On October 10, SM Entertainment announced that the group would be releasing their fourth extended play titled Drama on November 10. An introduction teaser video was also released on the same day.[1] On November 3, the highlight medley teaser video was released,[2] followed by the music video teaser on November 9.[3] The song was released alongside its music video and the extended play on November 10.[4]
"Drama" was written by Bang Hye-hyun of JamFactory, and Ellie Suh of 153/Joombas, while the composition, arrangement and music production were handled by No Identity, with Waker of 153/Joombas, Ejae, and Charlotte Wilson participating in the composition.[5] Described as a hip-hop and dance track, the song is characterized by "an aggressive drum sound and sophisticated synth bass", and its lyrics convey a theme of having "confident attitude that every story begins with Aespa".[6]
"Drama" debuted at number 90 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated November 5–11, 2023;[7] on its component charts, the song debuted at number ten on the Circle Download Chart,[8] number 146 on the Circle Streaming Chart,[9] and number 138 on the Circle BGM Chart.[10] It ascended to number four on the Circle Digital Chart,[11] number four on the Circle Download Chart,[12] number nine on the Circle Streaming Chart,[13] and number 122 on the Circle BGM Chart in the following week.[14] In Japan, the song debuted at number 34 on the Billboard JapanHot 100 in the chart issue dated November 22, 2023;[15] on its component charts, it debuted at number 72 on the Top Download Songs,[16] and number 35 on the Top Streaming Songs.[17] On the Oricon Combined Singles, the song debuted at number 36 in the chart issue dated November 27, 2023.[18]
In Singapore, the song debuted at number seven on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart, and number four on the RIAS Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[19] It also debuted at number eight on the Billboard Singapore Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[20] In Hong Kong, the song debuted at number four on the Billboard Hong Kong Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[21] In Indonesia, the song debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Indonesia Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[22] In Malaysia, the song debuted at number seven on the Billboard Malaysia Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[23] It also debuted at number four on the RIM Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[24] In Taiwan, the song debuted at number three on the Billboard Taiwan Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[25]
In the United States, the song debuted at number eight on the BillboardWorld Digital Song Sales in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[26] In Australia, the song debuted at number ten on the ARIA Top 20 Hitseekers Singles Chart in the chart issue dated September 5, 2022.[27] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 15 on the RMNZ Hot Singles in the chart issue dated November 20, 2023.[28] Globally, the song debuted at number 38 on the BillboardGlobal 200 in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[29] It also debuted at number 21 on the BillboardGlobal Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[30]
The music video was released alongside the song by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.[4] The music video described as "movie-like" with "thrilling action sequences" depicts the group's journey of "returning back to Kwangya", featuring "Winter and Giselle playing the main characters [that] unfolds under a solid story[line]" with scenes transitioning from scenes of "Winter riding a motorcycle" and "Karina performing martial arts with a kendo".[31][32]
Prior to the release of Drama, on November 10, 2023, Aespa held a live event called "Aespa Drama Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, Weverse, and Idol Plus, aimed at introducing the album and its tracks, including "Drama", and connecting with their fanbase.[33] The group subsequently performed on three music programs in the first week of promotion: KBS's Music Bank on November 10,[34]MBC's Show! Music Core on November 11,[35] and SBS's Inkigayo on November 12.[36] On the second and final week of promotion, they performed on four music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on November 16,[37]Music Bank on November 17,[38]Show! Music Core on November 18,[39] and Inkigayo on November 19.[40]
^Park, Soo-in (October 11, 2023). "에스파 11월10일 'Drama'로 컴백, 신드롬 또 일으키나" [Aespa's comeback with 'Drama' on November 10th, will it cause another syndrome?] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Cho, Hye-jin (November 3, 2023). "'컴백 D-7' 에스파, 트랙 포스터 속 '하이라이트 메들리' 이목" ['Comeback D-7' Aespa, attention is drawn to the 'highlight medley' in the track poster] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Se-ah (November 9, 2023). "에스파, 한 편의 'Drama' 같은 티저 공개" [Aespa releases teaser like a 'Drama'] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^"Drama" (in Korean). Kakao Entertainment. SM Entertainment. November 10, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Melon.
