Bad Love (Key song)
# Bad Love (Key song)

"Bad Love" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Key serving as the second single for his 2021 extended play of the same name. It was released on September 27, 2021, through SM Entertainment as the album's lead single. The song was written by Kenzie, who also handled the composition and arrangement with Adrian McKinnon.

## Background and release

On September 6, 2021, SM Entertainment announced the upcoming release date of Key's first Korean-language extended play, Bad Love, led by the single of the same name. The first single from the EP, "Hate That...", had already been released a month prior. Key showcased the song for the first time at his Beyond Live concert, Groks in the Keyland, on September 26, 2021, before releasing it alongside the album on the next day. Two music video teasers were released on September 25 and September 26, respectively. The song together with the music video were released on September 27.

## Composition

"Bad Love" was written by Kenzie. Musically, the song is described as a dance-pop song that creates a retro mood with a strong synth sound and a lively beat. The lyrics revolve around "a tale of ecstatic love turned toxic".

## Critical reception

"Bad Love" on year-end lists :

| Critic/Publication | List | Rank |
| - | - | - |
| Bollywood Hungama | 25 Korean Songs that Defined 2021 | Placed |
| Dazed | The best K-pop tracks of 2021 | 2 |
| Marie Claire | The 20 Best New K-Pop Songs of 2021 | Placed |
| NME | The 25 best K-pop songs of 2021 | 3 |
| Paper | The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 | 5 |
| PhilStar Life | 21 K-pop Title Tracks That Defined 2021 | 20 |
| The Ringer | The Best K-pop Songs of 2021 | 1 |
| Teen Vogue | 21 Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2021 | Placed |
| Tone Deaf | The best K-pop songs of 2021 | Placed |

## Accolades

Music program wins for "Bad Love" :

| Program | Date | Ref. |
| - | - | - |
| Show! Music Core (MBC) | October 9, 2021 | |

## Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes for Bad Love.

Studio

* SM Big Shot Studio – recording
* SM Yellow Tail Studio – engineering for mix
* SM Starlight Studio - digital editing

Personnel

* Key – vocals, background vocals
* Junny - background vocals
* Kenzie – vocal directing, lyrics, composition, arrangement
* Adrian McKinnon – composition
* Lee Min-gyu – recording
* Jung Yu-ra - digital editing
* No Min-ji – engineering for mix
* Nam Koong-jin - mixing

## Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Bad Love" :

| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| South Korea (Gaon) | 34 |
| South Korea (K-pop Hot 100) | 87 |
| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 13 |

## Release history

Release history and formats for "Bad Love" :

| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Various | September 27, 2021 | Digital downloadstreaming | SM EntertainmentDreamus | |
