SISTAR19 (씨스타19): Untold Secrets of Their Iconic 2013 Hit

SISTAR19 (씨스 타 19) immediately dominated the Korean music scene in 2013 with their hit "Gone Not Around Any Longer," achieving not just one but two "perfect all-kills" on all major Korean music charts. The song maintained its number one position for an impressive two weeks, demonstrating the sub-unit's powerful impact on listeners across South Korea.

Furthermore, this breakthrough single wasn't just a momentary success – it generated over 37,190,626 streams and sold more than 1,723,704 downloads by the end of 2013. Released on January 31, 2013, "Gone Not Around Any Longer" served as the title track for SISTAR19's first single album, establishing the duo of Hyorin and Bora as a formidable force in K-pop. Notably, the release featured a distinctive "bed pictorial" concept with the members posing in knitwear, creating a visual identity that complemented their musical style.

The Formation of SISTAR19 and Their Unique Identity

The inception of SISTAR19 (씨스 타 19) marked an innovative chapter in K-pop history when they debuted in May 2011. Initially, the sub-unit emerged not from a desire to be pioneering, but rather to showcase different artistic dimensions of the members. The name itself carried significant meaning – the "19" symbolized the emotional threshold between girlhood and womanhood at age 19, capturing the vulnerability and growth of that pivotal age.

Why a sub-unit? The concept behind SISTAR19

During an episode of Three Wheels in May 2013, Hyolyn and Bora explained that SISTAR19 was created to express the complex emotions experienced during the transition to adulthood. The duo didn't explicitly seek to establish themselves as trendsetters; instead, they simply wanted to explore artistic avenues unavailable within their main group. Essentially, the sub-unit provided freedom to develop songs centered around love, heartbreak, and emotional maturity.

Hyorin and Bora: A perfect duo

Combining Hyolyn's powerful vocals with Bora's sharp rapping skills created a magnetic synergy on stage. At ages 20 and 21 respectively when they debuted, the pair embodied the emotional journey they aimed to portray. Their chemistry was immediately apparent in their performances, particularly with their signature "body roll" choreography that captivated audiences nationwide. Moreover, despite their age difference, they developed a protective relationship—Hyolyn once stated, "Even though she's older than me, I'm going to protect her".

How SISTAR19 differed from SISTAR

SISTAR19 deliberately cultivated a distinct identity from the main group:

While SISTAR projected a powerful, energetic image with summer anthems, SISTAR19 embraced maturity and femininity
The sub-unit focused on medium-tempo tracks with smooth melodies rather than upbeat hits
Their concept allowed for exploring emotional depth through sultry performances and heartbreak narratives

In contrast to SISTAR's quartet dynamic, the duo format enabled both artists to highlight their individual strengths and artistic colors more vividly. After all, as Bora explained, "SISTAR19's image lies in maturity," offering a sophisticated alternative to their main group's established identity.

The Making of 'Gone Not Around Any Longer'

January 2013 marked a pivotal moment for 씨스 타 19 as they prepared to release what would become their signature hit. The song, with its Korean title "있다 없으니까," translated to "Gone Not Around Any Longer" in English, was destined to reshape their career trajectory.

Collaboration with Brave Brothers

Continuing their successful partnership, SISTAR19 teamed up once again with hit-making producer Brave Brothers for this comeback. This collaboration was significant as Brave Brothers had previously crafted numerous successful tracks for the main group, including "Push Push," "Shady Girl," "So Cool," and SISTAR19's debut "Ma Boy". According to their agency, the duo "put a lot of efforts into the new material in order to satisfy their fans".

Recording process and production details

Musically, "Gone Not Around Any Longer" represented a stylistic evolution—characterized as a "sensual and sad hip hop number" that narrated a declining love story. Unlike SISTAR's earlier electronic-heavy releases, this track featured a gentler saxophone instrumental that intertwined dramatically with Hyorin's vocals during the song's climax. The production maintained Brave Brothers' signature sound yet offered a more polished, less electronic assault on the senses.

Visual concept and teaser photos

On January 24, SISTAR19 revealed striking teaser photos featuring a "bed pictorial" concept, with both members posing in knitwear. This visual direction strategically merged "the two different characters Hyorin and Bora into one," creating what Starship Entertainment described as a "mysterious charm that is undeniable". The concept balanced youthful innocence with mature sensuality—perfectly embodying the nineteen-year-old girl theme.

Chart Success and Public Reception

The release of "Gone Not Around Any Longer" propelled 씨스 타 19 to unprecedented heights on music charts across multiple platforms.

Gaon and Billboard chart performance

Upon its January 31, 2013 release, the single immediately dominated Billboard Korea's K-Pop Hot 100, claiming the #1 position for four consecutive weeks – the longest chart-topping run of any K-pop song in 2013. Simultaneously, the track peaked at #5 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. Within South Korea, their EP secured the #2 position on the Circle Album chart.

Sales figures and streaming milestones

"Gone Not Around Any Longer" achieved a remarkable "perfect all-kill" status for 14 consecutive days, sweeping all major Korean real-time music charts. Indeed, the single amassed approximately 1,723,704 downloads, establishing itself as the third highest-performing idol unit release on the Gaon Annual Chart.

Music show wins and awards

Overall, 씨스 타 19 collected seven music show trophies, including:

Three consecutive victories on Music Bank (February 15-March 1, 2013)
Three consecutive wins on M Countdown (February 7-21, 2013)
One triumph on Show Champion (February 20, 2013)

Additionally, the duo received a nomination at the prestigious 2013 World Music Awards. Their achievement was especially significant considering the fierce competition from other artists, including Leessang, Baechigi, and CNBLUE.

Tracklist Breakdown and Musical Style

The mini-album of 씨스 타 19 showcases their versatile musical range across five distinct tracks, presenting a cohesive yet diverse listening experience.

1. SISTAR19 (Intro)

Opening the EP with a brief 46-second introduction, this track sets the tone for the album. Produced solely by Brave Brothers, this short opener serves as a musical prelude that smoothly transitions into the main attraction.

2. Gone Not Around Any Longer

Following the intro, the title track (있다 없으니까) shines with its distinctive saxophone instrumental that became the song's signature sound. At 3:37 minutes, this sad hip-hop number was arranged by both Brave Brothers and Elephant Kingdom. The production artfully balances jazzy elements with contemporary K-pop sensibilities.

3. A Girl in Love

The third track (나도 여자인데) runs 3:08 minutes and presents a cool R&B song with a vibe reminiscent of "Sugar Sugar" by Baby Bash. Lyrically, it explores a woman's perspective in love, perfectly aligning with the sub-unit's concept of portraying nineteen-year-old emotions.

4. Ma Boy

Originally released as their debut digital single in 2011, "Ma Boy" found new life on this EP. This medium-tempo neo-soul track runs 3:19 minutes and features choreography known as "Walking Wave". The dance maximized the members' physical strengths through glamorous movements.

5. Instrumental version insights

Completing the EP, the instrumental version of the title track preserves all the sonic textures of the original, allowing listeners to appreciate the production intricacies. At 3:37 minutes, it maintains identical arrangement and composition credits.