TWICE Signal EP Review: The Surprising Story Behind Their Musical Evolution

TWICE signal marked a pivotal moment in the K-pop group's musical journey when it was released on May 15, 2017. Notably, this fourth extended play became the first lead single produced by JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young himself. The EP quickly established itself as a commercial powerhouse, selling over 280,000 copies by the end of 2017 and helping TWICE reach the impressive milestone of over 1 million accumulated album sales since their debut.

Furthermore, "Signal" dominated music shows with an impressive 12 wins and went on to claim both Song of the Year and Best Dance Performance – Female Group at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards. The TWICE signal album, distributed by Genie Music, was made available in three distinct versions – A, B, and C – each offering fans unique collectible experiences. In fact, the EP's lasting impact was further solidified when the Recording Industry Association of Japan awarded "Signal" a gold certification on July 6, 2024.

What factors contributed to this EP's remarkable success? How did the TWICE signal release help evolve the group's musical identity? From its hip-hop fusion title track to its distinctive album cover, this article explores the surprising story behind TWICE's musical evolution during this defining era.

The Making of TWICE’s Signal EP: From Rumors to Release

Rumors about TWICE's comeback began circulating in early 2017, following the success of their "TT" single. Although speculation initially pointed to an April return, JYP Entertainment officially announced in late April that the nine-member group would release their fourth mini-album in May. This confirmation excited fans who had been eagerly anticipating new music from the group after their previous EP "TWICEcoaster: LANE 2."

Initial Comeback Speculations and Confirmation

Industry insiders first hinted at TWICE's return through various Korean media outlets, yet JYP Entertainment remained tight-lipped until the formal announcement. The company strategically built anticipation by confirming the comeback approximately two weeks before the actual release date, giving fans just enough time to prepare while maintaining excitement.

Teaser Campaign and Concept Reveal

The teaser campaign for the twice signal release began with individual member photos that showcased a significant departure from their previous concepts. Each member appeared with distinctive styling that hinted at the sci-fi theme, while also revealing subtle clues about the superpowers they would display in the music video.

The twice signal album cover, revealed later in the campaign, featured all nine members in their character costumes against a cosmic background that reinforced the extraterrestrial concept. Additionally, JYP Entertainment released short video teasers that offered glimpses of the twice signal instrumental, creating intrigue about the song's unique sound direction.

Collaboration with J.Y. Park and Production Timeline

What truly distinguished this EP was the direct involvement of J.Y. Park (JYP) himself. While TWICE had previously worked with various producers, this marked the first time the agency's founder took the helm for their title track. The production timeline spanned approximately three months, with recording sessions beginning in February 2017.

The twice signal lyrics, co-written by J.Y. Park, explored themes of trying to send messages to someone who doesn't notice your feelings—a relatable concept that resonated with listeners while maintaining TWICE's signature upbeat style.

Track-by-Track Breakdown: Exploring the Sound of Signal

TWICE's fourth EP showcases remarkable musical diversity, with each track offering a unique sonic palette that helped propel the group's artistic evolution.

Signal: The Title Track and Its Hip-Hop Fusion

The eponymous title track marks TWICE's first collaboration with JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young. Musically, "Signal" builds upon a hip-hop rhythm with strong 808 bass blended with electronic elements. The electropop song features programmed Roland TR-808-style kick and hi-hat while incorporating distinct hip-hop elements. Lyrically, the song expresses a girl's frustration at sending "signs and signals" to hint at her feelings, only to remain unnoticed by her crush. This departure from their previous bright pop sound demonstrates the group's willingness to experiment with edgier musical territory.

Three Times a Day: Moombahton Meets Reggaetón

Moving beyond the title track, "Three Times A Day" delivers an up-tempo experience that cleverly fuses moombahton and reggaetón stylings. This track falls within the 108-115 BPM range typical of moombahton, combining slow reggae basslines with elements of electro and Dutch house. Thematically, the lyrics portray a girl's growing frustration over her boyfriend's indifference. This track effectively showcases how TWICE embraced global music trends.

Only You: Ha:tfelt's Lyricism and Hip-Hop Blend

"Only You" stands out through its connection to TWICE's agency lineage, featuring lyrics written by former Wonder Girls member Ha:tfelt. The track blends pop sensibilities with hip-hop influences, creating a distinctive sound within the EP. The lyrics express the excitement and uncertainty of newfound love, with lines like "Let's go, always be with me, don't leave me boy".

