# Connection (Onew EP)

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***Connection*** is the fourth Korean-language and fifth overall [extended play](/source/Extended_play) (EP) by South Korean singer [Onew](/source/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](/source/Lead_single), "Winner", released simultaneously with the EP.

## Background and release

In September 2024, Onew released *[Flow](/source/Flow_(EP))*, his first project since departing [SM Entertainment](/source/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](/source/Lead_single)'s music video, was filmed on-location in [Prague](/source/Prague), Czech Republic.[7] Onew promoted *Connection* with his third concert tour, [Onew the Live: Connection](/source/Onew_the_Live:_Connection). The tour commenced in [Yokohama](/source/Yokohama), Japan, on February 15, 2025, and concluded in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles) on May 9, 2025.[8][9]

## Critical reception

Mid-year lists Critic/Publication List Work Rank Ref. Billboard The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks "Winner" 22 [10]

Year-end lists Critic/Publication List Work Rank Ref. Rolling Stone India The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 "Winner" [11]

## Charts

### Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Connection Chart (2025) Peak position Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[12] 8 Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)[13] 4 South Korean Albums (Circle)[14] 3

### Monthly charts

Monthly chart performance for Connection Chart (2025) Position Japanese Albums (Oricon)[15] 20 South Korean Albums (Circle)[16] 8

## References

1. Yoo, Hong (2024-07-11). ["Onew of Shinee to release solo EP in September"](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240711050633). *[The Korea Herald](/source/The_Korea_Herald)*. Retrieved 2024-12-15.

1. You-mee, Hwang (2024-08-23). ["\[Today's K-pop\] SHINee's Onew to hold solo concert in Korea, Japan"](https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240823050534). *[The Korea Herald](/source/The_Korea_Herald)*. Retrieved 2024-12-15.

1. ["온유, 12일 싱글 '만세' 발매…미니 4집 수록곡 선공개"](https://www.donga.com/news/Entertainment/article/all/20241209/130598864/1) [Onew to release single 'Yay' on the 12th… Pre-release of tracks from 4th mini album] (in Korean). *[The Dong-a Ilbo](/source/The_Dong-a_Ilbo)*. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-15.

1. Jeon, Hyo-jin (2024-12-12). ["온유, 오늘(12일) '만세' 선공개…미니 4집 발매 예열"](https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20241212/130625421/1) [Onew, pre-release of 'Yay' today (12th)... Warm-up for the release of 4th mini album] (in Korean). *[The Dong-a Ilbo](/source/The_Dong-a_Ilbo)*. Retrieved 2024-12-15.

1. Ahn, Byung-gil (2024-12-14). ["온유, 오늘 팬들과 생일 파티"](https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202412141100003?pt=nv) [Onew, birthday party with fans today] (in Korean). *[Kyunghyang Shinmun](/source/Kyunghyang_Shinmun)*. Retrieved 2024-12-15.

1. Yoon, So-yeon (2024-12-16). ["Onew to release fourth EP 'Connection' on Jan. 6"](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12-16/entertainment/kpop/Onew-to-release-new-album-Connection-on-Jan-6/2201408). *[Korea JoongAng Daily](/source/Korea_JoongAng_Daily)*. Retrieved 2024-12-17.

1. Kyung, Ji-min (2024-12-16). ["온유, 1월 6일 미니 4집 컴백..체코 프라하 올 로케 촬영"](https://www.osen.co.kr/article/G1112474299) [Onew, 4th mini album comeback on January 6th.. filming all on location in Prague, Czech Republic] (in Korean). *OSEN*. Retrieved 2024-12-17.

1. Gyum, Ida (2024-12-16). ["샤이니 온유, 1월 6일 컴백...미니 4집 '커넥션' 발매"](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/musics/11195365) [SHINee Onew, comeback on January 6th... 4th mini album 'Connection' released] (in Korean). *[Maeil Business Newspaper](/source/Maeil_Business_Newspaper)*. Retrieved 2024-12-17.

1. Yeo, Gladys (February 27, 2025). ["SHINee's Onew adds US dates to 2025 'The Live: Connection' world tour"](https://www.nme.com/news/music/shinee-onew-2025-the-live-connection-tour-dates-venues-3827360). *[NME](/source/NME)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250227145144/https://www.nme.com/news/music/shinee-onew-2025-the-live-connection-tour-dates-venues-3827360) February 27, 2025 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks"](https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-kpop-songs-2025-so-far/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. July 21, 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250728133832/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-kpop-songs-2025-so-far/) July 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025"](https://rollingstoneindia.com/the-25-best-k-pop-songs-of-2025/). *Rolling Stone India*. December 13, 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251219223858/https://rollingstoneindia.com/the-25-best-k-pop-songs-of-2025/) December 19, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2025.

1. ["Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2025-02-17"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2025-02-17/) (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250213033440/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2025-02-17/) February 13, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 13, 2025.

1. ["Billboard Japan Download Albums 2025/01/16 公開"](https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlalbums&year=2025&month=01&day=21) (in Japanese). *[Billboard Japan](/source/Billboard_Japan)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250213121631/https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlalbums&year=2025&month=01&day=21) February 13, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 13, 2025.

1. ["Circle Album Chart – Week 02 of 2025"](https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=02&hitYear=2025&termGbn=week&yearTime=3) (in Korean). *[Circle Chart](/source/Circle_Chart)*. Retrieved January 16, 2025.

1. ["Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2025-02"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2025-02/p/2/) (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250312171612/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2025-02/p/2/) March 12, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 13, 2025.

1. ["Circle Album Chart – January 2025"](https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=01&hitYear=2025&termGbn=month&yearTime=3) (in Korean). *[Circle Chart](/source/Circle_Chart)*. Retrieved February 6, 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Connection (Onew EP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connection_(Onew_EP)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connection_(Onew_EP)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.