NEXT EPISODE

*For the song with the same name, see "Next episode"*

* Digital
* CD ver.
* LP ver.

**NEXT EPISODE** is the first collaboration album by AKMU. The album was released on July 26, 2021 by YG Entertainment and distributed by YG PLUS with seven tracks, including "NAKKA" as the album's title track. The album features various artists such as Lee Sun-hee, IU, Zion.T, Beenzino, JANNABI Choi Jung-hoon, Crush, and Sam Kim.

The music video for "Hey kid, Close your eyes" was released on July 20, 2021.

The physical version of NEXT EPISODE was released on July 27, 2021 and the LP version on October 10, 2021.

## Description

AKMU's new album [NEXT EPISODE] is a new episode that begins 4 years after [SUMMER EPISODE] released in 2017, and is presented as AKMU's “first collaboration album” featuring all of the songs featured.
Featuring Lee Sun-hee, IU, Zion.T, Beenzino, JANNABI Choi Jung-hoon, Crush, and Sam Kim, and composing and arranging by Jukjae, PEEJAY, Lee Hyun-young, and MILLENNIUM, who showed musical synergy with producer Lee Chan-hyuk in previous AKMU albums, participated to create a colorful collection. A laboratory lineup was formed. Musically, newer attempts are seen than before, including the first featuring of another artist that has not been seen in AKMU's discography so far, and in terms of sound, the retro sound of the late 20th century is inspired by the music of several collaborators. By adding color, we created a fresher and more experimental genre and narrative.
The theme of this album [NEXT EPISODE] is ‘Beyond Freedom.’ ‘Transcendental freedom’ goes beyond simply physical comfort and comfort and means inner freedom that is not affected by any environment or condition, and AKMU expressed this theme in different stories in the 7 tracks on the track list.
It is a story of the will not to lose one's inner strength and not to give in to situations that an individual cannot solve, the standards and gaze of others, or personal pain. Even in difficult situations, we can find hope together and eventually reach the destination we dream of. It is a message of comfort and hope that it is possible.

Through AKMU's first collaboration album [NEXT EPISODE], I hope that AKMU's message that they will be together no matter what trials come to all of us who are currently going through uncomfortable times will provide faith and comfort. | ”

## Critical reception

 Source

Ruby C from the British magazine *NME* gave the EP a five-star rating out of five and said, "Much like a mountainous expedition, there are always risks that come with collaborating with others, but those in '*NEXT EPISODE*' work for the better: each track brings out the strengths of the collaborators, while still effective in showcasing Su Hyun's flawless, pristine vocals and Chan Hyuk's adept lyrical storytelling." Tamar Herman, writing for *South China Morning Post*, said that "between the captivating musicality and the lyrics' compelling themes", the album is "worth listening to again and again."

## Track list

1. "Hey kid, Close your eyes (전쟁터)" (feat. Lee Sun Hee) - 3:53
2. "NAKKA (간하)" (feat. IU) - 3:32
3. "BENCH" (feat. Zion.T) - 3:45
4. "Tictoc Tictoc Tictoc (째깐 째깐 째깐)" (feat. Beenzino) - 3:56
5. "Next episode (맞짱)" (feat. Choi Jung Hoon of JANNABI) - 3:12
6. "Stupid love song" (feat. Crush) - 3:08
7. "EVEREST" (feat. Sam Kim) - 3:15

## Charts

Chart performance for *NEXT EPISODE*

Monthly chart performance for *NEXT EPISODE*

## Videos

* Music Video
* Teaser

AKMU - '전쟁터 (Hey kid, Close your eyes) (with Lee Sun Hee)' OFFICIAL VIDEOAKMU - '낙하 (NAKKA) (with IU)' OFFICIAL VIDEOAKMU - 'BENCH (with Zion.T)' OFFICIAL VIDEOAKMU - '째깍 째깍 째깍 (Tictoc Tictoc Tictoc) (with Beenzino)' OFFICIAL VIDEOAKMU - '맞짱 (Next Episode) (with Choi Jung Hoon of JANNABI)' OFFICIAL VIDEOAKMU - 'Stupid love song (with Crush)' OFFICIAL VIDEOAKMU - 'EVEREST (with Sam Kim)' OFFICIAL VIDEO

AKMU - COLLABORATION ALBUM -NEXT EPISODE- RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTAKMU - COLLABORATION ALBUM -NEXT EPISODE- OFFICIAL VIDEO TRAILERAKMU - '전쟁터 (Hey kid, Close your eyes) (with Lee Sun Hee)' OFFICIAL VIDEO WATCH NOWAKMU - '낙하 (NAKKA) (with IU)' OFFICIAL VIDEO TEASERAKMU - '낙하 (NAKKA) (with IU)' OFFICIAL VIDEO WATCH NOWAKMU - 'BENCH (with Zion.T)' OFFICIAL VIDEO WATCH NOW-2AKMU - '째깍 째깍 째깍 (Tictoc Tictoc Tictoc) (with Beenzino)' OFFICIAL VIDEO WATCH NOWAKMU - '맞짱 (Next Episode) (with Choi Jung Hoon of JANNABI)' OFFICIAL VIDEO WATCH NOWAKMU - 'Stupid love song (with Crush)' OFFICIAL VIDEO WATCH NOW

## References

1. ↑ Park, Soo-jin. NEXT EPISODE | Review. *IZM*.
2. ↑ C, Ruby (July 30, 2021). AKMU – 'NEXT EPISODE' review: a star-studded collaboration album that doesn’t disappoint. *NME*.
3. ↑ "2021 Gaon Album Chart – July". Gaon Music Chart. (kr)
4. ↑ MMA 2021: cómo votar por tu favorito en los MelOn MusiAwards (es). *La República* (November 8, 2021).
5. ↑ 2021 MAMA Nominees – Nominees for 2021 MAMA (en). Mnet Asian Music Awards.
6. ↑ Souw, Rebecca (December 12, 2021). BTS and IU Emerge Big Winners Amid Excitement of K-pop's Hybrid MAMA Awards. *Variety*.
7. ↑ Adhya, Arpita (November 3, 2021). 'MAMA Nominations 2021: MNET Awards Nominees FT BTS, Stray Kids & More.
8. ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specified (ko). Gaon Chart Music Awards.
9. ↑ Ribeiro, Ana Clara (November 29, 2021). The 20 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021.