Hidden Gems in NewJeans 'Get Up' EP That Fans Need to Know

NewJeans' "Get Up" EP shattered records, selling a staggering 1.65 million copies in its first week alone, making it the second most-sold album by a K-pop female artist in first-week sales.

Released on July 21, 2023, NewJeans' 2nd EP "Get Up" features six tracks, including three title tracks: "Super Shy," "ETA," and "Cool With You." The NewJeans "Get Up" tracklist showcases an experimental sound that blends R&B with various dance styles such as UK garage and Jersey club. Following the EP's release, the group reached an impressive milestone as the fastest K-pop act to accumulate one billion streams on Spotify. Additionally, "Get Up" debuted at number two on the Circle Album Chart and later peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200. Music critics praised the NewJeans "Get Up" songs for their innovative production, with the EP appearing on year-end lists by publications like British GQ and Rolling Stone. Behind these well-known achievements, however, lie several fascinating details that even dedicated fans might have missed.

The Powerpuff Girls Collaboration in 'New Jeans'

The first track on the "Get Up" EP offered fans more than just music. The song "New Jeans" received a distinctive visual treatment through an unexpected yet perfect partnership that elevated the group's Y2K aesthetic to new heights.

New Jeans music video concept

The opening track of NewJeans' "Get Up" EP arrived with a captivating music video that merged K-pop with iconic cartoon characters. Directed by Youngeum Lee, the video begins with the members casually discussing what superpowers they would like to possess. This seemingly ordinary conversation sets the stage for something extraordinary—the girls suddenly transform into animated versions of themselves designed to resemble The Powerpuff Girls. This collaboration was created specifically to commemorate the beloved cartoon's 25th anniversary in 2023.

The narrative concept showcases each member wielding unique superpowers that reflect their earlier wishes. Minji conjures a chocolate Bunnies wand, Hani enlarges it, Haerin lifts the massive chocolate, Danielle brings it to life, and Hyein fulfills her desire to fly. The storyline cleverly incorporates the group's fandom symbol—the Bunnies wand—which serves as both a plot device and a metaphor for the relationship between NewJeans and their fans.

New Jeans animation style

What makes the "New Jeans" music video particularly noteworthy is its diverse animation techniques. Throughout the video, viewers witness a visual feast that spans multiple animation styles. The members appear in classic 2D animation reminiscent of the original Powerpuff Girls series, consequently transitioning into more modern 3D rendered characters.

Furthermore, the video features:

Pixelated characters reminiscent of retro video games
3D polygon graphics similar to early PlayStation games
A mock user interface complete with gaming elements

This production involved collaboration between multiple studios, with OGG Visual handling motion graphics and Suess Studio creating the 3D animation segments. The result is a seamless blend of nostalgic animation styles that pays homage to both Y2K-era cartoons and early gaming aesthetics.

New Jeans Powerpuff Girls crossover impact

Beyond mere visual appeal, this collaboration resonated deeply with both fandoms. Baek Seolhui, columnist for Weverse Magazine, noted that the Powerpuff Girls partnership aligns perfectly with NewJeans' Y2K fashion sensibilities and authentic teenage-girl image. The crossover bridges generations—stirring nostalgia in older viewers while introducing The Powerpuff Girls to a new audience.

The collaboration's impact extended into social media, where fans embraced the concept enthusiastically. One fan even created a "powerpuff me" filter that allowed users to create their own Powerpuff personas, which was used over 628,000 times. Moreover, the video received praise for making both NewJeans and The Powerpuff Girls trendy simultaneously, creating something greater than the sum of its already popular parts.

The "New Jeans" music video stands as a testament to the group's innovative approach to visual storytelling within the "Get Up" EP. By reimagining themselves as animated superheroes, NewJeans successfully created a memorable introduction to an album that would go on to break numerous records while cementing their status as trendsetters in the K-pop landscape.

The Spontaneous Creation of 'Super Shy'

Unlike many K-pop hits that undergo months of meticulous planning, "Super Shy" from NewJeans' "Get Up" EP emerged through a refreshingly spontaneous creative process that brought together international talent.

Super Shy songwriting process

The journey of "Super Shy" began unexpectedly in Copenhagen, Denmark, where an international team of songwriters gathered for what would become a groundbreaking session. Notably, Portugal-born, Copenhagen-based singer-songwriter Erika de Casier received an email invitation from NewJeans' team for a writing session. What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is that de Casier wasn't initially alone—she discovered that her friends Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt from Norwegian electronic pop act Smerz, along with singer-songwriter Fine Glindvad Jensen, had received similar invitations.

