Mr.Mr. (song) explained

Mr.Mr.
Type:single
Artist:Girls' Generation
Ep:Mr.Mr.
Recorded:2013
Studio:SM Yellow Tail Studio (Seoul)
Genre:
Length:3:56
Label:
Lyricist:
Composer:
Prev Title:Galaxy Supernova
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Catch Me If You Can
Next Year:2015

"Mr.Mr." is a Korean song recorded by South Korean girl group Girls' Generation for their fourth Korean titular extended play (2014). The song was released on February 25, 2014, as a single from the EP. The song was composed by American production team The Underdogs, who had previously worked with Western artists including Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake. A music video for the song was initially planned to be released on February 19 but was postponed to February 28 due to the accidental deletion of some of the original files.

"Mr.Mr." was described as an electropop and pop-R&B song that incorporates a hip hop beat and EDM-influenced buildups. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its musical styles, which were deemed a departure from the group's signature bubblegum pop sound. The single ranked number 18 on Billboard magazine's list of 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2014 and was included on Times list of 25 Best Songs of 2014 (So Far) in June 2014.

To promote the song and the EP, Girls' Generation appeared on several music programs including M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo around February and March 2014. The single was a commercial success in the group's native country South Korea, peaking atop the Gaon Digital Chart and selling over 900,000 digital units in 2014. It also charted at number three on the Korea K-Pop Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard World Digital Songs.

Background and composition

"Mr.Mr." was composed by American production team The Underdogs (Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas, Andrew Hey, Mike Daley, Britt Burton, and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell), with Korean lyrics by Cho Yoon-kyung and Kim Hee-jeong (Jam Factory), who have written lyrics for Girls' Generation for eight years.[1] The Underdogs had previously worked with Western artists including Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake.[2] The song was released to South Korean KBS Radio Station on February 25, 2014, as a single from the EP of the same name (2014). A Japanese version of "Mr.Mr." was included on the group's 2014 Japanese greatest hits album The Best.[3]

Musically, "Mr.Mr." was described by Billboard magazine's Jeff Benjamin as an electropop and pop-R&B song.[4] [5] An editor from Yonhap characterized it as an "electropop dance" song featuring elements of R&B,<ref name="yonhap"/> and Heather Phares, writing for AllMusic, noted that it "mixed a hip hop beat and EDM-inspired buildups" in its composition.[6] Lyrically, "Mr.Mr." has a more proactive theme with lyrics prompting a reluctant man to be more courageous towards girls, a departure from the group's familiar themes.[1]

Music video and promotion

The music video for "Mr.Mr." was initially planned to be released on February 19, 2014, in conjunction with the release of the EP. However, the release date was postponed to February 28 due to the accidental deletion of some of the original shots, which necessitated re-filming the affected scenes.[7] [8] [9] [10] As a result, the group's comeback performances on South Korean music programs were also delayed for two weeks.[7]

The music video was choreographed by Jillian Meyer (who had previously collaborated with artists including Janet Jackson and Kylie Minogue) and two members of BeatBurger – Shim Jae-won and Greg Hwang.[11] It tells the story of a man who is diagnosed with heart disease but can not confess it to the girl he likes. He then decides to undergo a surgery, which is handled by the group's members who act as doctors.[12] Group member Sooyoung argued that "Our new music video has the concept of encouraging and boosting the confidence of those men who have lost courage".[13] The visual received positive reviews from media outlets; Fuse labelled it "cinematic" and praised its "sophisticated" class,[14] and Popdust's Jacques Peterson hailed the video as "the hottest episode of Grey's Anatomy ever".[15] It was the second most watched K-pop music video of the first half of 2014, trailing only Psy's music video for "Hangover".[16]

To promote "Mr.Mr." and the EP, Girls' Generation made several appearances on South Korean music programs around February and March 2014. They performed the song for the first time on Mnet's M Countdown on March 6, 2014, as part of their comeback stage.[17] The following three days, the group appeared on Music Bank, where they also performed "Back Hug", Show! Music Core, where they also performed "Wait a Minute", and Inkigayo.[18]

