What Do I Call You

What Do I Call You is the fourth Korean-language extended play and the seventh overall by South Korean singer Taeyeon. The EP was released on December 15, 2020, by SM Entertainment and consists of six tracks,^[1] including the title track of the same name and her previous digital single "Happy".^[2]

What Do I Call You
EP by Taeyeon
Released	December 15, 2020 (2020-12-15)
Genre	R&B pop trap ballad
Length	15:22
Language	Korean
Label	SM Dreamus
Producer	Lee Soo-man (exec.)
Taeyeon chronology
#GirlsSpkOut (2020) What Do I Call You (2020) INVU (2022)
Singles from What Do I Call You
"What Do I Call You" Released: December 15, 2020

Background and release

On November 20, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that Taeyeon was preparing to release a mini album the following month.^[3] On November 30, Taeyeon teased her comeback on her social media with the message, "I'll be coming back soon."^[4] On December 3, SM Entertainment announced that EP What Do I Call You would be released on December 15, 2020.^[5] Preorders began the same day.^[6] This marks Taeyeon's first domestic comeback in seven months since "Happy", released on May 4, 2020.^[7]

Composition

The digital edition of What Do I Call You contains five songs, while the physical release contains six songs including the single "Happy", which was released as a digital single on May 4, 2020. There are two versions of the physical edition, with each featuring a different cover, CD-ROM design, booklet, poster, postcard, bookmark and photo card.^[8]

The EP incorporates various genres, primarily R&B and pop.^[9]

Commercial performance

Upon release, the title track "What Do I Call You" ranked first on major music charts such as Genie and Bugs. The other tracks in the album also ranked highly in the charts.^[10] The album took over iTunes charts in 22 regions.^[11][12] It tied with her previous album Purpose and Hwasa's María for the third most national iTunes number ones for an album by a Korean female soloist, ranking behind her repackage edition of Purpose^[13] and Wendy's Like Water.^[14][15] The album also ranked number one in China's largest music site QQ Music and KuGou Music digital album sales chart.^[10]

In South Korea, What Do I Call You debuted at number four on the Gaon Album Chart with 99,065 copies sold.^[16] The album became Taeyeon's seventh top ten album in the country, and broke the record for the largest sales for a female soloist in 2020 with 89,263 copies on Hanteo.^[17] As of February 2021, it has sold over 124,442 units in South Korea,^[18][19][20] becoming her fifth album sold over 100,000 copies, following her four previous albums: I (2015), Why (2016), My Voice (2017) and Purpose (2019).^[21][22] She's the first solo female artist to have five albums sold over 100,000 units on Gaon Album Chart.^[21][22]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
IZM	[23]

Teen Vogue chose What Do I Call You as one of the "Best K-Pop Moments of 2020", with contributor Hannah Weiss writing: "With its chill soundscape and Taeyeon's airy vocals, What Do I Call You is the perfect soundtrack to close 2020. The album examines loneliness, desire and regret through a soft filter, sharing a touch of warmth to carry us through this winter".^[24]

Lim Seon-hee from IZM compared the EP's concepts to those of American singer Taylor Swift and its musical styles to Ariana Grande: "What Do I Call You is a collaboration of seasoned-ness and sincerity, with a wider range of emotions despite the method of 'removing away' without embellishment and excess. Now, no matter what genre she try, she can easily build a flagpole with her name inscribed. Beyond it all, the album becomes alive just by the deep touch of the voice that blows warm breath in the season of the bitter wind."^[23]