This collaborative approach yielded remarkable results as the team crafted a sound deliberately different from traditional K-pop. During that session, de Casier was specifically asked if she listened to K-pop, to which she honestly replied no. Surprisingly, this was exactly what NewJeans' team wanted: "Good, because we want something new. We want something fresh".

The composition credits for "Super Shy" ultimately went to:

Erika de Casier
Kristine Bogan
Frankie Scoca (who also handled production)
Gigi and Kim Dong-hyun (lyrics)
NewJeans member Danielle (lyrics)

Super Shy lyrical inspiration

At its core, "Super Shy" captures the universal experience of being attracted to someone but feeling too shy to express those feelings—a theme that resonates deeply with listeners. The song portrays an inner emotional conflict between intense attraction and the fear of confession.

Danielle, who contributed to the lyrics, had previously expressed her passion for writing: "I've always been interested in writing lyrics and composition. Ever since I was little, I loved writing down my thoughts and feelings in a way that sounds good". Her involvement represents a significant step in her artistic development, as she expanded from co-writing credits on previous songs to taking on both songwriting and composition roles for this title track.

The repetitive "I'm super shy, super shy" in the chorus emphasizes the overwhelming bashfulness felt by the protagonist, creating an earworm hook that became instantly recognizable. This relatable narrative helped the song connect with audiences worldwide, eventually spending seven weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

Super Shy production team

The production of "Super Shy" stands out for its distinctive sonic identity crafted primarily by Frankie Scoca. Instead of following the maximalist approach common in K-pop, the production team created a more scaled-back sound with influences from '90s/Y2K R&B, drill rap, dance, and electronica.

Technically speaking, "Super Shy" represents an experimental fusion of Jersey Club rhythm and Breakbeat. Music critics have described the production as sitting "somewhere between liquid drum'n'bass, UK garage and Jersey club", with drums that evoke "a hiccuping heartbeat" according to Pitchfork's Olivia Horn.

The production features:

A staccato kick drum pattern
Skittering percussion
Atmospheric synths
Funkier textures that enter progressively

This distinctive sound perfectly complements the members' vocals, which seamlessly transition between full voice and falsetto throughout the track. The result is a song that maintains NewJeans' signature blend of contemporary sound with nostalgic influences—forward-thinking yet infused with vintage flair.

The iPhone-Shot Music Video for 'ETA'

In an innovative departure from traditional music video production, NewJeans' title track "ETA" from the "Get Up" EP features a groundbreaking technical achievement—the entire music video was filmed exclusively using an iPhone 14 Pro.

ETA music video concept

The narrative of "ETA" centers around a compelling storyline where the members of NewJeans discover their friend's boyfriend cheating at a pool party. The video begins with a FaceTime call—an intentional choice that immediately establishes the iPhone as both a filming device and a narrative element. After catching the boyfriend's infidelity, the members call their friend to inform her, leading to a surprisingly dark conclusion where the unfaithful boyfriend and his new partner end up stuffed in a car trunk.

Director Shin Woo Seok explained the deeper meaning behind the video: "The central message is how rumors spread in modern society, where people have access to unprecedented amounts of information but hardly ever think of verifying what they come across". He pointed out two crucial details that viewers might miss: the timeline discrepancy between when Hanni makes the call and when Eva picks it up, plus a hair tie that appears at both the beginning and end of the video—subtle hints that the events aren't happening simultaneously.

ETA Apple collaboration

The collaboration between NewJeans and Apple represents a significant milestone in the "Shot on iPhone" campaign, which showcases the photo and video capabilities of iPhones. TBWA/Media Arts Lab, Apple's marketing agency, produced both the music video and behind-the-scenes content highlighting how the clip was filmed.

What makes this partnership remarkable is how deeply integrated the iPhone is throughout the video:

The narrative begins with an authentic FaceTime call interface
Members are shown navigating to the Action Mode feature
Cinematic Mode is utilized for focus transitions between subjects
Various iPhone capabilities are showcased in different environments

ADOR representative Min Hee Jin revealed the strategic thinking behind the collaboration: "From the beginning, I wanted to present a new and different experience to listeners... So I came up with the idea to film the official music video with iPhone which will also suggest a new way to produce music videos in a more easy and accessible way".

