(Warning: This post is long and photo-heavy.)
My set of Jin's "The Astronaut" single album has arrived!
"The Astronaut" is Jin's first official single as a solo artist. It was globally released on October 28, 2022, at all music retailers both online and in-store. The set for "The Astronaut" includes both versions of the physical single and is exclusive to Weverse Shop. Individual versions of "The Astronaut" physical single are also available at Weverse Shop as well as many other retailers, including Amazon and Indigo in Canada. The set retails for $31.58 USD or ₩34,000 on Weverse Shop Global. Note that the set is literally the cost of the Version 01 and 02 together, so you do not save any money by buying the set as opposed to each version separately.
Both versions of "The Astronaut" physical single are packaged in digipaks with matte black outer covers featuring artwork of the Milky Way. Version 01 features the Milky Way in metallic lilac purple and Version 02 features the Milky Way in metallic aqua green. They both measure 14.9 cm L x 14.9 cm W x 2 cm D. When you open the digipak, you will find the disc on the left side. As with the cover artwork, the disc is coloured purple for Version 01 and aqua green for Version 02. On the right side of the digipak, you will find the photo book with the "The Astronaut" and the version number embossed on the front in the corresponding colours. Note that the photo book is attached to the digipak and is not removable. The photo book for Version 1 features concept photos from the "Lunar Eclipse" photoshoot. The photo book for Version 2 features concept photos from the "Outlander" and "Land on Earth" photoshoots.
Tucked inside each photo book are several removable items: a folded lyric card that also features all music and writing credits, a postcard featuring a photo of Jin from the version's corresponding photoshoot, a sheet of graphic stickers, two seal stickers (randomized out of 8 selections), a photocard (randomized out of 2 selections per version), and a folded poster featuring a photo of Jin from the version's corresponding photoshoot.
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album — Lyric Card
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album (Version 01) — Graphic Sticker Sheet and Randomized Seal Stickers
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album (Version 02) — Graphic Sticker Sheet and Randomized Seal Stickers
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album (Version 01) — Postcard and Randomized Photocard
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album (Version 02) — Postcard and Randomized Photocard
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album (Version 01) — Folded Poster
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album (Version 02) — Folded Poster
Since I pre-ordered the set from Weverse Shop Global, I also received the exclusive pre-order gift, which includes one unreleased holographic photo frame, one unreleased photocard (which features the same photo as the frame), and two lenticular bookmarks featuring the logo.
Jin — "The Astronaut" Single Album Set — Weverse Shop Pre-Order Gifts
Since I pre-ordered the set from Weverse Shop Global, I also received the exclusive pre-order gift, which includes one unreleased holographic photo frame, one unreleased photocard (which features the same photo as the frame), and two lenticular bookmarks featuring the logo.
J-Hope had released a digital code physical "album" (e.g. a folded card holder) for Jack in the Box, but it can't be displayed on a shelf because it isn't packaged in a case, so I love that Jin decided to release a proper digipak album, even if it is just for a single. (I'm indifferent to the CD aspect of a physical album because I listen to all music digitally anyway, but I think an actual case is essential for physical album packaging.) I think the packaging for "The Astronaut" is gorgeous and captures both the theme of the song and the imagery of the lyrics beautifully.
As usual, I must mention the absurdity of shipping costs from Weverse Shop. If I wasn't so hellbent on getting this set as early as possible and getting the pre-order gift, I would absolutely not have considered ordering from Weverse Shop at all because their shipping costs are absolutely ludicrous. (For reference, my friend Iris and I ordered together and our combined shipping was $44.55 USD, which was just over $60 CAD. Then DHL charged us $28.19 CAD for taxes and duties upon arrival. That's an extra $90 CAD just for shipping.) Now that the pre-order period is over, I implore you to order from literally any other retailer if you haven't already gotten this album. International retailers won't be releasing these until December, but if you can wait, you can order both versions from Indigo or Amazon, get free shipping, and then rub it in my face later.
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment