2009–2010: Debut and Shock of the New Era
Prior to their debut, Korean news outlets reported that Cube Entertainment would be releasing a new boy group known as "B2ST", pronounced "Beast". This name was changed to "Beast" before their debut, but the group retains the original stylisation in all their promotional material. Beast's fanclub name became "B2uty", pronounced "Beauty", in reference to the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast.
In October 2009, Beast held their debut showcase at the MTV GongGae Hall and made their live performance debut on KBS Music Bank with their debut single, "Bad Girl". A documentary recording the story of the group's debut titled MTV B2ST was filmed during this time, showing the members as they filmed their first music video and bonded with each other. Their debut mini-album, Beast Is the B2ST featured five songs, including the intro track "Beast Is the B2ST", "Mystery" and "Oasis". The song "아직은" (Ajigeun, lit. Yet) was banned from airplay due to swearing in Jun-hyung's rap. Beast won their first award, Rookie of the Month for December, awarded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In early 2010, Beast promoted their second single, "Mystery", from the mini-album, with live performances on the weekly music shows. The members created their own humorous amateur music video for the song, featuring fellow Korean pop singers including members of Girls' Generation and Kara. The mini-album went on to sell 40,000 copies, an unusual feat for a Korean rookie group, with the album's original print run of 20,000 copies selling out in its first month.
In January 2010, Beast and their labelmates, girl group 4minute, signed with world-wide album company Universal Music Group for their international promotions and album launches, and began their first international promotions in Taiwan with 4minute. The group was awarded the Best Newcomer Award alongside girl groups T-ara and After School at the 19th Seoul Music Awards in February 2010.
Beast released their second mini-album Shock of the New Era in March 2010 with the lead single "Shock". The mini album’s release took place a day earlier than scheduled after it was leaked on Youtube. The group achieved their first number-one win on Mnet’s M! Countdown with "Shock". The album quickly sold 20,000 copies in Korea, and was certified into the Gold Disk category in Singapore. Reviews of the title track described it has having both powerful vocals and a rock-influenced strong sound, a departure from the pop feel of their debut single, and praised the complex choreography for the track in live performances.
During the promotion period for "Shock", the group performed an orchestra version of Korean group Noel's ballad "붙잡고도" (Butjapgodo, lit. Despite Holding On), and were recognized as a boy group with outstanding singing ability. A digital single version of their track "Easy" from their Shock of the New Era album was released in April 2010 with the title "Easy (Sincere Ver.)". The track used strings and piano as opposed to the hip-hop feel and electronic instruments of the original.
In August 2010, Beast received the Golden Disk Award from Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand at the '2010 Summer CUBE Stars Party' in Seoul. Beast and 4minute also became the first Korean artists to be invited to perform on the Singapore Youth Olympics pre-opening stage. The group was awarded with the Cool Star Award in the 2010 Mnet 20's Choice Awards. American R&B musician Omarion made a surprise appearance as a guest onstage with the group as they received their award. Omarion had earlier invited Beast to perform with him after viewing a YouTube clip of the group delivering a dance performance of his single "Ice Box".
2010: Mastermind, Lights Go On Again, and My Story
On September 17, 2010, Beast released the song "주먹을 꽉 쥐고” (Jumeogeul Kkwak Jwigo, lit. Clenching a Tight Fist) as a single from their 3rd mini-album, Mastermind. The song gained anticipation and attention from the public for the excellent vocal ability they displayed. Mastermind was released on September 28, 2010. On October 8, 2010, a week after their comeback, Beast claimed first place on KBS Music Bank with the song "숨” (Soom, lit. Breath) from Mastermind. The song was noted for its original sound and distinctive choreography. On October 23, 2010, Beast is one of the recipient of the Asia Influential Artist Award which is given to those who had gained the most attention in Asia for the year.
On November 3, 2010, Beast opened up the preorder sales for their 4th mini-album named Lights Go On Again. The album took the top 5 spots on the Mnet music charts on November 8, 2010, with their lead track, “Beautiful” debuting at 1st place, while the album’s remaining four tracks placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively. According to album sales site Hanteo, the group’s album sales showed great success, with their sales figures ranked first. On November 15, 2010, Beast released the first part of the relay music drama from the 4th mini-album on their official YouTube channel. It garnered interest from fans as well as overseas promoters and media for the style and concept of the upcoming music videos.
