“Checkmate” is a compelling hard rock track which features the stirring voice of the CNBLUE frontman paired with JJ Lin’s tenor. The highly anticipated track was released on the album “One Fine Day” and is also included in a special-edition album release of Lin’s “Genesis.” 

The music video for "Checkmate" was also released under Lin's label Warner Music Taiwan, demonstrating its significance for the Chinese market. Lin is an award-winning artist whose popularity has grown since he received the Golden Melody Award for Best Male Mandopop Performer for his album "Stories Untold." 

The video for “Checkmate” examines the harsh reality of office work and was filmed in Korea. The video features men entering the workplace with dull faces and militaristic marching as they approach their desks.

Both singer-songwriters are dressed in suits but appear discontent with the expectations they are faced with in their retrospective offices. The Korean workplace dynamic has been explored by other musicians including rocker Jung Joon Young. “Checkmate” also follows the popularity of the recent tvN series “Misaeng” which followed the lives of young officeworkers.

“One Fine Day” featured four collaborations including “Checkmate.” The previous music videos for the album included “Mileage” which included rapper YDG and the title track.