I. Introduction
For Life is the fifth extended play by EXO, released on December 19, 2016. The album contains five tracks, including the title track "For Life", in both Korean and Chinese versions.
II. Background & Release
On November 30, 2016, Exo was confirmed to be releasing their fifth extended play and third special winter album, after Miracles in December (2013) and Sing For You (2015). On December 13, the album's title was announced to be "For Life."
The album and title track's music videos, which feature Japanese actress Nanami Sakuraba along 3 EXO members Kai, Suho and Chanyeol were released simultaneously on December 19.
Unlike Exo's previous albums which were released in separate Korean and Chinese versions, For Life contains both the Korean and Chinese versions of the tracks. Profits from the album are reportedly donated to charity.
III. Tracklist
Writers only on the Mandarin version are italicized to combine information into one chart for the two versions.
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "For Life" | Kenzie, Xiaohan | Kenzie, Matthew Tishler, Aaron Benward | Kenzie, Matthew Tishler, Aaron Benward | 3:58 |
| "Falling for You" | Seo Ji-eum, Yang Yao-cheng | Dominique "DOM" Rodriguez (Audity), Richard Garcia (Audity), Andreas Stone Johansson, Allison Kaplan | Dominique "DOM" Rodriguez (Audity), Richard Garcia (Audity), Andreas Stone Johansson, Allison Kaplan | 3:24 |
| "What I Want for Christmas" (sung by Suho/Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, D.O.) Lay replaces Suho on Mandarin version | JQ (Makeumine Works), Seolim (Makeumine Works), Deer Jenny | BUM (Joombas), Chek Parren (Joombas), J. Lewis, Sidnie Tipton | Joombas | 3:22 |
| "Twenty Four" (sung by Xiumin, Chanyeol, Kai, Sehun) | Lee Yoo-jin / Sun Yien | Lee Yoo-jin | Joseph "Joe Millionaire" Foster | 3:40 |
| "Winter Heat" | Kim Min-ji, , Xiaohan | Andreas Oberg, Maria Marcus, Andrew Choi | Maria Marcus | 3:35 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Teaser:
MV:
Performance - KBS Song Festival 12.29.17
VI. Reception
Within the first week of its release, For Life sold over 300,000 copies–Exo's second best first week album sales and the third best first week sales in the history of South Korean album sales chart Hanteo in that year. The album debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and For Life became the third best selling album in Gaon Chart in 2016 with 438,481 copies sold. It reached #7 on the Japanese Oricon chart and #9 on U.S. Billboard World Albums Chart.
The title track reached #7 on the Gaon charts, #6 on the Chinese charts and #8 on the U.S. Billboard world charts.
VII. Awards and Nominations
The album was nominated for the Gaon Chart Music Awards Artist of the Year (Album) for the 4th quarter.