Beast discography entered Japan with the release of their first Japanese album, called Beast - Japan Premium Edition, on November 24, 2010. It debuted at 13th place on the Oricon weekly album charts. On November 27, 2010, Beast held their first Japanese showcase called the 'The Legend of Beast, Vol.1' at Tokyo Big Site in Ohdaiba, Tokyo. The members were transported to the site of the showcase by helicopter, where they were able to see a human formation of the group's name made up of fans as a welcome greeting. The group performed 9 hit tracks, including "Bad Girl," "Shock" and "숨”. They also announced plans to officially debut in Japan in February 2011.
On December 1, 2010, Beast won an award for being one of 2010's most photogenic figures by the 11th Korean Visual Arts Festival, hosted and organized by the Korea Broadcast Camera Directors Association. On December 9, Beast was awarded with the Yepp Newcomer Award at the 25th Golden Disk Awards. According to album sold research site Hanteo Chart on December 11, 2010, Beast have sold 107,006 copies from January - October 2010 with 4 of their released mini-albums, including their first mini-album. This made Beast as the only rookie group out of all the boy/girl groups who have sold over 100,000 copies in 2010. This feat just shows the groups growing popularity. Beast held their first solo concert on December 12, 2010 at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. The concert's official title was 'Welcome to the Beast Airline'.
On December 23, plans for the release of self-composed duets by the members of the group were announced. The tracks released were "Thanks To", a hiphop track from Yoseob and Junhyung,[40] Hyunseung and Kikwang’s R&B track "Let It Snow", and Doojoon and Dongwoon’s ballad track "문이 닫히면" (Muni Dathimyeon, lit. When The Door Closes). The tracks debuted at the Mnet M! Countdown stage. The songs were released on December 21, 2010 as the digital mini album My Story.
2011: Japanese debut-first studio album, world tour
The group was awarded with the Bonsang Award at the 20th Seoul Music Awards on January 20, 2011 where they performed their hit songs “Shock” and "숨”. Beast was also listed as the No. 40 Power Celebrity according to the list released by Forbes Korea on February 24, 2011. Their first Japanese single, "Shock", was released on March 16, 2011, and debuted at number 2 on Oricon’s weekly chart. However, due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, all scheduled Japanese promotions for their single were cancelled.
Beast released their first full length Korean album on May 17, 2011 titled Fiction and Fact. Their track “비가 오는 날엔" (Biga Oneun Naren, lit. On Rainy Days), released as a digital single prior to the release of their album, won first place on KBS Music Bank’s May 27, 2011 episode instead of their heavily promoted lead song "Fiction". Their 2nd Japanese single, "Bad Girl (Japanese ver.)", was released on June 15, 2011.
Beast performed as Korea’s representative artists at MTV’s “MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2011" on July 24, 2011 at Malaysia’s Shah Alam. Beast is the only Korean artist to be invited this year, and is the second Korean artist, following the [artis]Wonder Girls, to ever perform on MTV’s “World Stage”.
In 2012, Beast went on an international tour, "Beautiful Show", which visited 17 cities in 12 different countries from Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The group released their sixth mini-album, "Midnight Sun", on July 22, 2012. Prior to its official release, the group gave fans a preview with the release of "Midnight" on July 15, 2012. The title track, "아름다운 밤이야" ("Beautiful Night"), won the Triple Crown on M! Countdown and won once respectively on KBS's Music Bank and MBC Music's Show Champion.
