Promise (I'll Be)

"Promise (I'll Be)"
Japanese single cover
Single by 2PM
from the album Gentlemen's Game
B-side
  • "Wow"
  • "Mayday"
ReleasedSeptember 13, 2016
October 26, 2016 (Japan)
Recorded2016
Genre
Length3:28
3:29 (Japan)
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Lesley Chiang
  • Raphael
2PM singles chronology
"Higher"
(2015)		 "Promise (I'll Be)"
(2016)		 "Make It"
(2021)
Music video
"Promise (I'll Be)" on YouTube

"Promise (I'll Be)" is a song recorded by South Korean boy group 2PM as the lead single for their sixth Korean studio album, Gentlemen's Game, released by JYP Entertainment on September 13, 2016.

A Japanese version of the song with the same title was released as the group's eleventh Japanese single by Epic Records Japan on October 26, 2016. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. It was 2PM's final release before the group went on hiatus due to mandatory military service.

Background and release

Following the group's eighth anniversary on September 4, 2016, individual teaser photos for the group's Korean comeback were released from September 5–8.[1][2] A music video teaser and a choreography teaser were uploaded on September 9 and September 11, respectively.[3] The music video for "Promise (I'll Be)" was released on YouTube on September 13, 2016, along with the rest of 2PM's Korean album, Gentleman's Game.[4] On the same day of the album's release, 2PM member Taecyeon announced that it would be the group's final Korean music release prior to the group going on hiatus due to its members enlisting in the South Korean military.[5]

A Japanese-language version of "Promise (I'll Be)", was released on October 26, 2016,[6] in the lead up to their The 2PM in Tokyo Dome concerts on October 26–27,[7] the group's final concerts in Japan prior to their hiatus.[8] The single was released in eight versions: a regular edition, a CD+DVD edition, and six individual member versions that include a member's logo stamp sticker and an instrumental version of "Promise (I'll Be)" as a bonus track.[7] The single was the group's final Japanese music release prior to the group's hiatus.[9]

Composition

"Promise (I'll Be)" is a contemporary R&B and synth-pop song written and composed by 2PM member Taecyeon, Hong Kong singer-songwriter Lesley Chiang, and producer Raphael, who previously worked on several of 2PM's songs.[3][5][10] The song incorporates elements of future bass, big band, and urban contemporary music,[11] featuring piano instrumentals and a pulsating synth beat.[5] The song's lyrics are about a man who promises to always be available for his lover.[9]

The B-side tracks of the Japanese version of "Promise (I'll Be)" are the Japanese-language songs "Wow", co-written by 2PM member Junho, and "Mayday", co-written by 2PM member Chansung.[9]

Music video

The music video consists of shots of each member individually, dressed in suits and located in settings such as Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace. Writer Kaori Simon for Real Sound noted the mature and sexually provocative nature of the music video, particularly scenes of member Jun. K laying with a woman, played by actress Kim Ji-eun, in bed, describing it as "something only [2PM], with their increased age, could pull off".[12] The music video was the eighth most viewed K-pop music video on YouTube in the United States and the ninth most viewed K-pop music video on YouTube globally in September 2016.[13]

Promotion

In promotion of "Promise (I'll Be)", 2PM hosted the September 10, 2016 episode of the eighth season of Saturday Night Live Korea, where they performed an abridged version of the song live, prior to the song's official release.[14][15] In the hour leading up to the release Gentleman's Game, 2PM held a live premiere event via V Live+ on September 12, 2016, where they performed songs from Gentleman's Game including "Promise (I'll Be)".[4][11] The group then performed the song for two weeks on Korean television music programs, starting with the September 22, 2016 episode of M Countdown.[16] 2PM also performed "Promise (I'll Be)" on the October 1, 2016 episode of You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook and the KNTV 20th & DATV 7th Anniversary Live 2016 at Yokohama Arena in Japan on October 1, 2016.[17][18]

