No. 1 (BoA song) explained

No. 1
Cover:KisekiNo1BoA.jpg
Caption:Japanese single cover
Type:single
Artist:BoA
Album:No. 1 and Valenti
A-Side:"Kiseki"
Released:
  • April 12, 2002
  • September 19, 2002 (Japan)
Recorded:2002
Length:3:13
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Every Heart (Minna no Kimochi)
Prev Year:2002
Next Title:Valenti
Next Year:2002

"No. 1" is a song by South Korean recording artist BoA. It was released on April 12, 2002, for her second studio album of the same name (2002) through SM Entertainment. In Japan, the song was released as a double A-side CD single with the track "Kiseki" on September 19, 2002, via Avex Trax. The single, titled "Kiseki / No. 1", was included in her second Japanese studio album Valenti (2003). "No. 1" was written by Kim Young-ah, while production was handled by Sigurd Røsnes and Ahn Ik-soo.[1]

Musically, "No. 1" is a dance song that infuses elements of europop. It was met with commercial success following its release; the CD single peaked at number three on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). In South Korea, "No. 1" won several awards, including the Most Popular Music Video daesang at the 2002 Mnet Music Video Festival and the Grand Prize at the annual SBS Gayo Daejeon. In 2021, a panel of 35 music experts and critics organized by Seoul Shinmun and Melon deemed it the greatest K-pop song of all time.

Background and release

Initially, "No. 1" was not planned to serve as the lead single for BoA's album according to former SM Entertainment employee Jason Park. It was originally composed by Norwegian producer Sigurd Røsnes ("Ziggy") and was one of the tracks found on the agency's many demo CDs obtained during a business trip to Sweden in 2001.[2] The track eventually gained favorability from SM staff and executive producer Lee Soo-man, and was then slated to be released by the label's in-house composer Yoo Young-jin. However, Park convinced Lee that "No. 1" would be a better choice for BoA after playing it during a car ride for him.[3]

In Japan, it was selected as the second lead maxi CD single for BoA's second Japanese studio album Valenti, and was released as "Kiseki / No. 1" on September 19, 2002, by Avex Trax. The single contains the A-side track "Kiseki" and the B-side track "Flower", in addition to instrumental versions of the tracks.[4] "Kiseki" was also used as Kose's "Luminous" CM song while "No. 1" was used as a theme song for the Busan 2002 Asian Games.[5]

Songwriting controversy

After the initial demo was selected for BoA's album in 2002, songwriter Kim Young-ah was offered ₩2 million (US$1,800) by SM Entertainment to write its Korean lyrics. Upon the song's release, SM signed a music copyright license agreement with Universal Music, who in 2003, registered Røsnes as its sole lyricist and composer to the Korean Music Copyright Association (KMCA). In 2011, Kim requested to the KMCA to withhold payments of its copyright royalties for Universal Music, and subsequently filed a lawsuit regarding the song's copyright status the following year. In July 2015, Kim was judged the rightful credit as the songwriter by the South Korean supreme court, and was awarded ₩45 million (US$40,000) in royalties as well as ₩5 million (US$4,400) in compensation for the 13 year-old ordeal.[6]

Composition

Musically, "No. 1" is a dance song that incorporates stylistic elements from europop.[7] The version released by BoA was written by Kim Young-ah, while arrangement of the track was handled by Ahn Ik-soo. It features "glittering dance production reminiscent of Max Martin and innocent R&B vocals". While producing the song, Røsnes expressed that he "wanted to write kind of an uplifting happy thing – something that would make you feel good".

Reception

"No. 1" was met with positive reception in both South Korea and Japan. In Mnet's Gayo Best 27 ranking of the top 100 popular songs during the first half of 2002, "No. 1" ranked at number three, placing behind Shinhwa's "Perfect Man" and Lee Seung-hwan's "Wrong".[8] In December, it was reported that "No. 1" was the song most frequently looked up by South Korean internet users throughout the year, as well as the top choice for those seeking a song to confess their love.[9] In addition, it was ranked number five in the list of the year's most downloaded mobile phone ringtones.[10]

In Japan, the single "Kiseki / No. 1" peaked at number three on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart. The release became her first top-three single in the country, and remained on the chart for a total of 17 weeks.[11] In October 2002, "Kiseki / No. 1" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for physical shipments of 200,000 units.

