On January 11, 2022, SM Entertainment announced that Taeyeon would release a digital single titled "Can't Control Myself" on January 17 prior to the release of her third studio album in February 2022.[1] On January 26, the name of the third studio album was announced as INVU, for release on February 14 and consisting of thirteen tracks, with pre-orders starting on the same day.[2] On February 3, the mood sampler video was released with "INVU" announced as the lead single.[3] On February 12, the music video teaser was released. On February 14, the song was released as the lead single of INVU, alongside the music video.[4]
During the press conference for INVU held on February 14, the singer stated that there was "pushback" against choosing the song as the lead single, as her team "was saying 'No' and [she] was the only one who was saying 'Yes!'". She called it "a bold decision, but [she] had confidence" that it was the best choice.[5] On February 15, in an interview with Nylon via email, Taeyeon said that she was "immediately drawn to this type of genre" upon hearing the song. The singer also revealed "INVU" as her favorite song off the album and added that "The way I approach love is similar to how ["INVU"] describes it, so I feel a little more attached to it".[6]
On April 28, the three remixes of "INVU" by Zhu, Moon Kyoo, and Ginjo, titled iScreaM Vol.15: INVU Remixes, was released.[7]
"INVU" was described as a house, dance-pop, and synth-pop song that features "melancholy lyrics by saving 'I envy you' towards a partner who does not take love seriously".
"INVU" was written by Jinli (Full8loom), composed by Peter Wallevik, Daniel Davidsen, Rachel Furner, and Jess Morgan, and arranged by PhD.[8] Musically, the song was described as a house, dance-pop, and synth-pop song with a "funky beat", "soft and dreamy synth sound", "impressive flute melody in the chorus", "vocals that deeply express the various emotions contained in the song", and "splendid high notes [that] emphasize the lyrics".[9][6][10] The song features "melancholy lyrics by saying 'I envy you' towards a partner who does not take love seriously".[9] "INVU" was composed in the key of B minor, with a tempo of 107 beats per minute.[11]
The music video directed by Samson of High Quality Fish was released alongside the song by SM Entertainment on February 14.[12][4] The "celestial"-themed music video portrays Taeyeon "as an enchanting warrior on a quest to annihilate the love that destroyed her" with scenes switching between "a marble-carved ancient Roman-inspired temple to a vast desert wasteland".[13][14] She described the music video as "a new kind of image and visual that [she] hasn't tried before", stating that the song's concept "is about a main character who is hurt by love but nonetheless gives it all when it comes to love, and [she] wanted to express this through strong, warlike visuals in the music video", including various sets that "remind the viewers of Greek mythology".[5]
In addition to achieving a perfect all-kill on the South Korean charts,[18] "INVU" debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart in the chart issue dated February 13–19, 2022;[19] on its component charts, the song debuted at number one on the Gaon Download Chart,[20] number two on the Gaon Streaming Chart,[21] and number eight on the Gaon BGM Chart.[22] It ascended to number one on the Gaon Streaming Chart in the following week.[23] On the BillboardK-pop Hot 100, the song debuted at number 15 in the chart issue dated February 26, 2022,[24] ascending to number one in the following week.[25] The song debuted at number seven on the Billboard South Korea Songs in the chart issue dated May 7, 2022.[26]
In Singapore, the song debuted at number 29 on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart and number eight on the Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated February 11–17, 2022,[27] ascending to number 11 on the Top Streaming Chart and number four on the Top Regional Chart in the following week.[28] The song also debuted at number 11 on the BillboardSingapore Songs in the chart issue dated March 5, 2022.[29] On the BillboardVietnam Hot 100, the song debuted at number 26 in the chart issue dated February 24, 2022,[30] ascending to number 12 in the following week.[31] In Taiwan, the song debuted at number 15 on the Taiwan Songs in the chart issue dated February 26, 2022,[32] ascending to number eight in the following week.[33] In Hong Kong, the song debuted at number 13 on the BillboardHong Kong Songs in the chart issue dated March 5, 2022.[34] In Malaysia, the song debuted at number 15 on the BillboardMalaysia Songs in the chart issue dated March 5, 2022.[35]
In United States, the song debuted at number eight on the BillboardWorld Digital Song Sales in the chart issue dated February 26, 2022.[36] Globally, the song debuted at number 138 on the BillboardGlobal Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated March 5, 2022.[37]
Prior to the album's release, on February 14, 2022, Taeyeon held a live event called "Taeyeon INVU Countdown Live" on YouTube to introduce the album and communicate with her fans.[38] Following the album release, she performed "INVU" on two music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on February 17,[39] and SBS's Inkigayo on February 20.[40]
^Park, Soo-in (January 11, 2022). "태연 'Can't Control Myself'로 컴백, 정규 3집 발매 전 선공개" [Taeyeon's comeback with 'Can't Control Myself', pre-released before 3rd full album release] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hong, Se-young (January 26, 2022). "태연, 정규 3집 'INVU' 2월 14일 발표 [공식]" [Taeyeon, 3rd Full Album 'INVU' Released on February 14th [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (February 3, 2022). "태연, 신보 타이틀곡은 'INVU'..절절 러브송으로 강렬 변신 예고" [Taeyeon, new album title song 'INVU'..Intense transformation into love song] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abKim, Ha-young (February 14, 2022). "'믿듣탱' 태연, 정규 3집 'INVU' 오늘(14일) 음원+MV 공개" [TAEYEON of 'Believe Listening', 3rd regular album 'INVU' released today (14th) with sound source + MV] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, No-eul (April 28, 2022). "태연 'INVU' 리믹스 버전, 오늘(28일) 발매" [Taeyeon's 'INVU' remix version released today (28th)] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^"INVU – Taeyeon" (in Korean). Dreamus. SM Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Melon.
