Why NAYEON's ABCD Became the Standout Track on NA Album

Nayeon has proven herself once again as the "Princess of K-pop" with the release of her standout track "ABCD". Released on June 14, 2024, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, this captivating single leads her second extended play titled "Na".

The seven-track EP "Na" represents Nayeon's personal statement, with the title meaning "I" in Korean and conveying the message "Me! Only me!". "ABCD" stands out particularly for its unique musical composition, marrying weighty guitar strings with muted percussion that perfectly showcases Nayeon's powerful vocals. Written by Rick Bridges and J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" and composed in the key of E-flat minor with a tempo of 106 beats per minute, the track exemplifies the album's aim to present a stronger and more mature side of the TWICE member. Furthermore, the accompanying music video is equally diverse, featuring various styles from 1920s Hollywood to Latin and hip-hop, capturing viewers' attention with scenes of Nayeon walking down a busy street after a car crash while onlookers can't take their eyes off her.

The build-up to Nayeon's solo comeback

After solidifying her position as a versatile performer within TWICE, Nayeon embarked on her solo journey with remarkable success. The talented vocalist is now prepared to showcase another dimension of her artistry with her second EP.

From 'Im Nayeon' to 'Na': a two-year gap

Nayeon made history in June 2022 as the first TWICE member to pursue a solo career with her debut EP "Im Nayeon". The album title cleverly carried dual meaning - representing her full name (Im Na-yeon) and asserting her confident solo identity. This initial release proved immensely successful, achieving over 500,000 pre-orders and soaring to No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Her lead single "Pop!" became "a summer hit" on domestic streaming charts, peaking at number two on the Circle Digital Chart.

Subsequently, after a two-year hiatus, Nayeon announced her comeback with her second EP "Na" scheduled for June 14, 2024. The new album title, sharing pronunciation with the Korean word for "me," reflects her deeper artistic expression and true self.

Early teasers and fan expectations

Initially, South Korean news outlet Xsports News reported on April 9, 2024, that Nayeon was preparing for a June comeback, though JYP Entertainment responded that no release date had been decided. Nevertheless, on May 13, JYP officially confirmed the comeback date along with a logo motion and poster featuring the phrase "How to Fall in Love with Na".

Following this announcement, JYP released a series of concept images between May 20-30. Additionally, on May 24, they unveiled a teaser for the lead single "ABCD," described as a hip hop-influenced pop dance track with the opening line "Hey listen to me now". The album trailer followed on May 18 at midnight KST, further building anticipation.

The role of JYP and Republic Records

JYP Entertainment and Republic Records established a strategic partnership in 2020 focused on expanding TWICE's presence in the American music industry. This collaboration proved instrumental when Nayeon became the first-ever K-pop soloist to enter the top 10 of the Billboard 200 with her debut solo album.

The partnership strengthened in February 2022 when JYP signed an expanded agreement with Republic Records. JYP CEO Jimmy Jeong noted, "It has been a continuous journey of astonishing achievements through the strengthening of mutual trust as loyal partners". Republic Records founder/CEO Monte Lipman added that they recognize "the incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of the next K-pop explosion".

Inside the making of 'ABCD'

Behind every hit song lies a team of creative minds, and "ABCD" brought together an unexpected collaboration of industry powerhouses. The track's production journey offers fascinating insights into what makes it so distinctive on Nayeon's "NA" album.

Who wrote and produced the track

"ABCD" features an impressive roster of talent, written by Rick Bridges and J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" with composition and arrangement by Pdogg and Ghstloop. Notably, this collaboration marks an interesting cross-company partnership, as Pdogg and Ghstloop are producers at HYBE, the agency behind BTS. Pdogg, whose real name is Kang Hyo-won, has an illustrious history, having discovered BTS member RM and produced multiple BTS classics including "I Need U," "Fire," and "DNA". The composition team also included Aron Bergerwall, Louise Lindberg, and Shorelle, with additional arrangement by Evan.

Musical style: hip hop meets dance-pop

"ABCD" represents a refreshing sonic direction, described as a dance-pop and hip hop song with "early 2000s pop diva vibes". The track evokes the era's distinctive sound while incorporating contemporary elements. One reviewer compared its driving force to Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" or something Ailee might have released in her early career. The production showcases a "stitched together string of highlights," from charismatic hip-hop sections to explosive brass segments, creating what critics called a "breathless blend of bombast and swagger".

Lyrical theme: love from A to Z

The lyrics cleverly use the alphabet as a metaphor for love's journey, with Nayeon guiding her ideal person through the process "from A to Z". This creative approach adds a lighthearted yet bold element to the song's theme of romance and seduction. Through playful wordplay, Nayeon showcases a confident, self-assured attitude toward love, inviting listeners into her world of attraction.

