"Yes or Yes" (stylized as "YES or YES") is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released by JYP Entertainment on November 5, 2018, as the lead single from the group's sixth extended play, Yes or Yes.
In early October 2018, advertisements with the phrase "Do you like Twice? Yes or Yes" (Korean: "트와이스 좋아하세요? YES or YES") were put up on subway billboards, drawing attention online.[1] On October 11, JYP Entertainment confirmed that Twice planned to release their third Korean album of the year on November 5.[3] The lead single's name, "Yes or Yes", along with the identical album name, was revealed on October 20 in a short clip which was part of a special video commemorating Twice's third anniversary.[4]
To promote the song, JYP Entertainment released a set of three teasers, composed of three versions "Y", "E" and "S", on October 28, 29 and 30, respectively. The teasers feature connected content, introducing the viewers to a creepy forest where Jeongyeon drives a car toward "TWICE Square". Then Mina appears, saying "Hey boy! Look, I'm gonna make this simple for you. You got two choices: Yes, or yes", and the members perform the song's dance. On November 3, another video was released previewing all tracks from the album, including the song "Yes or Yes".[5]
Composition
"Yes or Yes" was composed by David Amber and Andy Love, with lyrics by Sim Eun-jee. David Amber previously co-composed "Heart Shaker" and Sim Eun-jee co-wrote lyrics for "Knock Knock". "Yes or Yes" was described as a bright and lively "color pop" song with influences from Motown, reggae and arena pop.[1][6] Lyrically, it is about only being able to reply "yes" to a confession of love.[7]
Music video
The music video for the song was made by Naive, the team that had already produced a number of music videos for Twice at the time.[8] According to YouTube's official report, the video achieved 31.4 million views on this platform within the first 24 hours of release, becoming the seventh biggest 24-hour YouTube debut of all time.[9] Moreover, Twice became the fastest K-pop girl group to reach 10 million views on YouTube, in only six hours and two minutes.[10][11] The video reached 100 million views on December 14, achieving the group's milestone of ten consecutive music videos surpassing 100 million views.[12] On April 12, 2021, the video hit 300 million views on YouTube. It reached 400 million views on January 7, 2024.[13]
The video features strong choreography, showing nine girls facing their feelings by means of a fortune-telling crystal ball after the ride driven by Jeongyeon appears on the scene, with the girls dancing at the "TWICE Square" fairground. Twice's members are dressed in '90s-inspired outfits, abundant with plaid, argyle, and leather.[14]
Japanese version
On January 9, 2019, JYP Entertainment announced Twice's release of their second compilation album named #Twice2 for March 6. The album, containing ten tracks with both Korean and Japanese versions of five songs, also includes "Yes or Yes".[15][16] The lyrics were written by Yuka Matsumoto, and the songwriter of the Korean version of the song, Sim Eun-jee.[17]
↑ 1.01.11.2Jeong Ji-won (October 24, 2018). 트와이스, 지하철역 홍보→아형·아이돌룸 출격…11월 올킬예고 [Twice, subway promotions → Knowing Bros, Idol Room... a notice for their November "all kill"]. OSEN (in 한국어). Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
↑Yeo Dong-eun (October 20, 2018). 트와이스, 11월 5일 오후 6시 미니 6집 'YES or YES' 발매 '10번째 히트 예감' [Twice's 6th mini album 'Yes or Yes' released November 5 at 6pm 'Expected to be a 10th hit']. My Daily (in 한국어). Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
↑"#TWICE2". Naver Music (in 한국어). Naver. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
↑ 18.018.1"2018년 45주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in 한국어). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
↑Jeff, Benjamin (December 21, 2018). "Top 20 K-Pop Songs of 2018". Paper. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
↑"올해의 가수 (음원) 후보자" [Artist of the Year (Song) nominees]. 8th Gaon Chart Music Awards 2018 (in 한국어). KMCA. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
↑"RIM Charts"(PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
↑"2018년 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in 한국어). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
↑"2019년 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in 한국어). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.