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"yayaya" is a single recorded by South Korean girl group T-ara, released on December 1, 2010. The song achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number five on the Gaon Chart, marking T-ara’s tenth top-ten entry. It also emerged as one of the best-selling singles released in 2010, amassing approximately 1.5 million downloads. Due to bombardment of Yeonpyeong earlier that November, the release and promotion for the single along with the album were delayed.

Background and release

Concept photos promoting the single were released on November 22, 2010. The release was delayed until December 3, 2010, due to the bombardment of Yeonpyeong earlier that November. "yayaya" was released as the second single for Temptastic on December 1, 2010. The choreography was done by YAMA&HOTCHICKS dance studio, who choreographed some of T-ara's previous hits, including "Bo Peep Bo Peep" and "You're Driving Me Crazy" and "Why Are You Being Like This?". Both "yayaya" and "Ma Boo", a side-track on the EP, were supposed to be Coed school's debut songs.

On October 10, 2012, "yayaya" was featured on T-ara's first greatest hits album, T-ara's Best of Best 2009–2012: Korean ver along with its music video on the DVD set.

On on October 14, 2011, EMI Records, T-ara's former Japanese label, announced that "yayaya" will be recorded and released in Japan later that year. On November 30, 2011, "yayaya" (Japanese Ver.) was released as T-ara's second sigle in the country. Digitally, it was released on Recochoku on November 29, 2011. It was later re-released on the group's second Japanese album Jewelry Box. The song was also featured on T-ara's first Japanese greatest hits album Queen of Pops on July 2, 2014.

Composition

"yayaya" is the work of composer E-Tribe, who composed Lee Hyori's "U-Go-Girl" and Girls' Generation's "Gee". It is described as a track with an addictive melody, engaging lyrics, and a distinctive arrangement. The composition is noted for its fresh and unique approach, uncommon in typical arrangements. The repetitive onomatopoeic phrases were designed as a "riddle format" to intrigue listeners and enhance the song’s appeal.

In a statement regarding the abstract lyrics, E-Tribe explained: "I used the hook technique to turn the song into a sort of riddle. I wanted the unique expressions to arouse the curiosity of listeners. I wanted to express the unique music through lyrics that sounded like a spell. Please don’t misunderstand it and just enjoy the exciting music."

Music video

Unlike T-ara's previous releases, "yayaya" had no teaser. The song's official music video premiered on December 1, 2010, the same day as the album's release, on South Korean media player GOMTV.It was directed by Cha Eun-taek. The music video features costumes and gestures (patting their hands over their mouths, finding a young man (No Min-woo) who crashed there and tying him to a stake, and living in teepees). It wasn’t until Nov 27, 2013, that the music video was officially released on YouTube, licensed by 1thek.

Promotion and live performances

Promotions were postponed following the Yeonpyeong bombardment. Furthermore, Eunjung's knee injury added to the disruptions, further complicating their promotional activities. T-ara began promotions for their "yayaya" on December 3, 2010, on KBS's Music Bank. During this promotional period, T-ara's initial performance outfits failed dress regulations enforced by the music programs twice, due to short shorts or skirts worn by the group. Their staff was forced to rush out and purchase stockings or leggings at the last minute. Promotions were swiftly redirected to highlight the title track, "Why Are You Being Like This?". Afterwards, the song became a staple on the setlist for most T-ara tours and concerts, including Jewelry Box ~ First Japan Tour, Treasure Box ~ Second Japan Tour, and the T-ara Great China Tour, among others.

Reception

Commercial performance

"yayaya" peaked at number five on Gaon chart. It was also one of the best-selling singles released in 2010 with approximately 1.5 million downloads. On December 12, 2010 broadcast of Mnet's M! Countdown, "Yayaya" won the first place spot. In Japan, the single debuted at number seven on Oricon's Weekly Singles chart selling over 31,000 copies. It charted 15 weeks. It also peaked at number six on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. Digitally, the song peaked at number 33 on RIAJ Digital Track Chart.