Key and tempo details

From a technical perspective, "ABCD" was composed in the key of E-flat minor with a tempo of 106 beats per minute. The track runs 2 minutes and 43 seconds with a 4/4 time signature. Music analysts describe it as having "high energy" and being "very danceable", characteristics that complement its powerful performance elements.

How 'ABCD' differs from 'Pop!'

"ABCD" marks a significant departure from Nayeon's debut single "Pop!" in both concept and execution. As Nayeon herself explained, "The performance for the title song 'ABCD' is quite different from what I have typically been showing [as TWICE]". Although both featured intense choreography, "ABCD" demanded "a different kind of expression," prompting her to focus more heavily on performance aspects. The track showcases a bolder, cooler side of her artistry while maintaining her signature charm.

Visual storytelling in the 'ABCD' music video

The visual world of Nayeon's "ABCD" music video takes viewers on a captivating journey through multiple dimensions, showcasing her versatility as an artist who can effortlessly embody different personas across various eras.

Concept and direction by Guzza of Kudo

Under the skilled direction of Guzza of Kudo, the music video presents a narrative that begins with Nayeon walking down a busy street after a car crash. The brilliance of the direction lies in how it captures onlookers becoming instantly mesmerized by her presence, unable to take their eyes off her as she moves through different time periods and locations. First and foremost, this creative approach allows Nayeon to display what critics have called her "effortless charisma" and "captivating presence with every move".

Time-traveling visuals and set design

The music video employs a sophisticated multiverse concept that transports viewers across different eras and settings. In essence, this time-traveling element creates a dynamic visual experience as scenes transition seamlessly between periods. One particularly noteworthy moment occurs when Nayeon in a modern LA setting leans on a table before the scene switches to her in a 1960s black-and-white cinema setting, maintaining the same pose. This careful attention to transitional details enhances the storytelling aspect of the video.

Fashion and choreography highlights

Nayeon's fashion choices throughout the video range from confident street style to old Hollywood glamour. Specifically, she sports a brown Misbhv logo embroidered baseball cap paired with a VIVIENNE WESTWOOD bustier top, a black bow-detail flared midi dress with white poplin ruffle trim from SHUSHU/TONG with pearl-embellished Jimmy Choo pumps, and a preppy argyle patterned multicolor t-shirt. Moreover, the video features a unique dance break absent from the original song, along with choreography that pays homage to iconic artists like Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time".

Symbolism and fan interpretations

Fans have uncovered layers of meaning within the video, identifying the letters ABCD as representing: "A Girl Named Nayeon," "Big Little Universe," "Crossing the Cosmos," and "Deeper into Na". Significantly, viewers have noticed how the lyrics cleverly incorporate the alphabet theme beyond just ABCD, spotting references from A through I. In fact, some fans interpret these nine letters as a potential nod to the nine members of TWICE.

Chart performance and critical reception

Nayeon's second EP "NA" set remarkable records across global music charts, cementing her position as a pioneering force in K-pop's international expansion.

Billboard and Circle chart rankings

"NA" achieved an impressive debut at No. 7 on the prestigious Billboard 200 chart, matching Nayeon's own record for the highest-ranking album by a female K-pop soloist. This accomplishment marked a historic milestone as Nayeon became the first female K-pop soloist to place multiple entries on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart. The album maintained its chart presence for a second consecutive week at No. 101.

Beyond the main Billboard chart, "NA" performed exceptionally well across specialized rankings. It secured the No. 2 position on the World Albums chart, No. 8 on the Top Current Album Sales chart, and No. 9 on the Top Album Sales chart after initially debuting at No. 1 across all three. The lead single "ABCD" likewise demonstrated strong performance, holding the No. 8 spot on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.

Globally, "ABCD" maintained steady positions at No. 55 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 107 on the Global 200. Consequently, Nayeon herself continued making waves on Billboard's Artist 100, holding at No. 44 for her seventh non-consecutive week on the chart as a soloist.

Music show wins and accolades

On June 19, 2024, Nayeon secured her first win for "ABCD" on Show Champion. Merely two days later, she claimed her second trophy on Music Bank's June 21 episode, where "ABCD" triumphed over aespa's "Supernova" with a total of 8,664 points.

These victories added to Nayeon's impressive collection of seven music show wins throughout her solo career. Her previous releases had already earned her accolades including the prestigious Best Female Artist award at the 2022 MAMA Awards.

Fan reactions and social media buzz

"ABCD" generated significant social media engagement upon its release. The track's bold departure from Nayeon's previous sound sparked enthusiastic discussions across platforms.

Why critics called it a standout

Music critics praised "ABCD" for its distinctive sound that successfully blended nostalgic elements with contemporary production techniques. The track's confident vocals coupled with its innovative arrangement distinguished it from other releases. Important to realize, Nayeon's artistic evolution from "Pop!" to "ABCD" demonstrated her versatility as a performer capable of exploring diverse musical territories while maintaining her signature charm.