Hidden Gems in Weki Meki's Discography: The Story Behind 'Hide and Seek' EP

Weki Meki's discography received a significant addition when their third extended play "Hide and Seek" (stylized as "HIDE and SEEK") was released on June 18, 2020. The EP, distributed by Kakao M and released under Fantagio Music, notably debuted at number 13 on the Gaon Album Chart.

The mini-album features five Weki Meki songs, including the title track "Oopsy" and the previously released digital single "Dazzle Dazzle". Additionally, the track list includes "Moya Moya," "The Paradise," and "Youniverse," creating a diverse musical collection. The physical album was released in two distinct versions appropriately named "Hide" and "Seek". Furthermore, "Hide and Seek" demonstrated solid commercial performance, ranking as the 41st best-selling album in June 2020 with 12,759 copies sold, eventually reaching 16,848 copies by July 2020.

The Making of 'Hide and Seek' EP

The journey of Weki Meki's "Hide and Seek" EP began on May 29, 2020, with Fantagio unveiling two intriguing "coming soon" posters that hinted at dual physical album versions.

Announcement and teaser schedule

Fantagio mapped out an extensive promotional roadmap on June 1, setting the stage for a carefully orchestrated rollout. The campaign officially commenced on June 2 with a mood teaser, followed by a series of concept photos and other promotional materials. Throughout the next two weeks, fans were treated to a steady stream of content—mood films, album previews, concept photos, a tracklist reveal on June 12, and a highlight medley on June 13. The final countdown featured two music video teasers for "Oopsy" released on June 15 and 16, building anticipation for the June 18 comeback.

Two physical versions: Hide and Seek

On June 4, Weki Meki revealed previews of both physical album versions. Each edition was thoughtfully designed to represent different facets of the group's concept. The physical packages included a CD, photo book, photocard set, and sticker set—giving fans multiple collectible items. Both versions contributed to the group's Hanteo Chart rankings, an important metric for K-pop album sales.

Pre-release promotions and concept photos

The dual concept approach became evident through distinctly different visual themes. The "Hide" version showcased a darker, more mysterious aesthetic. In contrast, the "Seek" version, released later in the promotional cycle, featured a brighter summer theme. This lighter concept incorporated feathers, fruits, and flowers as props, creating a vibrant visual narrative. The stark difference between the two versions illustrated the intentional duality in the album's concept.

The contrast between light and dark themes across both versions created an engaging visual storytelling experience, allowing fans to see different sides of the group while maintaining a cohesive overall concept for this addition to Weki Meki's discography.

Track List Breakdown and Musical Style

The "Hide and Seek" EP showcases Weki Meki's musical versatility through five distinct tracks that span multiple genres, ultimately creating a cohesive listening experience.

1. Oopsy – The title track

"Oopsy" grooves with a funky, bass-driven beat overlaid with synth splashes and trap elements. The track strikes a balance between Weki Meki's more bombastic material and their quirky side. Though some critics noted that the instrumental would have been stronger if focused more heavily on its bassline, the song still delivers a sassy energy that fans appreciate. The choreography for "Oopsy" appears clean and straightforward, making the group look more confident and mature.

2. Moya Moya – A moody follow-up

Perhaps the standout track of the EP, "Moya Moya" delivers an upbeat summer vibe that some reviewers considered superior to the title track. The song features a catchy singalong opening that doubles as a post-chorus hook, creating "one of the year's most instantly addictive" elements. With its frothy dance beat and laid-back pace, this track exemplifies second-generation K-pop influences while maintaining Weki Meki's contemporary sound.

3. The Paradise – Member involvement in writing

"The Paradise" takes a different direction with pure R&B styling. The track highlights the group's harmonic capabilities with "seductively smooth" arrangements and "positively angelic" chorus vocals. With its '80s pop sound and carefree energy, this song became a favorite among many listeners, demonstrating the group's ability to excel outside typical girl group fare.

4. Youniverse – A fan favorite

"Youniverse" continues the R&B theme but at a slower tempo, creating more of a ballad atmosphere. This soothing track showcases the members' vocal abilities in a more relaxed setting. Despite its more subdued nature compared to other tracks on the EP, its retro slow vibes complement the overall album flow.

