Number Nine (T-ara Song)

"Number Nine" is a song by South Korean girl group T-ara, from their eighth extended play '' Again''. The song was written and composed by Shinsadong Tiger and Choi Gyu-sung. "Number Nine" was released as the lead single from the album on 10 October 2013. The song was released in Japanese with "You Gave Me Guidance" which was selected as the theme song to the film ''Jinx!!!'' starring member Hyomin. The single was released on 20 November 2013, through EMI Records Japan. "Number Nine" was selected as the song of the year by ''KoreanWave Indonesia''.

Background and release

On 15 September, Core Contents Media revealed that T-ara will make their comeback on 10 October 2013. The song was said to have a "stronger sound", but still remain catchy. On 26 September 2013, T-ara released a 30 second teaser video, filmed in a desert. On 1 October, T-ara released another teaser for "Number Nine" on their official website. In their black-and-white teaser, they used an "upgraded mature beauty".

The music video along with the album was released on 10 October 2013, and the drama version was released on 16 October 2013. "Number 9" is an electro-pop dance song with sad lyrics and melody. It was choreographed by Yama & Hotchicks, who also choreographed "Bo Peep Bo Peep".The song features a gentle guitar melody, coupled with an "unexpected intense sound". It was co-composed by Sinsadong Tiger and Choi Gyu Sung. "T-ara Party Non-Stop Remix" by DJ Takao Fukushima is composed of ten songs spanning 45 minutes: "Bo Peep Bo Peep", "Yayaya", " Lovey-Dovey", " Roly-Poly", "Waeroni", "Bye Bye", "Like The First Time", "Target", "Bunny Style!" and "Deja-Vu".

The single was released in four different types: two CD+DVD limited editions that come in a special paper jacket, a regular edition, and a X-mas edition that comes with a remix album and a DVD, packaged in a box with six "T-ara Santa Ver." rubber key holders. All editions of the single come with a trading card with a serial code, chosen randomly out of seven types.

Promotions

The first time the song was revealed was on 6 October 2013 when performed at "Hallyu Dream Concert". T-ara had their first televised performance of "Number Nine" on Mnet's M! Countdown on 10 October. This was followed by additional performances on music programs including ''Music Bank'', ''Show! Music Core'' and ''Inkigayo''

Reception

Commercial performance

After its release, "Number Nine" reached number five on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart and number 4 on Billboard's K-pop Hot 100. In China, the song topped YinYueTai's both Korean and official charts. The second version video also peaked within top five on the chart. In Japan, the single topped the Weekly USEN chart.

Critical reception

''SBS PopAsia'' named the song number 7 in their list of 9 best T-ara singles. In 2024, NME ranked the song at No. 6 on its Best T-ARA songs to date praising the "perfect fusion of both the EDM sound that defined the era and the softer dance-pop that punctuated their earlier music". "Number Nine" was selected as the song of the year by ''Korean Wave Indonesia''. "Number Nine" is T-ara's most viewed music video on YouTube, spanning over 100 million views on the official music video uploaded by Core Contents Media.

In popular culture

"Number Nine" has appeared in the sixth episode of KBS's 2013 drama ''Secret Love'', where Jo Min-joo (played by Song Min-kyung) works out in the gym playing the song. In 2014, the song was played and performed by Han Tae-hee (played by Jung Da-bin) in KBS1's daily drama ''Melody of Love''. The song was added to Pump It Up 2's playlist in 2016 and has since been one of the most played songs on the game.

Track listing

Charts

Sales

Awards and nomination

Credits and personnel

* Boram – vocals
* Qri – vocals
* Soyeon – main vocals
* Eunjung – lead vocals
* Hyomin – lead vocals, rap
* Jiyeon – vocals
* Shinsadong Tiger – producer, lyricist, arranger, music
* Choi Gyu Sung – producer, lyricist, arranger

References

{{T-ara

2013 singles
2013 songs
T-ara songs
Songs in Japanese