ENDLESS (single)

## ***ENDLESS***Single by VALKYRIE

ENDLESS is the 2nd single released by South Korean girl group VALKYRIE. It was released on September 24th through Virtual Entertainment. It was their second single released in the year, and their first single to go #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is featured on their first mini album of the same title. The single was later included in their 2022 release of their second studio album, titled CHECKMATE.

The single was met with critical success, becoming an overnight hit on the charts, and earning VALKYRIE multiple accolades across the world alongside widespread recognition. In terms of it's impact, it remains heavily regarded as one of the group's best singles to date.

### Background & Composition

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*Taken From ENDLESS - The 1st Mini Album's Background & Composition*

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Originally, Virtual Entertainment wanted to capitalize on the current trend of Girl Crush elements in K-Pop at the moment, and originally intended for a soft girl group, however it was revealed in January 2018, that following SM's ending of business, Virtual would debut a girl group they pulled from within the trainee program to promote a whole new lore, different from SM Entertainment's "Kwangya" universe. VALKYRIE was intended to open the door to a whole new lore and explore the elements of their battles, referring to their fanbase as VALORANTS in an official tweet.

Alongside, they wanted to further their subordinate groups, MIDNIGHT, and VALKYRII's upcoming storylines and their participation in the lore behind the groups narrative. ENDLESS was originally meant to be a K-Pop only release, however Max Martin believed in the girls and wanted them to attempt to evolve their sound and work more with the girls. As a result, the original instrumental is included with the albums release.

### Music Video

The music video depicts the girls, entering their home planet, 파라다이스 (paladaiseu) where they greet VALKYRII. As the girls gear up, they are set up against various challenges to test their physical skills, and mental knowledge in preparation for the rumored war invasion. VALKRYIE depict the official villain of their narrative and lore, a medusa resembled character however, the S is in the place of the D, and the D is in the place of the S. MAƧUDA, is the depicted villain, shown in her lair as the M/V extends before the song cuts back, to the girls training. They are seen flying super-sonic vehicles around a in air race track, before it concludes to a dance break to the EDM bridge in the song. As the M/V concludes, YEJI is seen, calling the girls as they receive their gear.

### Commercial Performance

ENDLESS was VALKYRIE's breakthrough single taking advantage of their hiatus, and break alongside the hype and promotion fueled from interviews, and multiple magazine covers and more, the single debuted at #1 across the globe while peaking at #2 on the Global Streams chart. The single was met with widespread critically acclaimed success and with it, VALKYRIE became the first Korean act to debut #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single was the most requested song on US Radio, alongside in South Korea, it was a global success with the single selling over 3 million units alone in Korea. It is VALKYRIE's first single to be certified Platinum by RIAA of America, alongside it was later broken by the success of their 3rd single 'SO HOT'.