Merry Christmas Ahead

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"Merry Christmas Ahead"
Song by IU featuring Thunder
from the EP Real
LanguageKorean
ReleasedDecember 9, 2010 (2010-12-09)
GenreChristmas
Length4:28
LabelLOEN Entertainment
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Choi Gap-won
Audio
"Merry Christmas Ahead" on YouTube

"Merry Christmas Ahead" (Korean: 미리 메리 크리스마스; RR: Miri Meri Kriseumaseu), also known as "Merry Christmas in Advance", is a song by South Korean singer-songwriter IU featuring Thunder. It is the sixth track on her third extended play (EP), Real, which was released on December 9, 2010. It entered the South Korean Gaon Digital Chart, peaking at number seven. In the following years, "Merry Christmas Ahead" became one of the most popular South Korean Christmas songs, re-entering charts each year in December. It was listed among the most successful songs of the 2010s by the largest Korean music streaming service, Melon. IU has performed it on television programs and has included it in the set list of several of her concert tours.

Background and release[edit]

IU in 2010.

South Korean singer-songwriter IU had been gaining popularity in 2010 with the release of her collaborative hit single "Nagging" with Lim Seul-ong and her starring role in the South Korean variety show Heroes.[1][2] On December 2, 2010, IU announced that she would release her third extended play (EP), Real, on December 9.[3] The album peaked at number two on the Circle Album Chart (previously known as Gaon Album Chart) in the issue dated December 26, 2010 – January 1, 2011,[4] and it has been retrospectively identified as the start of IU's rise to stardom, also thanks to the success of its lead single "Good Day".[5][6]

On December 2, it was also announced that MBLAQ's member Thunder would feature on Real's b-side track "Merry Christmas Ahead".[1] Written by Shinsadong Tiger, Choi Kyu-sung and Choi Gap-won,[7] "Merry Christmas Ahead" is a Christmas love song, written as a confession from IU to her fans.[1] IU stated that the song originally didn't suit her taste, but she came to like it.[8] She said it is a "special" project to her since it features Thunder and Shinsadong Tiger, who had been her friends since they were trainees.[8] IU said: "Sang-hyun oppa (Thunder), Ho-yang oppa (Shinsadong Tiger) and I were together when the three of us were nothing, but the fact that the three of us got together and did something makes me proud".[8]

Chart performance[edit]

The song debuted at number 24 on the weekly Circle Digital Chart (previously known as Gaon Digital Chart) in the issue dated December 12–18, 2010,[9] and peaked at number 7 in the chart issue dated December 19–25, 2010.[9] It debuted at number 10 on the monthly Circle Digital Chart in December 2010.[10] Since its release, it has re-entered the chart every December (except for 2012[a] and 2015), charting at number 61 in 2011,[12] number 70 in 2013,[13] number 23 in 2014,[14] number 35 in 2016,[15] number 55 in 2017,[16] number 60 in 2018,[17] number 49 in 2019,[18] number 29 in 2020,[19] number 32 in 2021,[20] and number 42 in 2022,[21] and number 44 in 2023.[22] Twelve years after its release, it debuted at number 22 on the Billboard South Korea Songs in the chart issue dated December 31, 2022.[23]

Live performances[edit]

IU performing "Merry Christmas Ahead" at the 24 Steps: One, Two, Three, Four tour on December 3, 2016.

IU first sang "Merry Christmas Ahead" at MBC's Concert for Beautiful People (Korean: 아름다운 이들을 위한 콘서트), aired on December 18, 2010.[24] After receiving several requests from fans,[25] she performed it on the South Korean music show M Countdown on December 23, 2010.[26] It was part of the set list of the singer's 24 Steps: One, Two, Three, Four tour (2016–2017),[27] Palette tour (2017),[28] and Dlwlrma tour (2018–2019).[29]

Legacy[edit]

