Fancy You is the seventh extended play by the South Korean girl group Twice. It was released by JYP Entertainment on April 22, 2019, and features the lead single "Fancy". The group embarked on a world tour in support of the EP.
Consisting of six tracks heavily featuring pop dance and hip hop, members Momo, Jihyo, Sana, and Chaeyoung participated in the album as songwriters. Marking a change in musical concept for the group, the EP received generally favorable reviews from music critics. The EP also welcomed commercial success, holding the record for having the highest first-week sales for a Korean girl group album until it was surpassed by Twice's succeeding release, Feel Special.
Background
On April 8, 2019, Twice revealed the first group teasers for their upcoming mini-album, announcing that it was titled Fancy You with the lead single "Fancy", which was slated for a release on April 22, 6PM KST. Simultaneously, the group also announced an upcoming world tour on the same day, with concert dates being confirmed for Seoul, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Newark, Chicago, and Kuala Lumpur.[1] On April 9, the group released individual teaser posters featuring Nayeon, Jeongyeon, and Momo. The credits for the lead single "Fancy" was also revealed, being composed by Black Eyed Pilseung and Jeon Gun.[2] On April 10, individual teaser posters featuring Sana, Jihyo, and Mina were uploaded. A tracklist for the album was also unveiled, revealing six songs in total.[3] On April 11, the final set of individual teaser posters featuring Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu were uploaded by the group. They also revealed the credits for the album's tracklist, showing that Jihyo wrote the lyrics for "Girls Like Us", Momo co-wrote lyrics for "Hot", Sana co-wrote lyrics for "Turn It Up", and Chaeyoung co-wrote lyrics for "Strawberry".[4]
On April 12, Twice uploaded a new group teaser photo, and on the following day, a new set of individual teaser images for all nine members were released.[5][6] On April 14, the group released a teaser video which featured a part of the music video set.[7] On April 15, a "prelude" teaser video starring Jeongyeon was uploaded by the group.[8] A third set of group teaser photos were uploaded on April 16.[9] On April 18, Twice revealed photo cards featuring Jihyo and Chaeyoung, and a CD with a photo cover featuring Momo. On the same day, the group participated in an interview with Allure magazine detailing more about their upcoming comeback following their pictorial.[10][11] On April 19, the group uploaded a choreography teaser on YouTube.[12] They then uploaded a highlight medley for the album on April 20.[13] On April 21, they unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at their photo shoot for the album.[14] The final teaser for the group's upcoming music video release was uploaded on April 22, revealing the post-hook portion of "Fancy".[15]
Fancy You and its corresponding single were officially released on April 22, 6PM KST. The group held a live showcase at the Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjang-dong, Seoul.[16]
Composition
Fancy You consists of six tracks which heavily features the pop dance and hip hop genres. The songs featured in the album all have a common theme about boldly revealing one's romantic affections. The lead single "Fancy" is described as a "bouncing electro-pop track" that retains Twice's retro-inspired sonic base while featuring synth music.[17] "Stuck In My Head" is classified as a hip hop track. "Girls Like Us" is a summer track which lyrically encourages women to "live out their best lives".[18] Jihyo wrote the lyrics for "Girls Like Us" during a rough time when she was questioning whether or not she was a "good enough artist" and the lyrics are about "comforting and cheering people on when they are chasing after their dreams".[19]
