What You Waiting For (Jeon Somi song)

"What You Waiting For"
Single by Jeon Somi
from the album XOXO
LanguageKorean
ReleasedJuly 22, 2020 (2020-07-22)
RecordedFebruary 2020 (2020-02)
Genre
Length2:55
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Teddy
  • Somi
  • Danny Chung
Producer(s)
  • Teddy
  • R. Tee
  • 24
Jeon Somi singles chronology
"Birthday"
(2019) 		"What You Waiting For"
(2020) 		"Dumb Dumb"
(2021)
Music video
"What You Waiting For" on YouTube

"What You Waiting For" is a song released by Canadian-Dutch-Korean singer-songwriter Jeon Somi. It was released by The Black Label and Interscope Records on July 22, 2020.[4]

Background and release

[edit]

On July 14, 2020, The Black Label released a promotional poster for the song with the release date on it, confirming that Somi would make a surprise comeback in about a week.[5] Then, on July 15, they released the second promotional poster, also unveiling the title of the song "What You Waiting For".[6] The following day, a credits poster was unveiled revealing that Somi was involved in the songs's writing and production as well.[7] On July 18, the third promotional poster was released.[8] On July 22, the song and its music video were released for digital download and streaming.[9]

Composition

[edit]

"What You Waiting For" was written by Teddy, R.Tee, 24, Jeon Somi, Danny Chung and produced by Teddy, R. Tee, 24[7] The final version was fully recorded at The Black Label in Seoul, South Korea in February 2020, five months before the release, on July 22 of the same year.[10] It is an upbeat R&B, dance-pop,[1] synth-pop,[2] electronica and power-pop track[3] that incorporate elements of trop-house, EDM-pop,[11] moombahton and 2010s house beats.[12] The track built around an "emotional" chord progression that contrasts with "the bright" synth sound, which is considered different from somi's previous songs.[13][14] The track "opens with a subtle synth-pop production, bouncing through DIY-vibe electronica and a racing, power-pop chorus as Somi tells an apprehensive lover 'Baby, I’ve been waiting for you all this time!".[3] In the lyrics, somi narrates a story about a girl who is waiting for a confession from her crush, where she asks him "a bold question", which is, "What you waiting for?".[15] In an interview, Somi claimed the song had no specific inspiration, adding that it might have been "the late night tacos and chicken wings" she and her producers had been waiting for.[16]

Music video

[edit]

On July 17, the first music video teaser was released.[17] Three days later, the second music video teaser was released.[18] A day after, the third music video teaser was released.[19] On July 22, the music video was released.[20] The video amassed over six million views in its first 24 hours of release.[21] By November 2020, the music video had gathered more than 18 million views.[22]

As quoted from Forbes, "The video showed Somi who looked more confident than ever embracing different looks and sides of herself as she literally breaks through barriers."[3] In an interview with "Idol Radio," Somi explained that she played 'sub-characters' in her music video. She explained, "This time, I played 8 roles per person. Looking at the timid Somi trapped in the frame she made, the strong Somi continues to tell her to go out and express herself and be confident". "At the end, as the timid Somi and the strong Somi combine, a new Somi with a sword in her head was born."[10]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The song peaked at number 53 on the South Korean Gaon chart becoming Somi's third highest entry on the chart. In Malaysia the song peaked at number 8 becoming her first top ten hit in the country. In Singapore the song hit number two becoming her highest-charting song there. The song also peaked at number 8 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart becoming her second top 10 entry on the chart.

Accolades

[edit]

On August 6, 2020, Somi took her first music show trophy with the song on Mnet's M Countdown.[23]

Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
M Countdown August 6, 2020 [24]
Year-end lists
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Hypebae Best K-Pop Songs and Music Videos of 2020 — [25]

Credits and personal

[edit]

Credits adopted from album liner notes and Tidal.[26][27]

Studios

Song credits

  • Somi – vocals, lyricist, composer
  • Teddy Park – lyricist, composer, music producer, creative director, executive
  • Danny Chung – lyricist
  • R. Tee – composer, arranger, music producer
  • 24 – composer, arranger, music producer
  • Youngju Bang – recording engineer
  • Yong-in Choi – recording engineer
  • Josh Gudwin – mixing
  • Jason Roberts – mixing
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering

Visual credits

  • Gee Eun – visual director & stylist
  • Visual team
    • Onyou kim
    • Monica Kim
  • Artwork team
    • Seuki Kim
    • Jeong Yoon Yoon
    • Chansol Joo
    • Hyona Park
    • Youngsun Cho
  • photographer team
    • Jiyoung Yoon
    • Chae Dae Han
    • Junkyung Lee
    • Heejin Kim
  • Stylist team
    • Jin Lim
    • Soojeong I'm
    • Hye Young Jung

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "What You Waiting For"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[35] Gold 20,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label
Various July 22, 2020
The Black Label
United States Interscope

