Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
TWICE achieves 10 straight hits with new single 'Yes or Yes'
TWICE members perform “Yes or Yes” at a press showcase to unveil their new album at KBS Arena in southwestern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
K-pop group TWICE dominated local music charts this week with its new single “Yes or Yes” from its sixth mini album of the same name.
The latest song ranked No.1 on multiple digital music platforms as soon as it was released at 6 p.m., Monday. It has topped seven music streaming sites such as Melon, Mnet, Naver Music, Olleh, Genie, Soribada and Bugs Music as of 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Moreover, “Yes or Yes,” the electro-pop track with lyrics, “Come on and tell me yes,” topped iTunes album charts in 17 countries and regions, including Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
“This is the first album that comes after our third anniversary of our debut. I think our songs have had similar upbeat melodies with vibrant beats. But with this one, we wanted to display music that is much more powerful and dynamic,” group leader Jihyo said during a press showcase for the album at the KBS Arena in Seoul, Monday.
Returning in four months after the band released its tropical dance track “Dance the Night Away” in July, Nayeon showed confidence in the band's performance onstage and on music charts.
“We are happy to be back with a new single. We were able to release three singles within a year because so many people love our music and support us. We're confident about the new album too, because we've prepared a lot,” Nayeon said.
The album has six other tracks apart from the lead track ― “Say You Love Me,” “La La La,” “Young & Wild,” “Sunset,” “After Moon” and the Korean version of the band's previously-released Japanese single “BDZ.”
Members Jihyo, Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung are credited with writing the lyrics of “Sunset,” “La La La,” and “Young & Wild.”
Jihyo said she was inspired by the sunset of Jeju Island while Chaeyoung penned the song thinking about her fans of her age group who might be struggling to find their life paths. The lyrics include verses like “We all have so many things to worry about in life but you know/ We are young & wild/ Enjoy, and feel special because there's nothing stopping us.”
Jeongyeon's lyrics for “La La La” tell a story of finding small but certain happiness through music.
When asked if they plan on taking bigger roles on the songwriting or independently releasing a solo album, Chaeyoung said “I'd love to participate in the songwriting for TWICE's music, but I don't have solo plans.”
TWICE members perform “Yes or Yes” at a press showcase to unveil their new album at KBS Arena in southwestern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
Regarding the music video, Jeongyeon said they took the roles of witches inside the fantasy-inspired setting. The music video for “Yes or Yes” set the record for fastest K-pop girl band to reach 10 million and 20 million views with the latest music video, according to the label.
The members did not forget to thank their fan club “Once.” Jihyo said “At the 3rd anniversary event, we shared our desire to be members of TWICE and be with “Once” for the next 30 years.”
Since its debut in 2015, TWICE, comprised of members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, has seen 10 singles hit No.1 on the charts, including hits “Ooh-Ahh,” “Cheer Up,” “TT,” “Knock Knock” and the newest “Yes or Yes.”
Meanwhile, Twice will perform its new single “Yes or Yes” at the 2018 MGA, a new music awards show hosted by MBC Plus and Genie Music on Tuesday.