"Paranoia"
Single by Kang Daniel
from the album Yellow
ReleasedFebruary 16, 2021 (2021-02-16)
GenreK-pop
Length3:15
Label
Composer(s)
  • Inverness
  • Max & Kyle
  • MZMC
Lyricist(s)
  • Kang Daniel
  • JQ
  • Mola
  • Cha Yu-bin
Kang Daniel singles chronology
"State of Wonder"
(2021)		 "Paranoia"
(2021)		 "Antidote"
(2021)
Music video
"Paranoia" on YouTube
"Paranoia (Performance ver.)" on YouTube

"Paranoia" is a song by South Korean singer Kang Daniel. It was released digitally by Konnect Entertainment on February 16, 2021 and was later included in his fourth EP Yellow on April 13, 2021.

Background and composition

During an online press conference held to commemorate the single's release, Kang expanded on the meaning of "Paranoia" by sharing that "The theme in itself is heavy and distant, but since I'm resolving feelings I've personally felt, I wanted to express them honestly. I believe this is a feeling everyone can relate to, there's only a difference in the extent and the depth." He continued by saying "The reason I put focus on such a dark aspect is because the majority of people are reluctant to bring this up. I wanted to confess my inner concerns and communicate them."[1] The single resurrects Kang's battle with those who tormented him through cyberbullying and the inner demons that subsequently sprang to life.[2]

"Paranoia" combines synth bells, 808 bass, and an electric guitar.[3] In an interview with fashion-industry trade journal WWD, Kang revealed that he drew inspiration for the various tracks on Yellow from his personal experiences during a difficult period in his career and is credited as the main lyricist for the pre-released single "Paranoia".[4]

Music video

The music video for "Paranoia" was directed by Rigend Film and premiered on Konnect Entertainment's YouTube channel at 18:00 (KST) on February 16, 2021.[5] It was preceded by two teasers released on the same platform on February 10 and 12.[6][7]

The video for the alt-rock trap number sees Kang attempting to hide and escape from a mysterious and monstrous dark figure. There are various scenes that allude to social anxiety, panic attacks and the track's namesake paranoia, including a suffocating shot of Kang trapped underwater and moments where he's walking through a crowded space, increasingly fearful and wary of everyone around him. [...] The video switches between shots of the singer-songwriter hiding alone in his bedroom and scenes of him performing crisp but manic choreography with confidence. At the end, he faces the dark monster and fights it as it attempts to kill him, but is shocked by the terrifying realization that the monster is himself and therefore he can never truly escape.

— Rolling Stone India describing the "Paranoia" music video[8]

It exceeded 10 million views in two days and 20 million views in four days.[9] Included in a list of the "21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021", Rolling Stone India stated that Kang delivers excellence in the visual space with the music video for "Paranoia".[8]

Commercial performance

"Paranoia" is Kang's first top five single on the Gaon Digital Chart that peaked at number two for the chart issue dated February 14–20, 2021.[10] It also marked his first solo appearance on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart with the single debuting at number five.[11] According to the Korea Music Content Association, Kang received two Gaon crowns during the eighth week of 2021 in part due to "Paranoia" ranking first in the download and BGM charts.[12] The digital single also took first place on four music shows: The Show, Show Champion, M Countdown, and Show! Music Core.[13]

Critical reception

"Paranoia" was included in an article titled "12 Meaningful K-pop Songs That Tackle Mental Health" by Cosmopolitan Philippines and a ranking titled "88 Songs That Made Our Year" by a 24-hour radio channel launched by American multinational music company, 88rising. It was also included in Dazed Digital's list of the best K-pop tracks of 2021 where Taylor Glasby said "his clean vocal reigns triumphant amongst the warped screams and horror show bass". In an in-depth review of the "10 Best K-pop Albums of 2021", Rolling Stone India described the pre-released single as "a stunning depiction of being trapped in the prison of one's own mind".[14]

Listicles for "Paranoia"
Publication List Rank Ref.
88rising Radio 88 Songs That Made Our Year — [15]
Cosmopolitan Philippines 12 Meaningful K-Pop Songs That Tackle Mental Health 3 [16]
Dazed Digital The 40 Best K-pop Tracks of 2021 27 [17]
Rolling Stone India 21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021 8 [8]