Track listing

What Do I Call You – Digital edition

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"What Do I Call You"	Kenzie	Linnea Södahl Caroline Pennell David Pramik	David Pramik	2:47
2.	"Playlist"	Jeon Ji-eun (January 8th (lalala Studio)) Hwang Seon-jeong (January 8th (lalala Studio)) Kim Jeong-mi (January 8th (lalala Studio))	Mike Daley Mitchell Owens Nicole "Kole" Cohen	Mike Daley	2:43
3.	"To the Moon"	Taeyeon Yorkie (Devine Channel) SOLE (Devine Channel)	Taeyeon Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel) [ko] Ryan Kim (Devine Channel) Andreas "Mage" Maggiani (Devine Channel) SOLE (Devine Channel) Sakehands	Devine Channel Sakehands	2:42
4.	"Wildfire" (Korean: 들불)	Jo Yoon-kyung	Blaq Tuxedo	Blaq Tuxedo Michael Jiminez IMLAY	3:24
5.	"Galaxy"	Zaya (Joombas)	Mariella "Bambi" Garcia Balandina (Mr Radar) Mimmi Gyltman MooF (Joombas)	MooF (Joombas)	3:46
Total length:					15:22

What Do I Call You – CD & LP edition

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
6.	"Happy"	Lee Seu-ran	Chris Wahle Chelcee Grimes Samuel Gerongco Robert Gerongco	Chris Wahle	3:41
Total length:					19:03

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Melon.^[25]

• S.M. Entertainment Co., Ltd. – executive producer
• Lee Soo-man – producer
• Vocal direction – G-High
• Pro Tools operation – G-High
• Background vocals – Choi Youngkyung, Chelcee Grimes and Gabriela Geneva (NIIVA)
• Bass guitar – Taeyun Lee
• Digital editing – Lee Min Kyu at SM Big Shot Studio / Kang Seonyoung at MonoTree Studio
• Engineer for mix – Lee Min Kyu at SM Big Shot Studio
• Recording – No Min Ji at SM Yellow Tail Studio / Kang Seonyoung at MonoTree Studio
• Mixing – Jung Eui Suk at SM Blue Cup Studio
• Mastering – Kwon Namwoo at 821 Sound Mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for What Do I Call You Chart (2020) Peak position Japan Download Albums (Billboard Japan)[26] 10 Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[27] 48 South Korean Albums (Gaon)[28] 4

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for What Do I Call You Chart (2020) Peak position South Korean Albums (Gaon)[29] 7 32[a] Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for What Do I Call You Chart (2020) Peak position South Korean Albums (Gaon)[30] 83

Sales

Sales for What Do I Call You

Region	Sales
China (digital)[31]	59,961
South Korea (Gaon)[32]	126,703[b]

Accolades

Year	Awards	Category	Nominated work	Result
2020	12th Melon Music Awards	Best R&B/Soul	"Happy"	Nominated
2021	10th Gaon Chart Music Awards	Artist of the Year – Digital Music (May)		Nominated
2022	11th Gaon Chart Music Awards	Artist of the Year – Digital Music (December)	"What Do I Call You"	Won

Music program awards

Song	Program	Network	Date	Ref.
"What Do I Call You"	Inkigayo	SBS	December 27, 2020	[33][34]

Release history

Release history for What Do I Call You

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
South Korea	December 15, 2020	CD digital download streaming	SM Entertainment Dreamus	[35]
Various		Digital download streaming	SM Entertainment	[36][37]
South Korea	February 25, 2021	LP	SM Entertainment Dreamus	[38]