"Hot" is considered to be a pop song featuring distinct guitar riffs, lyrically describing the confidence of a woman who "everyone turns to look at her beauty and is mesmerized by her charisma."[18] "Turn It Up" is a pop-dance track which talks about how one attempts to catch the attention of their romantic interest. The EP's closing track, "Strawberry", is described as a "soft pop" track wherein the members figuratively compare themselves to a "sweet strawberry with freckles".[18] Chaeyoung, who co-wrote the lyrics, said the message of the song is that "you're great just as you are". She further explained, "Strawberries, like the fruit, tastes best when they're natural. When you have something that's strawberry-flavored, it’s not as good. That's how we are, too. We are the best version of ourselves when we are natural and present ourselves like we really are. When we try to be fake, or try to be something we aren't, the result isn't as great."[19]
Billboard magazine included Fancy You in its "25 Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s: Staff List" decade-ender list, ranking at number 24. Writer Joshua Calixto described the EP as "a stylistic quantum leap from anything they’d done before, with heavier, darker undercurrents brought by producers like Charli XCX, MNEK, and K-pop superproducer Black Eyed Pilseung." He further compared the track "Strawberry" to both the attitude emulated by singer Ariana Grande and the simplicity of Selena Gomez's "Bad Liar", while also stating "Girls Like Us" and "Fancy" to be highlights. Overall, Calixto described Fancy You to be sonically different but still retaining Twice's notable features.[30] Chase McMullen of The 405 magazine left a positive review for the album, giving it a rating of 8 out of 10 points. McMullen writes that Twice delivered an EP that is "dependable track after track", calling the album "another joyous, irresistible addition to an already impressive discography."[28] Roxanne Wilson from The Kraze included the album in its April 2019 monthly column as Favorite Album, with Wilson praising the EP's production, stating that the "cohesive composition of the album in general makes it so that the first listen flows together perfectly."[31]
In a more negative review, Cho Ji-hyun of IZM gave a 2 out of 5 rating for Fancy You, noting that the group's attempt to make their music style more mature was unsuccessful with the release of their EP. While he praised some aspects of song productions, Cho stated that rather than changing music styles completely, the group should have opted for a "skillful digestion" of the members' capabilities.[29]
Commercial performance
With the release of Fancy You, Twice became the first Korean girl group to surpass first week album sales of over 150,000 copies sold as recorded by Hanteo Chart, with the EP recording 151,051 copies sold in its first week. With this, Twice reached an accumulative number of 3.75 million albums sold in South Korea.[32]Fancy You held the record for highest first-week Korean girl group album sales until it was surpassed by Twice's succeeding EP release later in 2019, Feel Special.[33] The album also debuted at number 2 on the weekly Gaon Album Chart, while reaching a peak position atop Japan's weekly Oricon Albums Chart.[34][35]Fancy You debuted at number 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart, garnering 1,000 copies sold in its first week. This was Twice's best one-week sales record in the US, and marked their ninth Top 10 entry on the World Albums chart.[36] The album then debuted at number two on the monthly Gaon Album Chart for the month of April, recording 328,477 copies sold.[37] In June, the album received a Platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association for reaching sales of over 250,000 copies.[38] The album was certified 2× Platinum in November 2022.[39]
↑ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 8, 2019). 트와이스, 새 앨범 'FANCY YOU' 및 월드투어 일정 발표…'열일 하는 트둥이들'[Twice announces new album 'Fancy You' and world tour schedule...'Twice working hard']. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Lee, Ji-eun (April 10, 2019). 트와이스 사나·지효·미나, 새 앨범 '팬시' 개인 티저 공개[Twice's Sana, Jihyo, and Mina release individual teasers for their new album 'Fancy']. NewsPim (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Kim, Min-ji (April 11, 2019). 트와이스 다현·채영·쯔위, 'FANCY' 티저 공개 '범접 불가 비주얼'[Twice's Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu unveil teasers for 'Fancy', showcasing unrivaled visuals]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 12, 2019). 'FANCY YOU' 트와이스, 나연부터 쯔위까지…새 앨범 단체 티저 공개[Twice releases group teaser for new album 'Fancy You']. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Bae, Jeong-hee (April 13, 2019). 