"Mago" (stylized in all caps) is a song recorded by South Korean girl group GFriend for their third Korean-language studio album Walpurgis Night. The song was released as the title track of the album on November 9, 2020, by Source Music. It is the group's final release before their departure from Source Music and disbandment in May 2021.
Background On October 31, 2020, a sneak peek of the song and its music video was shown during the group's online concert GFriend C:ON. On the same day, members Eunha and Umji appeared on the show Knowing Bros and showcased a tip of the song and its choreography.
Composition
The song was written and produced by FRANTS. Many other producers also participated in writing the song: "hitman" bang, Kyler Niko, Paulina Cerrilla, Cho Yoon-kyung, Alice Vicious, Cazzi Opeia, Ellen Berg, JADED JANE, Noisy Citizen, Justin Reinstein and JJean. Members Eunha, Yuju and Umji participated as well in writing lyrics for the song.
The song was described by Teen Vogue's Sara Delgado as "one of the most striking videos to come from GFriend to date".
Chart performance The song debuted at number 17 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales and peaked at number 16 a week after. It debuted at number 46 on Billboard K-pop Hot 100 for the week ending November 21, 2020 and at number 42 on Gaon Digital Chart for the week ending November 14, 2020.
Music video On October 31, 2020, a sneak peek of the music video for "Mago" was shown during the group's online concert GFriend C:ON. The music video was then released on HYBE Labels's YouTube channel on November 9, 2020, along with the album. It was directed by Guzza of Lumpens, who previously directed the music video for their previous single, "Apple".
Accolades
+Year-end lists Critics/Publication List Rank SCMP The Best 15 Singles from K-pop Groups in 2020 1 Billboard 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2020: Critic's Picks 4 Dazed The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020 9 Paper The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020 12 Don't Bore Us 10 K-pop Tracks from 2020 —
+Music program awards Program Date The Show November 17, 2020Show ChampionNovember 18, 2020
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2020)Peak position Malaysia (RIM) 18 Singapore (RIAS) 18South Korea (Gaon)42South Korea (Kpop Hot 100)35US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)16
Monthly charts Chart (November 2020) Position South Korea (Gaon) 99
Release history +Release dates and formats for "Mago" Region Date Format Label Various November 9, 2020
References