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Lee, Gyu-lee (July 22, 2020). "SOMI to drop new single 'What You Waiting For' – The Korea Times". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Oak, Jessica (2020-08-11). "Somi Talks Interscope Deal & K-Pop Hit 'What You Waiting For'". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e Benjamin, Jeff (July 22, 2020). "Somi Makes Her Global K-Pop Move With 'What You Waiting For' After U.S. Record Deal". Forbes. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  4. ^ Lee, Gyu-lee (July 22, 2020). "SOMI to drop new single 'What You Waiting For'". The Korea Times. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Choi, Joo-won (July 14, 2020). "전소미, 7월 컴백대전 합류 '막강 파워걸이 온다'" [Jeon So-mi will join the comeback battle in July. 'Here comes the powerful girl.']. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Hwang, Jee-young (July 15, 2020). "전소미, 22일 컴백 타이틀은 'WHAT YOU WAITING FOR'" [Jeon So-mi, the comeback title on the 22nd is "WHAT YOU WAITING FOR".]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Kim, Han-na (July 16, 2020). "전소미, 과감한 매혹적 스타일...티저 속 성숙한 분위기 발산" [Jeon So-mi, bold and captivating style. Give off a mature vibe in the teaser.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  8. ^ Lee, Ho-yeon (July 18, 2020). "'컴백 D-4' 전소미, 스타일링보다 화려한 미모" ['Comeback D-4' Jeon So-mi, more gorgeous than styling.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  9. ^ Hong, Hye-min (July 22, 2020). "전소미, 다시 돌아왔다" [Jeon So-mi, you're back.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Kwak, Hyeon-soo (July 30, 2020). "'아이돌 라디오' 전소미 "'What You Waiting For' 뮤비 속 1인 8역 도전"" ['Idol Radio' Jeon So-mi "Challenge 8 roles per person in the 'What You Waiting For' music video"]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  11. ^ "Somi's Gorgeous "What You Waiting For" MV Has the Best Cat Cameo". Teen Vogue. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  12. ^ Hwang, In-ho (July 2020). "What you waiting For – IZM". IZM. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  13. ^ Choi, Hee-jae (July 22, 2020). "전소미, 신곡 'What You Waiting For' 오늘(22일) 발매…작사·작곡 참여" [Jeon So-mi, new song 'What You Waiting For' released today (22nd)... Participation in writing and composing]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  14. ^ Yoo, Byung-cheol (July 22, 2020). "'파격 변신' 전소미, 22일 'What You Waiting For' 발매" ['Unprecedented Transformation' Jeon So-mi releases 'What You Waiting For' on the 22nd]. Korea Economy (in Korean). Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Lee, Min-ji (July 22, 2020). ""어쩔거야 날" 전소미, 고백을 기다리는 'What You Waiting For'[들어보고서]" [“What should I do?” Jeon So-mi, waiting for a confession, 'What You Waiting For' [Listen]]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Wass, Mike (August 13, 2021). "Interview: SOMI Talks "What You Waiting For" & Debut Album". Idolator. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  17. ^ Hong, Hye-min (July 17, 2020). "전소미, 단발 파격 변신?...'What You Waiting For' 티저 공개" [Jeon So-mi, a shocking transformation with short hair? The teaser for "What You Waiting For" released.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  18. ^ Kim, Han-na (July 20, 2020). "전소미, 드레스 입고 운동장 트랙에?...신곡 2차 티저 영상 공개" [Jeon So-mi, wearing a dress on the track on the playground? Second teaser video for the new song released.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Kim, Yeon-ji (July 21, 2020). "전소미, 'What You Waiting For' MV 3차 티저 공개" [Jeon So-mi, "What You Waiting For" MV third teaser released.]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  20. ^ Hwang, Jee-young (July 22, 2020). ""밝은 척 못해"…전소미, 끝이 보이는 사랑 노래" ["I can't pretend to be bright." Jeon So-mi, a love song with an end.]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  21. ^ Kim, Ye-eun (July 22, 2020). "SOMI Releases New Single "What You Waiting For" After Signing to Interscope Records". Hypebae. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  22. ^ Oak, Jessica (November 8, 2020). "Somi Talks Interscope Deal & K-Pop Hit 'What You Waiting For'". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Jeong, Han-byeol (August 6, 2020). "'엠카' 전소미, '왓 유 웨이팅 포'로 1위…레몬 먹으며 앙코르 무대" ['M Countdown' Jeon So-mi, wins first place with 'What You Waiting For'. Eating lemon while on encore stage.]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  24. ^ Kim, Han-na (August 7, 2020). "전소미, 데뷔 후 첫 음악방송 1위..."솜뭉치들 사랑해요"" [Jeon So-mi, the first time to get the first place on a music show. "I love you, Som-mungchis."]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  25. ^ Kim, Ye-eun (December 14, 2020). "These Are the Best K-Pop Songs and Music Videos of 2020". Hypebae. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  26. ^ XOXO (CD). Jeon Somi. The Black Labe, YG Plus, Interscope. 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ "XOXO – SOMI Album details". Tidal. 22 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "What You Waiting For". Recorded Music NZ. August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  30. ^ RIAS Chart:
  31. ^ "2020년 31주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  32. ^ "K-pop Hot 100 – Week of August 8, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  33. ^ "Somi Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  34. ^ "2020년 07월Digital Chart" [July 2020 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2021 – via Gaon Chart.
  35. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Jeon Somi – What You Waiting For" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
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