The Code (EP)
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The Code is the fifth extended play by the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by LOEN Entertainment on November 7, 2017. It consists of seven tracks, including the title track "Dramarama".
Background and release
In October, Monsta X had announced the comeback, through the official SNS channel, alongside the personal photos of intense colors and visuals. In the released image, the dreamy color and close-up of each member's face were included in the background, with some sensuous typography and part of the seven logos for each member, while subsequently released the story images for each member, ahead of their comeback.
The group's comeback showcase was held at Jangchung Gymnasium in Jung District, Seoul on the same day of the comeback.
The EP was released in two versions; DE:code and Protocol Terminal.
Critical reception
"Dramarama" received critical praise, alongside the music video, with Taylor Glasby of Dazed describing both of them as "intriguing and alluring", noting the music video's concept of time travel with ambiguous meaning while praising the song's ability to highlight the "individual signatures" of the group members. Writing for Rolling Stone, Kim Jae-ha added that the song's "throbbing bass line", "funky rhythms", and "searing guitars", intensified its "hypnotic incantation" effect to the listeners.
Listicles
| Critic/Publication | List | Work | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song | ||||
| Dazed | The 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2017 | "Dramarama" | 10 | |
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music | 74 | ||
| Tone Glow | The 50 Best K-pop Songs of 2017 | 48 |
Commercial performance
As of 2022, the EP had sold over 170,000 units in South Korea. It also peaked at number one on the weekly Gaon Album Chart.
"Dramarama" debuted at number seven on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart upon its release while the song "From Zero" debuted at number one in 2020. It had marked the group's first-ever weekly music show win, achieving it on The Show.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangements | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dramarama" | Seo Ji-eumSeo Jung-aJooheonI.M | Andreas ÖbergDrew Ryan Scott | A-DeeStereo 14 | 3:06 |
| 2. | "Now or Never" | 별들의전쟁 (Galactika)JooheonI.M | 별들의전쟁 (Galactika) | 별들의전쟁 (Galactika) | 3:11 |
| 3. | "In Time" | JooheonYe-Yo! | JooheonYe-Yo! | JooheonYe-Yo! | 3:08 |
| 4. | "From Zero" | WonhoJooheonI.MBrother Su | WonhoRich JangBrother Su | WonhoRich Jang | 3:26 |
| 5. | "X" | Oh Min-juJooheonI.M | 어벤전승 | 어벤전승 | 3:46 |
| 6. | "Tropical Night" (열대야) | JooheonI.MCrucial Star | Crucial StarKooky | Kooky | 3:44 |
| 7. | "Deja Vu" | JQ (Makeumine Works)Kan Eun-yuKim Hye-jung (Makeumine Works)JooheonI.MChoi Ji-hye | Flow Blow, JJ Evans, Shin Hyuk | Flow Blow | 3:36 |
| Total length: | 24:00 |
Charts
Album
| Chart (2017) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly charts Chart performance for The Code Chart (2017) Peak position French Download Albums (SNEP) 120 Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 57 Japanese Albums (Oricon) 16 South Korean Albums (Gaon) 1 US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) 12 US World Albums (Billboard) 2 | Monthly chart Chart performance for The Code Chart (2017) Peak position South Korean Albums (Gaon) 4 | Year-end chart Chart performance for The Code Chart (2017) Position South Korean Albums (Gaon) 25 |
| French Download Albums (SNEP) | 120 | |
| Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) | 57 | |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 16 | |
| South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 1 | |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) | 12 | |
| US World Albums (Billboard) | 2 | |
| Chart (2017) | Peak position | |
| South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 4 | |
| Chart (2017) | Position | |
| South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 25 |
Songs
Weekly chart
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Chart performance for "Dramarama" Chart (2017) Peak position US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 7 | Chart performance for "From Zero" Chart (2020) Peak position US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 1 |
| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 7 |
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 1 |
Sales
Accolades
| Program | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| The Show | November 14, 2017 |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Disc Awards | 2018 | Disc Daesang | The Code | Nominated | |
| Disc Bonsang | Won | ||||
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2018 | Mwave Global Fans' Choice | "Dramarama" | Nominated |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | November 7, 2017 | CDdigital downloadstreaming | Starship EntertainmentLOEN Entertainment |
| Various | Digital downloadstreaming |