"Bad Love" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Key serving as the second single for his 2021 extended play of the same name. It was released on September 27, 2021, through SM Entertainment as the album's lead single.
Background and release On September 6, 2021, SM Entertainment announced the upcoming release date of Key's first Korean-language extended play, Bad Love, led by the single of the same name. The first single from the EP, "Hate That...", had already been released a month prior. Key showcased the song for the first time at his Beyond Live concert, Groks in the Keyland, on September 26, 2021, before releasing it alongside the album on the next day. Two music video teasers were released on September 25 and September 26, respectively. The song together with the music video were released on September 27.
Composition "Bad Love" was written by Kenzie and Adrian McKinnon, while Kenzie produced the song. Musically, the song is described as a dance-pop song that creates a retro mood with a strong synth sound and a lively beat. The lyrics revolve around "a tale of ecstatic love turned toxic".
Critical reception + "Bad Love" on year-end lists Critic/Publication List Rank Bollywood Hungama 25 Korean Songs that Defined 2021 Dazed The best K-pop tracks of 2021 2 Marie Claire The 20 Best New K-Pop Songs of 2021 NME The 25 best K-pop songs of 2021 3 Paper The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 5 PhilStar Life 21 K-pop Title Tracks That Defined 2021 20 The Ringer The Best K-pop Songs of 2021 1 Teen Vogue 21 Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2021 Tone Deaf The best K-pop songs of 2021
Accolades + Music program wins for "Bad Love" Program Date Show! Music Core (MBC) October 9, 2021
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes for Bad Love.
Studio SM Big Shot Studio – recording SM Yellow Tail Studio – engineered for mix SM Starlight Studio – digital editing SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing 821 Sound – mastering
Personnel Key – vocals, background vocals Kenzie – producer, lyrics, composition, arrangement, vocal directing Adrian McKinnon – composition Junny – background vocals Lee Min-kyu – recording Jeong Yoo-ra – digital editing Noh Min-ji – engineered for mix Nam Koong-jin – mixing Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Charts + Weekly chart performance for "Bad Love" Chart (2021) Peakposition South Korea (Gaon) 34 South Korea (K-pop Hot 100) 87 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 13
Release history + Release history and formats for "Bad Love" Region Date Format Label Various September 27, 2021
References