Critical reception

"yayaya" received mixed reactions due to its unconventional concept and lyrics. In a review by Jeong Ho-jae, a critic from the newspaper The Dong-A Ilbo, He describes it as featuring addictive hooks, experimental arrangements, and enigmatic lyrics that embody audacity and creativity. While praising "yayaya" for its unique approach and striking visuals, including Indian-inspired costumes, he critiques the excessive use of electric sounds, chaotic structure, and reliance on the "hook song formula". The choreography and performance style, although engaging, drew mixed reactions and sparked memes, illustrating the risks associated with pushing creative boundaries. In a more positive review, Young-woong from StarNews praises the song's sophisticated feel, highlighting the tension created by jungle-like Indian sounds and mechanical vocals over a fast drum beat. She notes the addictive chorus and easy-to-follow lyrics, enhanced by autotune for a polished vibe. She also highlights the alternation between the members' cute and sexy voices, combined with the rap in the bridge, which adds energy to the track. She further notes that the lyrics, expressing a girl’s emotions in love, and the repetitive hooks intensify the excitement, making it a standout dance song.

In 2021, KKBox Hong Kong also included "yayaya" in their list of the Best classic K-pop songs of 2010 praising its style and dance. In 2024, the song was included on NME's best T-ara songs list.

Legacy and Impact

“Yayaya” quickly became a defining moment in T-ara’s career, sparking debate and influencing K-pop’s trajectory in the early 2010s. The Dong-A Ilbo examined it as either a bold experiment or a misstep in K-pop evolution, praising its energy and bold concept while acknowledging its polarizing reception. He remarked that, despite the criticism, the track solidified T-ara's standing as trailblazers, cementing their reputation as innovators in the ever-evolving landscape of K-pop. The song has earned recognition as one of the defining classics of K-pop.

Charts and sales

Charts

Sales

Awards and nominations

Track listing

Release history

References

1. ^ 이투데이 (2010-11-23). "걸그룹 티아라 '왜 이러니'" [Girl group T-ara 'Why are you like this']. 이투데이 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-20.
2. "T-ara album release date delayed to December 3". 25 November 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
3. "`컴백` 티아라 큐리 `눈부신 몸매`" [`Comeback` T-ara Qri `Dazzling Body`]. 매일경제 (in Korean). 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
4. "T-ara album release date delayed to December 3". 25 November 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
5. "K-POPダンススタジオ YAMA & HOTCHICKS official web site". LD&K. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
6. 스타뉴스 (2010-12-02). "티아라 새음반 타이틀곡, 원래 남녀공학 데뷔곡". 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-21.
7. 기자, 남안우. "티아라 두 번째 日공습, 지하철·거리·건물에 사진 도배" [Tiara's second Japanese air raid, photos plastered on subways, streets, and buildings]. 마이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-21.
8. "T-ARA（ティアラ）公式ウェブサイト ｜ トピック" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
9. "T-ARA（ティアラ）公式ウェブサイト ｜ ディスコグラフィー" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
10. "Vol.2 Temptastic". melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
11. 이트라이브, 티아라 신곡 '야야야' 가사 직접 해설’ (in Korean). StarNews. December 3, 2010.
12. "이중스타킹 신은 티아라 '야야야' 음반판매 1위 '기염'" [T-ara Eunjung, knee injury on icy road].
13. ^ [티아라 24시=16:50] 티아라, 스타킹 대신 레깅스. Money Today (in Korean). Star News. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
14. Im, Ju-hui (3 December 2010). 티아라, '복장규제'로 인해 스타킹 두 개 겹쳐 신고 컴백. My Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
15. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20120726201600005
16. Cite error: The named reference 2010Gaon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
17. Cite error: The named reference 2011p4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
18. Positions on the RIAJ Digital Track Chart:
    • "YaYaYa": "Digital Chart: November 30, 2011" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012.
19. ^ "[O2/뮤직] 당혹스러운 티아라의 신곡 '야야야(Yayaya)'의 양면성" [ The Embarrassing Duality of T-ara's New Song 'Yayaya']. 동아일보 (in Korean). 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
20. 스타뉴스 (2010-12-01). "티아라 새음반 타이틀곡 '야야야' 들어보니…". 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-21.
21. ^ "【回憶召喚】Super Junior〈美人啊〉、CNBLUE〈孤獨的人〉十首熱門K-POP帶你回到2010年！". KKBox (in Chinese). 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
22. Chin, Carmen (2024-07-29). "The 10 best T-ARA songs". NME. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
23. "'음중' 티아라, 산타 변신 '깜찍+섹시+발랄' 3色 매력 물씬" ['Music Core' T-ara, Santa transformation 'cute + sexy + lively' 3-color charm]. www.asiae.co.kr (in Korean). 2010-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-20.

1. Cumulative sales figures for "yayaya" in 2010 and 2011.
2. Cumulative sales figures for "What's Wrong" in 2010 and 2011

• 2010 songs