Borderline (Sunmi song)
"Borderline" is a song recorded by South Korean singer-songwriter Sunmi. It is the closing track on her third extended play 1/6 (2021), which was released on August 6, 2021, through Abyss Company. The song was written by Sunmi and its composer, Frants. "Borderline" is mid-tempo alternative rock track that confronts the singer's experience with Borderline personality disorder.
| "Borderline" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Sunmi | |
| from the album 1/6 | |
| Language |
|
| Released | August 6, 2021 |
| Genre | alternative rock |
| Length | 2:54 |
| Label | Abyss Company |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Composer(s) |
|
| Special video | |
| "Borderline" on YouTube | |
Background
The song was debuted on her Warning Tour and was not originally planned to be released. In February 2019, the singer shared the lyrics for "Borderline".[1] During a March 2119 interview with Pop Crush, Sunmi described the track saying "It's about me, but I think it's a song everyone can relate to when they hear it."[2] On August 19, 2020 the special video for "Borderline" was released.[3] On August 28, the singer uploaded an interview on her YouTube channel, where she details the reasons behind the lyrics and conceptual choices for the special video.[4]
When I started making Borderline, I was quite afraid to reveal my injury from the past bcuz all the words in this song are true and honest feelings of mine. I realized that many people, not just me, were struggling with this feeling. I still don’t know how to deal with the remains, but I’m fine now and it' bcuz you gave me the courage to express everything honestly. Thank u #miyane. sincerely."
— Sunmi on the making of "Borderline", Twitter
Composition and reception
"Borderline" was written by Sunmi and its composer, Frants. The song is an atmospheric, retro mid-tempo track about her experience with Borderline Personality Disorder.[5][6] Drawing influences from alternative rock, the track features a deep arrangement and the singer's "charming" low-pitched voice.[7][5][6] In terms of musical notation, the song is composed in the key of A minor, with a tempo of 113 beats per minute, and runs for two minutes and fifty-four seconds.[8] Angela Patricia Suacillo from NME noted that the song "showcases Sunmi’s ability to paint vivid imagery through her songwriting."[6] Many music critics noted the track for being "raw" and "emotionally honest" about something so personal to Sunmi, giving exposure and awareness to her disorder.[5][6]
Live performances
"Borderline" was featured on the setlist of Sunmi's Warning Tour in 2019. On March 13, 2021 the singer performed the song on You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook.[9] During the OUTNOW Unlimited, held on August 8, 2021, the singer performed a medley of "Narcissism" and "Borderline".[10]
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from Melon,[7]
- Sunmi – Vocals, songwriter
- Frants – Songwriter, bass, keyboard, computer programming
- Ahn Sung Hoon – Guitar
- DR in idiotape – Drums
- Jo Sang Hyun – Audio mixing, record engineering
- Oh Hye Seok – Record engineering
- Choi Ja Yeon - Record engineering
- Kwon Nam-woo – Audio mastering
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | August 6, 2021 | Digital download, streaming |
|
|
| Various |
References
- ""Borderline" lyrics". Sunmi. February 26, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
- Frances, Lai (March 27, 2019). "Sunmi on K-Pop's Global Expansion, Her Solo Career and 'Glowing Up' (Interview)". Pop Crush. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- "선미 (SUNMI) - BORDERLINE Special Video". Sunmi. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via YouTube.
- "선미 (SUNMI) - BORDERLINE Interview". Sunmi. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via YouTube.
- Gomez, Sofia (August 8, 2021). "SUNMI CREATES A RETRO UNIVERSE IN 1/6". Retrieved August 10, 2021 – via The Kraze.
- Suacillo, Angela Patricia (August 11, 2021). "Sunmi – '1/6' review: a retro-inspired deep dive into the K-pop star's mental health". NME. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- "'Sunmi' 3th Mini Album 1/6" (in Korean). Melon. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- "Key, BPM and analysis of "Borderline" by Sunmi". MusicStax. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- Kim, Noeul (March 13, 2021). "선미 "경계선 인격장애 진단, 버림받는 게 무서운 아이였다"(스케치북)". Newsen. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- Seung-hoon, Lee (August 8, 2021). "선미, 믿고 보는 '가시나'..콘셉트 장인이 완성한 한 편의 뮤지컬('아웃나우 언리미티드')". Osen. Retrieved August 12, 2021.