"Genie"
Japanese single cover
Single by Girls' Generation
from the album Genie and Girls' Generation
Released
  • June 22, 2009 (2009-06-22)
  • September 8, 2010 (2010-09-08) (Japan)
StudioSM Studios (Seoul)
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)Yoo Young-jin
Girls' Generation singles chronology
"Gee"
(2009)		 "Genie"
(2009)		 "Oh!"
(2010)
Japanese singles chronology
"Run Devil Run"
(2010)		 "Genie"
(2010)		 "Gee"
(2010)
Music video
"Genie" on YouTube

"Genie" (Korean: 소원을 말해봐; RR: Sowoneul malhaebwa; lit. Tell Me Your Wish) is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Girls' Generation for their second extended play (EP) of the same name (2009), released on June 22, 2009. Written by Yoo Young-jin, and composed by Dsign Music, Fridolin Nordso and Yoo Young-jin, the song is the group's first collaboration with Western composers and producers.

Musically, "Genie" carried on the group's phase of bubblegum pop music from their debut. Lyrically, the song discusses the elements of love and relationships, alongside granting the wishes of their partner. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom highlighted the track as one of the highlights on the EP. The single was well received domestically, achieving the top spots on music programs Inkigayo and Music Bank.

A Japanese-language version of the song was recorded for the group's eponymous Japanese debut album and was released as their debut single in Japan on September 8, 2010. It was a commercial success in the country, peaking at number four on the Oricon Singles Chart and number eight on the RIAJ Digital Track Chart. The single received certifications by the Recording Industry Association of Japan on three platforms—physical sales (gold), digital sales (platinum), and chaku-uta (platinum). The song was included on the setlists of Girls' Generation's several concert tours, including Into the New World (2010), The First Japan Arena Tour (2011), and Girls' Generation Tour (2011).

Background and composition

"Genie" was composed by Norwegian production team Dsign Music members Anne Judith Wik, Robin Jenssen, Ronny Svendsen, and Nermin Harambašić, alongside Fridolin Nordsø and Yoo Young-jin.[2] The Korean version was written by Yoo Young-jin, while the Japanese version was written by Kanata Nakamura.[2] Yoo had originally composed a demo melody for an undisclosed artist outside of the group's label SM Entertainment. However, SM purchased the rights for the song and recommend it to Girls' Generation; as a result, Yoo re-composed the demo while Korean composer Yoo Han-jin re-arranged it.[3]

The song was originally composed in English as "I Just Wanna Dance", but Yoo decided to scrap the idea after both sets of lyrics were written.[4] Both versions were the groups' first singles to be composed and produced by Western producers, and had continued with future musical releases.[5][6] Musically, both versions carried on the groups phase of bubblegum pop music since their debut in 2007.[7]

According to Chucky Eddy from Spin, he found that the composition was inspired by "super-light-footed Italo disco..."[8] A staff reviewer from CD Journal noticed musical elements of electropop and said the lyrics incorporates metaphorical uses of a lamp, genie, and Aladdin as themes of love and lust.[9] Critic Lee Mun-won says that the song employs inspirations from trance and writes that the song itself is "more sophisticated than authentic europop."[10]

Release

"Genie" was released digitally on June 22, 2009, in South Korea.[11][12] In Japan, the song was released on September 8, 2010, as the group's debut Japanese single.[13] The Japanese Maxi CD and DVD format of the single contains the Japanese version, the Korean version, and the karaoke version of the former.[2] A limited edition CD and DVD format was released in both Japan and Taiwan; it featured a 14-paged booklet of photos, lyrics, and credits to the single, the original Japanese Maxi CD and DVD tracks, all housed in a digipak.[14] The cover sleeve for both formats features Girls' Generation in different black and gold dresses, all standing in front of a white backdrop.[2][14]

Reception

"Genie" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Chucky Eddy from Spin highlighted "Genie" as one of the best tracks from their self-titled album.[8] A staff reviewer from CD Journal reviewed the group's debut greatest hits album The Best. The reviewer commended the track by labelling it an "impressive 'lets dance'" track with "high quality" vocal performances by each member.[15] Another reviewer from the same publication reviewed the single's release, and labelled it "sophisticated".[16] Chris True from AllMusic reviewed the groups biography, and selected "Genie" as one of the best tracks throughout their career.[17] Billboard ranked the song as the best single in their career.[18]