Eye Eye Eyes: Jazz Breaks and Member Contributions

"Eye Eye Eyes" represents a significant milestone in TWICE's artistic development, featuring lyrics written by members Jihyo and Chaeyoung. The track maintains an upbeat sound throughout yet surprises listeners with an unexpected jazz break midway. This compositional choice demonstrates the group's growing musical sophistication. The song was composed by an international team including Lise Kristin Kvenseth, Erlend Elvesveen, and four other collaborators.

Someone Like Me: A Soft Pop Continuation

Concluding the EP, "Someone Like Me" offers a softer pop sound characterized by prominent electric guitar usage. Released on May 15, 2017, this final track serves as a thematic continuation of "One In A Million" from their previous release, "Twicecoaster: Lane 1". This musical callback creates cohesion across TWICE's discography while still pushing their sound forward.

Commercial Success and Chart Performance

Upon release, the twice signal album shattered multiple sales records for K-pop girl groups, establishing TWICE's dominance in the competitive music market. The EP's commercial success reinforced the group's growing popularity both domestically and internationally.

First-Day and First-Week Sales Records

The twice signal release immediately broke records with over 42,000 copies sold on its first day, setting a new benchmark for the highest first-day album sales for a Korean girl group album. This impressive achievement surpassed TWICE's own previous record of 30,000 copies with their "Twicecoaster: Lane 1" release. Their dominance continued as the EP reached more than 114,000 copies sold in its first week, once again breaking their own record for highest girl group first-week album sales. By May 23, 2017, just days after its release, the EP had already reached over 250,000 shipments.

Gaon and Billboard Chart Rankings

The twice signal album debuted at the top position on the Gaon Album Chart for the May 14-20, 2017 period. Consequently, it became the second best-selling album on the Gaon Album Chart for May 2017, recording 248,550 physical copies sold. By the end of 2017, the EP secured the 14th position among best-selling albums on the Gaon Chart with 285,294 copies sold.

Remarkably, TWICE made significant inroads on international charts as well. The EP and its title track both ranked at number 3 on Billboard's World Albums and World Digital Songs charts respectively. Signal also marked TWICE's first appearance on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, debuting at number 11 with 1,000 physical copies sold in the US.

RIAJ Gold Certification and International Reach

The twice signal instrumental and lyrics resonated strongly with Japanese listeners, eventually earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) after surpassing 50 million streams. Simultaneously, the EP performed exceptionally well across global markets, reaching number 1 on iTunes album charts in numerous countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and others. Moreover, it placed third in Sweden, fourth in Brazil and Mexico, 15th in Canada, and 17th in the United States.

Visual Identity and Promotions: From Album Cover to Stage

The physical presentation of TWICE's fourth mini-album showcased the group's creative evolution through distinctive visual elements and innovative promotional strategies.

Album Versions and the 'Signal' Album Cover

The twice signal album came in three distinct versions: A (red), B (grey/neon), and C (blue). Each version contained a cover, 88-page photobook (with version C randomly featuring either A or B photobook), and various collectible items. These collectibles included random photo cards (with three different styles across versions), special photo cards, a CD-R (with nine possible member designs), and pre-order exclusives like poster sets. The album design reflected the EP's sci-fi concept through cosmic imagery and futuristic elements.

Music Video Concept: Superpowers and Sci-Fi

Directed by Naive Creative Production, the music video featured an extraterrestrial sci-fi theme centered around a blue-faced alien. Certainly, what made the concept stand out was how each member possessed unique superpowers: Nayeon (time reversing), Jeongyeon (time freezing), Momo (super speed), Sana (invisibility), Jihyo (x-ray vision), Mina (hypnosis), Dahyun (self-duplication), Chaeyoung (telekinesis), and Tzuyu (super strength). The quirky narrative culminated with the members transforming into aliens themselves. Therefore, this creative direction represented a significant departure from their previous concepts while maintaining their signature playfulness.

Live Performances and Music Show Wins

TWICE began promoting "Signal" on music shows starting with M Countdown on May 18, 2017. Their promotional schedule included appearances on Music Bank, Show! Music Core, Inkigayo, and Show Champion. Throughout this promotional cycle, "Signal" accumulated an impressive 12 music show wins, including victories on major programs like M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo. The group concluded their music show promotions on June 4, 2017.

Behind-the-Scenes: Monograph and DVD Content

Subsequently, JYP Entertainment released a limited-edition "Signal Monograph" on November 7, 2017. This collector's item contained a 150-page photobook documenting the album's production process, alongside a DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage from photoshoots and music video filming. The monograph offered fans an intimate glimpse into TWICE's creative process, plus included nine special member photo cards.