The Feels (song)
"The Feels" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released on October 1, 2021, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records as the group's first original English single.[a] It is a disco-pop song that incorporates elements of groovy bass sounds and disco synth beats. Its lyrics are about the protagonist's feeling of happiness after falling in love at first sight.
"The Feels" received acclaim from music critics, who praised its fun lyrics and production. The song was included in 2022 year-end best-of lists by Insider, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200, number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 94 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, and charted in Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Singapore and the UK. In 2022, the song went on to get certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over half a million digital units in the United States. In Japan, it was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for surpassing 100 million streams in the country.
Background[edit]
Prior to the release of "The Feels", Twice has released songs recorded in English, including the English versions of "Cry for Me", "I Can't Stop Me", and "More & More".[1] On June 15, 2018, they released a cover of the Jackson 5's 1969 single "I Want You Back". It was released as a digital single and recorded in its original English lyrics.[2][3] The cover later appeared on their first Japanese album, BDZ, as the tenth and final track, and was featured in the 2018 Japanese film Sensei Kunshu.[4] On November 20, 2019, they released their second Japanese album, &Twice, which features the group's first original English-language track, "What You Waiting For".[5]
Following the release of their tenth EP, Taste of Love,[6] Twice announced on June 25, 2021, that their first official English single will be released on a Friday in September.[1][7] The single's title was not revealed until August 6, when they posted a photo teaser showing someone holding a letter.[7][8] On August 23, JYP Entertainment announced October 1 to be the release date of "The Feels" through an 11-second videoclip.[9][10][11]
Commercial performance[edit]
"The Feels" accumulated 50.9 million global streams and 8,800 global downloads in its first week.[27] In the United States alone, the song garnered 4.7 million streams, 208,000 radio impressions, and 10,400 digital sales in its first week.[28] "The Feels" debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200, making it Twice's highest performing song on the chart.[29] In Canada, it debuted at number 56 on the Canadian Hot 100, the group's second entry on the chart after "Feel Special".[30] In Japan, it peaked at number 3 on both the Billboard Japan Hot 100[31] and Oricon's Combined Singles Chart.[32] In South Korea, "The Feels" peaked at number 94 on the Gaon Digital Chart[33] and at number 56 on the K-pop Hot 100.[34] "The Feels" became Twice's first song to appear[35] on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, peaking at numbers 83[36] and 80,[37] respectively. The song also charted in New Zealand,[38] Malaysia,[39] and Singapore.[40] In January 2022, the song landed at no. 40 on the US Mainstream Top 40, marking Twice's first appearance on the chart.[41] In 2022, "The Feels" received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[42]
Release and promotion[edit]
The first concept photo for "The Feels" was uploaded on September 3, 2021.[43] Pre-orders for the single began on the same day.[43] Twice held a question and answer event on Twitter on the day of the single's release.[44] Jeongyeon, who went on hiatus due to panic and anxiety disorder, was not able to join the group during the song's promotion.[45] Twice appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, GMA3: What You Need to Know, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with a performance of "The Feels".[46] A Korean version of the song served as the fifteenth track for the physical edition of Formula of Love: O+T=<3, Twice's third Korean studio album. The Korean lyrics were written by Chaeyoung.[47]
Music video[edit]
Background[edit]
The music video of "The Feels" was uploaded on October 1, 2021. Directed by Oui Kim, the video starts off with members receiving an invitation to a prom.[48] In celebration of their sixth anniversary, they announced third Korean studio album (sixth overall) and fourth world tour were teased at the end of the music video.[49][50]
Synopsis and reception[edit]
The music video was described as a "glittery, retro prom-themed" music video by People,[51] and as a "technicolor" video by Billboard.[49] It starts with a prom's invitation being passed underneath the door of the "deluxe wardrobe that the girls are hanging out in." Then it shows the members as delighted to find out they’ve been cordially invited to prom. Throughout the video, it shows the girls getting ready while they "fawn over their romantic prospects before heading out on their evening." The second portion of the video showcases the girls’ prom fantasy come to life, "complete with a sea blue theme, larger than life balloon arches, decked out tables, and a coronation throne for the prom queen. The Twice members take a break from the festivities to perform at the event, dancing to the chorus of the song."[49][52][53] Rolling Stone India included it in their list of the 21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021, complimenting the production, storyline, the "catchy" choreography, and the group's "charismatic personalities."[54]