"Merry Christmas Ahead" has become one of the most popular South Korean Christmas songs. Jung Byeong-geun of The Fact wrote that it has been "reigning as the strongest Korean carol ever" since it was released.[30] The song has been nicknamed a "Christmas Zombie" since it manages to re-enter charts each year, despite the declining popularity of Christmas songs in South Korea.[31][32] It has been compared to Busker Busker's "Cherry Blossom Ending" for its seasonal appeal and longevity on charts.[33] Its acronym, Mimek (Korean: 미메크), has been used as an alternative way to wish a "Merry Christmas".[34]

The song placed at number 18 on the list of the top 100 songs of the 2010s by streams and digital downloads released by the largest Korean music streaming service, Melon.[35] It was the only Korean song to be featured on DJ Park Myung-soo's list of the top five carol songs, ranking third.[36] Insight placed it on its list of IU's 14 most famous songs, released in occasion of her 10th debut anniversary.[37] "Merry Christmas Ahead" has also been covered by multiple artists, including Laboum,[38] Kim Se-jeong,[39] Yoo Jae-seok,[40] and Stray Kids.[41]

Charts[edit]

Sales[edit]

Country Sales
South Korea (Circle) 1,040,741[b]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In December 2012, it charted at number 99 on the domestic monthly Circle Digital Chart.[11]
  2. ^ Sales figures since 2011.[42]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Kim, Yu-jin (December 2, 2010). 아이유와 천둥, 입모아 "미리 메리 크리스마스~" [IU and Thunder, "Merry Christmas in Advance"]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. ^ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 8, 2018). [여돌학개론] ‘아이유 위주로 갑시다’ #3, 유망주에서 국민여동생으로 ‘REAL’ [[Introduction to Girls' Education] 'Let's go mainly with IU' #3, from a rising star to a national little sister 'REAL']. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Park, Young-woong (December 2, 2010). 아이유, 성숙한 매력 담은 새 음반 재킷 공개 [IU unveils new album jacket with mature charm]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "Album Chart — Week 1 of 2011" (in Korean). Circle Music Chart. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  5. ^ Park, Soo-in (December 2, 2016). [팝업차트]연말오니 '미리메리크리스마스', 역주행하는 아이유 시즌송 [[Pop-up Chart] End of the year 'Merry Christmas in advance', IU's season song running backwards]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  6. ^ Choi, Ji-won (February 19, 2021). "A look back on IU's 13-year music career". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  7. ^ 곡 정보 - 미리 메리 크리스마스 (Feat. 천둥 Of MBLAQ) [Song Information - Merry Christmas in Advance (Feat. Thunder of MBLAQ)]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Kim, A-yeon (December 23, 2010). [O2/커버스토리]아이유 “밤마다 찾아오는 남자귀신을 모티브로…” ② [[O2/Cover Story] IU “The motif of a male ghost that visits every night… ” ②]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c 2010년 51주차 Digital Chart [Digital Chart — Week 51 of 2010] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Circle Digital Chart – December 2010" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2012 (Domestic)" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  12. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2011" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2013" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2014" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  15. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2016" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2017" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2018" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  18. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2019" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  19. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2020" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2021" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2022" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – December 2023" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "South Korea Songs – Week of January 31, 2022". Billboard. December 31, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  24. ^ Kim, Ji-eun (December 17, 2010). 