fromis_9 'DM' Review: Breaking Down Their Most Successful Single Yet

fromis_9 DM debuted at position 57 on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart in January 2022, quickly becoming one of the group's most successful releases to date. Released as the lead single from their fourth extended play "Midnight Guest" on January 17, the track went on to claim first place wins on two major music broadcasts - "The Show" and "Show Champion".

Musically, this catchy DM song blends pop elements with a distinctive faint chord progression and funky bassline. The fromis_9 DM lyrics explore themes of excitement and bold confession, specifically describing the thrill of approaching someone you like. Moreover, the fromis_9 DM meaning centers around the group's narrative of "escaping at dawn" to confess their feelings - a concept that resonated strongly with fans and casual listeners alike.

The Story Behind 'DM': From Teasers to Release

The path to releasing "DM" began on December 15, 2021, when Pledis Entertainment announced that fromis_9 would release a new extended play in January 2022. This marked their first comeback under Pledis Entertainment's management, signaling a fresh chapter for the group.

Announcement Timeline and Comeback Strategy

On December 30, 2021, the group officially revealed the extended play's title "Midnight Guest" along with its January 17, 2022 release date. Simultaneously, they dropped an intriguing concept trailer that captivated fans' attention. The strategic rollout continued with a detailed teaser schedule unveiled on December 31, setting the stage for a carefully orchestrated promotion campaign.

Between January 3-6, fromis_9 released a steady stream of concept photos and films. The group's comeback strategy included both individual and group teasers, with special themes like "After Midnight". This methodical approach built anticipation gradually, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the midnight escape concept.

Concept Trailer and Highlight Medley

The track listing was revealed on January 10, officially announcing "DM" as the lead single. The following day, fromis_9 shared their highlight medley, giving listeners their first taste of the album's sonic direction. With its funky bassline and city pop influences, "DM" immediately stood out as a bold musical direction.

To further engage their audience, the group released a portion of the choreography on TikTok on January 13, followed by teaser music videos on January 15-16. These previews showcased the group's high-energy choreography as they danced under white feathers, hinting at the vibrant visual aesthetic fans could expect.

Fan Showcase and Pre-release Buzz

Prior to the official release, fromis_9 held a media showcase on January 17 at 4 PM KST, which was livestreamed via YouTube due to pandemic concerns. This was followed by the album and music video release at 6 PM, and a special fan showcase at 7 PM.

The pre-release buzz was impressive, with "Midnight Guest" breaking 80,000 pre-orders—the group's highest pre-order numbers at that time. On its first day, the album sold 50,000 copies on Hanteo Chart, setting a new record for fromis_9's first-week sales.

To further excite fans, the members made a charming promise to perform in pajamas or hanboks if they won first place on any music broadcast. Additionally, a digital campaign was launched offering prizes including autographed CDs and posters, furthering engagement with their dedicated fanbase, Flover.

Musical Composition and Lyrical Meaning

"DM" stands as a musical testament to fromis_9's signature sound with its captivating blend of pop sensibilities and retro-inspired elements. The song immediately draws listeners in with its distinctive musical architecture and thoughtful lyrical narrative.

Genre and Instrumentation: Funky Basslines and Pop Vibes

"DM" exists primarily in the pop genre, distinguished by its nostalgic chord progression and prominent funky bassline. This musical foundation creates an energetic backdrop that perfectly complements the group's vibrant vocal delivery. The arrangement features a refreshing opening that builds toward a powerful chorus, with synth accents adding dimension to the track. While some critics have categorized the song within nu-disco and dance-pop subgenres, its core remains rooted in contemporary K-pop sensibilities with funktronica elements that give it a distinct personality.

fromis_9 DM Lyrics: Themes of Bold Confession

Lyrically, "DM" explores the exhilarating journey of confessing one's feelings to a crush. The fromis_9 DM lyrics capture the heart-racing excitement mixed with nervousness that accompanies such a bold move. The song's recurring hook "Doesn't Matter" emphasizes the determined attitude of pushing forward despite uncertainty. Throughout the track, the lyrics paint vivid emotional scenes with lines like:

"A smile upon my lips, I see in your eyes"
"I'm trembling, yeah"
"Sweet whispers of what I've been feeling"

The members reportedly immersed themselves deeply in the lyrics during recording, sometimes to the point of tears, highlighting their emotional connection to the material.

Key, Tempo, and Arrangement Details

Technically, "DM" was composed in the key of B minor with a tempo of 122 beats per minute. The song features a 4/4 time signature and is classified as having high energy with strong danceability. This upbeat tempo classification places it in the Allegro category—fast, quick, and bright. The track runs for 3 minutes and 24 seconds, delivering a concise yet impactful musical experience.

fromis_9 DM Meaning Explained

The title "DM" carries dual meaning within the song's context. While initially suggesting "direct message" in the digital communication sense, the members revealed that within the song it stands for "Doesn't Matter". This phrase emphasizes the fearless attitude toward love portrayed in the lyrics. The fromis_9 DM meaning centers around the narrative of the group "successfully venturing into the night" and approaching someone they like with a bold confession. Park Ji-won explained that the title highlights "the girls' daring attitude to win their love", reinforcing the theme of courageous pursuit despite potential rejection.

