MISAMO Confetti: Behind This Magical TWICE Song

"Confetti," one of the most theatrical twice songs to date, was released on January 16, 2026, as the fifth digital single by MiSaMo, a sub-unit of the popular K-pop group TWICE. The song takes listeners on a journey through life metaphorically portrayed as a stage play - though the protagonist doesn't know how her story will unfold, she chooses to embrace and celebrate it regardless.

This Japanese release certainly stands out among popular twice songs for its unique concept and execution. As the lead single from MiSaMo's first full-length Japanese album "Play," it adds another dimension to twice japanese songs that fans have come to love. The track showcases a different side of the group's artistry, potentially earning it a place among the best twice songs in their extensive discography.

The origin of MISAMO and the making of 'Confetti'

In early 2023, JYP Entertainment made a strategic move by forming MISAMO (Mi/na, Sa/na, and Mo/mo), marking TWICE's first-ever sub-unit. This Japanese trio officially debuted on July 26, 2023, with their EP Masterpiece, following the release of "Bouquet" as an OST for the Japanese drama Liaison: Children's Heart Clinic.

Initially, the members could hardly believe they would form a sub-unit. "When we first heard that we were going to do MISAMO, we couldn't really believe it," Momo shared in an interview. Unlike TWICE's established production process, MISAMO developed their sound from scratch, spending over a year on preparations—the longest they've dedicated to a single project.

Subsequently, "Confetti" was selected as the lead single for their first full-length Japanese album PLAY (releasing February 4, 2026). The song stood out because of its fresh approach—a jazz-inspired uptempo track with big band sounds. According to fan discussions, the members themselves likely had significant input in this selection process, as they typically vote on concepts and tracks.

The production of "Confetti" embraced the album's theatrical theme, delivering an encouraging message that "life is like an improvised play without a script". PLAY completes a trilogy connecting their previous releases Masterpiece and HAUTE COUTURE, showcasing MISAMO's evolution as artists with their own distinctive identity within the TWICE universe.

Breaking down the lyrics: a stage without a script

The lyrics of "Confetti" offer a rich metaphorical journey through life's unpredictability. At its core, the song portrays existence as an unscripted performance where the protagonist chooses to embrace uncertainty with celebration rather than fear.

Verse 1: Embracing identity through performance

"Every day, every night, over and over again... I'm gonna celebrate, I'm gonna play it out" opens the song with a declaration of purpose. Here, Sana, Momo, and Mina establish the central metaphor of life as a recurring performance. The lines "Disappearing into the role" and "Gotta play my part" suggest embracing different identities while maintaining authenticity.

Pre-Chorus: Life as unpredictable theater

The pre-chorus delivers the song's philosophical heart: "A stage without a script, Comedy? Tragedy? You wanna, you wanna know". This powerful imagery portrays life as theater without predetermined outcomes - we never know if moments will bring joy or sorrow until we live through them.

Chorus: Confetti as a symbol of celebration

During the chorus, confetti becomes a powerful symbol of embracing life's unpredictability. "To an ending that no one can predict, down it falls confetti" suggests celebrating the unknown rather than fearing it. The repetition of "confetti" creates a sense of joyful abundance.

Verse 2: Change, confidence, and moving forward

Verse 2 explores personal growth through lines like "Not the same cha-cha-change it up" and "Whatever happens, trust me, 'cause it's gonna be alright". Additionally, the empowering self-affirmation "I'm so proud of ya" demonstrates building confidence amid uncertainty.

Bridge: The confetti shower moment

The bridge visualizes the culmination of this philosophy with "Drop, drop, drop, dropping to the ground" and "Soaring high confetti shower" - creating an image of being immersed in celebration. This sensory experience represents fully surrendering to life's beautiful chaos.

The sound and style: theatrical swing meets J-pop

"Confetti" stands apart from other tracks in the twice songs list with its distinctive musical identity blending theatrical swing and Japanese pop sensibilities. The uptempo track builds upon big band and jazz foundations, creating an energetic groove that immediately captivates listeners.

Musical influences and genre fusion

The song draws heavily from swing and big-band jazz traditions, yet fuses these elements with contemporary J-pop production techniques. This style wasn't chosen randomly—jazz-pop fusion holds particular appeal in the Japanese market, where artists like Sheena Ringo have made this sound their signature over the past decade. Essentially, this genre combination represents one corner of what some fans describe as Japan's "trinity of rock-funk-jazz" musical preferences.

How 'Confetti' compares to other TWICE Japanese songs

In contrast to previous twice japanese songs, "Confetti" completes a musical narrative arc that began with MISAMO's debut album "Masterpiece" and continued through "HAUTE COUTURE". Whereas earlier twice japanese songs established a classic, elegant mood, "Confetti" maintains sophistication while adding theatrical dynamism. The trio's approach to Japanese releases has consistently differed from their Korean catalog, with popular twice songs in Japan often embracing more distinctive genre experiments.

Visual storytelling in the music video

The music video elevates the song through meticulous visual storytelling. Stage directions synchronize perfectly with the members' movements as they portray characters across multiple genres—from horror fantasy to comedy. Meanwhile, the vibrant color palette shifts from soft pastels to neon pops, creating an immersive atmosphere. Undeniably, the climactic scene featuring falling confetti-like flower petals evokes the joyous finale of a musical production, visually reinforcing the song's thematic essence.

Fan reactions and critical reception

Upon release, "Confetti" received mixed first impressions that evolved into appreciation over time. Many fans noted the song "didn't love Confetti on first listen, but after a few repeats it really grew on me". Others expressed immediate enthusiasm: "I fucking love confetti" and "I am playing it every day now!". The music video particularly impressed viewers with its "bloody off the charts amazing" visuals and references to previous twice songs.

Interestingly, fans praised specific elements—Momo's "elegant and flawless moves in the #Confetti challenge" and the theatrical concept that one viewer described as "Alice in wonderland inspiration". The TT callbacks and Halloween-inspired choreography also received notable mentions.

Critics primarily highlighted the song's uniqueness among twice japanese songs. One reviewer observed, "It's still a unique concept to have as an album, as neither J-pop nor K-pop attempts this style of music". Nevertheless, some critics pointed to shortcomings: "The aesthetic is gorgeous and so fun... so that makes it that much more frustrating that the song doesn't stick the landing".

Regarding its place among the best twice songs, opinions varied. Some enthusiastically declared it "kind of their best song", while others placed it below "DNT" which set "a high bar to clear". Overall, most agreed on its distinctiveness, with one fan concluding: "MISAMO proving once again they can handle any genre and style of song".