MISAMO "Do Not Touch": The Hidden Story Behind TWICE's Bold New Sound

MISAMO's "Do Not Touch" delivers a powerful message about consent and personal boundaries through compelling lyrics and visuals. Released on July 14, 2023, as the lead single from their debut EP "Masterpiece," the song tackles the importance of respect in relationships. The track, composed in E♭ minor with a tempo of 150 beats per minute, features the memorable chorus "Yes, you can watch me, but you can't touch me until I feel ready" – a straightforward yet impactful statement about establishing and honoring boundaries.

This debut marks an exciting chapter for the TWICE sub-unit consisting of Japanese members Mina, Sana, and Momo (hence the name MISAMO). The visually stunning music video enhances the song's message through artistic references, specifically showcasing the trio as statues in an opulent castle setting. Furthermore, the video incorporates references to classical art pieces including Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," Fragonard's "The Swing," and Gustav Klimt's "The Tree of Life". Notably, the striking fashion, styling, and thought-provoking visuals perfectly complement the art gallery concept. This introduction to MISAMO not only highlights their artistic direction but also signals a bold new sound within the TWICE universe.

The Making of 'Do Not Touch'

"Do Not Touch" emerged from over a year of meticulous development as part of MiSaMo's debut EP "Masterpiece". The trio spent significant time crafting their sound, with Sana explaining, "We wanted to make sure that the album and music we released not only met our standards, but exceeded them".

How the song fits into the 'Masterpiece' album

The mature-sounding R&B track was chosen as the lead single after "days of agonising over whether or not it was the right choice". Recorded shortly before Twice's North American "Ready to Be World Tour" leg, the song perfectly embodies the album's artistic concept. MiSaMo intentionally created music that "only the three of us could do and something we couldn't release as Twice members until now".

Who is in MiSaMo and their roles

MiSaMo—a portmanteau of Mina, Sana, and Momo—consists of Twice's Japanese members. Each brings unique talents:

Momo: Main Dancer, Rapper, Vocalist
Sana: Dancer, Vocalist
Mina: Dancer, Vocalist, Maknae (youngest)

Originally, Sana and Momo were planned to debut in a four-member Japanese girl group in 2012, yet JYP suspended the plan due to deteriorating Korean-Japanese relations.

Production team and studio details

The production team involved several key contributors:

J.Y. Park and Mayu Wakisaka: Lyricists
MRey: Producer, programming, instruments
Hyuk Shin: Composer
Elley: Background vocals
Tony Maserati and David K. Younghyun: Mixing engineers

Lyrics and Meaning: A Message of Consent

Beyond its catchy melody, "Do Not Touch" stands as a powerful anthem centered on the concept of consent. Throughout the track, MISAMO delivers a clear message about personal boundaries and the importance of respect in relationships.

Breaking down the chorus and key lines

The chorus articulates the message with striking clarity: "Yes, you can watch me, watch me, but you can't touch me, touch me, when I say it's okay". This straightforward declaration establishes the fundamental right to control physical access to one's body. Another pivotal line, "Treat me like something so precious, handle it cautiously", reinforces the need for respectful treatment.

The metaphor of art and boundaries

The song ingeniously uses art as a metaphor for consent. Just as museum pieces come with warnings not to touch, the lyrics suggest women deserve similar respect. The line "When you stand in front of a masterpiece painting, just like precious jewelry, the written words say do not touch" effectively connects the album title "Masterpiece" with the core message about boundaries.

How the lyrics reflect emotional maturity

Unlike typical pop songs, "Do Not Touch" addresses relationship dynamics with remarkable maturity. Lines such as "The more you wait, the sweeter it gets" and "The moment will be beautiful, we'll be together body and soul, when we're ready" demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of patience and emotional readiness in relationships. Consequently, the song represents a significant evolution in TWICE's artistic expression, tackling adult themes with nuance rather than relying on provocative imagery.

Visual Storytelling in the Music Video

Directed by Guzza and released on July 14, 2023, the "Do Not Touch" music video elevates the song's message through rich visual storytelling set in a luxurious castle compound. Throughout the video, MISAMO embodies the concept of art as something precious yet untouchable.

Art references: Botticelli, Klimt, and more

The music video ingeniously references several classical masterpieces. Momo's scene in a seashell clearly evokes Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," while Mina's swing scene pays homage to Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "The Swing". Additionally, Gustav Klimt's "The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze" receives a stunning interpretation. These artistic choices deliberately connect to the album title "Masterpiece," reinforcing the central metaphor: admire but don't touch.

Symbolism of statues and transformation

The opening sequence presents MISAMO members posing as living statues, immediately establishing them as works of art to be admired from afar. Most significantly, the video concludes with the members transforming into a framed painting displayed in an art gallery, protected by a rope barrier with a sign stating "Do not touch". This powerful final image perfectly encapsulates the song's message about boundaries and consent.

Choreography and fashion as narrative tools

Fashion plays a crucial role in the visual storytelling. Mina wears an embellished crochet-cut Coperni maxi dress, Sana dons a rhinestone-studded Self-Portrait fishnet dress, while Momo appears in a Giuseppe di Morabito mesh gown. These outfits enhance their goddess-like appearance while complementing the artistic references.

Black-and-white scenes and their meaning

Interspersed throughout are striking black-and-white dance sequences featuring the trio in wide-rimmed hats and sleek black outfits. These scenes draw inspiration from Beyoncé's iconic "Single Ladies" music video, possibly reinforcing the female empowerment theme underlying the consent message.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Upon release, "Do Not Touch" immediately topped Japan's Line Music and AWA Music real-time charts. The track claimed the #1 spot on iTunes charts across 10 regions, including Vietnam, Argentina, and Spain. Moreover, the music video rapidly ascended to YouTube's #1 trending position in Japan, simultaneously reaching #2 in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica.

Chart performance and fan reactions

The song achieved #58 on Japan Hot 100, #45 on Oricon Combined Singles, and #13 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. With over 110 million views, fans praised the song as "amazing" and celebrated its mature messaging around consent. Throughout social media, the hashtag #MiSaMo_DoNotTouch reached #1 in the Philippines and #5 worldwide.

Live performances and media appearances

MiSaMo debuted "Do Not Touch" on TV Asahi's Music Station on July 21. The trio later performed on:

NHK's Venue101 Presents MiSaMo Masterpiece Show (August 19)
Japan Showcase tour in Tokyo
Brazil tour performances
NHK's prestigious New Year's Eve special, Kōhaku Uta Gassen

How 'Do Not Touch' redefines TWICE's image

This release represents a pivotal evolution, showcasing TWICE's versatility between concepts like "Marshmallow" and the more sophisticated "Do Not Touch". JYP Entertainment's Japanese department effectively positioned MiSaMo to explore new artistic territory that hadn't been seen from TWICE previously.