트와이스, 컴백 앞두고 9人 9色 개인 티저 공개…신비로운 매력[Twice releases individual teaser images ahead of their comeback, showcasing their mysterious charms]. Asia Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 14, 2019). '컴백' 트와이스(TWICE), 'FANCY' 영상 티저 공개…너무 짧습니다 JYP님[Twice release 'Fancy' video teaser for their comeback... It's too short, JYP]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Choi, Ju-ri (April 15, 2019). 트와이스, 신곡 'FANCY' MV 티저 첫 선 "정연, 붉은 장미보다 아름다운 순간"[Twice debuts 'Fancy' MV teaser: "Jeongyeon, a moment more beautiful than a red rose"]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Seon, Mi-kyung (April 16, 2019). 트와이스, 유니크vs내추럴 무드 유닛 티저 공개..새로운 변신[Oh!쎈 컷][Twice releases unique vs. natural mood unit teasers...new transformation [Oh! Strong Cut]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Hwang, Hye-jin (April 18, 2019). "과감한 변신" 트와이스, 신곡 'FANCY' 티저 '비주얼 대잔치'["Bold transformation" Twice teases new song 'Fancy' as a 'visual feast']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Hwang, Seo-yeon (April 18, 2019). '비주얼 파티' 트와이스, 매거진 커버 모델 나섰다 [화보]['Visual Party' Twice is the cover model for magazine [Photoshoot]]. TV Daily. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 19, 2019). 트와이스, 'FANCY' 새 티저 공개로 눈길…집 나갔던 와일드 엣지의 귀환?[Twice garners attention with new teaser for 'Fancy'...Is this the return of Wild Edge?]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Ji, Min-kyung (April 20, 2019). "파격·과감" 트와이스, 새 앨범 'FANCY YOU' 전곡 미리 듣기 영상 공개[Twice releases preview of all songs from new album 'Fancy You']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 21, 2019). 트와이스(TWICE), 'FANCY' 메이킹 필름 공개로 눈길…물오른 미모[Twice dazzles with their 'Fancy' making-of film, showcasing their stunning beauty]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Lee, Jeong-beom (April 22, 2019). 트와이스(TWICE), 'FANCY' 마지막 티저 공개…'원스 마음에 훅하고 들어와'[Twice releases final teaser for 'Fancy'...'Once, come into my heart']. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Park, Ji-young (April 22, 2019). 트와이스 'FANCY로 컴백'[엑's HD포토][Twice's comeback with 'Fancy' [X's HD Photo]]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Jeon, A-ram (April 22, 2019). '컴백' 트와이스가 밝힌 #팬시 #작사 #콘서트 #원스 ♥ [V라이브 종합][Twice reveals comeback #Fancy #Songwriting #Concert #Once ♥ [V Live Recap]]. Xsports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019– via Naver.
↑ Jo, Hye-ryeon (April 25, 2019). '엠카운트다운' 4관왕 방탄소년단 "아미 덕분, 감사"…돌아온 트와이스 [종합][BTS wins four 'M Countdown' awards: "Thanks to Army, thank you"...Twice returns [Comprehensive]]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019– via Naver.
↑ Kang, Min-kyung (April 26, 2019). '뮤직뱅크' 트와이스, 新 매력..화려+매혹의 끝판왕 'FANCY' [별별TV][Twice's new charm on 'Music Bank'...The ultimate in glamor and allure, 'Fancy' [StarStar TV]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019– via Naver.
↑ Go, Myeong-jin (April 27, 2019). '음악중심' 트와이스, 강렬한 사랑 고백+역대급 칼군무까지 완벽한 '팬시'['Show! Music Core' Twice confesses their love to each other, and 'Fancy' is perfect for their synchronized dance]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019– via Naver.
↑ Jo, Hye-ryeon (April 28, 2019). '인기가요' 트와이스 "'FANCY'로 변신한 이유, 새로운 모습 보여주기 위해"[Twice on 'Inkigayo': "We transformed into 'Fancy' to show a new side of ourselves"]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019– via Naver.
↑ Im, Ju-hyeong (May 1, 2019). '쇼 챔피언' 트와이스 '팬시'로 1위 "첫 1위 감사"[Twice wins first place on 'Show Champion' with 'Fancy': "Thanks for the first #1"]. Asia Business Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019– via Naver.
↑ Choi, Ju-ri (April 22, 2019). '아이돌룸' 트와이스 신곡 'FANCY' 무대 방송 최초 공개[Twice's new song 'Fancy' will be performed for the first time on 'Idol Room']. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
↑ Kim, Yeon-ji (April 26, 2019). 트와이스, 국내 음반 판매량 누적 375만장 돌파…韓日 누적 600만장[Twice surpasses 3.75 million cumulative domestic album sales, reaching 6 million cumulative sales in Korea and Japan]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019– via Naver.
↑ "ALBUM 가온 인증"[Album Gaon Certification]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020.
↑ "올해의 가수 (앨범) 후보자"[Artist of the Year (Album) nominees]. 9th Gaon Chart Music Awards 2019 (in Korean). KMCA. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.