Number Nine (T-ara song) explained

Number Nine
Cover:T-ara Number Nine regular.png
Caption:Japanese single Regular edition
Type:single
Artist:T-ara
Album:Again, Gossip Girls
Released: (KR)
(JP)
Recorded:2013
Genre:J-pop, dance
Label:MBK Entertainment
EMI Records Japan
Chronology:T-ara Japanese
Prev Title:Target
Prev Year:2013
Year:2013
Next Title:Lead The Way / La'boon
Next Year:2014

"Number Nine" is a song by South Korean girl group T-ara, from their eighth extended play Again. The song was written and composed by Shinsadong Tiger and Choi Gyu-sung. "Number Nine" was released as the lead single from the album on 10 October 2013.[1] The song was released in Japanese with the theme song to the film Jinx!!! starring member Hyomin.[2] The single was released on 20 November 2013, through EMI Records Japan.

Background and release

On 15 September, Core Contents Media revealed that T-ara will make their comeback on 10 October 2013. The song was said to have a "stronger sound", but still remain catchy. On 26 September 2013, T-ara released a 30 second teaser video, filmed in a desert. On 1 October, T-ara released another teaser for "Number Nine" on their official website. In their black-and-white teaser, they used an "upgraded mature beauty".

The music video along with the album was released on 10 October 2013, and the drama version was released on 16 October 2013.[3] "Number 9" is an electro-pop dance song with sad lyrics and melody. It was choreographed by Yama & Hotchicks, who also choreographed "Bo Peep Bo Peep".The song features a gentle guitar melody, coupled with an "unexpected intense sound". It was co-composed by Sinsadong Tiger and Choi Gyu Sung. "T-ara Party Non-Stop Remix" by DJ Takao Fukushima is composed of ten songs spanning 45 minutes: "Bo Peep Bo Peep", "Yayaya", "Lovey-Dovey", "Roly-Poly", "Waeroni", "Bye Bye", "Like The First Time", "Target", "Bunny Style!" and "Deja-Vu".[4]

The single was released in four different types: two CD+DVD limited editions that come in a special paper jacket, a regular edition, and a X-mas edition that comes with a remix album and a DVD, packaged in a box with six "T-ara Santa Ver." rubber key holders. All editions of the single come with a trading card with a serial code, chosen randomly out of seven types.[5]

Reception

After its release, "Number Nine" reached number five on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart[6] and number 4 on Billboard's K-pop Hot 100.[7] In China, the song topped YinYueTai's both Korean and official charts. The second version video also peaked within top five on the chart.[8] In Japan, the single topped the Weekly USEN chart.[9]

SBS PopAsia named the song number 7 in their list of 9 best T-ara singles.[10]

Promotions

The first time the song was revealed was on 6 October 2013 when performed at "Hallyu Dream Concert". T-ara had their first televised performance of "Number Nine" on Mnet's M! Countdown on 10 October. This was followed by additional performances on music programs including Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.

In popular culture

"Number 9" has appeared in the 6th episode of KBS's 2013 drama Secret Love, where Jo Min-joo (played by Song Min-kyung) works out in the gym playing the song. In 2014, the song was played and performed by Han Tae-hee (played by Jung Da-bin) in KBS1's daily drama Melody of Love.

Charts

Chart (2013)Peak
position
Japan Singles (Oricon)13
Japan (Japan Hot 100)62
South Korea (Gaon)5
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)4
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)7

Sales

Reported sales!Country!Sales
South Korea605,000
Japan (Oricon)18,000
  1. News: Kim Ji-soo . 24 October 2013 . T-ara is recharged with new attitude . The Korea Times . 11 February 2015.
  2. Web site: T-ARA 8th Single ジャケット写真公開!|T-ARAオフィシャルブログpowered by Ameba . 26 October 2013 . T-ara Official Blog . Ameba.
  3. News: Hong . Grace Danbi . 10 October 2013 . T-ara Releases 'Number 9' and 'Because I Know' MVs . enewsWorld . CJ E&M . dead . 11 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150211095916/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/47823/t-ara-releases-mvs . 11 February 2015.
  4. Web site: T-ARA 8th Single ジャケット写真公開!|T-ARAオフィシャルブログpowered by Ameba . 26 October 2013 . T-ara Official Blog . Ameba.
  5. Web site: T-ARA 8th Single ジャケット写真公開!|T-ARAオフィシャルブログpowered by Ameba . 26 October 2013 . T-ara Official Blog . Ameba.
  6. Web site: 2013년 43주차 Digital Chart . https://web.archive.org/web/20150210231752/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=43&hitYear=2013&termGbn=week . 10 February 2015 . 10 October 2013 . Gaon . ko.
  7. Web site: Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Week of November 2, 2013 . 10 February 2015 . Billboard.
  8. Web site: 티아라 '나 어떡해', 중국 최대 뮤비 사이트서 1위 '기염' 방송 : 네이트 연예 . T-ara's 'What Should I Do', ranked #1 on China's largest music video site . 21 April 2023 . Osen . Nate . ko.
  9. Web site: T-ARA『T-ARA「NUMBER NINE (Japanese ver.)」有線K-POPチャートで1位』 . T-ARA's "NUMBER NINE (Japanese ver.)" tops USEN K-POP chart . 2024-07-26 . Ameba . ja.
  10. Web site: 13 June 2017 . 9 of the best T-ara singles . 3 November 2022 . SBS PopAsia . en.

Credits and personnel