Shohikigen

"Shohikigen" (Japanese: 消費期限, lit. 'Expiration date') is a song recorded by South Korean boy group Seventeen. It was released digitally on November 11, 2024, through Hybe Japan and Universal Music Japan, and was released physically on November 27, 2024. The song marked the group's fourth time topping Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.

Background and release

On August 5, 2024, Seventeen announced they would be releasing a new Japanese single in the second half of the year. In September 2024, the group announced that the upcoming Japanese single would be the theme song for NHK's 2024 TV drama Mirai no Watashi ni Bukkama Sareru!?.

On the final day of their Right Here World Tour's United States leg, Seventeen announced the release of the new Japanese single, set to be physically released two days before the tour's first shows in Japan. The a-side, "Shohikigen", was confirmed to be the song featured on the NHK drama. The song has two b-sides: the Japanese versions of "Circles" from Sector 17 (2022) and "Maestro" from 17 Is Right Here (2024).

"Shohikigen" was first performed at the group's first Right Here tour stop in Japan, at the Vantelin Dome in Nagoya, on December 29, 2024. A recording of the performance on December 30 was featured on Nippon Television's 2024 Best Artist broadcast.

Composition

"Shohikigen" has been described as a ballad with soft vocals that evoke feelings of sadness and nostalgia. Lyrically, the song explores the "expiration date" of "even the strongest feelings".

The lyrics for "Shohikigen" were written by Woozi and Bumzu, with Japanese lyrics written by Barbora. The song was produced by Woozi, Bumzu, and Park Ki-tae, with arrangement by Bumzu, Park, and Nmore. Barbora was also credited for the Japanese lyrics of "Circles" and "Maestro".

Music video

The music video for "Shohikigen" was released on November 27, directed by 725 of Sl8ight Visual Lab. The video is a sequel to the music video for the group's 2023 single "Ima (Even If the World Ends Tomorrow", exploring the concept of a world that has ended, with the members in a spaceship-like setting.