TWICE is one of the most popular k-pop groups right now—as they’ve been for the last decade—debuting on what was actually my birthday (October 20th) in 2015, after being formed through survival show Sixteen. They have nine members, who have been there since the beginning: Mina, Momo, Sana, Chaeyoung, Dahyun, Jeongyeon, Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu, the first 3 of which are Japanese and have been one of the reasons why Twice has been so popular in Japan.
Here are my credentials: TWICE, as they are for a lot of people, were one of the first groups I knew at the beginning of my getting into k-pop in the early 2020’s, and I would consider myself a fan. I know a lot of their singles, since they’re pretty inescapable, but I wanted to know more about their insanely huge discography, which spans three languages, and the members themselves. So, let’s get into this!
EP #1: The Story Begins
Like OOH-AHH immediately establishes what kind of group TWICE is, as the members dance around and sing about love without a care while zombies ravage the world. Though it’s been almost a decade since the track came out and so it often gets overshadowed by the extremely popular hits afterwards, I found that the more I listened to this, the more I liked it, especially its bridge breakdown, interesting flute melody, and great high note leading into the final chorus. It’s a very good place to start.
From the 1st EP, aptly titled The Story Begins, I enjoyed the vocalized hook of Do It Again, the rising guitar backdrop in Truth, and the classic 3rd-gen chorus of Candy Boy.
EP #2: Page Two
Cheer Up! is the first of the previously mentioned mega-hits that catapulted TWICE into immense popularity, and not only because of Sana’s viral “shy shy shy”. Though it’s about love, as many of their songs are, its bubbly delivery, never-ending energy, and central hook of “cheer up baby, cheer up baby” have served as a pick-me-up for people around the world, and it’s hard not to be taken along for the ride. Also, the tiny post credit scene is just hilarious.
From the EP, Page Two, I enjoyed the sort-of surf rock guitar of Tuk Tok, the hints of brass and traditional strings in Woohoo and the a-capella chants of My Headphones On, but my hidden gem was absolutely Touchdown. From the second it starts, it just doesn’t stop, based off of a fast-paced marching band sound that just urges you to chant along with its countdown.
EP #3 & 4: TWICECOASTER Lanes 1 & 2
TT initially seems like it’ll be a bit dark, but never fear; this is TWICE we’re talking about. Opting for a fun Halloween theme that revels in its own ridiculousness, it’s a fairly straightforward minimalist pop song. While I do like its video game-esque energy, I think it’s a bit too aegyo-filled for my liking, and I feel like they’ve aged down in this song while still being sexualized, which makes me uncomfortable.
Knock Knock is a direct continuation of TT, and is from the second part of a longer album. It’s more of a wintry feeling, and is a pop song if there ever was one, with a very interesting sped-up delivery that gives it a nostalgic feeling. Even though it originally seems more childish than TT, it leans into that more and owns its silliness, just generally being fun. Also, from the music video, the moment where JYP opens the door and they slam it in his face made me cackle.
From the two-part album Twicecoaster: Lanes 1 & 2, I enjoyed the fast-paced hand clapping beat of Jelly Jelly, the frantic energy of Pit-a-Pat, and the more toned-down ballad Ice Cream. My hidden gem was the rock-poppy 2000’s-esque Ponytail (which really suits their voices; I hope they do it again).
EP #5: Signal
Signal is probably the title track of TWICE’s that I’ve heard the least, though I’m not sure why. It’s not that it’s a bad song in the grand scheme of things, or very different from the majority of their work, but it’s mainly sing-talk, with a spoken-word hook that just grates on the ears in a way that it isn’t supposed to. I do like most of the song, especially the main chorus, but every time I get more into it, it feels like the hook comes out of nowhere to stop me.
From the EP, Signal, I enjoyed the chanty post-chorus and outro of Only You, and the beachy acoustic guitar and interesting percussion of Someone Like Me.
Single #1: One More Time
One More Time is TWICE’s first Japanese single, and their first step into conquering the Japanese market. With a similar sporty concept to Cheer Up, it nonetheless distinguishes itself with a fizzier, fritzier beat straight out of the dance floor. Colorful and off-beat, it’s not especially unique but it’s certainly fun. I did appreciate the hula hoop dancing, though, since I almost never see it in k-pop MVs.
Album #1: Merry & Happy
Likey, beginning with walking out of a school, just feels like a summer vacation in the city. It’s easy to discount it based on its bright colors and “likey likey likey” refrain, but it’s actually a song about beauty standards and how everyone is beautiful as they are and doesn’t need to change, a surprisingly sweet message for a group often pigeon-holed as only singers of love songs. Also, I liked the rap more than I would’ve expected, and a special shoutout to Momo for her dance break choreography.
Heart Shaker is another song of TWICE’s that doesn’t get a lot of love, and I for one think that that’s sad. For one, it’s not an easy song to sing, and it spotlights both their voices and their impressive dancing skills in such a fun way. It takes a lot for me to enjoy a special winter track, but this one is so encouraging and bright that it makes me smile from ear to ear every time, and I actually listen to it outside of Valentines’ Day.
From the album, Merry and Happy, I enjoyed the ringing bells and light-footed piano of the song Merry and Happy, the bubbly explosion of a chorus in 24/7, and the twinkly saloon piano in Wow. My hidden gem was Missing U, which gets a bit of an edge with its guitar. I think the first half is stronger than the first, but that’s more a compliment than an insult.
Single #2: Candy Pop
Candy Pop is TWICE’s second Japanese single, and is just as sugar-coated as its name, transforming the girls into nine animated characters straight out of Sailor Moon or Lolirock, trying to save the candy world and inspire a little girl. The song, like One More Time, is less interesting than the story, but it’s solid, feeling similar to Merry & Happy in its holiday vibes.
That’s where we’ll leave it for now, and it looks like this is going to wind up being a three-parter, but hey, I’m not complaining. Tschüss!
Let me know your thoughts!