Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
TWICE debuted in 2017 through JYP’s survival program Sixteen. The name itself means the group will touch people’s hearts “once” with good music and “twice” with great performances. The members, who had been trainees for as long as 10 years, came out into the world with the name “TWICE,” and their official fandom name became “ONCE.”
So, did TWICE touch the hearts with good music and great performances, satisfying both the listeners’ ears and eyes? From their debut album to their latest smash released in October 2020, the group has surpassed 10 million cumulative album sales in Korea and Japan, and in the first half of this year, they took first place in Music Bank with “MORE & MORE,” taking home their 100th music show trophy. As their colorful achievements shout out, the answer is clearly “YES or YES.” Below are some of TWICE’s numerous hit songs that make you scream out, “Yes!”
Performance – From cute little points to a big picture
Like “Like OOH-AHH,” “CHEER UP,” “TT,” and “KNOCK KNOCK,” the songs TWICE released shortly after their debut seem to hand over a baton with lovely and bright energy. The group also delivers their unique energy not only through the music but also through the performance. How members put their hands on their faces while singing the “shy shy shy” part of “CHEER UP” and how they make tears with their fingers for “TT”: these are the small yet powerful points of TWICE’s performances.
If TWICE’s performances focused on small points, they now flow in the direction of drawing a bigger picture. The introduction of “MORE & MORE” starts in the form of a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, then there’s a part where members stand in the cube form and do the wave dance with their hands on each other’s shoulder in “I CAN’T STOP ME.” Momo and Jihyo, who have been called the main dance members since Sixteen, also melt into drawing the big picture in an orderly manner.
Music – JYP’s producing, but TWICE’s self-written stories
Many of TWICE’s title tracks, including “SIGNAL,” “What is Love?” and “Feel Special,” were made by JYP’s chief producer. JYP’s influence in creating TWICE’s unique color is both natural and enormous. “Precious Love” included in their second album PAGE TWO is a very familiar song for K-pop listeners who have known JYP since the last century. The music he made for Park Jiyoon back in 1998 was rearranged to perfectly suit TWICE.
And since that very album, TWICE members have been steadily participating in songwriting. “Feel Special” is a song that shows the boundaries between the two, TWICE as an idol produced by JYP and TWICE as songwriters who create their own music. JYP, who wrote the song, shared that he actually got the inspiration for the lyrics from conversations he had with TWICE members. And the lyrics clearly show TWICE’s own story: “Again I feel special/ One moment I feel like I’m nothing at all/ Like no one would notice if I were gone/ But then when I hear you calling me/ I feel loved, I feel so special.”
In the latest smash Eyes wide open, five out of nine members participated in writing the songs’ lyrics. Through “Album Commentary’ Eyes wide open’ �” NAYEON, SANA, JIHYO, DAHYUN, CHAEYOUNG,” you can see the members encouraging each other while listening to each other’s songs. It is a bonus to see their willingness to convey comfort and happiness to fans with their songs.