정엽·아이유 캐럴 부르고, 최시원 드럼치고 [Jungyeop and IU singing carols, Choi Siwon playing drums]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  25. ^ 아이유 가요계 캐롤전쟁 출사표 ‘깜찍 크리스마스 소녀 변신’ [IU's Carol War in the music industry, 'Transformation into a cute Christmas girl']. Newsen (in Korean). December 23, 2010. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  26. ^ Go, Kyung-min (December 23, 2010). 3단고음 열풍 아이유, 지상파 이어 ‘엠카’도 1위 석권 [3-step treble craze IU, followed by terrestrial TV and M Countdown also won first place]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  27. ^ Choi, Hyun-jung (December 5, 2016). [리뷰] 역시 아이유는 마이크를 잡을 때 가장 빛난다 [Review] As expected, IU shines the most when holding the microphone]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  28. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (December 11, 2017). 아이유, 4만관객 홀린 투어 성황리 마무리 “내 팔레트 채워진 기분” [IU successfully wraps up the tour with 40,000 spectators “I feel like my palette is full”]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  29. ^ Ji, Mi-yeong (December 26, 2018). "코디 상줘야 한다"···크리스마스 콘서트에서 아이유가 보여준 팬들 흐뭇하게 한 패션 ["You have to reward the coordination." The fashion that IU showed at the Christmas concert made the fans happy]. Insight (in Korean). Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  30. ^ Jung, Byeong-geun (December 22, 2022). [TF프리즘] 어김없이 돌아온 캐럴 시즌…올해의 1위 곡은? [[TF Prism] Carol season is back without fail... What is the number 1 song of the year?]. The Fact (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  31. ^ Yang, Seong-joon (December 29, 2018). 연말이면 되살아나는 ‘크리스마스 좀비’에… 음원차트 기 못 펴는 겨울 시즌송 ['Christmas Zombies' revived at the end of the year... A winter season song that can't open the music chart]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  32. ^ Lee, Mi-young (December 25, 2018). "캐럴송 사라지고 성탄 영화 없다"…조용한 크리스마스 ["The carol song is gone and there is no Christmas movie"...Siet Christmas]. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  33. ^ Nam, Woo-jung (December 9, 2014). [M+기획…차트역주행①] EXID부터 버스커버스커까지…차트는 멈추지 않는다 [[M+Planning...Chart Station1] From EXID to Bus Coversker...The Chart Doesn't Stop]. MBN Star (in Korean). Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  34. ^ Kim, Seon-hee; Kim, Seo-young (December 21, 2020). 겨울에 꼭 들어야 할 K-캐롤, 뭐가 있을까? [영상] [What are some K-carols you must listen to in winter? [video]]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Jeong, Yeo-jin (December 2, 2020). 2010년대는 '갓이유' 시대…아이유, 멜론 2010년대 차트서 11곡 올렸다 [The 2010s are the era of 'God Reason'... IU posted 11 songs on the Melon 2010 chart]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  36. ^ Jo, Hye-jin (December 17, 2021). 박명수 "아이유, 나도 쩔쩔매…딸 민서에 사인CD '울었다'"(라디오쇼)[종합] [Park Myung-soo "IU, I'm stumped too... Signed CD 'Crying' for daughter Min-seo" (Radio Show)[Comprehensive]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  37. ^ Jeon, Hyun-jung (October 10, 2018). 어느덧 데뷔 '10주년' 맞은 '음원 강자' 아이유 띵곡 14 [14 songs of IU's 'music powerhouse' on the occasion of her debut '10th anniversary']. Insight (in Korean). Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  38. ^ Kim, Su-jeong (December 22, 2016). [★밤TView] '엠카' 빅뱅 1위.. 세븐틴·라붐의 '윈터송' 특집무대 [[★Night TView] M Countdown BIGBANG 1st place.. SEVENTEEN LABOUM's 'Winter Song' special performance]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  39. ^ Shim, Min-kyung (December 21, 2019). [뮤직뱅크] 연말 특집 <‘미리 메리 크리스마스’> 와 바로 함께하기! [[Music Bank] Join the year-end special <'Merry Christmas in advance'> right away!]. KBS Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  40. ^ Jang, Woo-young (December 13, 2020). '놀면 뭐하니?' 유재석, 탁재훈→윤종신 섭외 완료…아이유x박효신 가능할까 [어저께TV] ['What do you do when you play?' Yoo Jae-Suk, Tak Jae-Hoon→Yoon Jong-Shin cast complete… Is it possible for IU x Park Hyo-shin? [Yesterday TV]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  41. ^ Kim, Ye-na (December 25, 2021). 캐럴 맛집이네…에이티즈→오마이걸, 크리스마스 분위기 업 [SBS 가요대전] [It's a carol restaurant... ATEEZ → Oh My Girl, Christmas atmosphere up [SBS Gayo Daejeon]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  42. ^ Cumulative sales for "Merry Christmas in Advance":
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