2PM first performed the Japanese version of "Promise (I'll Be)" at their The 2PM in Tokyo Dome concerts on October 26–27, 2016.[7] The group held a "Hi Touch" event for the release of their single at Makuhari Messe on October 30, 2016.[19] In November 2016, 2PM were featured on the cover of the Japanese fashion magazine Baila, becoming the first men to do so; the issue included sixty pages of photos and interviews of the group and testimonies from other celebrities about 2PM.[20]

Commercial performance

"Promise (I'll Be)" was generally more successful in Japan than in South Korea; the song topped the Oricon Daily Chart and charted on the Oricon Singles Chart for four weeks, peaking at number two,[21][6] in contrast to in South Korea, where it charted on the Gaon Singles Chart for just one week and peaked at number 61.[22] The song also charted internationally, reaching number 11 on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart and topping various K-pop charts in China such as KuGou's new Korean songs chart and YinYueTai's Korean music video chart.[23][24] The Japanese version of "Promise (I'll Be)" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan in September 2016 for selling over 100,000 copies.[25]

Track listing

CD+DVD and CD-only track listing[6][26][27]
No.TitleLyricsMusicMixerLength
1."Promise (I'll Be)" (Japanese ver.)
  • Taecyeon
  • Chiang
  • Raphael
  • Chiang
  • Raphael
3:29
2."Wow"
  • Junho
  • Hong Ji-sang
  • Yu-ki Kokubo
  • Junho
  • Hong
  • Kokubo
  • Hong
  • Kokubo
3:17
3."Mayday"
  • Chansung
  • Super Changddai
  • Shoko
Super Changddai3:50
Total length:10:36
Bonus track (press limited edition B–G only)[7]
No.TitleMusicMixerLength
4."Promise (I'll Be)" (Japanese ver., without main vocal)
  • Taecyeon
  • Chiang
  • Raphael
  • Chiang
  • Raphael
3:29
Total length:14:25
DVD (press limited edition A)[26]
No.TitleLength
1."Promise (I'll Be) (Japanese ver.) (music video)" 
2."Promise (I'll Be) Making Movie" 

Charts

Weekly charts

Sales

Country Sales
South Korea (digital)[29][30] 31,568
Japan (physical) 101,106

Release history

Release history for "Go Crazy!"
Region Date Format Label
Various[11] September 13, 2016 Digital download JYP
Japan[6] October 26, 2016 CD, CD + DVD, Digital download Epic Records Japan