Critical reception

"Mr.Mr." received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jeff Benjamin from Billboard magazine hailed the single as "super-strong, super-sweet" and labelled it a welcome change compared to the group's previous "stupid-catchy" releases.[4] AllMusic's reviewer Heather Phares said the track helped "[expand] their [Girls' Generation's] musical reach". John Walker from MTV News commented that the single's musical styles were more similar to "The Boys" (2011) rather than their usual styles as on "Gee" (2009), and labelled it a hybrid of "70's-throwback" and "Get Me Bodied".[19]

Time magazine's Lily Rothman included "Mr.Mr." on the publication's list of 25 Best Songs of 2014 (So Far) in June. She wrote that "Fans [...] won’t be disappointed by their latest dance-friendly single" and added that "the addition of a scratchy electronic bass line and a hint of darkness" should attract listeners who were not used to their signature bubblegum pop sound.[20] Billboard named "Mr.Mr." the 18th best K-pop song on their list of 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2014. It appeared at number 84 on the same magazine's list of the 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s in 2019.[21]

Commercial performance

"Mr.Mr." peaked atop the South Korean Gaon Digital Chart in the tenth week of 2014. It was the 46th best-selling song of 2014 in South Korea, selling over 906,962 digital units.[22] Overall, it became the 54th best-performing song on the Gaon Digital Chart, based on additional streaming and instrumental track downloads. "Mr.Mr." also charted at number three on the Korea K-Pop Hot 100, and number four on the Billboard World Digital Songs.

Accolades

"Mr.Mr." was nominated for Song of the Month – March at the 2015 Gaon Chart Music Awards and Favorite K-Pop Video at the 2015 Myx Music Awards, losing to 2NE1's "Come Back Home" in both categories.[23] It received a nomination for Digital Song Bonsang at the 29th Golden Disc Awards.

Year! scope="col"
Organization CategoryResult
2015Gaon Chart Music AwardsSong of the Month (March)
Golden Disc AwardsDigital Bonsang
Myx Music AwardsFavorite K-Pop Video
Date! class="unsortable"
Ref.
M CountdownMarch 6, 2014[24]
March 13, 2014[25]
InkigayoMarch 9, 2014[26]
March 23, 2014[27]
Show ChampionMarch 12, 2014[28]
March 19, 2014[29]
Music BankMarch 14, 2014[30]
Show! Music CoreMarch 15, 2014[31]
March 22, 2014[32]

Credits

Credits adapted from Mr.Mr. liner notes[33]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[34] 1
South Korea (K-Pop Hot 100)[35] 3
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[36] 4

