Why TWICE's Moonlight Sunrise Became a Love Anthem in 2023

"Moonlight Sunrise" by TWICE captured hearts worldwide when it was released as their second original English-language single on January 20, 2023. This captivating track quickly ascended to impressive heights, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200 and securing a spot at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Notably, music critics have praised the song as "one of the most thrilling English songs from a K-pop group ever". The romantic composition features heart-fluttering lyrics that express the excitement of falling in love. According to TWICE member Tzuyu, the moonlight sunrise meaning centers around "wanting to know the other person's heart," using celestial metaphors to parallel the flutter of falling in love. Following their successful English-language debut with "The Feels" in 2021, TWICE returned sixteen months later with this romantic anthem that resonated deeply with fans. The moonlight sunrise lyrics in English showcase the group's ability to convey emotion across language barriers while maintaining their signature charm.

The release and promotion of Moonlight Sunrise

TWICE teased fans with hints about new music on December 21, 2022, posting a mysterious "Twice / Our Youth" poster with the caption "First, 1/4 of 2023". Initially keeping details under wraps, the group finally revealed "Moonlight Sunrise" as their new English single title via social media on January 3, 2023.

Announcement and teaser rollout

The promotional campaign intensified throughout January with individual and group concept photos released between January 10-15. An ethereal online cover image showed a blurry white orb against a pinkish-purple backdrop, creating a mysterious aura. Subsequently, the music video teaser dropped on January 17 through TWICE's YouTube channel, attracting over 1.4 million views shortly after release. The 12-second audio snippet on TikTok showcased members Nayeon, Mina, and Chaeyoung singing key lines.

First performances and media appearances

TWICE first performed "Moonlight Sunrise" at Billboard's 2023 Women in Music event in Los Angeles on March 1. During this prestigious ceremony, the group received the "Breakthrough Award". Furthermore, the nine-member ensemble made their first-ever U.S. talk show interview appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show on March 14, where they delivered just their second live performance of the track.

Connection to the 'Ready to Be' album

"Moonlight Sunrise" served as a strategic pre-release single for TWICE's twelfth mini-album, "Ready to Be," which launched in March 2023. The seven-track collection garnered an impressive 1.7 million preorders, making it the group's most pre-ordered album at that time. The full album included both the pre-released "Moonlight Sunrise" and fan favorites like "Set Me Free," "Got the Thrills," and "Blame It on Me".

Musical composition and lyrical meaning

Musically, "Moonlight Sunrise" diverges from TWICE's earlier sound, embracing a sophisticated blend of Miami bass, R&B, and pop. Produced by earattack and Lee Woohyun, the track exudes romance through its synth-pop arrangement, enhanced by subtle house influences. Technically, the song is written in C-sharp major with a tempo of 125 beats per minute.

Genre influences: Miami bass, R&B, and pop

TWICE has always incorporated traces of Atlanta bass in their DNA, but with "Moonlight Sunrise," they fully embrace this regional style. Chaeyoung notes it's "TWICE's unique lovely sound with a new twist". Moreover, the song stands out as perhaps the most faithful interpretation of Miami bass in K-pop.

Key lyrics and their emotional tone

The lyrics boldly express romantic desire with lines like "Baby, I don't really mean to rush, but I'ma really need your touch". Essentially, the track features a "dizzying love confession" where members confidently express their ardor. Unlike their earlier, cuter concepts, this song showcases a more mature, seductive side.

Symbolism of moonlight and sunrise

Tzuyu explained on The Kelly Clarkson Show that the song uses moonlight and sunrise as metaphors to "parallel that fluttering-heart feeling when you're in love". Additionally, in the bridge, the lovers themselves become these celestial symbols: "I'm your moonlight, you're my sunrise, babe".

twice moonlight sunrise lyrics in English

Despite none of the members being fluent English speakers, they tackled the challenge admirably. Particularly impressive are Dahyun's rapid-fire rap and Chaeyoung's lower-register delivery. The English lyrics explore themes of love, urgency, and the transition from uncertainty to clarity in romantic feelings.