Charts

Chart (2021) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[10] 2
South Korea (Kpop Hot 100)[18] 39
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[11] 5

Accolades

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2021 Gaon Chart Music Awards Song of the Year – February Nominated [19]

Music program awards

Program Date Ref.
The Show (SBS MTV) February 23, 2021 [20]
Show Champion (MBC M) February 24, 2021 [21]
M Countdown (Mnet) February 25, 2021 [22]
Show! Music Core (MBC) February 27, 2021 [13]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Various February 16, 2021
  • Konnect Entertainment
  • Sony Music

See also

References

  1. ↑ "[종합] '컴백' 강다니엘, 아티스트 도약 예고" [[General] 'Comeback' Kang Daniel, an artist leap forward]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). February 16, 2021. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  2. ↑ "Kang Daniel on facing his inner demons with triumphant album Yellow". Dazed Digital. April 13, 2021. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ "강다니엘, 'PARANOIA'로 찍을 터닝포인트..고통·번뇌 그린다" [Kang Daniel draws the turning point to be taken with 'PARANOIA'... pain and anguish]. Herald Pop (in Korean). February 8, 2021. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  4. ↑ "The Colorful Journey of K-pop Singer Kang Daniel". WWD. April 27, 2021. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ Rigend Film (February 21, 2021). "KANG DANIEL - PARANOIA". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ "강다니엘 'PARANOIA' MV 일부 최초 공개…압도적 카리스마" [Part of Kang Daniel's 'Paranoia' MV released for the first time... overwhelming charisma]. Newsen (in Korean). February 10, 2021. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  7. ↑ "강다니엘, 신곡 '파라노이아' 뮤비 티저…퍼포먼스 공개" [Kang Daniel's new song "Paranoia" MV teaser... performance release]. Newsis (in Korean). February 12, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  8. 1 2 3 "21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021". Rolling Stone India. January 4, 2022. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  9. ↑ "강다니엘 "마침표보다 쉼표"…,'PARANOIA' 활동 마무리" [Kang Daniel "comma rather than period"..., 'PARANOIA' activities concluded]. Xports News (in Korean). March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  10. 1 2 "Digital Chart - Week 8 of 2021". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "World Digital Song Sales - Week of February 27, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  12. ↑ "아이유·강다니엘, 가온차트 나란히 2관왕 올라" [IU, Kang Daniel, warmed up the chart alongside two gold medals]. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  13. 1 2 "'음악중심' 강다니엘, 1위 4관왕 "용기를 준 다니티에 감사" [★밤TView]" ['Music Core' Kang Daniel, 1st place 4 crowns "Thanks to Danity for giving me courage" [★ Night TView]]. Star News (in Korean). February 27, 2021. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021 – via Naver.
  14. ↑ "10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021". Rolling Stone India. December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  15. ↑ 88rising Radio (December 15, 2021). "It's the 88 Songs That Made Our Year!". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ "12 Meaningful K-Pop Songs That Tackle Mental Health". Cosmopolitan Philippines. April 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ "The best K-pop tracks of 2021". Dazed Digital. December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Korea K-pop Hot 100 - Week of March 6, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  19. ↑ "11th Gaon Chart Music Awards 2021". Gaon Music Awards (in Korean). November 29, 2021. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  20. ↑ "'더쇼' 강다니엘 1위 "무겁고 진지한 이야기, 사랑해준 다니티 감사해"[종합]" ['The Show' Kang Daniel 1st place "Heavy and serious story, thank you Danity for loving me" [Comprehensive]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). February 23, 2021. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  21. ↑ "'쇼챔피언' 강다니엘, '파라노이아'로 1위" ['Show Champion' Kang Daniel, ranked 1st with 'Paranoia']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). February 24, 2021. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  22. ↑ "'엠카운트다운' 강다니엘 "이 영광을 다니티에게" 1위 소감" ['M Countdown' Kang Daniel, "This glory to Danity" 1st place impression]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
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