# Explorer (EP)

Explorer is the debut EP by South Korean rapper Eunhyuk, a member of the boy band Super Junior and its subgroup Super Junior-D&E. It was released on January 27, 2025, ODE Entertainment and distributed by Dreamus. The EP consists of seven tracks with "Up n Down" serving as its lead single.

## Background

On July 23, 2023, SM Entertainment announced that Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun have decided not to renew their contract with the agency, but they will continue group activities with Super Junior under SM. On September 1, Super Junior-D&E announced that they have established their own agency called ODE Entertainment where the duo will serve as the Co-CEOs.
2024 was a productive year for the subgroup, with the release of EPs 606 in March, You&Me in July, and Inevitable in October. The duo also embarked on their first world tour concert "Eclipse" from September until January 2025.
Eunhyuk returned as a member Super Junior for SM Town Live concert in Seoul on January 12, where he revealed that he will release an EP on January 27. ODE made an announcement the following day that Eunhyuk will release his first EP Explorer on January 27.
The old-school themed track list was revealed on January 16, revealing all the seven tracks and the producers involved in the EP's production. The teaser photos were revealed on January 20 and 21, adopting a retro theme. The highlight medley was uploaded on January 24.
The EP and its lead single were released on January 27. Through the agency Eunhyuk said, "It feels like I'm debuting again after 20 years."

## Composition

The EP features old-school hip-hop and new jack swing genres that Eunhyuk grew up with.
The EP begins with an Eunhyuk-written song, "A-yo" to introduce the EP in a short and intense way. The second song is the lead single "Up n Down", which is described as a new jack swing song with funky synthesizer sounds reminiscent of the 1990s with the lyrics encouraging the listeners to enjoy the moment. The third song "Trap" is a new jack swing song with a synth and drum sound.
"You & I" is a dance-pop song with disco-style guitar and bass with guest vocals from Super Junior bandmate Cho Kyu-hyun. "Step By Step" is a modern take on new jack swing with its lyrics depicting taking small steps at a time. "Second Chances" is a medium-tempo pop song with a hopeful message. The EP concludes with R&B special track "Empty" which features Donghae as the lyricist and the composer, narrating the longing of a departing lover and reliving memories together.

## Chart performance

The EP debuted and peaked at No. 1 of the Circle Chart.

## Promotions

Eunhyuk appeared on Inkigayo where he performed "Up n Down" on February 2. On February 7, he performed "Up n Down" in Music Bank and jokingly stated that he would retire if the song went at number one, which it eventually did.

## Accolades

Music show awards :
| Song | Program | Date | Rank | Ref. |
| "Up n Down" | Music Bank (KBS) | February 7, 2025 | 1 | |

## Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes.
Studio
* 821 Sound Studio – recording
* Warner Music Korea – recording
* InGrid Studio – recording, mixing
* GLAB Studios – mixing
* Klang Studio – mixing
* Kobee Studio – mixing
* MadMix – mixing
* Supremo Studio – mixing
* 821 Sound Mastering – mastering
Personnel
* ODE Entertainment – executive producer and executive supervisor
* Super Junior-D&E – producer
* Back Koo-young – choreography
* J.Black – choreography
* Vincenzo – producer, composition, arrangement (1, 2), mixing
* Shin Kung – producer, composition, arrangement (1, 2)
* Lee Hyuk-jae – vocals, lyrics (1)
* Rokstaxil – composition (1, 7), lyrics (7)
* Kim Yang-ha – lyrics (2)
* Cyrus Villanueva – composition (2)
* Avenue 52 – producer, composition, arrangement (3, 4, 6)
* Sqvare – producer (3, 4), composition (3, 4), arrangement (3)
* Hymax – producer, composition, arrangement (3)
* Ellie Suh – lyrics (3)
* Lyre – producer, composition, arrangement (4)
* Scott Bruzenak – producer, composition, arrangement (4)
* Oscar Free – producer, composition, arrangement (4)
* Yoo Eun-mi – lyrics (4)
* Melange – producer, composition, arrangement (5)
* DRD – producer, composition, arrangement (5)
* Chrizmatic – composition (5)
* Ko Hyeon-jeong – lyrics (5)
* Jung Boy – lyrics (5)
* Yoon Na-ra – lyrics (5)
* Kim Dahlia – lyrics (5)
* Joachim Persson – producer, composition, arrangement (6)
* Johan Alkenäs – producer, composition, arrangement (6)
* Jiwon – lyrics (6)
* Jelly – producer, composition, arrangement (7)
* 17 – producer, composition, arrangement (7)
* Lee Dong-hae – lyrics (7)
* Kim Min-hee – recording
* Ahn Chang-gyu – recording
* Jeong Eun-kyung – recording
* Kobee – mixing
* Kwon Yoon-hwan – mixing
* Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
** Yoo Eun-jin – mastering assistant

## Sales

| Region | Sales |
| South Korea | 67,908 |

## Release history

Release history for Explorer :
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
| Various | January 27, 2025 | Digital downloadstreaming | ODEDreamus | |
| South Korea | January 31, 2025 | CD | ODEDreamus | |