Step and a Step explained

Step and a Step
Type:single
Album:U
Cover:NiziU - Step and a Step.png
Artist:NiziU
Genre:J-pop
Label:
Producer:J.Y. Park
Prev Title:Make You Happy
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Take a Picture / Poppin' Shakin'
Next Year:2021

"Step and a Step" is a song by Japanese girl group NiziU. It is the group's debut maxi single and includes three other tracks. The song was pre-released digitally on November 25, 2020, and the CD single was released on December 2 by JYP Entertainment and Epic Records Japan.[1]

Background and release

NiziU was formed through the audition program, Nizi Project by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and is the first Japanese group to be managed by JYP.[2] [3] The group released its pre-debut EP Make You Happy in June 2020, which peaked at number one on both Oricon's digital album's chart and Billboard Japans Hot Albums chart.[4] Following the commercial success of Make You Happy,[5] NiziU announced the release of their debut Japanese single titled "Step and a Step".[6] Solo jacket album photos for group members Mako, Rio, and Maya, were released simultaneously on October 10. An online autograph session was announced the same day in which NiziU members would fulfill requests from fans.[7] Album jacket photos featuring Riku, Ayaka, and Mayuka, were released on October 11, followed by photos of all members on October 12.[8] [9] In lead-up to the release of the single, an online collaboration campaign between NiziU and Lawson Store began in early-November.[10] Despite participating in the recording of the single and appearing in the music video, Miihi was absent from the dance choreography portion and promotions for the single due to going on hiatus for health problems from October to December 2020.[11] [12]

On November 25, 2020, "Step and a Step" was pre-released as a digital single on various online music portals in conjunction with the accompanying music video.[13] The CD single was officially released on December 2, 2020.[14] The physical version is available in four different limited editions: Regular Edition, First Press Limited Edition A and First Press Limited Edition B, and Fan Club Edition (With U Limited Edition).[6] Edition A comes with a CD and a DVD containing the music video of "Step and a Step" and the making of album jacket photos. Edition B contains a CD and a 28-page booklet while the regular edition includes only the CD. All three versions contain "Step and a Step" as A-side and three other tracks "Joyful", "Sweet Bomb" and "Make You Happy" as B-side. The fanclub edition comes with the CD featuring only "Step and a Step" and "Joyful".[15]

Composition

"Step and a Step" has lyrics written by Kentz, Yui Kimura, and Park Jin-young, with the latter also serving as the composer. Park Jin-young produced the track alongside Lee Hae-sol.[16] A youthful and energetic pop song with an "addictive" rhythm, its lyrics convey "a warm message" that is intended to heal listeners during the COVID-19 pandemic, through lines like, "It's okay if you go slowly, step by step, at your own pace".[6] [17]

Music video

The music video for the song was uploaded to JYP Entertainment's YouTube channel on November 25, 2020.[18] The music video is magical and features NiziU dressed in immaculate, white dresses as the members are seen performing choreography in multiple colorful settings.[13] [19] The video also includes a "rabbit" dance during the song's chorus.[20]

Promotion

A documentary series titled We NiziU: We need U began airing on Hulu from November 5, 2020, focussing on NiziU's journey towards their official debut.[21] [22] To commemorate the release of group's debut single, a one-time commercial featuring "Step and a Step" would be aired on NTV on November 25, 2020.[23] In addition, 15-second solo commercials featuring each NiziU member would be broadcast on the Nippon TV affiliated stations of Kansai, Chubu, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Miyagi and Okinawa corresponding to the home-towns of each member, from November 26 to December 2.[24] "Step and a Step" was first performed on Nippon TV's Best Artist 2020 year-end programme on November 25.[25]

Korean version

"Step and a step" (Korean version) was released as part of the limited edition B of U on November 24, 2021.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[26] 75
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[27] 1
Japan (Oricon)[28] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[29] 12