Interestingly, the collaboration even received unprecedented approval from Apple's highest levels—CEO Tim Cook personally initiated the idea to include Apple's logo at the end of the music video, where it cleverly morphs from NewJeans' rabbit logo.

ETA filming location and style

Though primarily centered around a pool party setting, portions of "ETA" were filmed in Barcelona, Spain. Specific scenes featuring cars driving through streets were shot at Parc de la Ciutadella, adding international flair to the production.

The filming technique employed various approaches to maximize the iPhone's capabilities. Rather than relying on elaborate camera rigs, behind-the-scenes footage reveals the camera crew often simply hand-held the iPhone instead of integrating it into complex setups or adding large optics. Nevertheless, a disclaimer in the video indicates additional hardware was utilized, including lenses, gimbals, and waterproof cases.

Director Shin noted: "For this project, we had to get every shot using iPhone 14 Pro. That's why we started the creative process by exploring unique approaches that are only achievable with iPhone". He specifically praised the Action Mode feature for "capturing stable videos of big movements in the choreography".

Despite these technical constraints—or perhaps because of them—the video successfully showcased the iPhone's versatility in challenging filming environments, including night scenes, underwater sequences, and drone shots. Within just 12 hours of its release, the video had already garnered over five million views on YouTube, demonstrating both the popularity of NewJeans and the effectiveness of this innovative filming approach.

The Mythical Storyline in 'Cool With You' and 'Get Up'

Beyond catchy melodies and innovative production, the "Cool With You" music videos from NewJeans' "Get Up" EP present an intricate mythological narrative that adds exceptional depth to the project.

Cool With You music video narrative

The narrative of "Cool With You" reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche with a modern, gender-reversed twist. In Side A, Jung Ho-yeon portrays a deity resembling Cupid (Eros in Greek mythology), tasked with connecting humans together in love matches. Viewers can spot this reference explicitly when Danielle presents the oil painting "Cupid and Psyche" (1817) by François-Édouard Picot in the museum scene.

Throughout the first video, Jung's character follows her daily routine of pairing couples while remaining invisible to mortals. Her existence changes upon encountering a man (portrayed by Micol Vela) with whom she falls instantly in love. This creates a profound conflict—although she facilitates others' romantic connections, she cannot experience love herself given that humans cannot see her.

The narrative reveals that Jung's character grows increasingly dissatisfied with her divine duties, contemplating abandoning her immortality to experience human love. As she stands in the rain at Side A's conclusion, she makes her fateful decision to become mortal.

Cool With You celebrity cameos

The casting choices for "Cool With You" generated considerable excitement among fans. Jung Ho-yeon, who gained international acclaim for her performance in Netflix's "Squid Game," takes center stage as the protagonist. Her portrayal of the love deity showcases "subtle emotions and delicate gestures" that transform the video into an "immaculate cinematic world".

Primarily in Side B, award-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai makes a brief yet impactful 15-second cameo that "generated both shock and delight online". Despite his limited screen time, Leung's appearance proved significant—he represents Venus (Aphrodite), who places a curse on Cupid and Psyche in the mythological tale. Internet users called him a "scene stealer" for his remarkable ability to act with his eyes alone.

Cool With You and Get Up visual connection

The videos for "Cool With You" feature both a Side A and Side B, with the latter additionally incorporating the EP's title track "Get Up". Essentially, Side B continues the story from Side A—Jung's character has transformed into a human and finally experiences a relationship with the man she desires.

The narrative takes a heartbreaking turn when Tony Leung's character appears, causing Jung's lover to forget her existence. At this moment, the music transitions into "Get Up," wherein NewJeans members appear as angelic figures. Their role throughout both videos suggests they represent muses or guardian angels watching over Jung's character. The lyrics of "Get Up" reflect this guardianship: "Get up/ I don't wanna fight your shadow/ Meet me back in five if I matter/ To you/ Like you say I do".

Director Shin Wooseok, who previously directed NewJeans' "Ditto" and "OMG" videos, crafted these visually striking narratives with intentional connections between both sides. The deliberate effort put into the visual storytelling demonstrates NewJeans' commitment to "weaving meaning and making a statement, not only through their music but in every aspect of their art".

