I. Introduction
Universe is the sixth extended play (EP) by the South Korean-Chinese boy group EXO and was released on December 26, 2017 with the title track "Universe."
II. Background and Release
Beginning in 2013, a special winter album became a regular tradition for the group. Universe was the fourth "winter special" album with an original release date of December 21, which was announced on November 23. However, the album's release was postponed, so the music video for its title track was instead released on December 26. The EP featured 8 songs in Korean and Mandarin. This is the first winter album to not include Lay, as well as the first winter album that does not also have an entire Mandarin version, although there is a Mandarin version of the title track.
The lead single "Universe" was produced by Shin Hyuk and MRey, and described as a rock ballad that talks about how a person will search the universe just to find their lover. Upon release, Universe was praised by fans for using gender-neutral pronouns such as "me" and "you" instead of "he" and "she" in the lyrics.
The teaser concepts for the album were built around a mock coffee shop, Cafe Universe.
III. Tracklist
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
| "Universe" | Sarah Yoon | Hyuk Shin (Joombas), Marco "MRey" Reyes (Joombas), JJ Evans (Joombas), Jeff Lewis (Joombas) | Joombas | 4:24 |
| "Universe (為心導航)" | Xiaohan | Hyuk Shin (Joombas), Marco "MRey" Reyes (Joombas), JJ Evans (Joombas), Jeff Lewis (Joombas) | Joombas | 4:24 |
| "Been Through" | Park Ji-hee (Makeumine Works), JQ (Makeumine Works) | Mike Woods (Rice n' Peas), Kevin White (Rice n' Peas), Brandyn "EMAN8" Burnette, Molly Moore, MZMC | Rice n' Peas | 3:38 |
| "Stay" | JQ (Makeumine Works), Lee Ji-hye (Makeumine Works), Sik-K | Cathy Dennis, Robert Gerongco, Samuel Gerongco, Terence Lam | Kuya Productions | 3:51 |
| "Fall" | JQ (Makeumine Works), Mola (Makeumine Works), MQ (BeatBurger) | Mike Woods (Rice n' Peas), Kevin White (Rice n' Peas), Andrew Bazzi (Rice n' Peas), MZMC | Rice n' Peas | 3:27 |
| "Good Night" | Hyun Ji-won (Makeumine Works), JQ (Makeumine Works) | Mike Woods (Rice n' Peas), Kevin White (Rice n' Peas), MZMC, Micah Powell | Rice n' Peas | 3:31 |
| "Lights Out" | Chen | Bane Scott, Ryuichi Flores, Kepler (Kepler), Andrew "Fiction" Holyfield (Kepler), Jason "Amer" Houseman (Kepler) | Kepler | 3:06 |
| "Universe" (CD version) | Sarah Yoon | Hyuk Shin (Joombas), Marco "MRey" Reyes (Joombas), JJ Evans (Joombas), Jeff Lewis (Joombas) | Joombas | 4:24 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Universe MV - Korean
Universe MV - Mandarin
Universe Behind The Scenes
Universe - 2017 MBC Music Festival
VI. Concept Photos
VII. Reception
Universe debuted at #1 on the Korean Gaon chart and #2 on the U.S. Billboard World Albums chart. It also reached #8 on the Japanese Oricon charts and charted in France and New Zealand. The album ended the year as the 6th-highest seller in Korea. It has sold over 550,000 copies in Korea and 212,500 in China.
The lead single "Universe" reached #2 on the Gaon Charts, #7 on Chinese Billboard and #16 on the Billboard U.S. World Songs chart. Five other songs charted on Gaon - "Been Through," "Stay," "Fall," "Good Night" and "Lights Out.'
