TWICE "Yes or Yes" Album Review: Hidden Details You Missed in 2018's Best-Selling Release

TWICE "Yes or Yes" album topped the charts and shattered records when it dropped on November 5, 2018. Released by JYP Entertainment, this seven-track collection became the group's first Korean album to reach #1 on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart while also dominating the Gaon Album Chart. Furthermore, the title track earned platinum certification after reaching 100 million streams according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

With its release, TWICE crossed an impressive milestone of over 3 million cumulative albums sold in South Korea, with "Yes or Yes" itself contributing over 500,000 copies to that total. The tracklist features seven songs including the lead single and a Korean version of "BDZ". Though the album delivers TWICE's signature bright sound, fans were intrigued by the contrast with the spooky "Welcome to TWICE Square" teaser video - a creative direction reminiscent of their zombie-filled debut "Like Ooh-Ahh" from 2015.

Album Overview: TWICE 'Yes or Yes' EP (2018)

TWICE's sixth extended play "Yes or Yes" showcased the group's evolving sound and artistry upon its digital release on November 5, 2018, with physical copies hitting stores the following day. JYP Entertainment meticulously crafted this comeback as the group's third Korean album of the year, confirming its production in early October through creative subway advertisements that teased the phrase "Do you like TWICE? YES or YES". This clever marketing campaign generated significant buzz among fans weeks before the official announcement.

Release Date and Label Details

The EP's development was first hinted at through teaser advertisements in early October, with JYP Entertainment officially confirming the November 5 release date on October 11. The title was revealed on October 20 through a special video commemorating TWICE's third anniversary. To build anticipation, the label released a set of three teasers labeled 'Y', 'E', and 'S' on consecutive days from October 28-30. Following the successful EP release, JYP Entertainment later issued a repackaged version titled "The Year of 'Yes'" on December 12, 2018, which included two additional tracks.

Versions and Packaging

"Yes or Yes" was released in three distinct versions—A (BLACK), B (WHITE/GREY), and C (RED/BLUE)—giving fans multiple collecting options. Each version featured unique packaging with different color schemes and photo concepts. The comprehensive package included a version-specific cover and photobook, a random CD-R (1 of 9 designs), five random photocards (out of 90 possible designs), and a special "Yes or Yes" card (1 of 3 versions). Additionally, pre-order exclusives featured a photocard set with 10 cards per version and version-specific posters. This extensive collection of merchandise perfectly complemented TWICE's vibrant visual concept for the release.

Concept and Genre Overview

Musically, the title track blended several influences into what was described as a bright, lively "color pop" song. The production incorporated elements from Motown, reggae, and arena pop within a synth-pop framework. Overseas producer David Amber, who previously worked on TWICE's hit "Heartshaker," composed and co-produced the title track. Lyrically, "Yes or Yes" playfully presents a love confession scenario where only an affirmative answer is acceptable—reflecting the album's confident concept. This fresh musical direction maintained TWICE's signature upbeat energy yet showed their growth as artists, offering fans a more mature sound compared to their earlier releases.

Track-by-Track Breakdown of 'Yes or Yes'

Diving into the tracklist reveals TWICE's musical versatility across seven distinct songs that showcase both their signature sound and artistic growth.

1. Yes or Yes – Title Track and Lyrics Theme

The title track "Yes or Yes" was composed by David Amber and Andy Love, with Korean lyrics penned by Sim Eun-jee. Amber previously co-composed "Heart Shaker" while Sim co-wrote "Knock Knock". Musically, the song blends influences from Motown, reggae, and arena pop into a bright, lively "color pop" experience in the synth-pop genre. The lyrics playfully present a love confession scenario where only an affirmative answer is acceptable, as established in Mina's English intro: "Hey boy, look, I'm gonna make this simple for you, you got two choices: yes or... yes".

2. Say You Love Me – Upbeat Confession Song

Following the energetic opener is "Say You Love Me," an upbeat track with EDM influences that imparts a charming buoyancy. The song lyrically portrays someone admitting feelings to a romantic interest while awaiting their reply. Its memorable hook — "You got something I want, and I have something you need" — creates an addictive quality that pairs nicely with the guitar-driven instrumental during verses and chorus.

3. LaLaLa – Jeongyeon's Love Song

"LaLaLa," written by member Jeongyeon, stands as the third track on the EP. Described as a "quintessential love song", it carries a bright retro vibe that would have been ideal for the summer season. The track features interesting brass elements in the bridge that add showtime flair. Moreover, rap line members Chaeyoung and Dahyun reveal their singing abilities rather than their typical rapping.

4. Young & Wild – Self-Empowerment by Chaeyoung

Chaeyoung's self-penned "Young & Wild" breaks from TWICE's typical love-focused themes. Instead, it addresses self-confidence and embracing youth with a carefree attitude. The lyrics encourage listeners to "enjoy and feel special because there's nothing stopping us". Notably, this track has been described as TWICE's most unconventional sounding piece, balancing potential edginess with their characteristic brightness.