Haerin and Danielle’s Lyric Contributions

What sets "Get Up" apart from typical K-pop releases is the direct creative involvement of the NewJeans members themselves. Within the group, two members in particular made significant lyrical contributions that helped shape the EP's authentic sound and message.

New Jeans member songwriting roles

Behind NewJeans' rapid rise to global stardom lies a commitment to authentic artistic expression that extends to songwriting. Within the "Get Up" EP, certain members took on more active roles in crafting lyrics that resonated with their personal experiences. This approach marks a departure from traditional K-pop production methods where songs are primarily created by external writers and producers.

For the "Get Up" EP, ADOR and Min Hee Jin adopted a collaborative approach, encouraging members to participate in the creative process based on their individual strengths and interests. As a result, both Danielle and Haerin stepped forward to contribute lyrically, adding their distinct voices to several tracks on the album.

Danielle's lyrics in Super Shy and ASAP

Among the NewJeans members, Danielle emerged as a significant creative force on the "Get Up" EP. Her songwriting capabilities shine particularly on two standout tracks—"Super Shy" and "ASAP." For "Super Shy," Danielle worked alongside established writers like Erika de Casier, Kristine Bogan, and Frankie Scoca, helping craft lyrics that capture the universal experience of attraction mixed with hesitation.

Danielle has previously expressed her passion for writing: "I've always been interested in writing lyrics and composition. Ever since I was little, I loved writing down my thoughts and feelings in a way that sounds good." This natural inclination toward songwriting manifested strongly in "ASAP," where her lyrics explore themes of impatience and eagerness in relationships.

Her contributions reflect her multicultural background—having lived in Australia, South Korea, and the United States—giving her lyrics a global perspective that resonates with diverse listeners worldwide. Correspondingly, this multicultural influence helped shape the universal appeal of both tracks.

Haerin's debut as lyricist in New Jeans

The "Get Up" EP also marked a significant milestone for Haerin, who made her debut as a lyricist. Throughout the album's development, Haerin worked closely with producers and fellow members to translate her thoughts and experiences into compelling lyrics.

Markedly different from her typically quiet public persona, Haerin's lyrical voice reveals depth and thoughtfulness that adds another dimension to the group's musical identity. Her contributions showcase her growth as an artist beyond her roles as vocalist and performer.

The inclusion of member-written lyrics on "Get Up" underscores NewJeans' commitment to authentic expression—allowing the teenage members to convey their genuine thoughts and feelings rather than simply performing words written by others. Furthermore, this creative involvement establishes a foundation for future growth, suggesting that subsequent NewJeans releases may feature even more substantial contributions from all five members.

The Clock Motif in 'ASAP'

The closing track "ASAP" on NewJeans' "Get Up" EP features a distinctive clock motif that creates both an auditory signature and thematic backbone for one of the album's most experimental offerings.

ASAP sound design

"ASAP" stands apart with its innovative sonic architecture, built around a Euro Pop foundation with distinctive rhythmic synth sounds. The track's most immediately recognizable element is the repetitive "tik tok tik tok tik tok" vocal pattern that mimics a clock's persistent rhythm. This ticking effect creates an auditory timepiece throughout the song, establishing both tension and momentum.

Behind this distinctive sound design stands a fascinating international collaboration. Producer 250, who also crafted NewJeans' hits "Ditto" and "Hype Boy," worked alongside Norwegian electronic duo Smerz (Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt) and other collaborators during a session in Copenhagen. The production draws unexpected influence from footwork, a genre characterized by rapid-fire percussion and vocal samples. Curiously, Smerz noted that "ASAP" reminded them of their earlier works "Speakers R-4" by RP Boo and their own tracks "You see?", "Blessed," and "Girl."

ASAP lyrical theme

Thematically, "ASAP" captures urgency and impatience through its lyrics. The repeated refrain "ASAP baby, hurry up, don't be lazy" underscores the central message of desiring immediate connection. The lyrics portray someone eager to reconnect with a special person without delays, reflecting youthful enthusiasm and the desire for instant gratification.

The ticking clock motif reinforces this theme perfectly, serving as both a countdown and a reminder of time's passage. Phrases like "Just for a minute" paired with the "tik tok" repetition create a sense that time is both precious and fleeting, enhancing the song's emotional urgency.

