "My Name", a

future bass Future bass is a style of electronic dance music which developed in the 2010s that mixes elements of dubstep and EDM Trap music (EDM), trap with warmer, less abrasive rhythms. The genre was pioneered by producers such as Rustie, Hudson Mohawke, ...

-dance track. Its lyrics describe the rebirth of a person who has their named called out by a loved one. "Time to Go to You" is a ballad in which the narrator yearns for the younger self. A

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...

track, the lyrics of "Childlike" search to recapture the innocence of youth. The mini-album closes with the ballad "Sandcastle", a farewell to a disintegrating sandcastle being swept away by the waves of the ocean.

Release and promotion

Rappers Hyunho and Dylan were cast in

MBC Dramanet MBC Drama, also known as MBC Dramanet (MBC 드라마넷) is a South Korean channel owned by MBC Plus, specialized in drama programming. The channel is one of the oldest cable networks in Korea, founded in 1995 by CheilJedang, and has been under th ...

's web drama ''Time to Be Together 1:11'', which began airing in March 2021. Music from ''Daydream'' was played as background music throughout its ten episodes. On March 22, Ai Grand Korea announced the release of ''Daydream'' and released a "Nightmare"-themed teaser image showcasing the group wearing black-and-white suits under crimson-colored lighting. "Memory"-themed concept images for each group member donning

casual wear Casual wear (or casual attire or clothing) is a Western dress code that is relaxed, occasional, spontaneous and suited for everyday use. Casual wear became popular in the Western world following the counterculture of the 1960s. When emphasisi ...

were uploaded two days later. Individual "Nightmare" photos of the members were published on March 26. Respective photos of the members wearing white outfits showing the "Daydream" versions were unveiled on March 29. Two days later, group portraits of all three concepts were posted by D-Crunch's agency. Two music video teasers for the lead single "My Name" were uploaded on April 1 and 2. A day ahead of the album's release, a ''Daydream'' highlight medley was shared across

social networking service A social networking service (SNS), or social networking site, is a type of online social media platform which people use to build social networks or social relationships with other people who share similar personal or career content, interest ...

s. ''Daydream'' and the music video for "My Name" were simultaneously released on April 6. A performance version music video followed one week later. D-Crunch began promoting the lead single on weekly

music chart shows Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all human societies. Definitions of musi ...

on the day of the album's release. They performed the song on

SBS MTV SBS M is a South Korean pay television music channel owned by SBS Medianet, a division of SBS Media Holdings. It features South Korean pop artists, international music, news, and a few reality and variety programs. It was launched in 2001 as t ...

's ''

The Show Show or The Show may refer to: Competition, event, or artistic production * Agricultural show, associated with agriculture and animal husbandry * Animal show, a judged event in the hobby of animal fancy ** Cat show ** Dog show ** Horse show ** S ...

'',

MBC Every 1 MBC Everyl () is a South Korean pay television network, specialising in entertainment-related variety programming. It is a subsidiary of MBC Plus. History MBC every1 started in October 15, 2007 to air dramas and variety shows and replace the ch ...

's ''

Show Champion ''Show Champion'' () is a South Korean music television program broadcast live by MBC M every Wednesday at Bitmaru Broadcasting Center in Ilsan. Hosts * Shindong (February 14, 2012 – December 25, 2012) * Hahm Eun-jung (January 30, 2013 – ...

'', and

Mnet M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...

's ''

M Countdown ''M Countdown'' () is a South Korean music program broadcast by Mnet from the CJ E&M Center Studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. It features appearances by popular music artists who also perform live on stage. First hosted by Leeteuk ...

''. Vocalist Hyunwook and rapper O.V experienced cold-like symptoms amidst promotions and were diagnosed with

on April 24. The pair were placed in

quarantine A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals, and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests. It is often used in connection to disease and illness, preventing the movement of those who may have bee ...

; the remaining six members tested negative for the virus and D-Crunch immediately completed promotions for the album.

Critical reception and commercial performance

''Daydream'' received favorable reviews from both critics from TV Daily. Kim Ji-ha wrote that the tone of each member was charming, while Kim Han-kil expressed being able to feel the record's "powerful" energy. On the chart dated April 4–10, 2021, ''Daydream'' debuted at number 74 on South Korea's national

Track listing

Chart

References

External links

* {{YouTube, wC5iqH5jEQA, ''Daydream'' highlight medley 2021 EPs D-Crunch EPs Dance music EPs Kakao M EPs Korean-language EPs