Golden Child is starting off strong in 2021! On January 1st, 2021 at 6PM, they released a comeback trailer for their 5th mini album set to be released on January 25th at 6PM. This is definitely a change from Woollim's usual 7-14 day notice for comebacks, and I am truly grateful for that.
These have been the hardest weeks leading up to a comeback for me, and I had a lot of trouble drafting up this post pre-comeback. And this all stemmed from Jaehyun's concept photo. I never thought Woollim would release a concept like this, and if they did, it'd be something Infinite would do. It was a turning point seeing Jaehyun's concept photo that made me question everything as a Woollim stan. And since his teaser, it's been really agonizing waiting for each member's individual concept photos. Seeing Jaehyun was the only one...why was he the sacrifice...but then Jaehyun's web drama aired on January 23rd and since then I've been this close to making him my only ult...and since the comeback, I've bounced back and have been all in on this era!
Furthermore, it's amazing seeing all of Golden Child's achievements just within their first two weeks of promotions! From their highest album sales to being #1 on Genie to winning on The Show and Show Champ(!!!), #2 on MCountdown and Music Bank (1st time being nominated on a public broadcasting station!), I'm so proud of how far Golden Child and Goldenness have come.
Preorder Benefits
I'm really excited that besides the poster, Woollim is also giving out a special photo set as a preorder benefit! Woollim started giving out preorder freebies for every artist's album since Rocket Punch's third mini album Blue Punch back in August 2020 except for Pump It Up.
If you preordered the bookcase set version, you get 1 special photo set (despite technically buying a set of 10 albums). If you buy 1 normal version, you get 1 special photo set.
All the photos are from what I'll call the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot. These postcards are about 4.75" by over 6.5".
The front has a gloss finish while the back is matte. All postcards have this design on the back. It's hard to see here, but there is a pretty "G" pattern decorating this side.
There are also 2 external first press posters for this era, both from the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot. Like the special photo set, unfortunately only 1 poster is included per the bookcase set version or the normal version. Because I want both posters, and buying 1 set version only includes 1 poster, this fueled why I bought a few normal versions as well, to lock in receiving both posters. I'm never one for black and white when there could be color; I feel like that top poster would be so much more beautiful if it were in color. Anyways, both posters are matte, super clear (unlike Golden Child's earlier grainy posters), and have dimensions 610mm by 440mm, matching Woollim's smaller poster size since Take A Leap.
YES. Album Overview
To start off, I got really excited when I received my albums that I couldn't wait for ideal lighting to take some of these pictures...so sorry if some of the photos aren't so good!
Now onto the actual unboxing! There are 10 versions of the YES. album, 1 per member. This can be purchased either as the bookcase set version, which contains all 10 member versions, or as a normal version, which comes with 1 random member version. I want to emphasize, the member albums are the same regardless of buying the bookcase set version or normal version; it's more a matter of having all 10 members or having a random member. Additionally, each member album contains that member's poster and fabric tag no matter if you get the bookcase set version or normal version. The main difference between the 2 versions is 1) the packaging and 2) the cards included. I'll break it out into sections where I'll discuss what is only included in the bookcase set version, what is only included in the normal version, and what is the same among both versions.
I placed the normal version (including the exterior envelope) to the left of the bookcase set. You can see that the YES. albums are slightly taller than Pump It Up but about the same width.
The packaging of the bookcase set comes is a sturdy case with a matte finish. One side has "GOLDEN CHILD" in a gloss finish printed, giving a minimalist look.
Here you can kind of see how the top and back have the new Golden Child logo in a gloss finish, and the other side has the tracklist in a gloss finish.
The bookcase set comes with a cardboard box containing the posters on the far left, followed by the individual member albums in age order from Bomin to Daeyeol from left to right. The spines of the albums create this era's logo, along with each member's number. I really like how they include their numbers, because it links their debut concept with this new era.
The front (or back?) of both the bookcase and the normal version envelope look the same, with the album name, tracklist, and new logo in a gloss finish.
Folded Poster Box (Bookcase Version Exclusive)
The other side of this cardboard box has the new logo.
Here are all 10 photo cards from the bookcase version. These cards have a glossy finish.
