Masquerade (2PM song)

The initial track list of the single consisted with "Masquerade" and two original Japanese songs, "Stay Here", a B-side track, and "Falling in Love", included as a bonus track. However, due to the controversy surrounding Nichkhun's car accident in South Korea in July, the single's release was postponed. On October 5, following the announcement of the end of Nichkhun's hiatus, a note on 2PM's Japanese website revealed that the single would be released in mid-November with a different track list.^[2][3] On October 15, the jacket covers of the single were re-announced and a new CD track list was revealed. It was also revealed that the original songs that were supposed to be on the single, "Stay Here" and "Falling in Love", would be included in future releases by the group.

The song received Gold certification status by Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for selling over 100,000 copies in November 2012.^[4]

"Masquerade" was written by PA-NON and Michael Yano and composed by NA.ZU.NA and M.I. "Forever", the single's B-side, was written by member Junho, Shin Bong-won, and Mai Watarai. The CD-only edition includes a remix of "Masquerade", remixed by ArmySlick.

A teaser of the music video was revealed on July 17, 2012 on 2PM's Japanese website. The music video premiered by accident on MTV Japan on August 21. On August 23, MTV Japan apologized for unintentionally airing the music video.^[5]

The music video is shot in black-and-white and features the group performing the song in a black studio with white lights on the roof, interspersed with solo shots of the members. Taecyeon does not appear in the choreography scenes of the music video due to an arm injury.

The single was released in three different editions: two limited CD+DVD editions and a regular CD only edition:

The limited CD+DVD type A comes with a white jacket cover, the CD single and a special DVD including the music video of "Masquerade" and a dance version of the music video.^[6]

The limited CD+DVD type B comes with a black jacket cover, the CD single and a special DVD including the music video of "Masquerade" and an off-shot movie from the recording of the music video.^[7]

The regular CD only edition comes with a white jacket cover and the CD only itself. This edition includes a remix of "Masquerade" as a bonus track.^[8] All editions include a special trading card, one out of eight different types.