Notes

1. LP
2. Sales combined with LP version (Original – 106,712, LP – 19,991)

References

1. Ji, Min-kyung (December 3, 2020). 태연, 15일 네 번째 미니앨범 'What Do I Call You' 발매 [공식] [Taeyeon releases 4th mini album 'What Do I Call You' on the 15th [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved December 3, 2020 – via Naver.
2. "'컴백' 태연, 인형 미모 티저…시크한 무드+그루비한 보컬 예고". Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
3. Hwang, Hye-jin (November 20, 2020). SM 측 “태연 12월 컴백 준비 중, 많은 기대 부탁”(공식) [SM's "Taeyeon is preparing for a comeback in December, please look forward to it" (Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020 – via Naver.
4. Park, Panseok (November 30, 2020). 태연, 수줍은 새 앨범 예고 "저 곧 앨범 나와요" [★SHOT!] [Taeyeon, shy new album notice "I'm coming out soon" [★SHOT!]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020 – via Naver.
5. Kim, Miji (December 3, 2020). "'믿듣탱' 온다"…태연, 12월 15일 미니앨범으로 컴백 확정[공식입장]" ["It's coming"... Taeyeon confirmed comeback with mini album on December 15th [Official Admission]]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved December 3, 2020 – via Naver.
6. Jeon, Hyo-jin (December 3, 2020). 태연, 15일 컴백…'What Do I Call You' 발매 [공식] [Taeyeon, comeback on the 15th... Release of 'What Do I Call You' [Official]]. Sports DongA (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020 – via Naver.
7. Kim, Ye-na (November 20, 2020). "[단독] 태연, 12월 솔로 컴백 확정…'믿듣탱' 열일 행보" [[Exclusive] Taeyeon, December solo comeback confirmed... 'Believe it']. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020 – via Naver.
8. "Taeyeon – What Do I Call You (The 4th Mini Album)" (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
9. "What Do I Call You – The 4th Mini Album" (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
10. Jeon Hyo-jin (December 16, 2020). "[DA:차트] 태연 1위, 아이튠즈 톱 앨범 18개 지역 정상" [[DA:Chart] Taeyeon's 1st place, top 18 iTunes top albums]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
11. "TAEYEON's 'What Do I Call You' topped the music chart". SMTOWN Website. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
12. "태연, 새 앨범 'What Do I Call You' 라이브 클립 3편 순차 공개 [공식입장]". Naver Website. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
13. Kang Su-ji (January 16, 2020). "태연 '퍼포즈', 아이튠즈 24개 지역 1위…韓 여자 솔로 최다 기록". SBS (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
14. "Red Velvet Wendy's 'LIKE WATER' Attains the Most No. 1s on iTunes Top Album Chart". kpophit. April 7, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
15. "Red Velvet's Wendy Achieves Most Global #1's For Female K-Pop Soloist On iTunes Album Chart". koreaboo. April 6, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
16. "2020년 12월 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
17. "[Hanteo 2020 Annual Album Sales Summary ② Female Solo] TAEYEON Claims 1st in Cumulative + Single Album Sales in 2020 (Hanteo Chart Official)". Hanteo News. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
18. "2020년 12주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
19. "2021년 01주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
20. "2021년 02월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
21. "′태연′ 리뷰 – OST 첫 1위". Gaon Music (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
22. "2020년 01월 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
23. Lim, Seonhee. "Album Review Taeyeon – 'What Do I Call You '". IZM. Korea. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
24. "The Best K-Pop Moments of 2020". Teen Vogue. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
25. "Happy by Taeyeon" (in Korean). Melon Music. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
26. "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums". December 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
27. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
28. "Gaon Album Chart – Week 51, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
29. • "Gaon Album Chart – December 2020" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
    • "Gaon Album Chart – February 2021" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
30. "Gaon Chart – 2020년 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
31. Cumulative sales of What Do I Call You:

    • "What Do I Call You" (in Chinese). China QQ. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
32. Physical sales of What Do I Call You:

    • "2020년 12주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
    • "2021년 01주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
    • "Gaon Album Chart – February 2021" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
    • "Circle Chart's Observation Note #1 [Album Sales]". OK POP!! (오케이팝!!) on YouTube (in Korean). Circle Music Chart. September 9, 2022. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
33. Lee, Sang-jin (December 27, 2020). 태연 'What Do I Call You', '인기가요'서 1위! [Taeyeon ranked 1st in 'What Do I Call You' and 'Inkigayo']. Asia News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
34. "12월 마지막 주 인기가요 차트" [Popular song chart for the last week of December]. SBS (in Korean). December 27, 2020. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
35. "What Do I Call You – The 4th Mini Album by Taeyeon". Melon. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
36. "What Do I Call You – The 4th Mini Album – EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
37. "What Do I Call You – The 4th Mini Album by Taeyeon". Spotify. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
38. "[LP] 태연 – WHAT DO I CALL YOU (4TH 미니앨범) LP VER. 초회한정반 [예약판매는 1월 10일 23시 59분까지 진행 후 종료됩니다.]". Synnara. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.