Commercially, the song peaked at number four on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart in Japan.[19][20] The single sold 115,575 physical copies by the end of 2010 and was ranked the 58th best-selling single of the year.[21] It was selected by iTunes Japan as the "breakthrough pop album of the year".[22]

Music video

Rino Nakasone Razalan choreographed the dance in all the videos.[23] Like the album, the girls were given a "military" concept for their performance of "Genie", dressing mostly in tight military jackets, miniskirts, and/or hot pants. The colours were mostly white navy shirts, khaki brown, and red,[24] although various uniforms were shown.[25][26][27] The group wished to show a mature image, in comparison to the innocence portrayed during "Gee". Much of the choreography was focused on synchronization and seductive images; parts of the it became popular in Korea, including the "Jegi-kicking dance" (제기차기 춤) and the "Leg-beauty dance" (각선미 춤).[28][29][30][31]

Original video

The teaser video was released on June 19, 2009.[32] Later, the original video was released on June 26, 2009. In this version, Yoona appears first sitting in a large lamp, the other members sitting around her. The music video cuts back and forth between the group performing the choreography and scenes from three separate rooms occupied by three different members each. Yoona, Yuri and Jessica are in a large pink bedroom, Tiffany, Taeyeon and Sunny are in a disco bar, while Sooyoung and Hyoyeon are in a room with a large cake from which Seohyun then pops out.

Two runway-like stages were used, one with a large heart in the background and the other featuring the words "GIRLS' GENIE" in the background; the girls wear white uniforms consisting of marine hats, coats, short-shorts, and heels on the former, while they don khaki uniforms in the latter. The music video frequently shows the girls interacting with the camera and with arms that sometimes extend from either side of the screen to give the impression that the girls are interacting with the viewer personally whereas stage sequences have heavy, flashy lights and moving spotlights to give strong and bright effects.[33] The music video was uploaded on SMTOWN's YouTube channel on February 26, 2010.

3D version

On October 24, 2010, a 3D music video of the Korean version, was released for Samsung PAVV LED TV. The video begins with all nine girls sitting down, looking into crystal balls, then cutting into the beginning of the song with "Girls Generation" written in pink, sparkly lettering. The video features three dance sequences, one of which features a floor with cosmic-like sparkles coming out of it. During the video, it cuts to solo scenes of the girls playing with the crystal balls, inside are a man and a woman standing awkwardly beside each other at a bus stop, beside them is a poster with "I Wish" printed on it, and a red Mini Convertible is below it. The girls are then seen changing the couples clothes, and making the Mini appear out of the poster, signifying the girls are 'genies' and granting their wishes. The video ends with the girls waving goodbye to the couple, who then drive off in the car, with the number '37' printed on the side.

Japanese version

The music video teaser was released August 16, 2010, and the full music video was released August 25, 2010, it was also their first video to be filmed in Japan. It begins with a young boy (Exo's Chanyeol) who found an old lamp and a scale model of a circus tent in an old attic. After rubbing the lamp, the camera zooms inside the tent where the Girls' Generation can be seen coming to life as the song begins to play. The girls then alternately switch to different costumes as the boy rubs the lamp once again, where in they are seen on an old television screen with a huge candy cane and colorful balloons. The music video ends with the boy rubbing the lamp again before magically disappearing into another scene where he is walking out of a limousine with Girls' Generation members meeting him on the red carpet at a premiere event. It is implied that his wish had been granted by lamp.

Live performances

Girls' Generation performing "Genie" in November 2009

The song has been performed on two SM Town tours, In 2010, using the "Rock Tronic" remix, which was also used on their first tour, and then again in 2011 for the continuation of the 2010 SMTown tour. The remix contains a rock inspired dance-break, where the girls perform in-sync routines. The group's first performance for the mini-album was on June 26 on Music Bank.[34] Within a few days, the song topped on 10 different digital music charts.[35] The song also topped the weekly ringtone downloads chart.[36]

"Genie" was featured as the opening number for the Girls' first Japan tour, and on the 2nd Asia tour. The performance begins with the girls appearing from an odd-shaped cocoon-like prop, where they are assembled in the shape of a pyramid.