^ ab"週間 合算シングルランキング – 2023年11月27日付" [Oricon Weekly Combined Singles Ranking – November 27, 2023]. Oricon (in Japanese). November 13–19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
^ ab"The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 20 November 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1759. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 20, 2023. p. 25.
^ ab"Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
^Jang, In-young (November 10, 2023). ""걸스 인 더 백"...에스파의 자신감, '쇠맛' 계보 이을 '드라마' [쥬크박스]" ["Girls in the Bag"...Aespa's confidence, 'drama' to follow the 'taste of iron' lineage [Jukebox]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yul (November 6, 2023). "에스파 윈터X지젤, 'Drama'서 수준급 연기..10일 컴백" [Aespa Winter X Giselle, Top-notch acting in 'Drama'..comeback on the 10th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Han, Hae-seon (November 10, 2023). "BTS 정국, 태민 제치고 '뮤뱅' 1위..에스파·스키즈·제베원 컴백[종합]" [BTS Jungkook beats Taemin to take first place in 'Music Bank'..Aespa, Stray Kids, Zerobaseone comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Yeon, Hwi-seon (November 11, 2023). "태민 '음중' 1위, 이래서 '탬또롤' 하는구나...영훈X이정하 새MC 신고식 합격점 [종합]" [Taemin ranks 1st on 'Music Core', this is why they call him 'Taemddorol'...Younghoon X Lee Jeong-ha's new MC new ceremony passing score [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ha, Ji-won (November 12, 2023). "아이브 출연 없이도 1위, 에스파→스트레이 키즈 화려한 컴백 (인기가요)[종합]" [Ranked 1st even without Ive's appearance, Aespa → Stray Kids' brilliant comeback (Inkigayo) [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park, Yun-jin (November 16, 2023). "BTS 정국, '엠카' 1위 트로피...MC 미연 "따뜻했던 둥지 떠난다" 아쉬운 작별 [종합]" [BTS Jungkook, 'M Countdown' 1st place trophy...MC Miyeon "I'm leaving my warm nest" A sad farewell [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (November 17, 2023). '뮤직뱅크' 스트레이 키즈, 첫눈과 함께 1위..엔하이픈→레드벨벳 컴백 [종합] ['Music Bank' Stray Kids, 1st place with first appearance..Enhypen → Red Velvet comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yeon (November 18, 2023). "'음중' 스트레이 키즈, 아이브·정국 꺾고 1위 "스테이 덕분"[종합]" ['Music' Stray Kids beat Ive and Jungkook to take first place "Thanks to Stay" [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ji, Min-kyung (November 19, 2023). "'인기가요' 아이브, 활동 종료에도 1위..레드벨벳→엔하이픈 컴백 [종합]" ['Inkigayo' Ive, ranked 1st despite the end of activities..Red Velvet → Enhypen comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abKim, Na-yeon (January 14, 2024). 에스파 '드라마', '인기가요' 트리플 크라운..규현→ITZY 컴백 [종합] [Aespa 'Drama', 'Inkigayo' Triple Crown..Kyuhyun →ITZY Comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved January 14, 2024 – via Naver.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (November 26, 2023). '인기가요' 에스파, 방송 출연 없어도 1위..박진영⋅빅스 컴백[종합] ['Inkigayo' aespa ranks first even without appearing on the show..Park Jin Young ⋅ VIXX Comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved November 26, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ji, Min-kyung (January 7, 2024). ‘인기가요’ 에스파, 새해 첫 1위..동방신기→라이즈 컴백 [종합] ['Inkigayo' Aespa ranked first in the new year..TVXQ→Riize Comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Naver.