TT – TWICE
The song “TT” by South Korean girl group TWICE is one of the standout tracks that catapulted the group into global recognition. Released in October 2016 as part of their Twicecoaster: Lane 1 album, “TT” quickly went viral, thanks to its catchy melody, vibrant music video, and signature dance moves. With its memorable chorus, unique music video concept, and relatable lyrics, “TT” encapsulates the charm of TWICE and has cemented itself as an iconic moment in K-pop.
The Sound of “TT”: A Melodic and Catchy Pop Anthem
Musically, “TT” is an upbeat pop track filled with catchy hooks and smooth beats. The production, led by the famed Korean producers Black Eyed Pilseung, combines electronic pop with hints of tropical house, creating a lively and youthful sound that’s easy to dance to. The verses start gently with a slight melody, building up to a catchy pre-chorus that leads to the iconic “TT” chorus.
The chorus itself is one of the highlights of the track, with its straightforward repetition of the phrase “TT”, mimicking a crying face emoticon. This simple yet effective choice gives the song a playful and memorable appeal that resonates well with younger audiences. With each chorus drop, TWICE’s vocals blend harmoniously, delivering the repeated phrase in a lighthearted and engaging way. The overall effect is a song that’s not only fun to listen to but also hard to forget, thanks to its catchy and repetitive nature.
Lyrics that Capture Youthful Emotions
The lyrics of “TT” explore the feelings of infatuation, frustration, and confusion that come with a one-sided crush, themes that many listeners can easily relate to. The phrase “TT” represents the emoticon for crying eyes, reflecting the emotional state of feeling overwhelmed by one’s feelings. The girls sing about their struggles with unrequited love and the confusion of trying to understand their emotions, and they express how they feel “like TT,” a cute, yet frustrated emotional state that many fans connected with instantly.
Lines such as “I’m so cold / I’m so hot / I don’t know what to do” show the mixed feelings that come with romantic attraction. These lyrics evoke the innocence and charm of first love, aligning well with TWICE’s youthful image and adding a layer of relatability to the song. The lyrics portray love as both sweet and agonizing, encapsulating the ups and downs of romantic feelings in a playful and light-hearted way.
The “TT” Dance: A Viral Movement
The choreography of “TT” is a significant factor behind the song’s immense popularity. The dance features a signature move where the members create the “TT” shape with their fingers, resembling teardrops falling from their eyes. This instantly recognizable move became a sensation, and fans worldwide quickly began imitating it. The simple yet expressive nature of the dance made it easy for fans to recreate and share on social media platforms, leading to “TT challenges” and cover videos.
TWICE’s dances are known for their easy-to-follow and catchy movements, which makes them especially popular among younger fans and those new to K-pop. The “TT” dance allowed fans to engage with the song on a deeper level, contributing to its viral status and helping to grow TWICE’s fanbase internationally.
The “TT” Music Video: A Halloween-Themed Delight
The music video for “TT” is visually captivating, featuring the members of TWICE in various Halloween-themed costumes, from pirates to superheroes to mermaids. This choice of theme gave the video a playful, whimsical feel, adding a fun visual experience to the already engaging song. The storyline of the video follows two children as they explore a mysterious house, only to stumble upon the TWICE members, each dressed in unique costumes, each reflecting different popular characters and themes.
Each costume represents the individual personalities and charms of the members, allowing fans to connect with them on a personal level. For example, Tzuyu dressed as a vampire, and Nayeon dressed as a cute devil, both roles that brought out different sides of their personalities and allowed fans to see them in new and creative roles. The vivid colors, creative sets, and dynamic costumes all work together to create a music video that’s visually arresting and full of fun surprises.
The Halloween theme made the video particularly memorable and timely for its October release, adding to the song’s unique appeal. The storytelling element, combined with the colorful and lively aesthetics, makes it a video that stands out, encouraging viewers to watch it repeatedly to catch every little detail.
The Global Impact and Success of “TT”
“TT” was not only a massive hit in South Korea but also became one of TWICE’s most successful songs internationally. Upon its release, the song charted highly on major South Korean music charts and became one of the best-performing songs of 2016. The popularity of “TT” also extended beyond South Korea, helping TWICE solidify their fanbase in Japan and other parts of Asia, eventually contributing to their global reach.