Critical and fan reception

Music critics delivered mixed verdicts on "Moonlight Sunrise" upon its release. NPR hailed it as "one of the most thrilling English songs from a K-pop group ever", praising TWICE's comfort with English delivery. In contrast to this enthusiasm, NME acknowledged the "sleek R&B production" but felt the song "never quite reaches the peak promised". Some reviewers found the production "oddly compressed and tinny", while others praised their English lyrics as less awkward than typical K-pop crossovers.

Reviews from music critics

Critics noted the song "swaps out the floral and vibrant pinks of 'The Feels' for a more mysterious, calculated approach". Consequently, some reviewers compared it to "TT" but lamented the missing payoff that made their earlier hit so successful.

Fan reactions and social media buzz

Fan enthusiasm manifested across social platforms, with the music video accumulating 13.1 million YouTube views within 24 hours. Supporters specifically celebrated Chaeyoung's rap, Momo's charisma, Jihyo's bridge, and Sana's memorable "come with me, don't think twice" line. The song performed exceptionally well in Japan, topping charts like Recochoku and AWA.

Comparisons to 'The Feels' and other TWICE songs

Many fans altogether felt "Moonlight Sunrise" lacked the energetic quality that made "The Feels" so captivating. Some listeners drew parallels to "Feel Special", while others noted similarities to Western hits like Dua Lipa's "Levitating" and Megan Thee Stallion's "Sweetest Pie".

Chart performance and cultural impact

Upon release, "Moonlight Sunrise" immediately showcased TWICE's growing international appeal through impressive chart performances. The track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 84, becoming their second entry on this prestigious chart. This achievement established them as the fourth K-pop group with multiple Hot 100 appearances, joining BTS, Blackpink, and NewJeans.

Billboard and global chart rankings

In terms of global performance, the song peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Global 200 and dominated iTunes charts in at least 33 regions worldwide. Even more impressively, it reached No. 4 on New Zealand Hot Singles, No. 5 on Japan Hot 100, and secured top 10 positions in Hungary and Taiwan. On YouTube, the track garnered 22.9 million global views during its first week, debuting at No. 4 on the Global YouTube Music Videos Chart.

Certifications and streaming milestones

The song's popularity translated into significant certifications, including Gold status in Japan after surpassing 50 million streams. Eventually, the music video crossed the 100 million view threshold in September 2023, becoming TWICE's 23rd music video to achieve this milestone.

Why it resonated as a 2023 love anthem

Rolling Stone praised "Moonlight Sunrise" as "a serious contender for pop song of the year", highlighting its "sultry and seductive" qualities. The publication included it in their list of best songs of 2023, noting how TWICE showcased "artistic range beyond their signature bubblegum pop" through the Miami bass-infused track.

FAQS

Fans often ask questions about "Moonlight Sunrise" given its unique position in TWICE's discography. First and foremost, many wonder about its reception milestones. The music video officially crossed the impressive 100 million view threshold on September 15, 2023, taking just seven months and 26 days since its January release. This achievement marked it as TWICE's 23rd music video to surpass this coveted milestone.

Many ONCEs inquire about what distinguishes this track from previous releases. As a matter of fact, several listeners noted the song presents a "more mature and flirty" side of TWICE without being over-the-top. Others pointed out Chaeyoung's rap followed by Momo's vocals represents "one of my favourite vocal combinations in Twice".

Given these points, new listeners often question why the song resonated despite mixed reviews. In essence, fans suggest it's because "the members just enjoy being together and enjoy making music for their fans," making their songs never feel "soulless". With this in mind, even listeners who initially found the chorus "too repetitive and droning" admitted they were "reserving judgment" and hoping it would "grow on me"—a testament to the group's enduring appeal even when experimenting with new sounds.