Who Made 'DM': Producers, Writers, and Creative Team

Behind every successful K-pop release stands a team of talented professionals who bring the music to life. "DM" benefited from a collaborative effort between experienced producers, composers, and lyricists who helped craft the song's distinctive identity.

fromis_9 DM Producer Credits

The production team behind "DM" featured several industry veterans. Lee Woo-min, professionally known as "collapsedone," served as both producer and arranger, bringing his expertise to the track's overall sound architecture. Working alongside him, Justin Reinstein contributed his production and arrangement skills to shape the song's funky bassline and chord progression. Han Sung Soo completed the production trio, adding his influence to finalize the track. Together, these producers successfully created the upbeat, funk-driven pop sound that distinguishes "DM" from other releases.

Lyricists and Composers Behind the Track

The composition credits for "DM" reveal a diverse team of musical minds. Four composers collaborated on the song's melody and structure:

Lee Woo-min "collapsedone" - Composition and arrangement
Justin Reinstein - Composition and arrangement
Louise Frick Sveen - Composition
Caroline Gustavsson - Composition

On the lyrical front, two writers crafted the narrative of bold confession that runs throughout the song. Cho Su-jin and Gu Tae-woo penned the lyrics that capture the excitement and nervousness of approaching someone you like. Their writing effectively communicates the essence of the song's concept.

How the Team Shaped the Song's Identity

The creative team's collective vision manifested in "DM's" distinctive character. Consequently, the song's identity emerged as a perfect balance between contemporary pop sensibilities and retro funk elements. Ha-young noted that during recording, "members really immersed themselves into the lyrics in the recording process to the point of tears," highlighting the emotional connection fostered by the writing.

Although fromis_9 members didn't participate in creating "DM," it's worth noting that members Seo-yeon and Ji-won contributed to another track on the "Midnight Guest" album. They helped compose and write lyrics for "Hush Hush," with Seo-yeon even visiting a playground at night to experience the "night flight" concept firsthand.

Chart Success and Awards: Measuring the Impact

The commercial impact of "DM" marked a significant milestone in fromis_9's career trajectory, establishing the song as their breakthrough hit on multiple charts and platforms.

Gaon and K-pop Hot 100 Rankings

"DM" made a notable impression on South Korea's major music charts shortly after its release. The song peaked at No. 91 on the Billboard K-pop 100 chart in April 2022, showcasing its competitive standing among releases from more established acts. On domestic platforms, the track claimed the No. 1 position on Gaon's BGM chart, demonstrating its popularity for background music usage. Beyond Korea, "DM" achieved international recognition by ranking No. 2 on Japan's Rakuten Music Monthly Chart for January 2022, highlighting the group's expanding global reach.

Music Show Wins and Accolades

"DM" secured fromis_9 their second and third music show wins, following their first-ever victory with "Talk & Talk" in September 2021. The song claimed trophies on two major broadcasts:

SBS MTV's "The Show" (January 2022)
MBC's "Show Champion" (January 2022)

These victories represented a crucial step in the group's career development, as music show wins serve as significant popularity indicators in the K-pop industry. Furthermore, the "Midnight Guest" EP featuring "DM" contributed to fromis_9's growing collection of industry recognition, adding to their total of 14 music show wins across their career.

Year-End Chart Performance

The "Midnight Guest" EP that featured "DM" achieved remarkable commercial success, cementing 2022 as a breakthrough year for fromis_9. The album garnered over 120,000 pre-orders, nearly 50,000 first-day sales, and ultimately reached 104,438 initial sales—placing it among the top 9 albums released by Korean girl groups during that period.

At year-end festivities, fromis_9 showcased "DM" alongside other hits at major broadcasts. Notably, at SBS Gayo Daejeon, they performed a special night-themed stage combining "DM" and "Rewind", featuring a powerful dance break led by Saerom upon her return from a two-month hiatus. This performance particularly highlighted vocalist Hayoung's impressive three-note high note during "Rewind", leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

Why 'DM' Stands Out in fromis_9’s Discography

Within fromis_9's growing discography, "DM" carved out a special place for itself through several distinctive elements that helped elevate the group's artistic standing in the K-pop industry.

Comparison with 'Talk & Talk' and 'Stay This Way'

In contrast to their previous hit "Talk & Talk," which leaned heavily into bright bubblegum pop territory, "DM" showcased a more sophisticated sound with its funk-driven bass and city pop influences. Whereas "Talk & Talk" primarily featured cheerful vocals throughout, "DM" demonstrated greater dynamic range in the members' performances. The song also represented a musical evolution from "Stay This Way," which was released later in 2022 but took a different direction with its summery guitar-based arrangement. Indeed, "DM" struck a delicate balance between commercial appeal and artistic growth that neither predecessor nor successor quite achieved in the same way.

Fan Reception and Social Media Buzz

The fan community's response to "DM" was overwhelmingly positive, with many Flovers (fromis_9's fan name) considering it the group's strongest title track to date. On social media platforms:

TikTok challenges featuring the song's signature choreography gained significant traction
Fan-created content celebrating the track's funky elements flourished across YouTube and Twitter
Various reaction videos praised the song's catchiness and the members' vocal performances

This enthusiastic reception helped expand the group's fanbase, as "DM" attracted listeners who had previously been unfamiliar with fromis_9's music.

Visuals and Choreography in the Music Video

Visually, the "DM" music video presented a distinctive nighttime escape concept, featuring imagery of the members dancing among falling white feathers. The choreography, certainly one of the group's most memorable, incorporated finger-pointing gestures symbolizing the "direct message" theme and featured elegant yet powerful movements that perfectly matched the song's funky rhythm. Likewise, the music video's sophisticated color palette of deep blues and purples contrasted with earlier releases, establishing a more mature visual identity that would influence the group's subsequent comebacks.