midnight
B2ST Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gin bam-e dashi nuneul gamgo
Geudael saenggakhago jamdeulji mothago geuraeyo
[HS] jogeum yunanhi gineyo geudae eobtneun bam-i
Aswiweojineyo geuddae bonaen geu nal-i deo
([DJ] gyesok mudyeojigettjo jeomjeom ijhyeojigettjo)
[DW] eonjenganeun geudaega
[KK] jam-i oji anheun bam so sad tonight
Geudae wa hamkke halsu eobtneun I bam
In the midnight a a a midnight
Ni saenggak-e jam mot deuneun Midnight
[YS] dashi chaja on I bam so sad tonight
Geudaega eobshi dashi matneun I bam
In the midnight a a a midnight a
Niga eobshi jam mot deuneun Midnight
[JH] nun gamattda ddeuneun saiboda deo bbareuge nal chajawattda
Ddeonaga beorin sarang dangshin You can't do this to me
Chung bunhada chungbunhae geuman jom haera nal apeuge
Naege milyeoniran ireum-e bameun kkeutnaji anha
[HS] da jinan yaegi dashi hago shipjin anhjiman
Naega geudael manhi choha hagin haettna bwayo
([DJ] gyesok saenggaknagettjo deo geuriwojigettjo)
[DW] shigan-I jinalsurok
[KK] jam-i oji anhneun bam so sad tonight
Geudae wa hamkke halsu eobtneun I bam
In the midnight a a a midnight
Ni saenggak-e jam mot deuneun Midnight
[YS] dashi chaja on I bam so sad tonight
Geudaega eobshi dashi matneun I bam
In the midnight a a a midnight a
Niga eobshi jam mot deuneun Midnight
[JH] jeogi banjjak I neun Little star nal wiro haejura
Gidael got hana eobshi sseurojineun oneul bam
[DW] jeogi banjjak I neun Little star nal wiro haejura
Gidael got hana eobshi sseurojineun
[DJ] byeol hyeneun bam gyejeol-i jina jogeumsshik dallajyeoganeun I bam
Hajiman nan yeojeonhi nan jam mot ireun bam
[YS] dashi chaja on I bam so sad tonight
Geudaega eobshi dashi matneun I bam
In the midnight a a a midnight a
Niga eobshi jam mot deuneun Midnight
The lyrics to B2ST's song Midnight express the feeling of loneliness and sadness that the singer experiences when they cannot stop thinking about their loved one. The singer asks how their loved one is doing and admits that sometimes they think about them and cannot fall asleep. The chorus repeats the phrase "In the midnight, a a a midnight, ni saenggak-e jam mot deuneun Midnight" (meaning "In the midnight, a a a midnight, the midnight where I can't sleep because of thoughts of you"), emphasizing the singer's struggle to move on from their relationship.
The second verse focuses on the memories that the singer has with their loved one and the difficulty they have in forgetting those memories. The bridge introduces the idea of a shooting star and the singer's wish for their loved one to come back to them. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, highlighting the singer's inability to escape their thoughts and memories.
Overall, the lyrics to Midnight paint a picture of someone desperately trying to move on from a past relationship, but unable to do so because they cannot stop thinking about their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
[DW] geudaeneun eotteongayo gakkeumeun nareul saenggakhan jeok ittnayo
What do you think of me sometimes? Have you ever thought of me at all?
I gin bam-e dashi nuneul gamgo
I close my eyes again in this lonely night
Geudael saenggakhago jamdeulji mothago geuraeyo
I try to think of you and get lost in thought
[HS] jogeum yunanhi gineyo geudae eobtneun bam-i
The night without you passes by slowly
Aswiweojineyo geuddae bonaen geu nal-i deo
It's hard, the day that we spent together
([DJ] gyesok mudyeojigettjo jeomjeom ijhyeojigettjo)
(I keep on missing you more and more every day)
[DW] eonjenganeun geudaega
I will miss you forever
[KK] jam-i oji anheun bam so sad tonight
A night that never ends, so sad tonight
Geudae wa hamkke halsu eobtneun I bam
This is a night that I can't spend with you
In the midnight a a a midnight
In the midnight, a a a midnight
Ni saenggak-e jam mot deuneun Midnight
A midnight that I can't stop thinking about you
[YS] dashi chaja on I bam so sad tonight
I search for you again, so sad tonight
Geudaega eobshi dashi matneun I bam
This is a night where I wait for you again
Niga eobshi jam mot deuneun Midnight
A midnight that I can't sleep without you
[JH] nun gamattda ddeuneun saiboda deo bbareuge nal chajawattda
The night shines brighter than my closed eyes, so I can find you more easily
Ddeonaga beorin sarang dangshin You can't do this to me
The love that left you, You can't do this to me
Chung bunhada chungbunhae geuman jom haera nal apeuge
Be honest, just a little bit, it hurts me
Naege milyeoniran ireum-e bameun kkeutnaji anha
In my head, your name will never end
[HS] da jinan yaegi dashi hago shipjin anhjiman
I don't want to talk about the stories that have already ended
Naega geudael manhi choha hagin haettna bwayo
I really liked you, did you know that?