5. Sunset – Jihyo's Romantic Imagery

"Sunset," written by Jihyo, features a distinctive mono-speaker sound effect that enhances its unique atmosphere. The lyrics poetically compare one's romantic interest to a sunset. Musically, the track boasts a perky 80s vibe with explosive arpeggios and animated synths that zigzag between vocals and harmonies. The song provides a platform for members to showcase their vocal talents, particularly Nayeon, Mina, Jihyo, and Jeongyeon.

6. After Moon – Ballad with Emotional Depth

The sixth track "After Moon" offers a change of pace as the album's ballad. Supported by an orchestral instrumental, it compares the intermittent meetings of star-crossed lovers to dawn—when sun and moon briefly share the sky. Despite not being known primarily for their vocals, TWICE delivers this emotional piece effectively.

7. BDZ (Korean Ver.) – Japanese Hit Reimagined

Concluding the EP is the Korean version of "BDZ," originally released in Japanese on August 16, 2018. The lyrics maintain the powerful imagery of the original, comparing the singers' determination to "a bulldozer, a tank, a soldier" breaking down emotional barriers. Filled with confidence and "girl power" energy, this track provides a strong finale to the album.

Promotions and Media Appearances

TWICE launched an extensive promotional campaign for "Yes or Yes" that began well before the album's release date. Their management team strategically built anticipation through a series of teasers and high-profile media appearances.

Comeback Showcase and Music Shows

TWICE held their official comeback showcase on November 5, 2018, at the KBS Arena Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Subsequently, the group made their first televised performance of "Yes or Yes" at the 2018 MBC Plus X Genie Music Awards on November 6. Their music show circuit included performances on several major programs: M Countdown (November 8), Music Bank (November 9 and 23), Inkigayo (November 11), Show Champion (November 14), and Show! Music Core (November 17). Throughout this promotional period, "Yes or Yes" accumulated four music show wins, starting with Show Champion on November 14. The group culminated their music show appearances with a performance at the prestigious 39th Blue Dragon Film Awards on November 23.

TV Appearances: Knowing Bros, Idol Room

Two days prior to the album release, TWICE appeared on Knowing Bros, marking their third visit to the popular variety show. This episode featured memorable moments—Jeongyeon addressing her reputation as the member who scolds others, Sana and Chaeyoung's bathroom noises becoming a topic of discussion, and Dahyun expressing fascination with Ho Dong's "cuteness". Alongside this, TWICE made a guest appearance on Idol Room (Episode 26), where they participated in games tailored to highlight their personalities. The group's November 2018 promotion period likewise included segments on MNET's MV Commentary, where members discussed behind-the-scenes stories about their music video.

Music Video Teasers and Choreography Reveals

JYP Entertainment meticulously orchestrated the release of teasers, unveiling the first music video teaser on October 29. The teaser featured Jeongyeon driving toward "TWICE Square" with Mina delivering the now-iconic line: "Hey boy, look, I'm gonna make this simple for you. You got two choices: Yes, or yes". Interestingly, TWICE revealed that Park Jin Young requested a change to their choreography—originally, members held an "OK" sign near their shoulders during the key part, but he suggested bringing it closer to their faces. The final choreography was showcased in various versions, including a "lovely version" dance practice video released after the official video.

Sales, Charts, and Certifications

The impressive commercial performance of "Yes or Yes" elevated TWICE to unprecedented heights in K-pop history. Upon release, the EP immediately showcased its market power through exceptional chart positions and record-breaking sales figures.

Gaon and Oricon Chart Rankings

"Yes or Yes" dominated the Gaon Album Chart for the week ending November 10, 2018, securing the top position immediately after release. Impressively, the album achieved a quadruple crown on Gaon charts by simultaneously topping the physical album chart, overall digital chart, download chart, and social chart for the week of November 4-10. In terms of monthly performance, the EP ranked third on the Gaon Album Chart for November 2018, with 322,803 copies sold. The title track "Yes or Yes" likewise conquered the Gaon Digital Chart, becoming TWICE's ninth consecutive number-one single. Overseas, the album made history as TWICE's first Korean release to rank number one on both Japan's Oricon Albums Chart and Digital Albums Chart, selling 33,000 copies in its first week in Japan.

Platinum and Double Platinum Certifications

Just six days after release, "Yes or Yes" received a Platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) on November 11, 2018, for surpassing 250,000 copies sold. This achievement made TWICE the first and only girl group at that time to receive Platinum certifications for three different albums via Gaon. Subsequently, in June 2024, the album reached the 500,000 sales milestone and earned a Double Platinum certification from KMCA. The title track itself garnered significant streaming success, eventually surpassing 100 million streams in August 2019 to become TWICE's second single certified Platinum for streaming by KMCA. Furthermore, the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) awarded the song Platinum certification after it reached 100 million streams in that market as well.

Cumulative Album Sales Milestone

With the release of "Yes or Yes," TWICE crossed a significant threshold in their career by exceeding 3 million cumulative album sales in South Korea. Remarkably, they achieved this feat within just three years of their debut, cementing their status as the girl group with the most album sales on Gaon. Throughout 2018 alone, TWICE sold over 1.2 million albums in South Korea, with "Yes or Yes" contributing 304,510 copies to that total. This commercial triumph, coupled with their Japanese success where they approached 2 million album sales since their 2017 Japanese debut, established TWICE as an unparalleled commercial powerhouse in both Korean and Japanese markets.