Accolades

Year! scope="col"
OrganizationAwardResult
2002Mnet Music Video FestivalMost Popular Music Video (Daesang)[12]
Best Dance Performance
Best Female Artist[13]
SBS Gayo DaejeonGrand Prize (Daesang)[14]
Date!
Music CampMay 11, 2002[15]
InkigayoMay 12, 2002
May 19, 2002
May 26, 2002

Impact and legacy

BoA's debut Japanese album Listen to My Heart from earlier that year was met with breakthrough success for the South Korean music industry, where it became the first album by a non-Japanese artist to top the Oricon Albums Chart and to be certified million. Regarding the release of "No. 1", Michael Fuhr wrote that it acted as "not only a milestone in [BoA's] career as a transnational idol star, but also proved the viability of SM Entertainment's export strategy. It was the first time the company gained chart success in Korea and Japan with a song licensed from Europe." Tamar Herman wrote that "As a result, the Japanese music market became more familiar with Korean artistry and a major market for just about every other K-pop act that followed."

In an article that was published after the release of BoA's tenth Korean studio album in 2020, Korea JoongAng Daily highlighted "No. 1" as the track that initially propelled the singer into the spotlight in South Korea, noting that it remained her most acclaimed hit. In an interview with the same publication, BoA singled out "No. 1" and 2012's "Only One" as her two favorite hits of her career.[16] South China Morning Posts Lucy Jeong highlighted the phrase "You're still my number one" as a popular catchphrase and a common fan cheer chant, and remarked that the "iconic song, which showcases Boa's powerful dancing and vocals as well as a cheerful upbeat style, is a go-to for other K-pop girl groups, like GFriend and Red Velvet, to perform as a dance cover."[17]

In 2014, Mnet included "No. 1" in their Legend 100 listing of most influential songs in Korean popular music history since the 1960s. In The Dong-a Ilbos 2016 survey involving 2,000 people and 30 Korean music critics, it was voted as the fourth best female idol song in the past 20 years by both the public and music experts, the latter along with 2NE1's "I Am the Best" and Girls' Generation's "Into the New World". In a panel of 35 music experts and industry professionals organized by online portal Melon and newspaper Seoul Shinmun, "No. 1" was ranked the greatest K-pop song of all-time for its cultural significance, artistic quality and performance.[18] [19] Rolling Stone ranked it the 18th greatest song in the history of Korean pop music, referring to it as "her most emblematic crossover hit".

MTV Korea2004100 Best Korean Music Videos9[20]
Gallup Korea2006100 All Time Favorite Korean Songs27[21]
Mnet2014Legend 100 Songs—[22]
Music Y2014Best 120 Dance Tracks of All Time37[23]
The Dong-a Ilbo2016Best Female Idol Songs in the Past 20 Years4[24]
Melon2021Top 100 K-pop Songs of All Time1
Marie Claire202135 Essential K-pop Songs—[25]
Rolling Stone2023100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music18[26]

Track listing

Japanese CD single
  1. "Kiseki" – 4:17
  2. "No. 1" – 3:13
  3. "Flower" – 3:30
  4. "Kiseki" (Instrumental) – 4:17
  5. "No. 1" (Instrumental) – 3:13
  6. "Flower" (Instrumental) – 3:30

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from MusicBrainz and Melon.[27]