([DJ] gyesok saenggaknagettjo deo geuriwojigettjo)
(I keep thinking about it more and missing it more)
[DW] shigan-I jinalsurok
As time goes by
[JH] jeogi banjjak I neun Little star nal wiro haejura
Little star shining over there, please fly to me
Gidael got hana eobshi sseurojineun oneul bam
Tonight, without any promise, just passing by
[YS] dashi chaja on I bam so sad tonight
I search for you again, so sad tonight
Geudaega eobshi dashi matneun I bam
This is a night where I wait for you again
Niga eobshi jam mot deuneun Midnight
A midnight that I can't sleep without you
Contributed by Parker H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Minh Thúy - 민투이
그대는 어떤가요 가끔은 나를 생각한 적 있나요
이 긴 밤에 다시 눈을 감고
그댈 생각하고 잠들지 못하고 그래요
조금 유난히 기네요 그대 없는 밤이
아쉬워지네요 그때 보낸 그 날이 더
계속 무뎌지겠죠 점점 잊혀지겠죠
언젠가는 그대가
잠이 오지 않는 밤 So sad tonight
그대와 함께할 수 없는 이 밤
In the midnight a a a midnight
니 생각에 잠 못 드는 Midnight
다시 찾아온 이 밤 So sad tonight
그대가 없이 다시 맞는 이 밤
In the midnight a a a midnight a
니가 없이 잠 못 드는 midnight
눈감았다 뜨는 사이보다 더 빠르게 날 찾아왔다
떠나가 버린 사랑 당신 You can’t do this to me
충분하다 충분해 그만 좀 해라 날 아프게
내게 미련이란 이름에 밤은 끝나지 않아
다 지난 얘기 다시 하고 싶진 않지만
내가 그댈 많이 좋아하긴 했나 봐요
계속 생각나겠죠 더 그리워지겠죠
시간이 지날수록
잠이 오지 않는 밤 So sad tonight
그대와 함께할 수 없는 이 밤
In the midnight a a a midnight
니 생각에 잠 못 드는 Midnight
다시 찾아 온 이 밤 So sad tonight
그대가 없이 다시 맞는 이 밤
In the midnight a a a midnight a
니가 없이 잠 못 드는 Midnight
저기 반짝이는 Little star 날 위로해주라
기댈 곳 하나 없이 쓰러지는 오늘 밤
저기 반짝이는 Little star 날 위로해주라
기댈 곳 하나 없이 쓰러지는
별 헤는 밤 계절이 지나 조금씩 달라져가는 이 밤
하지만 난 여전히 난 잠 못 이룬 밤
다시 찾아온 이 밤 So sad tonight
그대가 없이 다시 맞는 이 밤
In the midnight a a a midnight a
니가 없이 잠 못 드는 Midnight
Brian Phan
This song is an absolute gem, old kpop just hits so good
zurks
i know rightttt
sky블루
2021년... 이거 진짜 들을 때마다 타이틀곡감임. 노래 너무 좋다
JiaYin Chen
Listen to this song in 2020.
Just can't forget a charmful group like this. Lots of memories from them
fatin
Yesss I've been beauty since 13 years old and now I'm 23 years old, I'm still a light ❤
Cabelo Shawn
They are now HighLight!
Marija Grupcheva
That's really nice.I have been a kpop fan for 9 years now and I always come back to this song
Brian Phan
so many memories 🥺
lliyssaa
😭😭 b2uty forever.
Shermaine Wee
2022년에 들어도 이 노래가 명곡이다