
“Refresh” is a digital single by Kang Daniel and rapper ZICO. It was released on April 23, 2020 by Starship Entertainment and distributed by 1theK.
Background
On March 17, 2020, news outlets reported that Kang Daniel would collaborate with ZICO for Starship and Pepsi’s 2020 Global K-Pop Project titled For the Love of Korea. The digital music was in the final production stages. Starship and Pepsi’s joint project began in 2019 and features different artists launching digital music (click here for more information).[s] The song “Refresh” is co-produced by Steve Aoki and ZICO and expresses the beauty of Korea. The upbeat melody is meshed with traditional instruments.[s]
In the making film, rapper ZICO commented they tried to style the song with various traditional symbols and sounds to bring an atmosphere where Korea is represented. ZICO also shared his happiness for being able to work with Kang Daniel again since the last time they had work together was two years ago for Wanna One’s unit song “Kangaroo” from the album 1÷x=1 (Undivided). Meanwhile, Kang Daniel expressed he felt honored to have the opportunity to work with an artist he respects and be able to do an amazing project with him.
Promotional Activities
The single was not performed live on music shows. Daniel and ZICO teased the collaboration on their social media leading up to the release. TikTok Korea arranged a live broadcast on March 25, the day they had the concept photo shoot. In Daniel’s April 8 V LIVE, he talked about the song having a good beat and lyrics and showed the limited edition Korean culture Pepsi can and merchandise. Daniel posted a screen capture from the music video on Instagram on April 10, 10 days before the music teaser was uploaded. ZICO released two vlogs from the day they filmed the music video. The music video producer teased that there would be a TVC.
Music Video
The music video highlighted different aspects of traditional and modern Korean culture. It opened showing a hanok (traditional Korean house) as the setting with Daniel and ZICO dressed in hanbok and blue suits with traditional flourishes. Korean paintings used in the backdrop were reminiscent of the Ten Symbols of Longevity (십장생도) artwork from the Joseon era. The video showed the percussion quartet samulnori with four traditional Korean music instruments. Bukcheong sajanoreum, a traditional game in which the lion is used to ward off evil spirits, was featured with the lion costume. There were glimpses of modernization through the incorporation of b-boying and a boom box. Daniel and ZICO’s freestyle had movements reminiscent of traditional dances.[s] [s]
“Refresh” is a digital single by Kang Daniel and ZICO. It was released on April 23, 2020 by Starship Entertainment and distributed by 1theK.
Background
On March 17, 2020, news outlets reported that Kang Daniel would collaborate with ZICO for Starship and Pepsi’s 2020 Global K-Pop Project titled For the Love of Korea. The digital music was in the final production stages. Starship and Pepsi’s joint project began in 2019 and features different artists launching digital music (click here for more information).[s] The song “Refresh” is co-produced by Steve Aoki and ZICO and expresses the beauty of Korea. The upbeat melody is meshed with traditional instruments.[s]
In the making film, rapper ZICO commented they tried to style the song with various traditional symbols and sounds to bring an atmosphere where Korea is represented. ZICO also shared his happiness for being able to work with Kang Daniel again since the last time they had work together was two years ago for Wanna One’s unit song “Kangaroo” from the album 1÷x=1 (Undivided). Meanwhile, Kang Daniel expressed he felt honored to have the opportunity to work with an artist he respects and be able to do an amazing project with him.
Promotional Activities
The single was not performed live on music shows. Daniel and ZICO teased the collaboration on their social media leading up to the release. TikTok Korea arranged a live broadcast on March 25, the day they had the concept photo shoot. In Daniel’s April 8 V LIVE, he talked about the song having a good beat and lyrics and showed the limited edition Korean culture Pepsi can and merchandise. Daniel posted a screen capture from the music video on Instagram on April 10, 10 days before the music teaser was uploaded. ZICO released two vlogs from the day they filmed the music video. The music video producer teased that there would be a TVC.
Music Video
The music video highlighted different aspects of traditional and modern Korean culture. It opened showing a hanok (traditional Korean house) as the setting with Daniel and ZICO dressed in hanbok and blue suits with traditional flourishes. Korean paintings used in the backdrop were reminiscent of the Ten Symbols of Longevity (십장생도) artwork from the Joseon era. The video showed the percussion quartet samulnori with four traditional Korean music instruments. Bukcheong sajanoreum, a traditional game in which the lion is used to ward off evil spirits, was featured with the lion costume. There were glimpses of modernization through the incorporation of b-boying and a boom box. Daniel and ZICO’s freestyle had movements reminiscent of traditional dances.[s] [s]
Track Listing
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# Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | |
1. “Refresh” – 2:35 | 지코 (ZICO) | Noah Conrad Parker James Steve Aoki 지코 (ZICO) |
Noah Conrad Steve Aoki |
Album Credits (Pepsi CD)
THANKS TO | KOZ Entertainment, KONNECT Entertainment |
HAIR | Sohee, Kim Haebin (Hae Pibin) |
MAKE UP | Lee Anna |
STYLIST | Kim Youngjin, Kim Yohan (Assistant Park Hyoungho) |
PHOTOGRAPHER | Lee Sujin, Kim Taejong, Seo Sehyun, Kim Hyeonjin |
M/V DIRECTOR | Choi Youngji[ig], Kim Mihye (Pinklabel visual) |
ALBUM ARTWORK & DESIGN | Kim Minsu (BRED GRAPHY) |
TODAY ART | |
P&C | Starship Entertainment |
DISTRIBUTED BY | Kakao M Corp |
MANUFACTURED BY | Seoul Media |
Charts
Track (Peak Charts Positions) |
Korea [Gaon] |
Billboard Korea [Kpop Hot 100] |
113 | 77 |
Track (Realtime Debut) |
MelOn | Genie | Bugs | VIBE | Soribada | Flo |
#24 | #7 | #12 | #8 | #5 | — |
Teasers and Behind the Scenes
Type | Details | Link |
Video | Coming soon – Daniel version | IG | TWT | VL | YT |
Video | Coming soon | IG | IG | TWT | VL | YT |
Image | Concept photo | IG | TWT | TWT |
Video | M/V teaser | IG | IG | TWT | VL | YT 1theK TWT | YT |
Image | Single cover | IG | TWT |
Image | Behind | Choi Youngpyo IG 1 | 2 | 3 |
Video | Behind | Choi Youngji IG 1 | 2 Kim June (CGI) IG |
Video | Making film | VL | YT |