"Only" is a song recorded by South Korean singer and songwriter Lee Hi. It was released on August 27, 2021, through AOMG, as the first pre-release single from her third Korean-language and fourth overall studio album, 4 Only. The song was written and composed by Ahn Shin-ae and arranged by Philtre.
Following the release of her EP 24ðC in 2019, which marked her final release under YG Entertainment, Lee Hi departed the label later that year and subsequently signed with AOMG in July 2020. Under AOMG, she released the digital single âÂÂHoloâ and later collaborated with South Korean singer Crush on "For You", signaling a new artistic direction and a more frequent release schedule. In August 2021, AOMG officially announced Lee HiâÂÂs third Korean-language and fourth overall studio album, 4 Only, through the labelâÂÂs official Instagram account, confirming the return of the singer with a full-length project under AOMG. On August 23, 2021, a teaser video was released via AOMGâÂÂs official YouTube channel, revealing the albumâÂÂs title and concept while signaling the start of the promotional campaign for the forthcoming release. The song was released digitally on August 27, 2021, alongside its accompanying music video, ahead of the full album release.
âÂÂOnlyâ was written and composed by Ahn Shin-ae and arranged by Philtre. Musically, the song is a mid-tempo R&B ballad built around a minimalist production that emphasizes emotional restraint and vocal clarity. Critics described the track as being driven primarily by soft piano instrumentation, subdued percussion, and ambient textures, creating an intimate soundscape that places LeeâÂÂs vocals at the center of the arrangement. The songâÂÂs structure avoids dramatic dynamic shifts, instead favoring a smooth progression between verses and chorus. Reviewers noted that the arrangement relies heavily on negative space and muted instrumentation, allowing emotional nuance to guide the songâÂÂs momentum rather than a conventional build-and-drop format. Lyrically, âÂÂOnlyâ conveys themes of unconditional devotion, vulnerability, and emotional sincerity, expressed through simple and direct phrasing. Commentators interpreted the song as a reflection of emotional maturity, aligning with the broader tone of 4 Only, which was widely described as cohesive, introspective, and understated in its approach to contemporary R&B.
The accompanying music video for âÂÂOnlyâ was directed by Han Sa-min and was released on August 27, 2021, to coincide with the songâÂÂs digital release. The video stars South Korean actors Lee Je-hoon and Won Jin-ah, marking a high-profile collaboration that drew attention to the single upon release. The music video was positioned as a central visual element of the promotional roll-out for 4 Only.
The music video depicts a romance unfolding across time, following a couple portrayed in their youth by Lee Je-hoon and Won Jin-ah, and in their later years by Nam Myeong-ryeol and Moon Sook. Rather than presenting a linear plot, the video moves through vignettes of their relationship, juxtaposing intimate moments from earlier in life with images of the couple as elderly, emphasizing loveâÂÂs endurance over time. In a review of the release, Emerging Sentiments described the video as âÂÂmovie-likeâ and centered on a couple âÂÂflitting through time,â while also suggesting that an underlying tragedy may be implied beneath the romantic imagery. Separately, Allkpop characterized the music video as telling âÂÂa love story through time,â reinforcing the songâÂÂs reflective tone through its inter-generational framing. As of 2025, the music video has accumulated over 200 million views on YouTube.
âÂÂOnlyâ received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its emotional restraint and Lee HiâÂÂs vocal performance. In a review of 4 Only, NME described the song as emblematic of the albumâÂÂs understated R&B approach, highlighting its simplicity and emotional clarity. Seoul Therapy noted that âÂÂOnlyâ stands out for its intimacy and minimal arrangement, emphasizing how the track allows Lee HiâÂÂs vocals to convey vulnerability without excessive production. Writing for Emerging Sentiments, the reviewer described âÂÂOnlyâ as emotionally sincere and central to the albumâÂÂs thematic focus on love and personal reflection. Additional commentary from Allkpop highlighted the songâÂÂs subdued tone and narrative cohesion with its music video, noting that both elements contribute to the albumâÂÂs consistent and introspective mood.
In South Korea, âÂÂOnlyâ debuted on the Gaon Digital Chart during the chart week of September 5âÂÂ11, 2021, where it peaked at number 93. The song also entered the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100, debuting and peaking at number 56, marking Lee HiâÂÂs return to the chart following the release of her album 4 Only. Internationally, âÂÂOnlyâ achieved notable success in Malaysia, where it reached number one on the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles chart for the week of September 17âÂÂ23, 2021.
Credits adapted from the liner notes of 4 Only.
Personnel