Block B and the “JACKPOT” Comeback
On April 14, 2014, Block B released the music video for their single “JACKPOT.” While physical copies were sold shortly after, the group postponed their comeback and promotions for “JACKPOT” shortly after the release of the music video, as it was just two days later that the Sewol Ferry Disaster would occur, tragically taking the lives of 304 people. A month later, ZICO attended the funeral of a fan who died during the disaster and later dedicated a rap to her during their 2014 BLOCKBUSTER concert.
The music video for “JACKPOT” is a wild ride in a twisted carnival reminiscent of the madness seen in Alice In Wonderland. The video opens with a young lady approaching a glass case at a derelict amusement park, with six members wearing masks inside. Do the masks seem familiar? If you’re a BBC, they definitely should, as they were featured heavily in the music video for “Very Good” only six months prior. After scaring her and taking the girl further into the madness, Block B makes it their mission to just terrorize her. As the video progresses, the circumstances continue to get more and more fantastical. This is one haunted house we’d love to walk through this Halloween season, though we won’t be visiting U-Kwon’s hair studio any time soon.
“JACKPOT” was included on their fourth mini-album HER along with the title track “HER,” the B-sides “Dime Girl” and “Hold Me Now,” “Very Good - Rough Version,” and an instrumental version of “JACKPOT.” HER was released on July 24, 2014 along with the music video for “HER,” and it was during this promotional period that Block B would get to perform “JACKPOT” on music shows. In fact, five days prior to the release of HER, Block B took to the Show Music Core stage in bright yellow and black suits. The stage set was whimsical, with a large chess board above their heads and a roulette-inspired archway with “JACKPOT” and four ace cards.
The official comeback for “HER” wouldn’t take place until July 24 for the M!COUNTDOWN tenth anniversary show, where Block B also performed “JACKPOT.”
Leading up to the release of HER, “JACKPOT” made its debut appearance on the Gaon charts, debuting at No. 10 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart and No. 7 on the Gaon Weekly Download Chart. “JACKPOT” would go on to peak at No. 5 and No. 6 respectively. “HER” peaked at No. 2 on both charts, and they both appeared on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart, with “JACKPOT” peaking at No. 7 and “HER” at No. 4.
HER peaked at No. 2 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart and No. 6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart. Interestingly enough, both the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart and the Billboard World Albums Chart show the JACKPOT SPECIAL EDITION album charting around the time of HER’s release, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard World Albums Chart. However, it should be noted that JACKPOT SPECIAL EDITION charted when it was initially released as well, debuting at No. 1 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart.
Block B didn’t take home any music show wins for “JACKPOT,” though they did earn three wins for “HER.” During the year-end awards shows, the group was nominated for a handful of awards but unfortunately only took home three: “Gaon Weibo Social Star Award” at the Gaon Weibo Chart, “Best Male Dance Artist” for “HER” at the MelOn Music Awards, and “Hot Trend Awards” at the Gaon Chart Awards. Of the awards they were nominated for, the only award specific for “JACKPOT” was “Best Music Video” at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.