These posters are all matte and once unfolded, the dimensions are about 11.5" by 17".
Here is the cardboard box containing the posters. This box has a glossy finish and one side has "GOLDEN CHILD" printed in white, matching one side of the bookcase.
Inside are all 10 individual member folded posters in age order. I'll blog about the actual posters in a later section.
Guarantee Card (Bookcase Version Exclusive)
The bookcase set version comes with guarantee card. It took me quite awhile to find this card...it was stuck inside the poster box, between the Bomin poster and the box. The card comes in a resealable plastic sleeve. You can see here how reflective the card is.
The front of the card is simplistic. I was rather surprised (and a bit disappointed) at how flimsy this card is, with similar quality to Infinite Woohyun's bookmark from Second Write..
The backside has the album release date, serial number, and a message about being together with Golden Child forever.
Photo Card (Bookcase Version Exclusive)
The bookcase version comes with a photo card exclusive to this bookcase version, an AR card also exclusive to this bookcase version, and a fabric tag that is included in both versions. Each member's book within the bookcase version contains his own photo card, AR card, and fabric tag. One of the perks of the bookcase version is that it includes all members' photo cards (10 total) and AR cards (10 total), so you will be able to collect OT10 in one purchase.
Here is the backside of the photo cards from the bookcase version, which includes the boys' printed signs and messages. You can tell these are the photo cards from the bookcase version because the backside is beige, while the photo cards from the normal version have a black back.
AR Card (Bookcase Version Exclusive)
Here are all 10 AR cards from the bookcase version. The images are all from a photoshoot not included in the photobooks. These are so far my favorite stage outfits, so I'm really happy photos with these outfits were used!
These AR cards have a glossy finish and include the members' printed autographs and messages. The AR cards unfortunately look like they use the same app as the Pump It Up AR cards. Each card contains a unique code in the bottom right corner that can be used on the app "araphoto", and it will unlock that member's video message. Some downsides are that the code can only be used on one device, and that this app I think can only be found on the Korean App Store (I couldn't install this app on my Samsung >.<).
Normal Version
The normal version comes with 1 random member album packaged inside a matte paper envelope with text in a gloss finish for a sleek design. Honestly this packaging isn't the best as the album can dent the envelope and a crease may form when opening up the flap, but it is what it is...
For the most part, I'm going to use Jibeom as my example album for this unboxing. Opening up the flap reveals the member's folded poster on top and that same member's booklet underneath.
The normal version includes the fabric tag specific to that member's booklet, along with 1 photocard specific only to the normal version.
Photo Card (Normal Version Exclusive)
The normal version comes with 1 random photocard out of 50. Woollim is really making it more difficult to collect all their album photocards this era, but with the bookcase version containing full sets of photocards (though different from the normal version), so I don't feel obligated to collect all 50 quickly. Honestly I wasn't even going to buy any normal albums, but I wanted at least 1 so that I could blog about it, and 1 became 5, and now I'm slowly growing this collection...anyways, so there are 5 photocards per member, and these cards all have a glossy finish.
The backs of these normal photocards are black, but have a similar design to the bookcase exclusive photocards. It's really cute how the design includes the "Model No." (that member's birthday), "Signature." (printed autograph), and "Memo." (printed message).
Folded Poster (Same for Both Versions)
As stated before, each member album comes with that member's folded poster. The photos are all from the curtain shoot and have "GOLDEN CHILD" printed at the center.
I'm sorry the posters look pretty distorted because I didn't flatten them well. That being said, you do want to flatten your poster well if you plan to hang it up.
The backside has a minimalist design, with "GOLDEN CHILD" printed at the top, the new logo printed in the center, and the album title printed at the bottom.
Fabric Tag (Same for Both Versions)
Each album comes with that member's fabric tag, placed somewhere within the photobook. Each include the member's printed autograph and model number (ie. birthday).
The detail in these tags is spot on, with the washing machine logos and even the "DO NOT WASH. JUST LISTEN REPEATEDLY".
The front side has a reflective sheen while the back is matte. And these really do feel like fabric tags you'd find sewn inside a tee shirt.
Here are the front covers of all 10 booklets. They are all from the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot with a blank and white filter.
The back covers have the tracklist, along with the member's name. The albums are glossy and prone to fingerprints.
Here's another look at the spines of the albums. Organized in age order from Bomin on the left to Daeyeol on the right, the design shows the album name and new logo. Each member's designated number is also on that member's album spine.
I'll discuss the booklets in detail in the next section. Here I'll talk about the CD, which sits inside a sleeve on the inside of the back cover, opposite of the album credits page.
Here are all 10 designs. They are all side profiles from the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot.
Booklet - Jibeom
As mentioned earlier, I'll be using Jibeom's booklet for majority of my unboxing. Afterwards, I'll have highlights from all the other members' booklets as well. This first page includes the member's name and the "model no." like on the fabric tag and photocards (ie. that member's birthday). This is a 52 page booklet.
Next are the tracklist and song credits, along with a black and white photo from the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot.
When the concept photos were first released, I wasn't too excited for the concept (not to mention Jaehyun's...). But once everything was revealed, I love how the tracklist photo looks like a high end fashion website, how the photocard backs look like product tags, how the fabric tags fit perfectly with this theme, and lastly how these booklets look like fashion magazines. I'm now in love with this "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot because of its boutique feel; it really looks like the brand's name is Golden Child.
There are a total of 3 photoshoots included in these booklets. Along with the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot on the left, there is also the black background shoot on the right.
The other shoot is the curtain shoot, like pictured on the left. As for the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot, I really like how they add that chair as a prop as well.
There is 1 2-page spread from the curtain shoot with "GOLDEN CHILD" printed at the center. I just love how luxurious this looks, and the text (which generally isn't my taste) adds to that high end fashion feel.
I absolutely love these chair photos where "GOLDEN CHILD" is lined up and centered in the background; it just looks so pretty.
Overall, I love the other 2 photoshoots more, but somehow this "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot continues to intrigue me. Model material right here!
Next is the group thanks to message, and then Jibeom's thanks to message. The following page contains the album credits, then the CD-R.
Booklet - Daeyeol
Now I'll give my thoughts on some photos from the remaining 9 booklets. I love how despite all 3 outfits being quite similar, the photoshoots all give off a different vibe that still fits with this high end fashion magazine feel.
The black curtain shoot is just so elegant. And for the opposite photo, the pose is so playful but the gaze is so powerful!
Booklet - Y
And I love how there is also this candid shot, bringing variety to this beautiful shoot.
I am absolutely in love with all the photos from the curtain shoot for Y! Look at how soft he looks! If his photobook only contained pictures from this shoot, his would definitely be my favorite photobook.
I love this photo on the couch; besides him looking soft, he looks like a king here and I love how fancy the overall setting is, like a portrait in a royal household.
You'd think I'd be talking again about the curtain shoot here, but this time I want to bring up how perfect Y looks in the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot!
Booklet - Jangjun
This is an interesting layout with having the curtain frame both photos.
The curtain shoot is definitely my favorite for Jangjun too.
Tag legit looks stellar in any hair color he tries! I'm one for natural hair, but he's given me new perspective ever since his blue "Let Me" hair and again with his red hair.
This is such a pretty photo; I really like how minimalist the black background shoot is and surprisingly how the boys still stand out despite wearing black against that background.
Look at that profile!
Seriously I am in love with these "GOLDEN CHILD" shots.
I like how Jangjun's 2-page spread is a bit different, where it feels like the focus is more on the chair. It gives a nice twist to that royal portrait theme.
Booklet - Tag
Booklet - Seungmin
Booklet - Jaehyun
Nothing else to say except that this is perfection!
I didn't notice this much for the other booklets, but I was a bit disappointed at how much wasted space there was throughout Bomin's booklet.
These photos are really pretty; I love the angle of that first shot and the framework of that second shot, but again it's too bad about all the white space.
I love how artistic this shot is.
I saved Jaehyun's book for last when I was first looking through all of the albums, and again when blogging about each one. I knew it would be beautiful but torturous and turning each page was nerve wracking not knowing when *those* photos (and how many) would appear.