Korean version credits
Japanese version credits

Charts

Charts for "Kiseki / No. 1"!Chart (2002)!Peak
position
Japan Singles (Oricon)3

Release history

! Region! Date! Label(s)!
South KoreaApril 12, 2002SM Entertainment
JapanSeptember 19, 2002Avex Trax[28]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: No.1 - 보아 (BoA) . . October 30, 2021 . ko . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211030180608/https://www.melon.com/song/lyrics.htm?songId=191093 . live .
  2. Book: Fuhr, Michael. Globalization and Popular Music in South Korea: Sounding Out K-Pop. June 12, 2015. Taylor & Francis. 978-1-317-55691-6. 85. March 18, 2024. October 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221011105443/https://books.google.com/books?id=l1DeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA85. live.
  3. Web site: Yim . Hyun-su . April 13, 2020 . Revisiting BoA's 'No.1' two decades on . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200428045916/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200413000853 . April 28, 2020 . 2021-10-30 . The Korea Herald . en.
  4. Web site: Kiseki / No. 1 – BoA . . 30 October 2021 . 19 September 2002 . October 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016073254/https://music.apple.com/jp/album/%E5%A5%87%E8%B9%9F-no-1-ep/200754819?l=en . live .
  5. Web site: Hong . Je-seong . September 24, 2002 . ko:보아 'No.1' 일본서 부산AG 테마송 채택 . BoA's 'No.1' adopted the theme song of Busan AG in Japan . 12 November 2021 . Yonhap News . ko . October 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010092835/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000243465 . live .
  6. Web site: Kwon . Nam-young . July 6, 2015 . ko:보아 '넘버원' 작사가 13년 만에 저작권료 4500만원 받아 . BoA's 'No. 1' lyricist receives 45 million won in royalties for the first time in 13 years . https://entertain.naver.com/ranking/read?oid=005&aid=0000792625 . 2021-11-14 . Kookmin Ilbo . ko . Naver . January 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104024107/https://entertain.naver.com/ranking/read?oid=005&aid=0000792625 . live .
  7. Web site: Kang . Mi-seon . April 12, 2002 . ko:[코스닥] SM '한국서 보아 새앨범 발매' . [Kosdaq] SM "Releases BoA's new album in Korea" . Money Today . Naver . March 18, 2024 . November 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104083103/https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=008&aid=0000159120 . live .
  8. Web site: Hong . Je-seong . June 25, 2002 . ko:<방송가> m.net 상반기 팝ㆍ가요 결산 외 . <Broadcaster> m.net releases 1st half of the year's pop and song rankings, etc. . Yonhap News . ko . Naver . October 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015053736/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000195461 . live .
  9. Web site: Kang . Hee-jong . December 11, 2002 . ko:'보아 No.1', 올해 네티즌 인기도 '넘버원' . 'Boa No. 1', Netizens Popularity 'No. 1' this year . https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&amp;mid=sec&amp;sid1=105&amp;oid=031&amp;aid=0000014568 . 30 October 2021 . iNews24 . ko . Naver . November 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104073446/https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=105&oid=031&aid=0000014568 . live .
  10. Web site: Kook . Soon-shin . December 27, 2002 . ko:'오~ 필승코리아', 올해 최고 휴대폰 벨소리 . 'Oh~ Pilseung Korea', the best cell phone ringtone of the year . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211112214850/https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=105&oid=031&aid=0000015532 . November 12, 2021 . 2024-03-18 . iNews24 . ko . Naver.
  11. Web site: ja:BoAのリリース一覧. List of BoA's Releases. http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/270150/products/release/. October 22, 2014. Oricon. November 10, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141110130232/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/270150/products/. live.
  12. Web site: Hong . Je-seong . November 29, 2002 . ko:m.net 뮤비 페스티벌, 보아 'No.1' 최고인기상 . m.net Music Video Festival, BoA 'No.1' Best Popularity Award . https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&amp;aid=0000281341 . May 29, 2021 . Yonhap News . ko . Naver . May 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210526212010/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000281341 . live .
  13. Web site: 2002 Mnet Music Video Festival part 1 . Mwave . https://web.archive.org/web/20160201065606/http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=6490 . February 1, 2016 . November 29, 2002 . dead.
