Released May 16, 2014 Producer Kim Jin-myeong Artist IU Label LOEN Tree | Language Korean A Flower Bookmark
(2014) Chat-Shire
(2015) Release date 16 May 2014 Genres K-pop, Ballad | |
 | ||
Length 24:04
26:38 (LP edition) | ||
A Flower Bookmark (Hangul: 꽃갈피; RR: Kkotgalpi) is the first cover extended play (eighth overall) by South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress IU. It is also her sixth Korean-language mini-album. The EP was released on May 16, 2014, the singer's birthday, by LOEN Entertainment under its imprint LOEN Tree. Unlike her previous works, A Flower Bookmark features cover versions of nostalgic K-pop songs popularized from 1980s to 1990s. The album is her first Korean-language release after seven months since Modern Times (2013).
Contents
The EP was successful both commercially and critically. It spawned two hit singles; the lead single "My Old Story" and "The Meaning of You". The former topped Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100, while the latter was ranked at the top of Gallup Korea's "Song of the Year" in 2014. In particular, the latter has gone to sell more than two million digital copies since release, even outselling the album's lead track. The EP also earned IU a MelOn Music Award for Artist of the Year, and a nomination for Album of the Year.
Billboard magazine listed the album at number three on its list of "Best K-Pop Albums of 2014".
A limited LP edition, featuring a bonus track "Eoheoya Dunggidunggi", was available for sale. As of February 2017, the album has sold over 50,000 physical copies and five million digital singles in the singer's native country (see Charts).
Background and release
A Flower Bookmark consists of cover versions of nostalgic K-pop songs popularized from 1980s to 1990s, including "My Old Story" (Jo Deok-bae, 1985), "Flower" (Kim Kwang-seok, 1991), "Pierrot Smiles at Us" (Kim Wan-sun, 1990), "When Love Passes By" (Lee Moon-se, 1987), "The Meaning of You" (Sanulrim, 1984), "Dreams in Summer Night" (Kim Hyun-sik, 1988), and "Boom Ladi Dadi" (Clon, 1996).
On May 15, a video teaser for A Flower Bookmark was uploaded on LOEN Entertainment's official YouTube channel. The teaser features Kim Wan-sun, the original singer of "Pierrot Smiles at Us" (Hangul: 삐에로는 우릴 보고 웃지; RR: Ppieroneun Uril Bogo Utji). The official music video for the title track "My Old Story" (Hangul: 나의 옛날 이야기; RR: Naui Yetnal Iyagi), starring actor Choi Woo-shik, was released via YouTube on the same day.
The whole album was released on the following day. After the album's release, "My Old Story" reached a perfect all-kill status.
Commercial performance
As of October 2015, the album has sold 53,900 copies in South Korea and 900 in Japan.
Track listing
※ Bolded tracks identify singles from the album.
Use in media
Songs
1My old story3:34
2Flower3:00
3Pierrot laughs at us3:54