The Hidden Story Behind NewJeans' Super Shy: From Creation to Charts

"Super Shy" by NewJeans rocketed to extraordinary success since its release on July 7, 2023, as the lead single from their second EP "Get Up." The track achieved an impressive 63 million streams and 6,000 downloads worldwide in just its debut week, marking the group's largest one-week streaming numbers ever. Not only did the song debut at number one on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, but it also topped charts in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Additionally, "Super Shy" reached #48 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming NewJeans' highest-charting single in the United States.

The song's distinctive blend of liquid drum and bass, bubblegum, and Jersey club elements created a fresh sound that resonated with listeners worldwide. By July 16, 2023, "Super Shy" achieved a perfect all-kill on Korean music charts, becoming only the fourth song that year to accomplish this feat. The lyrics capture the playful nervousness of young love, particularly connecting with Gen Z audiences, while the music video filmed in Lisbon features vibrant visuals and accessible choreography designed by Black.Q and Eunju Kim. Both Billboard and NME recognized the track's impact by naming it the best K-pop song of 2023.

How 'Super Shy' was born

The creative journey of "Super Shy" began months before its July 7, 2023 release date. ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin had been planning NewJeans' comeback carefully, revealing to Cine21 in January 2023 that preparations were already underway. By April, the group had completed recording sessions for what would become their second EP, Get Up.

The early concept and vision

"Super Shy" emerged from a songwriting session where simplicity and relatability were the guiding principles. Erika de Casier, one of the song's composers, explained the inspiration behind the track: "I was just thinking, when I was a teen, what was I thinking about? I was super shy, not wanting to talk to some popular person at school. It was very innocent, the thought behind it!". This authenticity resonated with NewJeans' members, who brought their own interpretations to the recording process.

Behind-the-scenes footage revealed the meticulous attention given to vocal delivery. Each member approached their parts thoughtfully, focusing on conveying the song's emotions while maintaining cohesion. Danielle noted that the "Super Shy" part required special excitement at the beginning, saying "if you miss that it will ruin everything after".

Why international songwriters were chosen

ADOR made the deliberate decision to work with international songwriters who weren't steeped in K-pop traditions. The song was composed by Erika de Casier, Kristine Bogan, and Frankie Scoca, with lyrics by de Casier, Bogan, Gigi, Kim Dong-hyun, and NewJeans member Danielle.

Furthermore, the Stereogum article noted that "the whole reason NewJeans' team wanted de Casier was specifically because she was not well-versed in K-pop". This strategic choice reflected ADOR's desire to create something fresh and distinct within the industry.

How the song broke K-pop norms

In contrast to traditional K-pop's maximalist approach, "Super Shy" embraced restraint. The song features:

Liquid drum and bass elements
Jersey Club rhythm influences
Breakbeat components

This sonic palette marked a significant departure from the "bigger-is-better" production typical of the genre. As noted by Stereogum, "while traditional K-pop loves itself some maximalist pop with hip-hop influences — the more gargantuan hooks, the better — NewJeans are noticeably more scaled-back".

The Guardian's Ben Beaumont-Thomas observed that the production "sits somewhere between liquid drum'n'bass, UK garage and Jersey club," creating a sound that hadn't been widely explored in K-pop previously. This innovative approach helped "Super Shy" stand out in the crowded K-pop landscape and appeal to global audiences.

The team behind the track

Behind every hit song stands a collaborative team of talented individuals, and "Super Shy" is no exception. The track's distinctive sound and relatable lyrics emerged from a diverse group of international creators working alongside NewJeans members.

Who wrote 'Super Shy' NewJeans

The songwriting credits for "Super Shy" reveal a truly collaborative effort bringing together multiple perspectives and talents. The composition team included:

Erika de Casier - composition and lyrics
Kristine Bogan - composition and lyrics
Frankie Scoca - composition, production, instrumental, and programming
Gigi - lyrics
Kim Dong-hyun (also known as Kim Ximya) - lyrics
Danielle from NewJeans - lyrics and composition

This international collaboration brought fresh elements to the K-pop landscape, with each contributor adding their unique perspective to create the song's distinctive sound. Notably, ADOR deliberately sought out songwriters who weren't deeply embedded in K-pop traditions, helping "Super Shy" stand apart from typical genre conventions.

Danielle's role as a lyricist and composer

Danielle Marsh expanded her creative contributions on "Super Shy," taking on both songwriting and composition duties for the first time. Although she had previously co-written "Attention" during the group's debut, "Super Shy" marked her evolution as a more comprehensive musical creator.

Her involvement in the creative process wasn't unexpected. During a September 2022 interview with Billboard, Danielle had shared, "I've always been interested in writing lyrics and composition. Ever since I was little, I loved writing down my thoughts and feelings in a way that sounds good". This longstanding passion translated into meaningful contributions to several NewJeans tracks.

Moreover, Danielle has accumulated an impressive list of songwriting credits, including "Attention," "Cool with You," "ASAP," and "Super Shy". She has additionally secured her individual identifier number from the Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA), formally recognizing her status as a songwriter.

Producer Frankie Scoca's influence

Frankie Scoca, the primary producer behind "Super Shy," brought his distinctive R&B sensibilities to the project. His musical journey began remarkably early—writing songs at just 4-5 years old, DJing at 6, and producing music by age 12 after being inspired by Skrillex.