  14. Web site: Hong . Je-seong . 2002-12-30 . ko:'2002 SBS 가요대전' 대상은 보아 . '2002 SBS Gayo Daejeon' BoA wins Grand Prize . https://news.v.daum.net/v/M0IKWl7BQD . 2021-05-26 . Yonhap News . ko . Daum . November 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104083049/https://news.v.daum.net/v/M0IKWl7BQD . live .
  15. Web site: Kang . Mi-seon . 2002-05-13 . ko:[코스닥] 에스엠, 보아2집 국내방송순위 1위 . [KOSDAQ] SM, BoA’s 2nd album ranked 1st in domestic broadcast rankings . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240318224450/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/008/0000168784?sid=101 . 2024-03-18 . 2024-03-18 . Money Today . ko . Naver.
  16. Web site: Yoon . So-yeon . December 1, 2020 . After two decades in the music industry, BoA is still learning . 2024-03-18 . Korea JoongAng Daily . en . January 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115032430/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/12/01/entertainment/kpop/BoA-20th-anniversary-No1/20201201164500592.html . live .
  17. Web site: Jeong. Lucy. 5 November 2020. 'Queen of K-pop': celebrating Boa's 34th birthday and 20th anniversary. South China Morning Post. en. March 18, 2024. November 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211114054653/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/k-pop/artists-celebrities/article/3108591/queen-k-pop-boa-celebrates-20-years. live.
  18. Web site: 29 August 2021. Top 100 K-pop songs of all time revealed. October 30, 2021. Manila Bulletin. August 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210829050714/https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/29/top-100-k-pop-songs-of-all-time-revealed/. live.
  19. Web site: Sng. Suzanne. 29 August 2021. BoA's song No. 1 is the top K-pop song of all time, say music industry experts. The Straits Times. en. March 18, 2024. June 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602211943/https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/boas-song-no-1-is-the-top-k-pop-song-of-all-time-say-music-industry-experts. live.
  20. Web site: Hong . Je-seong . July 14, 2004 . ko:'최고 뮤비는 브라운 아이즈 '벌써 1년'-MTV 조사 . "Best music video is Brown Eyes 'Already a Year'" – MTV Survey . 2021-11-15 . Yonhap News . ko . Naver . October 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010092832/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0000702065 . live .
  21. Web site: December 1, 2006 . ko:2006 한국인이 좋아하는 가요 100곡 . 2006 Top 100 popular songs loved by Koreans . November 15, 2021 . Gallup Korea . ko . September 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220924233923/http://www.gallup.co.kr/gallupdb/reportContent.asp?seqNo=159 . live .
  22. Web site: Kim . Soo-jung . February 3, 2014 . ko:'동백아가씨'부터 '강남스타일'까지, 대중 사로잡은 명곡은? . From 'Camellia Lady' to 'Gangnam Style', which famous songs have captured the public? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317223248/http://www.mediaus.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=39865 . 2023-03-17 . October 2, 2021 . MediaUS.
  23. Web site: Park . Byung-woon . July 22, 2014 . ko:Dance Track 120 – 보아 (BoA) [No.1] . http://musicy.kr/?c=best&amp;s=1&amp;gbn=viewok&amp;ix=4150 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240318225332/http://musicy.kr/?c=best&s=1&gbn=viewok&ix=4150. 2024-03-18. 2021-12-17 . . ko.
  24. Web site: September 1, 2016 . ko:'반짝반짝 눈이 부셔'… 빅뱅-소녀시대 역대 최고 아이돌 . 'It’s so bright and dazzling’… Big Bang - Girls' Generation's best idol of all time . December 17, 2021 . . ko . December 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211218045118/https://www.donga.com/news/NewsStand/article/all/20160901/80071885/1 . live .
  25. Web site: LeGardye . Quinci . 35 Essential K-Pop Songs Every Fan Should Know . Marie Claire . 8 November 2021 . March 18, 2024 . November 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211114202546/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/g38149310/best-k-pop-songs/ . live .
  26. 2023-07-20 . The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music . 2023-07-20 . Rolling Stone . en-US . October 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231022171159/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-korean-pop-songs-1234727955/no-1-boa-1234729025/ . live .
  27. Web site: Release "奇蹟 / NO.1" by BoA . MusicBrainz . 14 November 2021 . ja.
  28. Web site: Kiseki, No.1 (CCCD) BoA CD Maxi . CDJapan . 30 October 2021 . en . October 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015053750/https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEODAI-88316 . live .

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