^Kang, Da-yun (February 3, 2022). "태연, 정규 3집 타이틀곡 '아이앤비유'...강렬+절절한 러브송" [Taeyeon's 3rd full album title song 'INVU'...Intense + desperate love song] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^"태연, 'INVU' 퍼펙트 올킬 달성→미공개 사진 大공개 [스타IN★]" [Taeyeon achieves 'INVU' perfect all-kill → Unreleased photos revealed [Star IN★]]. Star News (in Korean). February 26, 2022. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
^ ab"2022년 08주차 Digital Chart" [Week 8 of 2022 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). February 13–19, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
^"2022년 08주차 Download Chart" [Week 8 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). February 13–19, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
^"2022년 08주차 Streaming Chart" [Week 8 of 2022 Streaming Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). February 13–19, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
^"2022년 08주차 BGM Chart" [Week 8 of 2022 BGM Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). February 13–19, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
^"2022년 09주차 Streaming Chart" [Week 9 of 2022 Streaming Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). February 20–26, 2022. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^Kim, No-eul (February 9, 2022). "태연, 정규 3집 스포한다...14일 컴백 기념 카운트다운 라이브" [Taeyeon, the 3rd regular album spoiler...14th comeback countdown live] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (February 17, 2022). "'엠카' 비비지, 눈물의 1위 "오래 기다려주신 팬 분들 감사" [종합]" ['Mcar' Viviz, 1st place in tears "Thanks to the fans who waited for a long time" [General]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang, Da-yun (February 20, 2022). "'인기가요' 갓 더 비트, 출연 없이 1위...태연·에이핑크 컴백-비비지 데뷔 [종합]" ['Inkigayo' Got the Beat, 1st place without an appearance...Taeyeon, Apink Comeback - Viviz Debut [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Taeyeon (2022). INVU (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment; Dreamus. Credits.
^"2022년 03월 Digital Chart" [March 2022 Digital Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^Jeong, Hye-won (February 18, 2023). "아이브·케플러·태연, 음원 부문 올해의 가수상 수상(12·1·2월)[써클차트어워즈2022]" [Ive·Kep1er·Taeyeon, Artist of the Year Award (December·January·February) [Circle Chart Awards 2022]] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^"장르분야 수상후보 — 한국대중음악상시상식" [Genre Award Candidates — Korean Music Awards Ceremony]. Korean Music Awards. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
^Park, Sang-hoo (November 30, 2022). "'2022 마마 어워즈' BTS 6관왕...아이브, 대상·신인상 석권[종합]" ['2022 MAMA Awards' BTS wins 6 crowns...Ive won the Grand Prize and Rookie of the Year [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^"결산 2022 : ②올해의 노래 20선" [Closing 2022 : ③20 songs of the year]. Idology (in Korean). December 31, 2022. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
^Ji, Min-kyung (February 27, 2022). "'인기가요' 태연, 출연 없이 1위 릴레이..비투비·트레저 컴백 [종합]" ['Inkigayo' Taeyeon, 1st place relay without appearance..BTOB Treasure comeback [General]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 6, 2022). "'인기가요' 태연 출연없이 1위, JYP 특급 신인 엔믹스 데뷔(종합)" ['Inkigayo' Taeyeon 1st place without appearance, JYP special rookie Nmixx debut (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ji, Min-kyung (March 13, 2022). "'인기가요' 태연, 1위 '트리플 크라운'..김우석·위클리·빌리 컴백 [종합]" ['Inkigayo' Taeyeon, 1st place 'Triple Crown'..Kim Woo-seok·Weeekly·Billlie Comeback [General]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang, Da-yun (February 24, 2022). "'엠카' 태연, 출연 없이 1위...비투비·스테이씨·트레저 컴백 [종합]" ['Mcar' Taeyeon, 1st place without appearance...BTOB·STAYC·Treasure comeback [General]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ha-na (February 26, 2022). "'음중' 태연 출연없이 1위, 에이핑크·비투비 컴백→비비지 재데뷔(종합)" ['Umjung' Taeyeon took 1st place without appearance, Apink, BTOB comeback → BBG re-debut (comprehensive)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ha, Su-jeong (March 5, 2022). "'음악중심' 태연, 출연 안해도 1위x4관왕 등극..슈퍼주니어·트레저 컴백 [종합]" ['Music Core' Taeyeon wins 1st place x 4 gold even if she doesn't appear..Super Junior·Treasure comeback [General]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ha-na (March 12, 2022). "'음중' 태연 출연없이 1위, 김우석·위클리 컴백→야생돌 탄 데뷔(종합)" [1st place without Taeyeon's appearance in 'Umjung', Kim Woo-seok, Weeekly comeback → Debut with wild idols (comprehensive)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yeon (March 19, 2022). "태연 'INVU', '음중' 4주 연속 1위..위너 강승윤→몬스타엑스 기현 컴백[종합" [Taeyeon's 'INVU', 'Umjung' topped the charts for 4 weeks in a row...Winner's Kang Seung-yoon → Monsta X's Kihyun comeback [comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^"멜론 주간 인기상" [Melon Weekly Popularity Award]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.