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Girls' Generation Releases 'Mr.Mr.'. ko. Lee Jae-hoon. Newsis. February 25, 2014. April 4, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307034613/http://nollywood.newsis.com/article/view.htm?ar_id=NISX20140225_0012746203&cID=10604&pID=10600. March 7, 2016.
  2. Web site: Girls' Generation collaborates with 'The Underdogs' for new album. February 2, 2014. Yonhap News Agency. April 4, 2016. December 24, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224015058/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2014/02/12/16/0200000000AEN20140212003200315F.html. live.
  3. The Best. Girls' Generation. EMI Records Japan. ja. Japan. CD liner notes.
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20140228110926/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5915749/girls-generation-mrmr-track-by-track-review. Girls' Generation, 'Mr.Mr.': Track-By-Track Review. Billboard. Jeff. Benjamin. February 27, 2014. February 28, 2014.
  5. The 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2014. Billboard. Jeff. Benjamin. Jessica. Oak. April 3, 2016. November 12, 2014. February 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150225011526/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6397821/best-k-pop-songs-2014. live.
  6. Web site: Mr.Mr. – Girls' Generation Review. AllMusic. Heather. Phares. April 4, 2016. April 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150426082528/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mrmr-mw0002629076. live.
  7. News: Girls' Generation Postpones Release Date for New Comeback. Korean. February 14, 2014. OSEN. February 21, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221183657/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1109783576. live.
  8. Web site: K-pop's Girls' Generation and 2NE1 lead comeback month. Julie. Jackson. February 17, 2014. The Star. April 4, 2016. April 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160416132228/http://www.star2.com/entertainment/music/music-news/2014/02/17/kpops-girls-generation-and-2ne1-lead-comeback-month/. live.
  9. Web site: Tech glitch delays Girls' Generation . Kim Hee-eun . . February 18, 2014 . June 1, 2016 . June 11, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160611134144/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2985065 . live .
  10. Web site: SNSD was Annoyed to Re-Film 'Mr.Mr' MV . Hong, Grace Danbi . CJ E&M enewsWorld . March 11, 2014 . June 1, 2016 . March 8, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308015707/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/60718/snsd-talks-about-mv . live .
  11. Web site: Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, Yoona and Seohyun Unveils New Teaser Images. Sports Chosun. ko. February 13, 2014. April 4, 2016. September 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190903180409/https://news.nate.com/view/20140213n08693. live.
  12. Mr.Mr.. music video. Girls' Generation (performers), Jillian Meyer (choreographer). ko. SM Entertainment.
  13. Girls' Generation Explains 'Mr.Mr.' Video, Reveals 2014 Resolutions. Jeff. Benjamin. Billboard. July 3, 2014. April 4, 2016. April 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160402024936/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/5930259/girls-generation-explains-mrmr-video-reveals-2014-resolutions. live.
  14. Web site: Girls' Generation 'Mr.Mr.' Video Serves Surgeon Sophistication. Fuse. Jeff. Benjamin. February 28, 2014. April 4, 2016. March 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324183344/http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2014/02/girls-generation-mr-mr-video. live.
  15. Web site: Girls' Generation's 'Mr.Mr.' Music Video Is Proof That They're History's Most Attractive Girl Group. February 28, 2014. Popdust. April 4, 2016. April 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160417174134/http://popdust.com/2014/02/28/girls-generations-mr-mr-music-video-is-proof-that-theyre-historys-most-attractive-girl-group/. live.
  16. Web site: Top 10 Kpop Videos of 2014 (First Half). Star News. ko. July 9, 2014. April 4, 2016. September 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190903180357/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0002317753. live.
  17. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20140306094920/http://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/snsd-to-unveil-mr-mr-today-2-24-051512543.html. SNSD to Unveil 'Mr.Mr' Today (2/24) at 5PM. CJ E&M enewsWorld. March 6, 2014. February 24, 2014. Grace Danbi . Hong.
  18. Web site: SM Entertainment Arranges Girls' Generation Comeback Stages. ko. OSEN. March 5, 2014. April 4, 2016. April 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160413075437/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1109798223. live.
  19. Web site: Girls' Generation 'Mr.Mr.' Video. February 28, 2014. MTV News. April 4, 2016. John. Walker. April 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160415000147/http://www.mtv.com/news/2306726/girls-generation-mr-mr-video/. dead.
