The Name Chapter: Temptation (
Korean: 이름의 장: TEMPTATION;
RR: Ireumui Jang: Temptation) is the fifth Korean-language extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band
Tomorrow X Together. It was released on January 27, 2023, through
Big Hit Music and
Republic Records. It consists of five tracks, including the lead single "
Sugar Rush Ride".[2][3] In support of the EP, the group embarked on their second concert tour, Act: Sweet Mirage, beginning in March 2023.
Background and release
Hybe Corporation, parent company of Big Hit Music, first revealed plans for Tomorrow X Together to release an EP in January 2023 at a corporate briefing on November 9, 2022.[4] The group's new album series, The Name Chapter, was teased first during their performance at the
2022 Melon Music Awards on November 26 and again in a concept trailer uploaded to their official YouTube channel on December 3. The EP was formally announced on social media platforms on December 14 and released on January 27, 2023.[5][6]
Music and lyrics
The Name Chapter: Temptation has five tracks and includes a guest appearance by American rapper
Coi Leray on the third, "Happy Fools".[6] The EP was characterized as Tomorrow X Together's return to their "tried-and-true", "whimsical" themes and intricate storytelling, although this time from a more mature lens and inspired by the story of
Peter Pan.[7] Sonically, it was described by some media outlets as one of the group's more experimental projects thus far.[8][7] The all-English opening track "Devil by the Window" features bass-heavy rhythms. Lead single "Sugar Rush Ride" follows, a "saccharine
dance pop" song with "funky guitar riffs" and whistles. The next track, "Happy Fools", draws from
bossa nova and
R&B; all five members of the group contributed to the lyrics. "Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock)" is Tomorrow X Together's foray into
Afrobeats, while the closing track "Farewell, Neverland" is a
ballad with
Latin influences.[7]
Commercial performance
Big Hit Music reported on January 10, 2023 that The Name Chapter: Temptation had sold over 1.56 million copies in pre-orders.[9] According to the label, by January 25, pre-orders surpassed 2.16 million copies, a new career high for Tomorrow X Together.[10] The EP debuted at number one on the US
Billboard 200 with 161,500
album-equivalent units, earning Tomorrow X Together their first number one in the country.[11]
Live performances
In support of the EP, the group embarked on their second concert tour,
Act: Sweet Mirage, which began in March 2023.[12]
Accolades
Paste ranked the EP number four in their list of The 20 Best K-pop Albums of 2023, highlighting the record's experimental styles and the group's evolution.[13]
^Kim, So-yeon (November 29, 2023).
"[2023 MAMA]세븐틴, 8년만 대상...불참 뉴진스, 대상만 2관왕(종합)" [[2023 MAMA] Seventeen, first prize in 8 years...Non-attendant NewJeans won 2 grand prizes (overall)] (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper.
Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yul (December 2, 2023).
[종합]뉴진스·NCT DREAM, 눈물의 4관왕+대상 영예..'MMA2023' 싹쓸이 [[Comprehensive] NewJeans and NCT DREAM, 4 tears + grand prize honors...sweeping 'MMA 2023'] (in Korean). Herald Pop.
Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Naver.