5. Dazzle Dazzle – The pre-release single

Released on February 20, 2020, "Dazzle Dazzle" combines hip-hop and moombahton to create a hybrid dance track. The song features an addictive bassline and cheerful brass sounds that enhance its dynamic atmosphere. Written by Danke, STAINBOYS, and Anna Timgren, this pre-release single offered fans a catchy hook with the line "Dazzle dazzle dazzle me" that proved immediately memorable.

Commercial Performance and Chart Rankings

Upon its release, "Hide and Seek" made a respectable entrance into the Korean music market, strengthening Weki Meki's position in the competitive K-pop landscape. The EP's commercial performance offers insights into the group's growing fanbase and market presence.

Initial Gaon chart position

"Hide and Seek" debuted at number 13 on the Gaon Album Chart for the week ending June 20, 2020. This initial ranking demonstrated solid interest in Weki Meki's newest addition to their discography. First-day sales reached 2,688 copies according to Hanteo Chart data, followed by first-week sales totaling 7,832 copies. This performance reflected moderate growth in the group's commercial appeal since their previous releases.

Sales figures in June and July 2020

As June 2020 concluded, "Hide and Seek" had secured its position as the 41st best-selling album of the month with 12,759 copies sold. Following this initial success, sales continued to accumulate steadily throughout July. By the end of July 2020, total sales had reached 16,848 copies, making it Weki Meki's third best-selling album at that time. For perspective within Weki Meki's discography, their debut mini-album "WEME" remained their top seller with 49,476 copies, followed by "I AM ME." with 17,366 copies.

Longevity on the charts

"Hide and Seek" displayed interesting movement patterns on the charts after its debut. During its second week, the EP experienced a drop to number 53. However, it bounced back in subsequent weeks, climbing to number 41 in its third week and continuing upward to number 28 by the fourth week. Throughout this period, the album maintained its presence in the Top 100 for five consecutive weeks, showcasing consistent consumer interest. In yearly rankings, "Hide and Seek" placed 685th among all albums released in 2020, 1656th for the decade of the 2020s, and secured position 53,013 in overall historical album rankings.

Visuals, Promotions, and Music Show Appearances

Throughout June 2020, Fantagio executed a strategic visual rollout for Weki Meki's "Hide and Seek" EP, culminating in the release of the "Oopsy" music video and subsequent music show promotions.

Oopsy music video teasers and release

The visual campaign for "Oopsy" intensified with the release of the first music video teaser on June 15, followed by a second teaser on June 16. These short previews showcased the group's energetic choreography and colorful sets, building anticipation for the full release. On June 18, alongside the EP drop, Fantagio unveiled the complete music video for "Oopsy". The visuals highlighted the song's dance-pop elements with refreshing drum beats and rhythmical synth sounds. Simultaneously, behind-the-scenes photos from the "Oopsy" music video shoot appeared on the Melon website, giving fans additional content to explore.

Dance practices and highlight medley

Prior to the music video teasers, Weki Meki released a highlight medley on June 13. This audio preview offered fans brief snippets of all five tracks, showcasing the EP's musical diversity. The highlight medley arrived three days after the "SEEK" version concept film, creating momentum heading into the final week before release. Dance practice videos later supplemented the promotional material, demonstrating the group's synchronized movements and allowing fans to learn the choreography.

Comeback stage and music show performances

Weki Meki officially began their comeback activities with a performance on M Countdown on June 18, coinciding with the album's release date. Thereafter, the group continued promoting "Oopsy" on various music shows in the days and weeks that followed. These performances showcased their polished choreography while allowing the members to display their live vocal abilities. The promotions represented Weki Meki's second promotional cycle of 2020, following their February digital single "DAZZLE DAZZLE".

The visual elements across teasers, music videos, and live performances effectively communicated the dual concept at the heart of "Hide and Seek," strengthening this addition to Weki Meki's discography with cohesive multimedia storytelling.