TWICE, the powerhouse K-pop girl group, released their 14th mini-album “Strategy” this past Friday (6 December). The lead single of the same name features Megan Thee Stallion in what marks their second collaboration this year.
The seven song record is their 14th mini-album. It includes tracks like 80s beat inspired track “Kiss My Troubles Away”, two versions of “Strategy” (one featuring Megan Thee Stallion, one without), “Sweetest Obsession”, a track spoiled by the members at their ninth anniversary fan meeting earlier in October, and a Christmassy, winter themed song “Magical”. The album also includes “Keeper”, a track written by member Kim Dahyun. Following its release, the album has reached a peak of no.40 on the UK iTunes albums chart, with each song charting on the UK K-pop albums chart, including “Strategy feat. Megan Thee Stallion” which has peaked at no.2.
“Strategy” Songs iTunes UK K-pop Charts Peak Positions
2. “Strategy feat. Megan Thee Stallion”
6. “Strategy”
8. “Magical”
12. “Sweetest Obsession”
13. “Like It Like It”
74. “Keeper”
75. “Kiss My Troubles Away”
Strategy features Twice’s signature catchy sound whilst exploring a new, more mature sound. The addition of Megan Thee Stallion, in what is Twice’s first ever lead single featuring another artist, is seamless – her vibe and sound fitting the song perfectly, still bringing a rap that is inherently what she’s known for.
Twice are a nine member Korean girl group formed through the survival television show “Sixteen” and created by JinYoung Park, founder of Korean entertainment company JYP Entertainment. The members in age order are Im Nayeon, Yoo Jeongyeon, Hirai Momo, Minatozaki Sana, Park Jihyo, Myoui Mina, Kim Dahyun, Son Chaeyoung and Chou Tzuyu. After a successful debut with debut mini-album “The Story Begins” and lead single “Like OOH-AHH”, Twice solidified their status in Korea with the release of their second mini album “Page Two” and the viral hit “Cheer UP”. The song was their first PAK (Perfect All Kill, a term used when a song reaches number one on all of the popular real time charts in real time) and produced the viral “Shy Shy Shy” meme. The achieved the same with lead singles “TT” (2016), “Knock Knock” (2017) and “Yes or Yes” (2018). The group have an extensive discography in both Korean and Japanese, boasting 14 Korean mini albums and three full albums and five full Japanese albums.
Twice have conquered the South Korean and Japanese music scene for ten years at this point, and they’re already record breakers in the US. For their most recent tour, “Ready To Be World Tour”, they performed to sold out crowds in London’s O2 Arena, marking the first shows they ever performed in Europe.
With their success in their home country, and the home country of Japanese members, Momo, Sana and Mina, and the success in the US in recent years, the group undertake promotions in all three countries for album releases. Their newest release, “Strategy” marks their first English title track, hinting at their marketing towards a more global music market, and bringing in Megan Thee Stallion for their second collaboration (the first being Twice’s feature on the Mamushi remix released earlier this year), will they achieve their highest charting song in the UK so far? Up to now they featured heavily on the official albums download chart with eleven entries since 2019, but have not yet had a top ten entry into the official UK singles chart. Megan Thee Stallion has featured on the Hip Hop and R&B charts and the album charts with a top 40 album, and this year had the viral song “Mamushi feat Yuki Chiba”.
An anomaly, as a group so active in their tenth year, Twice do not look like they’re slowing down. Just this year they’ve had three group releases and multiple solo works and subunit activities for Japanese member trio MISAMO.
Twice activities this year
With you-th – Twice
Dive – Twice (Japanese full album)
AbouTzu – Tzuyu (Member solo debut)
Haute Couture – MISAMO (Mina, Sana, Momo – Member subunit)
Strategy – Twice
They’re heavyweights in the music markets of South Korea, Japan and the US, play to sold out audiences in almost every continent in the world, and they’re simply masters of performance. They’re known for the synchronised in their dancing , catchy lyrics, powerful vocals and smooth rapping that fits their style. But will this translate to higher levels of success in the UK music scene?
After their albums release on Friday (December 6), the album and all of the songs from it have featured on UK iTunes chart. As of December 7, “Strategy” was no.1 on Korea’s real time daily physical albums chart (Hanteo), beating “Rosie“, by Rosé, which was highly anticipated and released on the same day. Will they finally have their big break in the UK music charts?
