The Box Releases OST Album Featuring Chanyeol of EXO

Revolving around the stories of two men in the music business, The Box follows the story of a busking artist with immense performance anxiety and a washed-up music producer who used to be a big shot in the industry. The movie stars Park Chanyeol of EXO and Cho Dalhwan as the lead actors. Being a musical, the movie is accompanied by an 18 track album featuring the talents of Chanyeol, Aancod Zaccarelli, Kim Jihyun, Eco bridge, and many more.

Let’s Talk Music!

Tracklist

  1. Break Your Box

  2. Cowboys & Aliens

  3. Bad Guy

  4. Without You

  5. Heaven

  6. Happy

  7. Break Your Box (Lite Version)

  8. Summertime

  9. My Funny Valentine 

  10. What A Wonderful World 

  11. 비가 (Raining) 

  12. 어느 날 문득 (One Day) 

  13. 매일 그대와 (Everyday With You)

  14. Captain no.7

  15. 부산에 가면 (When I am in Busan)

  16. A Sky Full Of Stars

  17. Break Your Box - Acoustic Version

  18. Break Your Box (Hidden Track)

“Break Your Box”

Written by Chanyeol, “Break Your Box” is the movie’s theme song. Four different versions of the song appear throughout the OST album. Keeping in line with the theme of the movie, through the song Chanyeol expresses the desire of not only breaking out of the physical box that he performs in but also the metaphorical box he is emotionally trapped inside. The song has a very universal message that many listeners can resonate with, making it a perfect theme song and lead single for the movie. Besides the main version of the song, Chanyeol also delivers a beautiful acoustic version and a heavy rock version of the track.

B-Sides

The album includes a few original tracks but quite a few re-arranged covers of famous Korean and English tracks. The album’s B-sides open with “Cowboys & Aliens,” an original subdued rock track performed by Lee Moonhwan also known as Peter of the co-ed indie pop duo CHIMMI. The track is inspired by the 2011 sci-fi western movie by the same name. International busker Aancod Zaccarelli performs his original acoustic guitar assisted fast paced track, “Heaven.”

The album’s highlights come from Chanyeol’s versatile performances. The singer puts aside his rap talents to focus on heartfelt vocal delivery for the soundtrack. For the movie, Chanyeol covered Billie Eilish’s 2019 hit single “Bad Guy” alongside a jazz band for his rendition. Chanyeol puts his beautiful soft vocals on full display on his covers of Mariah Carey’s 1994 R&B hit “Without You,” Chet Baker’s signature song and classic showtune “My Funny Valentine,” and Coldplay’s Grammy nominated track “A Sky Full Of Stars.” Throughout the movie, Chanyeol also collaborates with other characters. Two such collaborations are included in the soundtrack. He pairs up with Aancod for a rendition of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and for a beautiful jazz cover of “What A Wonderful World” with actress Kim Jihyun, which also marks a pivotal moment in the movie as Chanyeol’s character breaks away from his performance anxiety. Chanyeol’s co-star, actor Cho Dalhwan, also performs an acoustic cover of “부산에 가면 (When I am in Busan)” originally performed by Eco bridge featuring veteran singer Choi Baekho.

The album also features covers of classic Korean songs like “비가 (Raining),”  “어느 날 문득 (One Day),” and “매일 그대와 (Everyday With You).” All cover tracks were rearranged as rock and jazz influenced songs by producer Eco bridge. Replacing interludes, the album instead features two instrumental tracks, the first being a stripped down instrumental version of “Break Your Box” and the other “Captain no.7” performed by guitarist Juwon Park. Both tracks feature a beautiful violin performed by Malaysian violinist Danny Koo

The OST album complements the movie’s story and themes perfectly. For his first starring role in a movie, and his final project before his mandatory military enlistment, Chanyeol picks up his guitar and dives back into his roots as a singer-songwriter, stripping away the glamour of idol life. Accompanied by his fellow castmates and supported by a veteran producer, Chanyeol’s participation in the soundtrack and movie is bound to become a highlight of his solo career.

“Break Your Box” Title Score: 9/10

The Box Original Soundtrack Album Score: 9/10

Total Score: 9/10