Before collaborating with NewJeans, Scoca had built a reputation working with artists like Dhruv (on the viral hit "Double Take"), Lo Village, Charlie Houston, and others. His work on "Double Take" had already gained traction in Asia, sparking his interest in the Korean music industry.

When approached to work with NewJeans, Scoca was "stoked" and immediately dove deeper into their catalog. What makes his contribution particularly valuable was ADOR's receptiveness to his fresh ideas. "They encouraged us to make music we were proud of and most importantly have fun," he noted. This creative freedom allowed him to blend his signature R&B elements with drum and bass and Jersey club influences, creating "Super Shy's" distinctive sound.

Sound, style, and message

The sonic landscape of "Super Shy" offers a refreshing departure from conventional K-pop formulas. Rather than following industry trends, NewJeans carved their own musical path with this breakout hit that quickly became recognized for its distinctive sound.

Super Shy NewJeans meaning and lyrics

At its core, "Super Shy" captures the universal experience of having strong feelings for someone but struggling to express them due to shyness. The lyrics portray that emotional tug-of-war between desire and hesitation: "I'm super shy, super shy / But wait a minute while I / Make you mine, make you mine." This push-pull dynamic continues throughout the song as the narrator acknowledges their crush consumes their thoughts: "You're on my mind all the time / I want to tell you but I'm super shy."

The pre-chorus line "You don't even know my name, do ya?" encapsulates that bittersweet feeling of admiring someone from afar. Despite the narrator's timidity, there's an underlying determination to pursue their interest, asking "Where you wanna go? Find a lil spot; just sit and talk." This relatable portrayal of youthful infatuation resonates particularly with Gen Z listeners who connect with these authentic expressions of teenage nervousness.

Genre fusion: liquid DnB meets Jersey club

Musically, "Super Shy" stands out through its innovative blend of seemingly disparate elements. The production masterfully combines:

Liquid drum and bass foundations
Jersey club rhythm influences
Bubblegum pop sensibilities
Breakbeat components

This fusion creates what Pitchfork's Olivia Horn described as drums that evoke "a hiccuping heartbeat." The track features a distinctive staccato kick drum pattern that drives the song forward while atmospheric synths add depth. As the song progresses, funkier synth textures enter, creating an irresistibly groovy backbone complemented by skittering percussion.

Why the song feels different from other K-pop hits

Unlike traditional K-pop's tendency toward maximalism, "Super Shy" embraces restraint and minimalism. Whereas conventional K-pop often features "gargantuan hooks" and bigger-is-better production, NewJeans opted for a more scaled-back approach.

This deliberate simplicity allows the members' vocal talents to shine as they seamlessly transition between full voice and falsetto. The song strikes a delicate balance between trendiness and freshness, presenting what Times of India called "a refreshing take on drum and bass and juke music from the late '90s and early 2000s."

Essentially, "Super Shy" succeeds precisely because it doesn't try to overwhelm listeners. Instead, it delivers what Grammy.com called "a shot of pure pop serotonin" through its understated yet sophisticated production—creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.

From screen to stage: visuals and virality

The visual elements of "Super Shy" played a crucial role in catapulting the song into global prominence. From meticulously styled outfits to innovative choreography, every aspect contributed to the song's phenomenal success.

Super Shy NewJeans outfits and Y2K styling

NewJeans' fashion in "Super Shy" masterfully blended Y2K nostalgia with contemporary trends. The members showcased a unified aesthetic while maintaining individual style. Most outfits featured Lucila Safdie's gold candy tank tops paired with DARED's Star rivet pleated mini skirts, creating a cohesive yet distinctive look. Accessories like Momentel's Angel hairpins, YIEYIE's heart chain necklaces, and flower hair clips added playful touches to their ensembles.

For footwear, the girls alternated between Comme Des Garçons x Nike Terminator high-top sneakers and Jenny Fax's Mary Jane shoes, alongside Charles & Keith's Roony Patent Mary Jane shoes for their unified look. Their beauty styling featured candy-colored highlights, under-eye blush, and chromatic manicures that complemented their youthful energy.

Choreography and the YouTube Shorts challenge

The choreography, created by Black.Q and Eunju Kim, prominently featured waacking—a dance style characterized by precise arm movements—alongside easy-to-follow moves that invited audience participation. The synchronized movements of dozens of backup dancers created what Pitchfork's Jaeden Pinder described as "the best music video choreography of the year."

Shortly after the music video release, NewJeans launched the #ImSuperShy challenge exclusively on YouTube Shorts. "Join us to enjoy this summer with the 'Super Shy' YouTube shorts challenge! We can't wait to see everyone dancing along with our super cute dance moves!" the group announced. The challenge invited fans to recreate the choreography while adding personal touches, subsequently generating massive engagement.

Filming in Lisbon: the music video's aesthetic

Directed by Shin Hee-won, the "Super Shy" music video was filmed entirely in Lisbon, Portugal. The narrative begins with Danielle cycling through sun-drenched streets to meet her groupmates. Afterward, they join an exercise group, initiating flash mobs across various city locations—from squares and parks to local markets where actual shoppers became unwitting extras.

The Fader's David Renshaw noted Wes Anderson's visual influence throughout the video, which complemented the song's vibrant, musical-style aesthetic. This carefully crafted visual language ultimately helped propel "Super Shy" beyond typical K-pop boundaries into global cultural consciousness.