ASAP connection to album intro

As the concluding track of the "Get Up" EP, "ASAP" functions as a thoughtful bookend to the album. At just over two minutes in length, it serves as an atmospheric palette cleanser that departs from traditional pop structures. The experimental nature of "ASAP" complements the opening track "New Jeans," creating a cohesive frame for the entire EP.

Remarkably, the clock motif in "ASAP" subtly connects to themes of time that appear throughout the album, including the title track "ETA" (Estimated Time of Arrival). This clever interlinking of concepts demonstrates NewJeans' attention to thematic consistency across their "Get Up" EP.

The Album’s Experimental Genre Fusion

At the heart of NewJeans' "Get Up" EP lies a groundbreaking sonic blueprint that skillfully blends multiple genres into a cohesive listening experience. This experimental approach helped establish the group's distinctive musical identity in the crowded K-pop landscape.

Get Up genre influences

The "Get Up" EP draws inspiration from an eclectic range of musical styles. Primary influences include:

UK garage with its syncopated rhythms and shuffling beats
Jersey club's energetic percussion patterns and repetitive vocal samples
Y2K-era R&B sensibilities that evoke early 2000s nostalgia
Elements of Baltimore club and breakbeat

These diverse influences reflect producer Min Hee Jin's vision of creating music that feels both contemporary and nostalgic. Indeed, this strategic fusion helped NewJeans connect with listeners across generations, appealing to those who experienced these sounds firsthand as well as younger audiences discovering them for the first time.

Get Up R&B and club music blend

The EP's signature sound emerges from the seamless integration of smooth R&B vocals with energetic club beats. Throughout the tracklist, NewJeans' members deliver melodies that flow effortlessly over complex rhythmic structures.

"ETA" exemplifies this fusion with its Jersey club-inspired percussion alongside R&B vocal arrangements. Likewise, "ASAP" incorporates Baltimore club elements while maintaining soulful vocal performances. Even "Super Shy," with its UK garage influence, preserves R&B sensibilities in its melodic structure.

Get Up production innovation

What truly distinguishes the "Get Up" EP is its production approach. Significantly, the album avoids the maximalist tendencies common in K-pop, instead embracing a more restrained aesthetic that creates space for each sonic element to shine.

Production innovations include:

Deliberate use of negative space in arrangements
Unconventional percussion patterns that subvert typical K-pop rhythms
Minimal processing on vocals to maintain authenticity
Strategic incorporation of ambient elements to create atmospheric depth

Overall, the experimental genre fusion of "Get Up" represents a forward-thinking approach to K-pop production that prioritizes musical innovation alongside commercial appeal, establishing NewJeans as trendsetters within the industry.

The Album’s Record-Breaking Sales

Behind NewJeans' artistic achievements with "Get Up" lies an equally impressive commercial performance that shattered expectations and established new benchmarks for K-pop girl groups in the global music market.

Get Up pre-order numbers

Prior to its July 21, 2023 release, the "newjeans 2nd ep get up" generated unprecedented anticipation among fans worldwide. Pre-orders for the album reached an astounding 1.72 million copies, marking it as the highest pre-ordered album by any K-pop girl group at that time. This milestone represented more than double the pre-order numbers of the group's debut album, showcasing their rapidly expanding fanbase just one year into their career.

The album was released in multiple versions, with the "Bunny Beach Bag" edition proving particularly popular among collectors. Remarkably, these impressive pre-order figures translated directly into actual sales, confirming that the advance interest was genuine rather than merely speculative.

Get Up Billboard 200 debut

Upon its release, "newjeans get up tracklist" made an immediate impact on global charts. The EP debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, making NewJeans the fastest K-pop group to reach this milestone since their debut. This achievement placed them in rare company as only the second K-pop girl group to top the chart.

In fact, the EP accumulated 126,500 equivalent album units in its first week in the United States alone. Of this total, 119,500 units came from traditional album sales, demonstrating the strong physical purchase preference among NewJeans fans even in the streaming era.

Get Up global chart success

Beyond the American market, the "newjeans get up songs" dominated charts globally:

In Japan, the EP peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart
In France, it reached number three on the national albums chart
In Australia, it debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart

Subsequently, individual tracks from the album achieved their own milestones. "Super Shy" became the group's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 66 and remaining on the chart for seven consecutive weeks. Coupled with the EP's commercial success, NewJeans achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the fastest K-pop act to accumulate one billion streams on Spotify, further cementing their status as global music powerhouses.