Overjoyed is a studio album by Heo Young-saeng. His first album to be produced for a Japanese audience, it was released by Pony Canyon on September 19, 2012. The full-length album consists of eleven tracks, including Japanese versions of three songs originally sung in Korean. Heo has also released a DVD titled Heo Young Saeng Concert 2012 – Overjoyed which was recorded live.
Background and development
After debuting as a solo artist with the release of Let It Go in 2011, Heo Young-saeng focused on his career in South Korea. However, in the same year he stayed in Japan for a couple of weeks for his debut musical performance in The Three Musketeers. Heo later released his second minialbum in South Korea on May 22, 2012. Titled Solo, it peaked at number 4 on the Gaon Weekly Album Charts. Later that year, Heo announced he would be releasing an album in Japan. Known for his gentle, ballad-like songs, Overjoyed would mark a change in his genre by leaning towards rock. Heo previously mentioned that he enjoyed light rock music, but did not have the chance to include it in his last album. He had only performed a rock adaptation of "Find" during SS501's Persona concert in 2008. On August 19, 2012, Pony Canyon announced in commemoration of Overjoyed that Heo would perform at the Shibuya-AX, Tokyo, on September 22, and at Zepp Namba, Osaka, on September 24. These events would include a talk show immediately following the concerts in celebration of the album's release. A month afterward, Pony Canyon uploaded a 45-second teaser of Heo's lead track "1.2.3" on YouTube, on September 17. In addition, a launch exhibition was held from September 18 to 24 at Tower Records Shibuya's lounge to promote the album.
Release and promotion
Four months after the release of his mini-album in South Korea, Heo released Overjoyed on September 19, 2012. His first full-length Japanese studio album, it entered the Oricon Albums Charts at number 29 on the first week of its release. In the same week, Pony Canyon uploaded a four-minute music video of "1.2.3" on YouTube. Following the release of the album, Heo made his first live performance in Japan; 1st Solo Concert in Japan was held two days after the release of Overjoyed. Held from September 22 and 24, Heo sang numerous songs from Overjoyed, as well as the rock version of "Find" and a medley of SS501 songs. A talk show was held after the concert; borrowing from the lead track, 123 people from the audience who had purchased the album were invited on the show. When asked how "1.2.3" was written and produced, Heo expressed his admiration of Avril Lavigne and how she inspired his music, stating: "The lead track was created as an upbeat, rock song, letting the listeners to be able to enjoy and dance with it. In part, it was also chosen because I wanted to do a song similar to musical genre".
Track listing
Music videos
"1.2.3"
Release history
DVD
Heo Young Saeng Concert 2012 – Overjoyed is the fifth DVD by South Korean solo male artist, Heo Young-saeng. The two-disc live DVD was released the next year on February 20, 2013. It features his performance at Shibuya-AX Osaka on September 22, 2012, and a photobook. The DVD album peaked at 43 at the Oricon DVD Charts.
