Why TWICE's "Feel Special" Became More Than Just Another K-pop Song

TWICE's "Feel Special" broke records and redefined the group's musical identity when it debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart in September 2019. Released by JYP Entertainment on September 23, 2019, this eighth extended play from the South Korean girl group sold over 500,000 copies and remained their best-selling album until their next release, "More & More".

The "Feel Special" album stands out not only for its commercial achievements but also for the unprecedented creative involvement from the members themselves. Notably, Nayeon wrote "RAINBOW," Jihyo contributed "GET LOUD," Daehyun penned "TRICK IT," and Momo created "LOVE FOOLISH". Additionally, the seven-track collection includes the Korean version of their Japanese single "Breakthrough," giving fans more content to enjoy. The title track "Feel Special" quickly became an instant hit, winning seven trophies on Korean music programs including Inkigayo, M Countdown, and Show! Music Core.

What makes this release particularly significant is how it transformed TWICE's musical approach. By opting for a more straightforward club beat and robust chorus, the group showcased their talents in unexpected ways. The song continued to demonstrate remarkable longevity when in May 2023, the Recording Industry Association of Japan certified it double platinum after surpassing 200 million streams. This milestone affirmed that "Feel Special" had indeed become more than just another K-pop song.

The making of 'Feel Special': From concept to release

The journey of "Feel Special" began on September 8, 2019, when JYP Entertainment unveiled the first teaser featuring Nayeon, garnering over 2 million YouTube views within 24 hours. Subsequently, Jeongyeon's teaser followed on September 9, alongside the track list announcement.

Initial teasers and member reveals

Momo's teaser on September 10 created such buzz that her name trended higher than the Apple event on Twitter. Individual teasers continued with Sana (September 12), Jihyo (September 13), Mina (September 14), Dahyun (September 15), Chaeyoung (September 16), and finally Tzuyu (September 17). Group photos emerged on September 18, followed by the first music video teaser the next day.

J.Y. Park's inspiration from group conversations

Park Jin-young crafted the lyrics after heartfelt conversations with TWICE members about fame's pressures. He was especially moved watching how members supported Sana during her struggles. "When they left, I just wrote the song right away at that moment," JYP recalled, noting that members were crying during recording sessions.

Member contributions to songwriting

Throughout the album, members showcased their writing talents:

Nayeon penned "Rainbow"
Jihyo contributed to "Get Loud"
Dahyun wrote "Trick It"
Momo created "Love Foolish"
All nine members collaborated on "21:29" as a message to fans

Timeline of album and music video release

The album officially dropped on September 23, 2019, at 6PM KST.

Musical composition and lyrical depth

Composed in the key of A-flat major, "Feel Special" represents a significant artistic evolution for TWICE, blending pop, synth-pop, miami bass, and house music. The song opens with quirky synths leading into a groovy bass beat, gradually transitioning through atmospheric verses and perky raps before culminating in a boisterous, impactful chorus.

Genre blend: EDM, synth-pop, and 90s influences

The album expands TWICE's sound palette considerably, exploring various electronic music subgenres. Throughout the EP, listeners encounter elements of Future House, Electropop, deep house, and trance. "Feel Special" follows the mature sound established in "Fancy You" while adding more bass, creating fuller, richer textures compared to their earlier lighter discography.

Breakdown of each track on the Feel Special album

Beyond the title track, "Rainbow" delivers empowering electropop, while "Get Loud" introduces trance elements. "Trick It" showcases deep house influences with catchy 'Ah-ha' singalong moments over blaring chords. "Love Foolish" presents atmospheric EDM with sidechain compression creating bouncing waves of surging synth-pop. "21:29" offers a refreshing blend of retro soul, lounge, R&B, and 90s hip hop, whereas "Breakthrough" completes the collection with its Korean version.

Themes of self-worth and emotional support

Lyrically, "Feel Special" addresses feelings of loneliness, self-worth, and validation. The central message conveys the transition "from nobody to somebody", emphasizing the importance of support during difficult times. Lines like "You make me feel special" and "I feel loved, I feel so special" reinforce themes of validation.

How the lyrics reflect TWICE's personal struggles

Park Jin-young crafted the lyrics based on conversations with TWICE members about their experiences with fame. The emotional depth particularly shines in Mina's verse: "I just wanted to hide/Didn't wanna face the world", directly addressing her anxiety-related hiatus. This vulnerability marks a turning point for TWICE, showing a maturity previously unseen in their discography.

Reception and critical acclaim

Upon release, "Feel Special" instantly captivated both critics and fans alike. The album's reception surpassed expectations, cementing TWICE's evolution toward a more mature sound.

Reviews from Billboard, MTV, and IZM

Billboard's Jeff Benjamin ranked "Feel Special" third in his "10 Best K-pop songs of 2019," describing it as a "stunning, synth-driven single". Crystal Bell from MTV News crowned "Love Foolish" as the number one K-pop B-side of 2019, noting it proved "TWICE are capable of so much more than cheery hooks". Nonetheless, IZM's Kim Do-heon offered a more measured assessment, calling the production "stylish but outdated" despite acknowledging the group's successful pivot toward maturity.

Fan reactions and social media trends

Following the release, hashtags #TWICE_FeelSpecial and #FeelSpecial_Day trended worldwide on Twitter. ONCEs flooded social media with praise for the choreography, describing it as "insane" and "so good". Many fans were particularly moved by the song's profound lyrics about empowerment.

Awards and music show wins

"Feel Special" accumulated seven trophies across various music programs including Inkigayo, M Countdown, and Show! Music Core. Furthermore, the EP secured an Album Bonsang at the 34th Golden Disc Awards.

Inclusion in best-of-year lists

The album earned spot #14 in Billboard's "25 Best K-pop Albums of 2019," with critics praising its "distinctive pop production". Buzzfeed similarly recognized "Trick It" at #12 in their "20 Best K-pop B-sides of 2019" compilation.

Commercial success and long-term impact

"Feel Special" achieved remarkable commercial milestones that solidified TWICE's position in the K-pop industry. The song's success extended far beyond its initial release, creating lasting impacts still evident today.

Sales milestones and chart performance

Breaking their previous record held by "Fancy You," "Feel Special" sold an impressive 154,028 copies in its first week. The mini-album rapidly surpassed 200,000 copies, becoming the fastest female album to reach this milestone according to Hanteo Chart. Eventually, it crossed 400,000 copies, establishing itself as TWICE's highest-selling album since their debut. Upon release, the track dominated major realtime charts, reaching #1 on Genie, Bugs, Mnet, Naver, and Soribada.

RIAJ double platinum certification

In May 2023, the Recording Industry Association of Japan awarded "Feel Special" a double platinum certification after exceeding 200 million streams. This achievement marked TWICE's first-ever double platinum certification for streaming in Japan, highlighting the song's remarkable longevity.

Influence on TWICE's global image

"Feel Special" contributed significantly to TWICE's international expansion. As Sana noted, "From the time we debuted, it was mostly domestic fans. We can see how fans' nationalities are expanding". The album helped TWICE secure their position among top-selling girl groups worldwide.

Legacy of 'Feel Special' in K-pop history

The track continues to maintain impressive streaming numbers, with over 386 million Spotify streams by January 2025. Its emotional resonance and commercial performance established a blueprint for K-pop groups transitioning to more mature concepts without sacrificing commercial appeal.