Despite "SET ME FREE" being the much-awaited title track of TWICE's "READY TO BE," some K-pop enthusiasts and the K-media react to its "poor" performance in local music charts such as MelOn.

TWICE's 'SET ME FREE' Not Found in MelOn Top 100? Media, People React: 'Already past their heyday'

On March 13, TWICE drew mixed reactions from K-media and K-pop fans after its new song, "SET ME FREE" showed poor records as soon as it was released.

In particular, the nonet embarked on its much-anticipated comeback in Korea on March 10 with its 12th mini-album, "READY TO BE." The album is comprised of its title track, "SET ME FREE" released in Korean and English, as well as other b-sidetrack including, "GOT THE THRILLS," "BLAME IT ON ME," "WALLFLOWER," "CRAZY STUPID LOVE." The album also consists of the group's English pre-released song, "MOONLIGHT SUNRISE," initially dropped on January 20.

Ahead of the release, TWICE already hinted at their strong determination to break the world's gaze and prejudice and greet the real "me" through the album, even showing their bare faces on the MV.

Both the concept and the teasers truly excite music fans, as TWICE, who is a third-gen top-tier girl group and hitmaker never disappoints when it comes to their songs.

However, somewhat surprising results are being produced.

On the daily ranking of MelOn, the nation's largest music site used by Koreans, the title song, "SET ME FREE" only ranked 83rd on the day of its release and 101st the next day (Mar. 11). On March 13, the song is no longer found in TOP100, and the same is true of other tracks. In the following days, the song would rise in the charts, but it is rather unstable than consistent.

Due to this, K-media HERALD POP quoted:

"It was quite surprising that TWICE's title song was out of the top 100 within a day of its release, and internet users commented that the song was a regrettable choice. Some also said that their (TWICE) heyday may have passed, and their prime has been fulfilled as they became senior idols."

A lot of netters then agreed to this, saying:

• "This is purely a result of a bad song choice."
• "The song surely sucks."
• "TWICE is surely popular and that will never change, but let's accept that this song was a letdown and they should have chosen a better title track."

TWICE Records With "READY TO BE"

However, aside from its performance in MelOn, TWICE's new comeback is actually a hot release!

On the same day of its release, MBC reported that "READY TO BE" topped the Hanteo Chart Album Daily Chart and the Circle Chart Retail Album Daily Chart. It then topped the Hanteo Chart Album Weekly Chart (03.06~03.12) and the Circle Chart 10th Week Retail Album Weekly Chart (03.05~03.11) in 2023, giving a green light to successive million sellers following its previous work "BETWEEN 1&2." In fact, as of the 7th, the album set its own new record, surpassing 1.7 million pre-orders.

The music video for "SET ME FREE" has also remained at the top of the YouTube music video Trending Worldwide for four consecutive days since it was dropped as of March 13, proving its wide popularity.

Outside Korea, the album and the song were also massively praised by international fans, proving their continuous growth abroad.

Attention is focused on whether TWICE will be able to record a sufficient rise in the local charts once their promotion activities as a group will take place.

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Written by Eunice Dawson.