Why WA DA DA Became Kep1er's Most Iconic Song: A Fan's Guide

"Wa Da Da" skyrocketed to become Kep1er's signature hit immediately after its release on January 3, 2022. The debut track from the South Korean girl group's first extended play "First Impact" quickly captured global attention, climbing to position 77 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and reaching number 9 on Billboard Japan's Hot 100.

Initially described as a "dance song based on big room house genre," "Wa Da Da" carries significant meaning through lyrics that express Kep1er's bold aspirations and promises to their supportive fans. The song specifically showcases the group's energetic charm through its catchy hook, while the wadada meaning resonates with themes of courage and determination. Furthermore, fans demonstrated their enthusiasm for the kep1er wa da da phenomenon when the music video hit 30 million views, consequently earning them a special choreography video as a gift.

The story behind Kep1er's debut and WA DA DA

Kep1er's journey to debut faced unexpected hurdles shortly after their formation through Mnet's survival show "Girls Planet 999." Originally scheduled to release "First Impact" on December 14, 2021, the group's plans changed abruptly when a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on December 4. Additionally, members Mashiro and Xiaoting later contracted the virus themselves, further complicating the timeline. This postponement affected not only their album release but also canceled their anticipated performance at the 2021 MAMA awards.

Nevertheless, excitement continued building as January 3, 2022, approached. The nine members engaged with fans through a Twitter mention party using #Chat_with_Kep1er, revealing their personalities and increasing anticipation. The group held a special debut showcase on the release day to introduce "wa da da" and other tracks from the EP.

Once "wa da da" finally premiered, reactions varied widely. Many praised the catchy hook "Wa da da, Wa da da, KEP1ER go Wa da da da" and the members' visuals, with comments like "the kids are all pretty" dominating initial feedback. However, controversy emerged regarding line distribution and screen time, particularly for Kim Chaehyun and Huening Bahiyyih. Despite mixed opinions on choreography, the track demonstrated immediate commercial success, with Korean netizens noting they were "selling f*cking well", indicating a strong international fanbase.

What makes WA DA DA musically unique

Musically, "wa da da" stands apart as a dynamic dance track built on the big room house genre foundation. Composed in B-flat major with a tempo of 126 beats per minute, the song creates an energetic atmosphere through its pulsating electronic beats and catchy hooks.

Genre and production style

The track blends girl crush elements with cutesy sections, creating a distinctive contrast between the sassy first half of the chorus and the high-pitched vocals in the second half. This fusion gives "wa da da" its unique character, although some critics noted this contrast as potentially disruptive to the song's energy flow.

Key contributors and lyricists

An impressive team collaborated on "wa da da," including:

BuildingOwner (PRISMFILTER) – composer, arranger, synthesizer
Elum (PRISMFILTER) – composer, vocal director
Shannon Bae – composer, chorus vocals
Additional lyricists: Danke, Hwang Yubin, Odal Park, Lee Seuran, and Kako

WA DA DA instrumental and arrangement details

The instrumental features bold electric bass, unflagging rhythm, and a synthesizer by BuildingOwner. Notably, the beat drop provides exciting energy, although some critics wanted a more dynamic melody on top.

Lyrics and the message behind them

Essentially, the lyrics express Kep1er's bold aspirations to "become the best" and their promise to repay fans who supported them. Key phrases like "Heads up, run towards your dream" and "Stand up, the dream of you and me higher, higher" emphasize determination and collective achievement.

Chart success and global recognition

Following its release, "wa da da" rapidly accumulated impressive chart positions across multiple markets.

Performance on Korean charts

Upon debut, "wa da da" entered South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart at position 130, eventually climbing to position 75. On the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, the song first appeared at position 84 before rising to position 70. Moreover, Kep1er's "First Impact" EP topped the Gaon Album Chart, establishing them as a formidable rookie act.

International chart rankings

Globally, "wa da da" made significant impacts on prestigious charts. The track entered Billboard's Global 200 at position 117, subsequently ascending to position 77. Simultaneously, it reached number 9 on Billboard Japan's Hot 100 and debuted at position 171 on Billboard's Global Excl. U.S. chart. The song topped iTunes charts in 11 regions and ranked 195th on Spotify's Global Top 200.

Certifications and streaming milestones

"Wa da da" earned gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan in just three months—the fastest achievement for any K-pop girl group debut song. Remarkably, it later received platinum certification after surpassing 100 million streams in Japan, making Kep1er the fourth K-pop artist after BTS, BLACKPINK, and TWICE to accomplish this. In fact, the music video accumulated 100 million YouTube views by April 2022.

Awards and music show wins

The group secured their first music show trophy on M Countdown just 11 days after debut, followed by wins on Music Bank. In total, "wa da da" earned three music show victories. At the 2023 Circle Chart Music Awards, it won Artist of the Year – Digital Music (January).

Why fans consider WA DA DA iconic

Beyond chart success, "wa da da" cemented its iconic status through several distinctive elements that resonated deeply with Kep1ians worldwide.

Signature choreography and stage presence

The performance showcases a remarkable balance between powerful movements and cute expressions. Dance experts praised the group's impressive synchronization during fast-paced sequences. The choreography strategically alternates between sharp, powerful segments and lighter, charming sections—creating a showpiece that appeals to fans who enjoy both styles. Throughout the routine, straight-line formations enhance visual impact and make synchronization more effective.

The emotional connection with fans

The group's dedication shines through their performances and resonates in the song's motivational lyrics. Leader Yujin explained that "wa da da" represents "our aspirations of becoming the best girl group of the next generation". This declaration of ambition created a powerful bond with fans who supported them throughout their journey.

How it shaped Kep1er's identity

"Wa da da" helped establish Kep1er as an energetic, multi-faceted group capable of blending charisma with youthful charm. The track made them the fastest rookie girl group to achieve three music show wins in K-pop history. Certainly, the song dominated TikTok, with many celebrities and fans participating in the #WaDaDaChallenge.

Fan theories and interpretations of 'wadada meaning'

Enthusiasts developed various theories about the title's meaning—some suggesting it represents a record scratch sound making everyone stop to notice the group, according to fan discussions.