Other versions and plagiarism issues

Issues of plagiarism were caused by Uzbek singer Dineyra's song "Raqsga Tushgin." It was revealed that although the release of her song preceded the release of Girls' Generation's second mini-album, the Uzbekistan singer's song was recorded without obtaining proper permission from Universal Music, thus plagiarizing "Genie".[37][38][39] On May 19, 2010, Dutch singer Nathalie Makoma released her second single named "I Just Wanna Dance." However, Nathalie sings the original English lyrics that were written for the song.[40] On June 3, 2011, British singer C.J. Lewis released an English version of "Genie".[41]

In November 2012, Korean artist Goomrrat (Pasha) produced a fan-made skin for League of Legends champion Ahri, whose Classic version's dance emote is the dance from "Run Devil Run", which was named Generation Ahri and featured Ahri in the Genie naval uniform outfit from the music video.[42] By popular demand, developer Riot Games created an official equivalent based on it, Popstar Ahri, which was released worldwide on November 25, 2013, and has the dance from "Genie" as the dance emote.[43]

Awards

Awards and nominations for "Genie"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2009 Melon Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated [44]
2010 Korean Music Awards Best Pop Song Nominated [45][46]
2011 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Video of the Year Nominated [47]
Best Group Video Won [48]
Best Karaoke Song Won
Space Shower Music Awards Best Pop Music Video Won
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
Music Bank July 10, 2009 [49]
Inkigayo July 12, 2009 [50]
July 19, 2009 [51]

Track listing

CD single – Japanese version
  1. "Genie" (Japanese version) – 3:44
  2. "Genie" (Korean version) – 3:49
  3. "Genie" (Without main vocal) – 3:44
DVD – Japanese version
  1. "Genie" (Music video)
  2. "Genie" (Music video – Dance version) (First Press only)

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Korean album and Japanese CD single liner notes.[52][53]

Studio

  • Recorded and mixed at SM Booming System
  • Mastered at Sonic Korea

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[61]
physical single 		Gold 151,042[62]
Japan (RIAJ)[63]
PC download 		Platinum 250,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[64]
Full-length ringtone 		Platinum 250,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Genie" was released in South Korea in 2009, therefore it failed to enter the Gaon Singles Chart, which launched in 2010. Nonetheless, the Japanese version of the song entered the Gaon Album Chart at number two in 2011.[57]