The “TT” music video became the first by a K-pop girl group to reach over 500 million views on YouTube, a testament to its widespread appeal and impact. The song’s popularity on social media platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram, helped it reach audiences who might not have been familiar with K-pop, making TWICE a well-known name internationally.
Why “TT” Still Resonates Today
Years after its release, “TT” continues to be a fan favorite and a go-to example of K-pop’s unique charm. Its catchy tune, fun dance, and relatable lyrics make it a classic that remains relevant, even as new generations of K-pop fans discover TWICE. The song’s simple yet effective elements have allowed it to age gracefully, continuing to attract new listeners who are drawn to its universal themes and memorable style.
As a cultural phenomenon, “TT” set a standard for K-pop releases and showcased TWICE’s potential as leaders in the genre. It also marked the beginning of TWICE’s rise to becoming one of the most beloved girl groups worldwide. By delivering a song that is fun, relatable, and memorable, TWICE created a timeless piece with “TT”, one that will continue to charm and engage fans around the world for years to come.
In conclusion, “TT” by TWICE is more than just a song; it’s an experience that blends music, dance, and visuals to create a complete package of entertainment. From the clever use of emoticons in the lyrics to the Halloween-themed video and the iconic dance move, “TT” captures the essence of K-pop’s playful and creative spirit. It’s a song that appeals to fans of all ages, offering a slice of joy and relatability, a hallmark of TWICE’s unique charm and musical style.
이러지도 못하는데
저러지도 못하네
그저 바라보며 ba-ba-ba-baby
매일 상상만 해
이름과 함께 쓱 말을 놨네 baby
아직 우린 모르는 사인데
아무거나 걸쳐도 아름다워
거울 속 단둘이서 하는
Fashion show, show
이번엔 정말 꼭꼭
내가 먼저 talk talk
다짐뿐인걸, 매번 다짐뿐인걸
나나나-나나나나
콧노래가 나오다가 나도 몰래
눈물 날 것 같애, 아닌 것 같애
내가 아닌 것 같애
I love you so much
이미 난 다 컸다고 생각하는데
어쩌면 내 맘인데 왜
내 맘대로 할 수 없는 건데?
밀어내려고 하면 할수록
자꾸 끌려 왜?
자꾸자꾸 끌려 baby
I’m like TT, just like TT
이런 내 맘 모르고 너무해, 너무해
I’m like TT (ah), just like TT (ah)
Tell me that you’ll be my baby
어처구니없다고 해
얼굴값을 못한대
전혀 위로 안 돼 ba-ba-ba-baby
미칠 것 같애
이 와중에 왜 배는 또 고픈 건데?
하루 종일 먹기만 하는데
맴매매매 아무 죄도 없는 인형만 때찌
종일 앉아있다가 엎드렸다 시간이 획획획
피부는 왜 이렇게 또 칙칙
자꾸 틱틱 거리고만 싶지
엄만 귀찮게 계속 왜왜왜왜왜?
나나나-나나나나
콧노래가 나오다가 나도 몰래
짜증 날 것 같애, 화날 것 같애
이런 애가 아닌데
I love you so much
이미 난 다 컸다고 생각하는데
어쩌면 내 맘인데 왜
내 맘대로 할 수 없는 건데?
밀어내려고 하면 할수록
자꾸 끌려 왜?
자꾸자꾸 끌려 baby
I’m like TT, just like TT
이런 내 맘 모르고 너무해, 너무해
I’m like TT (ah), just like TT (ah)
Tell me that you’ll be my baby
혹시 이런 나를 알까요?
이대로 사라져 버리면 안 돼요
이번엔 정말 꼭꼭
내가 먼저 talk, talk
다짐뿐인걸, 매번 다짐뿐인걸
이미 난 다 컸다고 생각하는데
어쩌면 내 맘인데 왜
내 맘대로 할 수 없는 건데?
밀어내려고 하면 할수록
자꾸 끌려 왜?
자꾸자꾸 끌려 baby
I’m like TT, just like TT
이런 내 맘 모르고 너무해, 너무해
I’m like TT (ah), just like TT (ah)
Tell me that you’ll be my baby