When Jaehyun's concept trailer was first released, I was really shocked by his hair. But then when his concept photos came out, the hair didn't bother me anymore. And now I absolutely love this hair style on him. Also I'm glad to see there are photos of him buttoned up from the curtain shoot!
It's a bit unfortunate that one of my most favorite photos from this booklet is opposite of *that* photo...but anyways, seriously that photo on the right is absolutely beautiful and he looks like a sculpture!
I can't believe I didn't like his hair at first...it is absolutely perfect and I love the various styles in both of these shoots.
It's funny how wrecked I've become throughout this whole era...despite being so off put by Jaehyun's concept photo, I think if I got into Golden Child now he would be my bias! But that isn't the case, and I am still bongbeom biased^^
I am just trying to live peacefully but how can this be the last photo in his book?! And for it to be opposite of "Breathe" which is exactly what I can't do while staring at this?!
Booklet - Donghyun
Donghyun looks like such a boss in that chair!
I absolutely love that photo on the right; these closeup shots are just so beautiful.
Booklet - Joochan
This is definitely my favorite shoot for Joochan!
Booklet - Bomin
I'm still so surprised to see Bomin with blond hair, and even more surprised at how quickly he went back to black!
These photos from the "GOLDEN CHILD" shoot are so pretty and really fit that fashion magazine vibe.
He looks like a natural model here!
Tracklist
This mini album contains 6 tracks:
- YES. - the album title and intro track are meant to bring positivity to today's world. This instrumental track leads into the title track well.
- 안아줄게 (Burn It) - I am still in awe at the quality in this music video production! A 6+ minute long music video that felt like a blockbuster trailer, along with an accompanying webtoon, I thought Woollim would go the extra mile and make a "Golden Movie 2"...the zombie apocalypse concept really showcased the members' acting skills and definitely left me emotional especially after Tag and Joochan's scene. And onto the song itself, it's a reggaeton song that really expands Golden Child's musicality, and is really catchy! It's grown on me a lot.
- Cool Cool - along with Jangjun and Tag, this track is made by MosPick who also worked on "Damdadi", "All Day", "Let Me", and "Pump It Up"! With these trademark Golcha songs under MosPick's belt, I had high hopes that this would be a feel good song. It's definitely much edgier that I would have imagined, but it brings variety to both Golden Child and MosPick. This is the b-side that Golden Child promoted along with the title.
- 기다리고 있어 - Also known as "Round N Round", this track, along with the rapper line, is made by 1Take and TAK, who also created "What Happened", "If", "Lately", "No Matter What", and "Moment"! Like with "Cool Cool", I had high expectations that this track would also be super upbeat, but it's definitely a different genre as well.
- Milky Way - my favorite track on the album! It instantly puts a smile to my face^^
- Breathe - Nothing can describe just how happy I am that Golden Child is now promoting this track with a volleyball concept! The music video is really trademark Golcha, and I love the branding of the jerseys and banners. The storyline is super simple but I love how they focus on a storyline this time, and the moral of how teamwork, determination, and practice pay off! I'm happy we're closing off this era on such a bright note.
It's awesome seeing Jangjun and Tag participating in all of the tracks (except the intro track)! The album as a whole definitely shows Golden Child conquering musical styles they haven't tried before, though I admit it's not so much my taste. But all the songs have grown on me so much! And I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am for Golden Child to have follow-up promotions for "Breathe" with a volleyball team theme! This was like how I felt during "Lucid Dream" era where I was worried if Golden Child would ever go back to their original concept, and then they promoted "OMG" with their basketball jerseys, and I'm so relieved to see this again. I love how Golden Child has such duality within the same era and how they always go back to their roots!
Overall, this has been quite the era! After a month of promotions, I can't help but laugh thinking how distraught I was over Jaehyun's teaser photo; of course I would still prefer to erase it from my mind, but it greatly helped that they were (for the most part) appropriately dressed while performing. I'm happy with how there the bookcase set version and normal version have overlapping booklets but separate inclusions, making it reasonable if you want to buy one version over the other. And lastly, I love how Golden Child challenges and conquers duality in concepts so well, from "Burn It" to "Breathe".
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