The Dream Chapter: Magic () is the debut studio album by South Korean boy band TXT. It was released on October 21, 2019 by Big Hit Entertainment and Republic Records. It serves as a follow-up to the band's debut extended play The Dream Chapter: Star (2019). The album contains eight songs, including the lead single, "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)". Musically, the album incorporates different genres including R&B, tropical house, acoustic pop and hip hop.
Commercially, the album debuted atop South Korea's Gaon Album Chart, becoming TXT's second chart-topping release of the year. It also charted on the US Billboard World Albums chart at number three. To promote the album, TXT appeared on several South Korean music programs.
Background and release
The Dream Chapter: Magic is the band's first studio album. It follows their debut EP The Dream Chapter: Star released in March, 2019. On October 1, a teaser video was dropped on YouTube, announcing that the band will release their first full-length album on October 21. The first official concept trailer for the album was released on October 3. The trailer combines two-dimensional graphics using the group's dynamic performance and projection mapping to stir a mysterious atmosphere. Following the release of the concept trailer, two sets of concept photos-"Sanctuary" and "Arcadia" versions were released. The Sanctuary version of the concept photos was released on October 7, alongside a mood board showing the boys in school. The Arcadia version, released a day later portrayed a darker theme. Both the concept photo versions express the boys' dream of deviance. On October 11, the tracklist of the full album was released, along-with the album cover. On October 17, a second teaser video for the album was released on the group's official website revealing the lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" and demonstrating some of the energetic performances of the members. On October 18, the band released a preview video of the album on their official website. On October 21, The Dream Chapter: Magic was released physically and digitally alongside a music video for the album's lead single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)".
Individual teasers for the members (Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, Huening Kai) were released for the music video of the acoustic pop track "Magic Island" from November 13 to November 16. The official music video for "Magic Island" was released on November 17. Individual teasers for each of the members were released for the music video of the track "Angel or Devil". The official music video was released on November 28.
Composition
Musically, the album spans a variety of different music genres, including R&B, tropical house, acoustic pop and hip hop. The album opens with "a breathy, groovy jam" of "New Rules" that shifts "into its shout-along, anthemic chorus and turning into the trap-inflected hook". The album's lead single, "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" is a synth-pop track with new wave vibes, featuring a satisfying rock-pop chorus. The song is about finding strength in sacred moments shared among friends, alluding to Platform 9¾. "Can't We Just Leave the Monster Alive?" and "Magic Island" are electropop songs while "Roller Coaster" is a house-pop. "Popping Star" is a bubblegum pop. "Angel or Devil" is an exuberant bouncy hip hop track while "20cm" is an "R&B ballad".
Music videos
A music video for the electro-rock single "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" was released on October 21. The video portrays them as high schoolers who are transported to a new world where they are allowed to embrace their magic and be themselves. The music video was directed and produced by OUI.
A music video for "Magic Island" was released on November 17. The video features references to the past videos of "Nap of a Star" and "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)". The 14-minute long video is more along the lines of a short mini film where the five members of the group are seen as students having adventures together and getting mysteriously transported to a fantasy land. The music video was directed and produced by Digipedi.
A subsequent music video for "Angel or Devil" was released on November 28. The video explores the dichotomy of the song’s lyrics and title and emphasizes the high-energy choreography of the members while debating being "Angel or Devil.”
Promotion
According to a press release, The Dream Chapter: Magic will showcase “the second story of the boys chasing their dreams.”