"Milky Way" is a song recorded by South Korean singer
BoA from her third
studio album, Atlantis Princess, released through
SM Entertainment on May 30, 2003. The song was composed, written, and arranged by SM songwriter
Kenzie.
Background and release
"Milky Way" was released as the third single from BoA's third studio album, Atlantis Princess, on May 30, 2003. It followed the promotional single "The Lights of Seoul" and the title track "
Atlantis Princess". BoA recorded the song in Japanese as "Milky Way ~Kimi No Uta~" for her 10th Japanese single "
Double", which was released on October 22, 2003.[1] The Korean release of "Double" includes a club remix version of "Milky Way".[2]
Usage in media
The Japanese version of "Milky Way" was used as the theme song for
TV Tokyo's coverage of the
2003 Rugby World Cup, which was held in October and November.[3]
"Milky Way" is a
remake song recorded by South Korean girl group
Red Velvet. It was originally recorded by
BoA for her album Atlantis Princess (2003). It remade by the group as part of
SM Station's tribute project in celebration of BoA's 20th anniversary. It was released as Red Velvet's sixth
digital single on August 21, 2020, marking their first release with member
Wendy who was hospitalized after a stage accident in December 2019.
Background and composition
On August 19, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that Red Velvet would be the fourth runner for
SM Station 'Our Beloved BoA'.[6] "Milky Way" was originally recorded and released by
BoA in 2003 from her third Korean studio album Atlantis Princess.[7] In addition, Wendy, who had a hiatus from group activities due to injury, participated in the song for the first time in about eight months.[8][9]
Musically, "Milky Way" is described as a combination of "colorful acappella and jazz scat with harmonious vocals".[10] The song is composed in the
key of
A♭ Major with a
tempo of 98 beat-per-minute.[11] The song was produced and written by Kenzie, who worked on the original song, and arranged the song herself to recreate it into a "fresh jazz pop" song.[12] Lyrically, the song tells a story of unfolding a "dark night" with someone just like a "milky way".[13]
^"보아, 한일 양국서 싱글 동시 발표" [BoA releases single simultaneously in both Korea and Japan]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Naver. October 23, 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
^"[새음반]보아 싱글음반 '더블' 韓日 동시발표" [[New album] BoA’s single album ‘Double’ released simultaneously in Korea and Japan]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Naver. October 24, 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
^"[번역]History-making singer 보아, 국내 팝 역사 새로 쓰다" [[Translation] History-making singer BoA, rewriting domestic pop history]. The Korea Herald (in Korean). Naver. October 23, 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
^곡 정보 - Milky Way [Song Information - Milky Way]. Melon (in Korean). May 30, 2003.
Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
^Milky Way ~君の歌~ [Milky Way (Your Song)]. Line Music (in Japanese). October 22, 2003.
Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
^Lee, Nam-kyung (August 19, 2020).
'부상' 웬디 합류…레드벨벳, 21일 'Milky Way' 발매 [Wendy Joins After 'Injury', Red Velvet to Release 'Milky Way' on August 21, 2020]. MBN Star (in Korean).
Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^웬디, 8개월 만에 복귀! 레드벨벳 완전체, 'Milky Way' 부른다 [Wendy's Comeback After Eight Months! Red Velvet to Sing 'Milky Way' with All the Members]. iMBC (in Korean). August 19, 2020.
Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^Hong, Hye-min (August 21, 2020).
레드벨벳, 돌아온 웬디와 '5人 완전체'로 완성한 청량송 'Milky Way' [Red Velvet Now is Finally 'Five' with Wendy Returning and 'Milky Way', A Refreshing Song]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^Cho, Yoon-sun (August 19, 2021).
보아 'Milky Way' 21일 재탄생…웬디 포함 레드벨벳 완전체 참여 [BoA's 'Milky Way' Rebirth on August 21, Red Velvet is Now Complete with Wendy Back]. Sports Chosun (in Korean).
Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^Shim, Eon-kyung (August 21, 2020).
"기다림 아깝지 않은 웬디의 존재감"..레드벨벳, 8개월만 완전체 하모니 '밀키 웨이' ["Wendy's presence is worth waiting for." Red Velvet Performs with All Members After Eight Months in Total, 'Milky Way' Harmony]. OSEN (in Korean).
The Chosun Ilbo.
Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
^곡 정보 - Milky Way [Song Information - Milky Way]. Melon (in Korean). August 21, 2020.
Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^곡 정보 - Milky Way (Inst.) [Song Information - Milky Way (Instrumental)]. Melon (in Korean). August 21, 2020.
Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.