The Phenomenon of "Cheer Up": How Twice Redefined K-pop in 2016
In the fast-paced world of K-pop, few songs manage to capture the zeitgeist quite like "Cheer Up". Released by the South Korean girl group Twice on April 25, 2016, this track served as the lead single for their second extended play (EP), Page Two. What began as a catchy dance track quickly evolved into a cultural milestone, propelling Twice to superstardom and setting new records across the music industry.
Key Facts
- Artist: Twice
- Release Date: April 25, 2016
- Genre: Color pop (a blend of dance-pop, hip hop, tropical house, and drum and bass)
- Major Achievement: Best-performing single of 2016 in South Korea
- Viral Moment: The "shy shy shy" line became a massive internet meme
- Chart Success: Topped the Gaon Digital Chart and reached #3 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales
Musical Composition and Style
Produced by the songwriting duo Black Eyed Pilseung—the same team behind Twice's debut hit "Like Ooh-Ahh"—"Cheer Up" is characterized by its unique "color pop" sound. This style seamlessly integrates various genres, including hip hop, tropical house, and drum and bass, creating a vibrant and eclectic listening experience.
Lyrically, the song explores themes of romantic frustration and the playful teasing involved in a crush. The track is designed to showcase the diverse vocal colors of the group members, with the lead-up to the chorus highlighting the distinct voices of Sana, Tzuyu, Momo, Jeongyeon, and Jihyo.
A Visual Masterpiece: The Music Video
The music video for "Cheer Up," directed by Kim Young-jo and Yoo Seung-woo of the production team Naive, was an instant sensation. Upon its release, it gained 400,000 views in just thirty minutes and reached one million views in less than a day. The video is famous for its creative concept, where each member portrays a character inspired by iconic films and television shows:
- Mina: Itsuki Fujii from Love Letter
- Sana: Sailor Moon from the Sailor Moon series
- Nayeon: Sidney Prescott from the Scream film series
- Tzuyu: Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Jeongyeon: Faye from Chungking Express
- Momo: An action heroine reminiscent of Tomb Raider and Resident Evil
- Jihyo: A cheerleader from Bring It On
- Chaeyoung: A cowgirl inspired by Western films like A Fistful of Dollars
- Dahyun: The gisaeng Hwang Jini from the biopic Hwang Jin Yi
The video's popularity was so immense that a special version, titled "Twice Avengers," was released to celebrate the original reaching 35 million views. Eventually, the official music video surpassed 200 million views in August 2017, making Twice the first K-pop girl group to achieve this milestone with two music videos.
Critical and Commercial Impact
Critics were largely impressed by the song's production and energy. Billboard praised the track for solidifying Twice's unique style through its unexpected mix of beats. While some journalists at Fuse noted criticisms regarding processed vocals and lyrics that encouraged "playing games" in romance, they ultimately lauded the "incredible" production quality and catchy tone. Both Billboard and Dazed included "Cheer Up" in their lists of the best K-pop songs of 2016.
Commercially, the song was an unstoppable force. It debuted at the top of the Gaon Digital Chart, holding the number one spot for three non-consecutive weeks. By the end of 2016, it was the top-performing single in South Korea. Its success extended globally, appearing on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart and eventually surpassing 2.7 million digital downloads by 2018.
"Cheer Up" Performance Summary
| Metric | Achievement/Statistic |
|---|---|
| Gaon Digital Chart | #1 (3 non-consecutive weeks) |
| 2016 Year-End Status | Best performing single in South Korea |
| Billboard World Digital Song Sales | Reached #3 |
| Digital Downloads (as of 2018) | Over 2,737,015 |
| YouTube Milestone | Over 200 million views (as of August 2017) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the genre of "Cheer Up"?
The song is described as "color pop," a genre-blending style that incorporates elements of dance-pop, hip hop, tropical house, and drum and bass.
Who wrote and composed the song?
The music was composed by Black Eyed Pilseung, while the lyrics were written by Sam Lewis.
What made the "Cheer Up" music video special?
The music video features the members of Twice dressed as various famous cinematic and TV characters, such as Sailor Moon, Holly Golightly, and Sidney Prescott.
Did "Cheer Up" win any major awards?
Yes, the song won several prestigious awards, including Song of the Year at both the Melon Music Awards and the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).
How did the song perform in Japan?
Following its Korean success, Twice released a Japanese version of "Cheer Up" as part of their compilation album #Twice, released in conjunction with their Japanese debut in June 2017.