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Girl group NiziU's debut song reaches No. 1 on Line Music's top 100. Lee. Sun-min. Korea JoongAng Daily. November 26, 2020. November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126140437/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/11/26/entertainment/kpop/JYP-Entertainment-NiziU/20201126163000506.html. November 26, 2020. live.
  2. Web site: JYP Entertainment's "Nizi Project" is coming to YouTube. So-yeon. Yoon. Korea JoongAng Daily. May 20, 2020. August 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200520165410/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/20/kpop/nizi-project-japan-jyp-entertainment/20200520172700171.html. May 20, 2020. live.
  3. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/384970. ja:「Nizi Project」発グループがプレデビューミニアルバム発売決定、秋にメジャーデビュー. 'Nizi Project' group will release pre-debut mini album, major debut in autumn. Natalie. June 26, 2020. July 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200704145354/https://natalie.mu/music/news/384970. July 4, 2020. live.
  4. Web site: Exporting the template: K-pop agencies' overseas idol projects yield solid results. Korea Herald. July 13, 2020. November 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200520165410/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/20/kpop/nizi-project-japan-jyp-entertainment/20200520172700171.html. May 20, 2020. live.
  5. Web site: K-pop groups without Koreans. Dong. Sun-hwa. The Korea Times. September 7, 2020. November 27, 2020. live. September 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200913031652/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/09/732_295580.html.
  6. Web site: http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/92810/2. ja: NiziU、デビューシングル発売決定 「みなさんを明るく！元気にできる新曲を」. NiziU to release debut single : 'Brighten everyone! New songs that can energize'. Billboard Japan. October 2, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130122915/http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/92810/2.
  7. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/400030. ja: NiziUデビューシングルのソロジャケット3種公開、オンラインサイン会開催決定. NiziU debut single solo jacket released, online autograph session decided. Natalie. October 10, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. October 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101958/https://natalie.mu/music/news/400030.
  8. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/400134. ja: NiziU、デビューシングル付属DVDにMV別バージョンやビジュアル撮影の裏側収録. NiziU, debut single attached DVD with MV version and behind-the-scenes recording of visual shooting. Natalie. October 11, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130122916/https://natalie.mu/music/news/400134.
  9. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/400202. ja: NiziUデビューシングルの詳細発表、メンバーソロジャケットすべて公開. Details of NiziU debut single released, all member solo jackets released. Natalie. October 12, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. October 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201014095431/https://natalie.mu/music/news/400202.
  10. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/401388. ja: NiziU×ローソンキャンペーンが11月にスタート、オンラインミーグリほか特典多数. NiziU x Lawson campaign started in November, online Meguri and many other benefits. Natalie. October 20, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101060905/https://natalie.mu/music/news/401388.
  11. News: 「NiziU」メンバー ミイヒが体調不良で活動休止 . ja . TV Asahi News . October 23, 2020 . March 12, 2023 .
  12. News: 休養のNiziUミイヒ、体調回復で「活動を徐々に再開」 インスタで感謝伝える「大好きです」 . ja . . 2020-12-20 . 2022-04-25.
  13. Web site: http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/94557. ja: NiziU、新曲「Step and a step」のMV公開 うさぎダンスに注目. NiziU releases music video for new song 'Step and a step' Focusing on rabbit dance. Billboard Japan. November 25, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125014632/http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/94557.
  14. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/398902. ja: NiziU、デビューシングル「Step and a step」12月2日にリリース. NiziU releases debut single "Step and a Step" on December 2nd. Natalie. October 2, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. October 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008160526/https://natalie.mu/music/news/398902.
  15. Web site: NiziU Release Music Video for Debut Single 'Step and a step'. Aramajapan. November 25, 2020. November 27, 2020. live. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125034048/https://aramajapan.com/news/musicvideo/niziu-release-music-video-for-debut-single-step-and-a-step/110248/.
  16. Web site: Step and a step - NiziU. Tidal. November 25, 2020. November 27, 2020. November 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130122915/https://listen.tidal.com/album/162355249/credits. live.
  17. Web site: https://news.kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2152956. ja: NiziU、12月2日に正式デビュー！シングル「Step and a step」をリリース…新ビジュアルも公開. NiziU officially debuts on December 2nd! Released single "Step and a step" ... New visual released. KStyle. October 2, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. October 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201030213403/https://news.kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2152956.
  18. Web site: https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Mdpr_news2320140/. ja: NiziUがデビュー曲「Step and a step」MV公開 ミイヒも合流. NiziU releases music video for debut song 'Step and a step' Mihi, who is resting, joins. Excite. November 25, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126134818/https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Mdpr_news2320140/.
  19. Web site: https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Wezzy_83509/. ja: NiziU・ミイヒ、「踊れないほど具合が悪い」と判明しファン衝撃. NiziU Mihi, fan shock when it turns out that 'I'm sick enough to dance'. Excite. November 26, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201128174351/https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Wezzy_83509/.
  20. Web site: https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Crankin_83423/. ja: NiziUデビュー曲「Step and a step」MV解禁 ミイヒの笑顔も うさぎダンスにも注目. NiziU debut song 'Step and a step' MV lifted Also pay attention to Mihi's smile and rabbit dance. Excite. November 25, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125064519/https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Crankin_83423/.
  21. Web site: https://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/niziu/88279. ja: NiziUのデビューまでに密着した新番組「We NiziU ～We need U～」Huluにて独占配信. Exclusive distribution on Hulu, a new program 'We NiziU ~ We need U ~' that was closely related to NiziU's debut. CD Journal. October 27, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. October 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031220759/https://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/niziu/88279.
  22. Web site: NiziU and Babymetal to perform for first time on NHK's 'Kohaku' music show. The Japan Times. November 17, 2020. November 27, 2020. live. November 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201122155619/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/11/17/entertainment-news/niziu-babymetal-nhk-kohaku/.
  23. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/405946. ja: NiziUデビュー日に1回限りのテレビCMオンエア. One-time TV commercial on air on NiziU debut day. Natalie. November 24, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025424/https://natalie.mu/music/news/405946.
  24. Web site: https://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/niziu/88672. ja: NiziU、デビュー日に1夜限定で60秒TV-CMがオンエア. NiziU, 60 seconds TV commercial on air for one night only on debut day. CD Journal. November 24, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124033048/https://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/niziu/88672.
  25. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/405455. ja: NiziU「ベストアーティスト」でデビュー曲「Step and a step」初披露. Debut song 'Step and a step' debuted at NiziU 'Best Artist'. Natalie. November 20, 2020. ja. November 27, 2020. live. November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126053853/https://natalie.mu/music/news/405455.
  26. Billboard Global 200 Chart. Billboard. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201208232335/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2020-12-12. December 8, 2020. December 11, 2020.
  27. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 [2020/12/14 付け]]. Billboard Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20201209071335/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=12&day=14. December 9, 2020. December 9, 2020. live.
  28. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2020-12-14/. ja:週間 合算シングルランキング 2020年12月14日付 （2020年11月30日～2020年12月06日. December 14, 2020. Oricon. ja. Oricon Weekly Single Ranking December 14, 2020 (From November 30, 2020 to December 06, 2020). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201209043101/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2020-12-14/. December 9, 2020. December 9, 2020.
  29. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2021. Billboard Japan. ja. January 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210041648/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100_year&year=2021. December 10, 2021. live.

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