Secret Number (era) ‘who dis?’
Why "Who Dis?" Became Secret Number's Most Iconic Era
"Who Dis?" burst onto the K-pop scene as Secret Number's debut single album on May 19, 2020, quickly establishing itself as the new girl group's defining release. Despite initially facing setbacks when COVID-19 pushed their planned March debut to May, the group's entrance to the industry proved worth the wait.
The single album, featuring two tracks—the title song "Who Dis?" and "Holiday"—peaked at number 19 on the Gaon Album Chart, while the music video for "Who Dis?" impressively accumulated over 5 million views by May 23, just four days after release. Though the meaning behind "Who Dis?" centered on a straightforward concept, the track's energizing sense of verve helped it stand out from typical generic debuts.
Secret Number's commercial success during their first five months proved remarkable, ultimately earning them several rookie awards at major Korean year-end music ceremonies, including the Asia Artist Awards, APAN Music Awards, and Asian Pop Music Awards. Additionally, Billboard Korea recognized them as one of the Rookie K-pop Groups of 2020, cementing this era as truly iconic for the emerging group.
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The Road to Debut: How Secret Number Built Anticipation
Secret Number's journey began well before their formal introduction to the K-pop world, with each member bringing unique experiences to the table.
Pre-debut activities of members
Each member arrived with impressive credentials in the industry. Léa previously performed in the girl group Skarf (2011-2014) under the name Hana and later competed on "Mix Nine". Jinny trained under YG Entertainment for four years and participated in "Produce 48," finishing 69th. Similarly, Minji competed on both "Produce 101" and "Produce 48" reality shows. Furthermore, Soodam brought artistic diversity as a former member of Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of Korea. Denise had competed on "K-pop Star 5" and trained with YG Entertainment for two years.
Initial teasers and group reveal
Vine Entertainment first hinted at their new girl group on December 17, 2019, announcing 100 days until debut. Subsequently, after months of anticipation, the company revealed the group name "Secret Number" on April 29, 2020, alongside a dance cover video showcasing all members. Between May 11-14, members were officially introduced individually (Jinny, Léa, Soodam, Dita, and Denise).
Impact of COVID-19 on debut schedule
Originally scheduled to debut on March 26, 2020, the worldwide coronavirus outbreak prompted Vine Entertainment to postpone the launch. Consequently, on May 6, they announced the official debut date of May 19 with the single "Who Dis?".
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| secret number ♡ ‘who dis’ jacket making film JINNY |
The Release of 'Who Dis?': A Defining Moment
After months of anticipation, May 19, 2020 marked the official launch of Secret Number with their debut single album "Who Dis?". This pivotal moment would establish their identity in the competitive K-pop landscape.
Official debut date and tracklist
The debut single album contained two tracks: the title track "Who Dis?" (3:14) and the B-side "Holiday" (2:47). Originally announced on May 6, Vine Entertainment strategically built excitement by releasing individual promotional photos and music video teasers for each member starting May 10. Particularly notable was the physical album release, which followed on May 27, packaged as a hardcover book-style CD with an impressive 64-page photobook, collectible photocards, a profile card, sticker sheet, and paper slogan.
Music video launch and early reception
The group held their debut showcase on the same day as the digital release. Thereafter, Secret Number made their broadcast debut on KBS2's Music Bank on May 22, followed by promotions on various music shows starting with M Countdown on May 21. The reception proved remarkably positive—within just four days of release, the "Who Dis?" music video had accumulated more than 5 million views.
Chart performance and sales figures
On Spotify, "Who Dis?" reached impressive heights, peaking at position 26 with 665,261 streams during the week of June 4, 2020. Altogether, the track accumulated over 3.6 million streams in its first few months. This strong commercial performance throughout their first five months contributed significantly to their recognition as one of Billboard Korea's Rookie K-pop Groups of 2020.
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What Made 'Who Dis?' Stand Out
Secret Number's debut track immediately captured attention through its distinctive musical approach and confident presentation, making it an unforgettable introduction to the K-pop scene.
Musical style and retro influences
"Who Dis?" featured a brass-heavy urban hip hop dance style that set it apart from contemporary releases. Produced by American hitmakers Melanie Fontana and Michel 'Lindgren' Schulz (who worked with Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers, and BTS) alongside Korean producer Shark, the song's straightforward energy and driving percussion created an instantly recognizable sound. Notably, the track would have fit perfectly among 2015's slate of brass-heavy girl group singles, giving it a nostalgic yet fresh appeal.
Vocal and rap distribution
Although the group demonstrated vocal talent, especially in the satisfying pre-chorus, it was Jinny's rap sections that proved particularly memorable. Her performances infused the post-chorus with a fun sassiness that gave the song personality. This balance between vocals and rap established the group's musical identity.
Visual concept and styling
In the music video, members appeared in Balenciaga outfits and stylish knee-high boots, executing slick, choreographed dance sequences. Their styling avoided typical aegyo or girl-crush categorizations, instead offering a clean, direct performance emphasizing power.
Lyrics and the 'Who Dis?' meaning
The lyrics embodied confidence with lines like "Everybody's curious about me wherever I go/Even if you look around, I'm the most dazzling thing you've ever seen". This self-assured attitude became central to the group's initial identity.
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| secret number ♡ ‘who dis’ jacket making film DENISE |
The Aftermath: Awards, Recognition, and Fanbase Growth
Following their powerful debut, Secret Number's career rapidly accelerated as industry recognition poured in.
Rookie awards and nominations
The group's commercial success in their first five months earned them coveted rookie awards at major Korean year-end music ceremonies. Secret Number took home Best New Female Artist at the Asia Artist Awards and Outstanding Newcomer at the Asian Pop Music Awards. Moreover, they received nominations at prestigious events including MAMA Awards for Best New Female Artist. This impressive achievement validated their entrance into the competitive K-pop landscape.
Fan engagement and viral moments
Secret Number's debut stage garnered remarkable attention, accumulating nearly 300,000 views in just two hours. Remarkably, netizens praised their confidence, noting "they own the stage" and that "beyond expectation, they get a lot of fans even just from the first song". The members themselves admitted surprise at such enthusiastic reception and support.
Legacy of the 'Who Dis?' era in K-pop
The era established Secret Number as a formidable rookie group, with Billboard Korea officially recognizing them as one of 2020's standout rookie K-pop groups. This foundation propelled them toward future successes, including winning Girl Group Song of the Year for "Fire Saturday" at the 2021 Indonesian Hallyu Fans Choice Awards and the Multi Language Group Award at the Tokopedia WIB Indonesia K-pop Awards.
FAQS
Fans worldwide have posed numerous questions about Secret Number and their breakthrough debut. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the group's iconic "Who Dis?" era.
What does Secret Number's name mean? The name has a personal connection to everyday life. As the group explained, "Everyone has a 'secret number' [password/PIN code] that's usually a birthday, anniversary, or some other special number. We want to hold that kind of special meaning to the public". Their logo cleverly represents this concept with a password box featuring five stars for the five members.
What makes Secret Number unique in the K-pop landscape? First and foremost, their multinational composition sets them apart. Léa noted, "We are the only K-pop team to feature such a diverse array of countries". This representation has been crucial to their success, as Dita became the first Indonesian idol to debut in a K-pop girl group.
Who are Secret Number's role models? The group cited Apink as their primary inspiration, stating, "We respect that they've continued to promote together despite being nine years into their career. Like them, we want to become a group that promotes for a long time".
What was Secret Number's initial goal as a group? From the beginning, they aimed to win a "Rookie of the Year" award, a goal they ultimately achieved.
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