Inside SISTAR's "Give It To Me": The Making of a K-pop Classic

"Give It to Me" by SISTAR topped both Gaon's singles chart and Billboard's K-pop Hot 100 upon its release, cementing the group's status as K-pop powerhouses. Released on June 11, 2013, through Starship Entertainment and distributed by LOEN Entertainment, this title track became the promotional centerpiece for the group's second and final studio album of the same name.

The album features 11 songs, with "Give It to Me" lyrics exploring themes of longing and emotional vulnerability. Additionally, the SISTAR "Give It to Me" album achieved impressive sales figures, reaching 22,365 units according to Gaon physical sales data. The song's impact was further demonstrated by its numerous first-place awards on various music show broadcasts, including a prestigious Triple Crown on Mnet's M! Countdown and Double Crown on MBC's Music Core. Even years later, the song's popularity remained evident when fans performed it on the show Fantastic Duo in July 2016, showing why this release has earned its place as a K-pop classic.

The comeback moment: how 'Give It To Me' was born

After nearly a year since their summer hit "Loving U" and two years following their first full album "So Cool," SISTAR prepared to make a significant comeback. The stage was set for what would become one of K-pop's most memorable releases.

SISTAR's rise before 2013

Initially debuting on June 3, 2010, with "Push Push," SISTAR quickly established themselves in the competitive K-pop landscape. Starship Entertainment positioned them as a girl group with "skill and style with their eccentric music, choreography, and fashion". Prior to 2013, they had already released several successful singles and formed the subunit SISTAR19 (featuring Hyolyn and Bora) in April 2011. Their previous collaboration with producer Duble Kick on "Loving U" had been "a breath of fresh air" compared to their Brave Brothers-dominated repertoire.

The concept and teaser rollout

The journey toward "Give It To Me" officially began on February 21, 2013, when Hyolyn announced that SISTAR would be making a comeback with a studio album after SISTAR19 completed their promotions for "Gone Not Around Any Longer". On June 3, Starship Entertainment confirmed that SISTAR's second full album would be released on June 11.

Throughout early June, a strategic teaser campaign unfolded. First came photos featuring members Dasom and Bora on June 3, followed by complete group teasers the next day. A video teaser dropped on June 6, building anticipation for both the album and its title track.

Moulin Rouge theme and visual direction

The most striking aspect of this comeback was undoubtedly the sophisticated Moulin Rouge concept, revealed through the teasers. This theatrical direction marked a clear departure from their previous styling. The music reflected this elegance—piano-based melodies paired with lush strings created a sound reminiscent of Broadway, particularly the musical "Dreamgirls".

The visual aesthetics featured retro styling with more sophisticated dresses instead of "slightly long shirts". The choreography maintained SISTAR's signature moves but with "less butt shaking," focusing instead on elegant elements like "Soyou being gently dragged away and Bora throwing sequins".

Inside the album: tracklist and musical style

Released on June 11, 2013, SISTAR's second full-length album "Give It to Me" showcased musical diversity through 11 carefully crafted tracks. This collection represented the group's artistic growth, moving beyond their earlier dance-pop foundations.

Overview of the 11 tracks

The album opens with "Miss Sistar," a brief intro featuring Duble Sidekick and Jooheon, followed by the theatrical title track "Give It to Me." Throughout the album, listeners discover varied sonic experiences—from the sensual R&B of "The Way You Make Me Melt" (featuring Geeks) to the synth-pop freshness of "Bad Boy." "Summer Time" delivers the quintessential seasonal anthem while "Crying" stands as the album's sole ballad, highlighting the members' vocal abilities with minimal instrumentation. The playful "Hey You" and bouncy "Up and Down" complete this musical journey.

Genres explored: K-pop, R&B, baroque pop

Musically, "Give It to Me" blends contemporary K-pop with R&B influences. Notably, the title track incorporates baroque pop elements with its urgent strings and tango-inspired arrangement—a style characterized by orchestral sounds and dramatic gestures. Meanwhile, tracks like "Summer Time" and "Hey You" maintain the group's signature upbeat dance-pop sound.

Notable collaborations and producers

Korea's top producers contributed to this album, with Duble Sidekick (formerly Duble Kick) handling most tracks, including the title song. Their renewed partnership followed the success of "Loving U." Other prominent contributors included Rhymer, Kim Do-hoon, and artists from YG, Brand New Music, and Grandline Entertainment.

Promotions and performances that defined the era

With their second full album officially released, SISTAR embarked on an extensive promotional tour across South Korea's major music programs. The quartet's performances captivated audiences with their theatrical choreography and powerful vocals.

Music show appearances and choreography

The group began promotions for "Give It To Me" on June 13, 2013, with their first performance on Mnet's M! Countdown. Their schedule soon expanded to include KBS's Music Bank, MBC's Music Core, and SBS's Inkigayo. Success came quickly as SISTAR secured their first win on M! Countdown by June 20, demonstrating their domination on the charts. They achieved another victory on Music Core the following week, marking their second consecutive win.

SISTAR 'Give It To Me' dance practice insights

SISTAR released their official dance practice video through their YouTube channel shortly after their comeback. Composed by Double Sidekick and arranged by Kim Do Hoon, the choreography showcased a more sophisticated approach. Wearing shorts and tall black heels, the members displayed their signature confidence. The routine featured fewer "butt shaking" moves than previous performances, focusing on elegance. Standout moments included Soyou being gracefully dragged across the floor and Bora dramatically tossing sequins.

Fan reactions and viral moments

The choreography received praise for its theatrical quality, reminiscent of a Broadway production. Viewers particularly enjoyed the dramatic hair-flipping segments during the chorus's "gasping" sections. The song's lasting impact became evident years later when fans performed it on the television show Fantastic Duo, demonstrating impressive vocal harmonies.

Chart success and critical reception

SISTAR's second studio album swept the Korean music charts immediately upon release. "Give It to Me" rocketed to #1 on both the Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100, marking their fourth chart-topper on Billboard since the chart's creation in 2011. Remarkably, SISTAR dominated multiple chart positions simultaneously, with "The Way You Make Me Melt" and "Bad Boy" reaching #2 and #3 respectively. The album itself performed strongly, peaking at #5 on Gaon Albums Chart and #10 on Billboard's US World Albums chart.

Gaon and Billboard chart positions

The title track maintained its #1 position for two consecutive weeks on Gaon. Altogether, 10 songs from the album ranked on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart, with only the instrumental version failing to chart. In June 2013, "Give It to Me" was the monthly best-performing single with 812,688 downloads and 11,365,529 streams.

Music show wins and Triple Crowns

The group's chart dominance translated into an impressive 11 music show wins, including:

Triple Crown on M! Countdown (June 20, 27, July 4)
Triple Crown on KBS Music Bank (June 21, 28, July 5)
Double Crown on MBC Music Core (June 22, 29)
Double Crown on SBS Inkigayo (June 23, 30)

Sales figures and year-end rankings

The "Give It to Me" album sold 22,365 physical copies, making it SISTAR's best-selling album. Subsequently, the title track generated 1,622,854 digital sales. The song secured 6th place on Melon's prestigious annual chart for 2013, cementing SISTAR's position as the only girl group to place three songs from a single album on the annual chart since 2008.