Connection (Onew EP)

Connection is the fourth Korean-language and fifth overall extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Onew. It was released on January 6, 2025, by Griffin Entertainment. The EP was preceded by the first single, "Yay", on December 12, and supported by the lead single, "Winner", released simultaneously with the EP.

Background and release

In September 2024, Onew released Flow, his first project since departing SM Entertainment in early 2024.^[1] Following its release, he held a series of concerts in South Korea and Japan that October and November.^[2] News of a followup to Flow first came three months after its release, when a single, "Yay", was announced on December 9. The announcement stated that the song was to be a pre-release single for an upcoming EP to be released in January 2025, but no specific date or title were given.^[3] "Yay", along with its accompanying music video, were released on December 12.^[4]

On December 14, Onew held a fan meeting entitled O! New Day at KBS Arena, which was sold out.^[5] The next day, the EP's title, Connection, was officially announced, along with its release date, January 6, 2025.^[6]

Promotion

Promotional material for the EP, including the lead single's music video, was filmed on-location in Prague, Czech Republic.^[7] Onew promoted Connection with his third concert tour, Onew the Live: Connection. The tour commenced in Yokohama, Japan, on February 15, 2025, and concluded in Los Angeles on May 9, 2025.^[8][9]

Critical reception

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

References

1. ^ Yoo, Hong (2024-07-11). "Onew of Shinee to release solo EP in September". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
2. ^ You-mee, Hwang (2024-08-23). "[Today's K-pop] SHINee's Onew to hold solo concert in Korea, Japan". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
3. ^ "온유, 12일 싱글 '만세' 발매…미니 4집 수록곡 선공개" [Onew to release single 'Yay' on the 12th… Pre-release of tracks from 4th mini album] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
4. ^ Jeon, Hyo-jin (2024-12-12). "온유, 오늘(12일) '만세' 선공개…미니 4집 발매 예열" [Onew, pre-release of 'Yay' today (12th)... Warm-up for the release of 4th mini album] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
5. ^ Ahn, Byung-gil (2024-12-14). "온유, 오늘 팬들과 생일 파티" [Onew, birthday party with fans today] (in Korean). Kyunghyang Shinmun. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
6. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (2024-12-16). "Onew to release fourth EP 'Connection' on Jan. 6". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
7. ^ Kyung, Ji-min (2024-12-16). "온유, 1월 6일 미니 4집 컴백..체코 프라하 올 로케 촬영" [Onew, 4th mini album comeback on January 6th.. filming all on location in Prague, Czech Republic] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
8. ^ Gyum, Ida (2024-12-16). "샤이니 온유, 1월 6일 컴백...미니 4집 '커넥션' 발매" [SHINee Onew, comeback on January 6th... 4th mini album 'Connection' released] (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
9. ^ Yeo, Gladys (February 27, 2025). "SHINee's Onew adds US dates to 2025 'The Live: Connection' world tour". NME. Archived February 27, 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
10. ^ "The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks". Billboard. July 21, 2025. Archived July 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
11. ^ "The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025". Rolling Stone India. December 13, 2025. Archived December 19, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
12. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2025-02-17" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived February 13, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
13. ^ "Billboard Japan Download Albums 2025/01/16 公開" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Archived February 13, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
14. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 02 of 2025" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
15. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2025-02" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived March 12, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
16. ^ "Circle Album Chart – January 2025" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved February 6, 2025.