"Lies" is the debut single by South Korean girl group T-ara. It was released on July 27, 2009.[1] [2] The song was later included on T-ara's both Korean debut album Absolute First Album and Japanese debut album Jewelry Box. The song earned the group their first career award at the Cyworld Digital Music Awards.[3]
"Lies" marks the group's first release since the departure of pre-debut members Ji-ae and Jiwon.
T-ara had its debut stage on Mnet's M Countdown on July 30th and then on July 31st its debut on KBS's Music Bank. The B-side track "Wanna Play?" was occasionally performed with the single.[4]
"Lies", "Wanna Play?" and "Lies (Ballad Version)" were all included on T-ara's debut Korean album Absolute First Album as well as its re-package Breaking Heart. "Lies" was re-recorded in Japanese and released on the Japanese single Roly Poly (Japanese Version) on February 29, 2012 and later on the group's debut Japanese album Jewelry Box on June 6, 2012. It also appeared on their greatest hits album T-ARA's Best of Best 2009-2012 ~Korean ver on October 17, 2012 and on their special compilation album TARA's Free Time In Paris And Swiss on October 22, 2012.
On July 10, it was reported that actor Yoo Seung-ho would appear in the music video for "Lies". On July 20, still cuts from the music video were released.[5] On July 23, Mnet’s "The Making of T-ara" revealed the music video filming process. On July 24, the teaser videos for "Want to Play?" and “Lies” were released.[6] On the 29th, the music video for "Lies". It exceeded 1 million views on GOMTV within two weeks of its release, a first for a rookie, according to a GOMTV representative.[7]
Subsequently, the music video for "Lies (Ballad Ver.)" was released featuring scenes from member Jiyeon's horror drama Soul.
On August 19, the music video for "Lies (Part 2)" was released with a lively summer concept.[8]
The single consists of 4 tracks in total. 2 version of "Lies" which only differ by the intro.[9] "Lies Part.1" starts with a dramatic high-note, it is also the one featured on the music video, while "Lies Part.2" starts with a mid-tempo beat. "Lies Part.2" was the only one performed live.
The B-side track is "Wanna Play?" has a more funky vibe than "Lies". It is about T-ara's confident debut and urges people to enjoy the group's music. T-ara described as their introductory song.
The last song, is a ballad version about "Lies". It contains the same lyrics but has additional rap parts performed by Hyomin.
T-ara's debut was made amid an influx of girl groups on the Korean pop music scene. A writer for weekly magazine SisaIN remarked that the old-school trot influence of "Lie" did little to appeal to core consumers of the girl group market; those who found nostalgia in 1990s groups like S.E.S. and Fin.K.L.[10] The music style and performances were described as "unconventional" by critics. However, the song gradually found its way to top of Korean charts.[11] [12] [13]
Additionally, the music video for "Lies", exceeded 1 million views on GOMTV within two weeks of its release, a first for a rookie, according to a GOMTV representative. The song earned the group its first career award at the Cyworld Digital Music Awards.[14]