  20. Here Are the 25 Best Songs of 2014 (So Far). Lily. Rothman. Time. April 3, 2016. June 2, 2014. December 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141216213102/http://time.com/2801365/best-songs-of-2014-so-far/. live.
  21. The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s: Staff List. Billboard. November 25, 2019. December 10, 2019. November 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191128190649/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8544710/best-k-pop-songs-2010s-top-100. live.
  22. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113607/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=2014&hitYear=2014&termGbn=year. Gaon Download Chart: 2014 (Year-End). Gaon Music Chart. ko. March 4, 2016.
  23. Web site: Jimenez . Joyce . February 20, 2015 . Nominees for MYX music awards 2015 revealed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150222164455/http://www.philstar.com/music/2015/02/20/1425806/nominees-myx-music-awards-2015-revealed . February 22, 2015 . March 2, 2015 . The Philippine Star.
  24. Web site: Baek . Ji-eun . March 6, 2014 . ko:소녀시대, 컴백 동시에 '엠카운트다운' 1위 "우여곡절 많았는데" . Girls' Generation, comeback at the same time 'M Countdown' 1st place "There were a lot of twists and turns" . https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0002474959 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201213144556/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0002474959 . December 13, 2020 . December 12, 2020 . Sports Chosun . ko . Naver.
  25. Web site: Yoon . Seong-yeol . March 13, 2014 . ko:소시, 2주연속 '엠카' 1위..가요프로 '올킬' 조짐 . Sosi, 2 weeks in a row, 'M-Countdown' 1st place. . https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002288018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201213144556/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002288018 . December 13, 2020 . December 12, 2020 . StarNews . ko . Naver.
  26. Web site: April 9, 2014 . ko:<3월 둘째 주 인기가요 차트> . Inkigayo chart for the 2nd week of March . https://programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771?cmd=view&amp;page=24&amp;board_no=416920 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428223817/https://programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771?cmd=view&page=24&board_no=416920 . April 28, 2021 . February 23, 2021 . SBS . ko.
  27. Web site: April 19, 2014 . ko:<3월 넷째 주 인기가요 차트> . Inkigayo chart for the 4th week of March . https://programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771?cmd=view&amp;page=24&amp;board_no=416922 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428223850/https://programs.sbs.co.kr/enter/gayo/board/54771?cmd=view&page=24&board_no=416922 . April 28, 2021 . February 23, 2021 . SBS . ko.
  28. Web site: 2014-03-12 . 소녀시대, 'Mr.Mr.' 뮤비 천만 돌파로 입증한 걸그룹 파워 . 2023-12-01 . Osen . Naver . ko.
  29. Web site: 2014-03-20 . 소녀시대 '쇼 챔피언' 1위 인증샷, 귀여운 표정도 역시 다양해 . 2023-12-01 . Seoul Economic Daily . Naver . ko.
  30. Web site: March 17, 2014 . ko:3월 2주 순위 . Music Bank ranking for the second week of March . https://pbbs.kbs.co.kr/general/read.html?bbs_id=T2000-0027-04-641103&amp;id=669899&amp;post_no=57&amp;page=38&amp;post_header= . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702040723/https://pbbs.kbs.co.kr/general/read.html?bbs_id=T2000-0027-04-641103&id=669899&post_no=57&page=38&post_header= . July 2, 2022 . July 2, 2022 . KBS Music Bank . ko.
  31. Web site: 2014-03-15 . ‘음악중심’ 소녀시대, ‘Mr.Mr.’ 오감만족 스테이지 장식 . 2023-12-01 . Financial News . Naver . ko.
  32. Web site: 2014-03-22 . 음중 소녀시대, 소유X정기고·2NE1 제치고 1위 차지… 2주 연속 영예 . 2023-12-01 . Gyeongin Ilbo . ko.
  33. Mr.Mr.. Girls' Generation. SM Entertainment. ko. 2014. booklet.
  34. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20140724165213/http://gaonchart.co.kr/chart/digital.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&f_week=10&f_year=2014&f_type=week . Gaon Digital Chart: Week 10, 2014. Gaon Music Chart. July 24, 2014. ko.
  35. Billboard's K-Pop Hot 100 (March 19, 2014). Billboard. March 21, 2014. March 22, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140322014501/http://www.billboard.co.kr/?c=chart&m=k100&basedate=20140319. live.
  36. Soyu & Junggigo's 'Some' Fends Off Top Idols for K-Pop Hot 100 No. 1. Billboard. March 7, 2014. September 29, 2014. November 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151120133607/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/5923217/soyu-junggigos-some-fends-off-top-idols-for-k-pop-hot-100-no-1. live.
  37. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150117133135/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/digital.php?f_chart_kind_cd=T&nationGbn=&f_month=3&f_year=2014&f_type=year. 2014 Year End Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. January 17, 2015.
  38. Web site: KBS Playlist: February 25, 2014. KBS Radio. February 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160415191400/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_musicplaylist.htm?interactive_date=2014-02-25. April 15, 2016. dead.

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