References

  1. ↑ 강, 내리 (September 5, 2016). "2PM, 컴백 앞두고 준호·우영 티저 공개…유니크한 변신" [2PM Unveils Junho and Wooyoung Teasers Ahead of Comeback… Unique Transformation]. YTN Star (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ 정, 안지 (September 6, 2016). "2PM 닉쿤-찬성, '고급 외모+ 미친 수트핏' 대체불가 티저 이미지 공개" [2PM's Nichkhun and Chansung Unveil Irreplaceable Teaser Images Featuring 'Sophisticated Looks + Insane Suit Fit']. 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  3. 1 2 김, 경욱 (September 12, 2016). "2PM, 'Promise(I'll be)' 발표 '업그레이드된 완전체 컴백'" [2PM Releases 'Promise (I'll be)', 'Upgraded Full Group Comeback']. 화이트페이퍼 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Park, Pan-seok (September 13, 2016). "2PM、新曲「Promise」MV公開…6人の男気溢れるジェントルマン" [2PM releases music video for new song "Promise"... Six manly gentlemen]. Kstyle (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Herman, Tamar (September 16, 2016). "2PM Drop New Album 'Gentleman's Game' Before Mandatory Service in South Korean Army". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Promise(I'll be)-Japanese ver.- | 2PM". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "2PM、日本11枚目のシングル『Promise (I'll be)』発売" [2PM releases their 11th Japanese single, 'Promise (I'll be)']. Tower Records (in Japanese). September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on May 12, 2026.
  8. ↑ 望木, 綾子 (October 28, 2016). "2PM 3年半ぶり東京ドームで「今日は泣きません。帰ってきたら、またこの場所で笑顔で逢いましょう！」" [2PM, performing at Tokyo Dome for the first time in three and a half years, declared, "We won't cry today. When we come back, let's meet again here with smiles on our faces!"]. SPICE（スパイス）｜エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 星野, 彩乃 (October 26, 2016). "2PM、日本活動休止前の心境とは" [What were 2PM's feelings before their hiatus from activities in Japan?]. Oricon. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Promise (I'll be) – Song by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 하, 나영 (September 13, 2016). "'컴백' 2PM 택연, 음악+연기 다 되는 퍼펙트 '만능돌'" ['Comeback' 2PM's Taecyeon, the perfect 'all-round idol' capable of both music and acting]. 픽콘. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ 西門香, 央里 (February 17, 2020). "2PM「My House」が"チャート逆走"で再注目 改めて考えるグループの強み" [2PM's "My House" Re-emerges on Charts with a "Chart Reversal": Reconsidering the Group's Strengths]. Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (October 13, 2016). "Most Viewed K-Pop Videos in America, Around the World: September 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ 박, 소영 (September 10, 2016). "2PM, 'SNL8'서 '와일드버니' 변신..짐승돌의 화끈한 19금쇼" [2PM Transforms into 'Wild Bunny' on 'SNL8'... The Beast Idols' Sizzling 19+ Show]. 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ 박, 소영 (September 10, 2016). "'SNL8' 2PM, #디스 #노출 #신곡..'짐승남' 매력 뿜뿜 [종합]" ['SNL8' 2PM, #Diss #Exposure #NewSong... Bursting with 'Beast Man' Charm [Roundup]]. 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ 황, 서연 (September 22, 2016). "[TV온에어] 레드벨벳 '엠카' 1위, 2PM·인피니트 '오빠들의 귀환'" [[TV On Air] Red Velvet Takes 1st Place on 'M Countdown', 2PM & Infinite 'The Return of the Oppas']. 티브이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ 허, 별희 (October 1, 2016). "'스케치북' 2PM 우영 "연애하는 멤버? 일단 나는 아냐"" ['Sketchbook' 2PM's Wooyoung: "Members dating? For now, it's not me."]. 마이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026 – via Daum.
  18. ↑ "日本イベント「KNTV 20th＆DATV 7th Anniversary Live 2016」オフィシャル先着先行受付決定＆2PMメッセージ動画公開！" [Official first-come, first-served pre-sale ticket registration for the Japanese event "KNTV 20th & DATV 7th Anniversary Live 2016" has been announced, and a message video from 2PM has been released!]. Kstyle (in Japanese). September 12, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ "2PM 11th Single「Promise (I' ll be) –Japanese ver.-」ハイタッチ会詳細発表!!!" [Details announced for 2PM's 11th Single "Promise (I'll be) –Japanese ver.-" high-five event!!!]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). October 16, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  20. ↑ 곽, 현수 (October 4, 2016). "2PM, 日 유명 패션지 표지 장식...창간 이래 최초" [2PM Grabs Cover of Famous Japanese Fashion Magazine... First Time Since Founding]. 스포츠동아 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  21. ↑ Lee, Jin-a (November 1, 2016). "K-pop band 2PM tops Oricon Chart in Japan". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Search – Digital Chart ("Promise" search)". Circle Chart. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "2PM Chart History: World Digital Song Sales | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  24. ↑ 김, 유진 (September 16, 2016). "2PM, 아시아 4개국 아이튠즈 차트 1위 '후끈'" [2PM Heats Up #1 on iTunes Charts in 4 Asian Countries]. 텐아시아 (in Korean). Retrieved July 28, 2026 – via Daum.
  25. ↑ "ゴールドディスク認定検索" [Gold Disc Certification Search]. Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Promise(I'll be)-Japanese ver.-(初回生産限定盤A)". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Promise (I'll be) -Japanese ver.- - Single - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  28. ↑ "2PM | Artist". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  29. ↑ "2016 Week 38 Download Chart". Gaon Chart.
  30. ↑ "2016 Week 39 Download Chart". Gaon Chart.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.