References

  1. ↑ Herman, Tamar (August 11, 2017). "Every Girls' Generation Single Ranked From Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Genie (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Girls' Generation. Taiwan: Universal Music Taiwan, Nayutawave Records. 2011. 0204971.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ "Tell Me Your Wish Track List". website. Girls’ Generation Official website. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  4. ↑ Run Devil Run (Repackaged CD; Liner notes). Girls' Generation. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment. 2010. SMCD198.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ Girls' Generation (Liner notes). Girls' Generation. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment. 2007. SMCD161.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ Gee (Liner notes). Girls' Generation. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment. 2009. SMCD178.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Dorob, Jakob (August 7, 2014). "20 Essential K-Pop Songs: page 2". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Eddy, Chuck (November 1, 2011). "K-pop". Spin. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  9. ↑ CD Journal Staff (June 1, 2011). "Ami Suzuki / Girls' Generation [CD]". CD Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  10. ↑ Korea Focus – January 2012. The Korea Foundation. March 30, 2013. ISBN 9788986090819.
  11. ↑ Jang, Hwi-jae (June 17, 2009). 소녀시대, 타이틀곡 ‘소원을 말해봐’로 활동 재개 [Girls' Generation, Title Song "Genie" for Comeback] (in Korean). TodayKorea. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009.
  12. ↑ Kim Hyeong-u (June 23, 2009). 소녀시대 제로센 논란에 음반 발매일 29일로 연기 '문제 부분 삭제' (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  13. ↑ Schwartz, Rob (December 3, 2010). "Korea's Girls' Generation/SNSD Ready To Storm Japan". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Genie (CD and DVD digipak; Liner notes). Girls' Generation. Japan, Taiwan: Universal Music Taiwan, Nayutawave Records. 2011. UPCH-89086.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ CD Journal Staff (July 23, 2014). "Girls' Generation / The Best [CD]". CD Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  16. ↑ CD Journal Staff (September 8, 2011). "Girls' Generation / The Best [CD]". CD Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ True, Chris. "Girls' Generation – Song Highlights". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Every Girls' Generation Single Ranked From Worst to Best: Critic's Take". Tamar Herman.
  19. ↑ (in Korean) 소녀시대 오리콘 주간 4위 ‘해외 女가수 데뷔 최고성적 역사 썼다’ (Girls 4 on the Oricon Weekly ' best international female sexual history of a singer wrote Archived March 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Newsen. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  20. ↑ K-POPガールズ本命・少女時代、日本デビュー作が歴代最高記録 ニュース-ORICON STYLE Archived November 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  21. ↑ "シングル年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 24, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  22. ↑ 소시 '지니', 日아이튠즈 올해의 신인 팝앨범 선정 : 네이트 뉴스 Archived January 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. News.nate.com. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  23. ↑ "The Japanese Woman Behind K-Pop Bands' Moves". Chosun. September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  24. ↑ 연예 – 기사내용 – "지금이 소녀시대일까?…아직, 우리시대는 멀었다" (인터뷰) Archived August 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Sportsseoul.com (June 13, 2010). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  25. ↑ ′마린걸′된 소녀시대, 패션 아이콘으로도 정상 노린다 – 노컷뉴스. Cbs.co.kr. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  26. ↑ 마린룩 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. asiae.co.kr. 2009.07.10
  27. ↑ 마린 룩도 섹시하게~ 이보다 'HOT' 할 순 없다! Archived April 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. bntnews.
  28. ↑ '컴백' 소녀시대, '군무' 퍼포먼스 일단 '합격점' Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. asiae.co.kr. 2009.06.26
  29. ↑ 컴백 소녀시대 “이번 춤 이름은 제기차기춤-각선미춤” – 손에 잡히는 뉴스 눈에 보이는 뉴스 – 뉴스엔 Archived April 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Newsen.com (June 26, 2009). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  30. ↑ (in Korean) 헤럴드 경제 Archived May 12, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. Heraldbiz.com. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  31. ↑ 엉덩이춤-시건방춤-최면춤, 팬들은 지금 '댄스 작명' 열풍 – 아시아경제 Archived September 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Asiae.co.kr. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  32. ↑ 소녀시대(Girls Generation)_소원을 말해봐(Genie)_ 티저(Teaser)영상 Archived May 12, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. YouTube (June 19, 2009). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Music Video". website. Youtube. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  34. ↑ (in Korean) 소녀시대, 25일 두 번째 싱글 '소원을 말해봐' 공개 Archived November 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (Girls' Generation, Second Single "Genie" Released on 22nd). CNB News. June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  35. ↑ (in Korean) 소녀시대, 전 음원 차트 1위 석권. 또 ‘올 킬’…. (Girls' Generation' Tops All Digital Charts, "All Kill" Again...) Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. SportsKhan. July 1, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  36. ↑ "소녀시대, '소원을 말해봐'로 음반·음원·벨소리 1위 석권" [Girls' Generation takes first place in albums, music, and ringtones with 'Tell Me Your Wish']. My Daily (in Korean). July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  37. ↑ '소원을 말해봐' 저작권자, "소녀시대의 표절 아니다". Chosun.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  38. ↑ 소녀시대 '소원을 말해봐'가 우즈벡 女 가수 표절? (in Korean). NewsHankuk.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  39. ↑ 'Genie' Mired in Plagiarism Dispute Archived October 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, The Korea Times, July 4, 2009
  40. ↑ I JUST WANNA DANCE – NEW SINGLE. nathaliemusic.tv
  41. ↑ "C.J. Lewis – GENIE". universalmusicjapan. YouTube. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  42. ↑ Generation Ahri by Pasha (Goomrrat) Archived January 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Pixiv
  43. ↑ Popstar Ahri's Spirit Rush Tour starts today! (Release Announcement by Riot Wenceslaus) Archived August 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine League of Legends.com
  44. ↑ "소녀시대'Gee' MMA 대상 올해의 노래상 수상 '6관왕' 기염" [Girls' Generation's 'Gee' won the Song of the Year award at the MMA Awards 'six crowns']. Newsen. December 16, 2009. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Archive — Korean Music Awards". koreanmusicawards.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  46. ↑ "서울전자음악단 3관왕 영예속 2관왕 주인공은? 이소라-국카스텐-브아걸..(한국대중음악상)". newsen.com. March 30, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  47. ↑ 最優秀ビデオ賞. MTV Japan (in Japanese). March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Announcing the Winners of This Year's MTV VMAJs". MTV Japan. June 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  49. ↑ 소녀시대, '소원을 말해봐'로 뮤직뱅크 1위 [Girls' Generation wins 1st place on Music Bank with 'Tell Me Your Wish']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021 – via Naver.
  50. ↑ "소녀시대, 컴백 2주만에 '인기가요' 1위…태연 '눈물'" [Girls' Generation topped 'Inkigayo' in 2 weeks after their comeback... Taeyeon 'Tears']. My Daily (in Korean). July 12, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  51. ↑ "소녀시대 '소원을 말해봐' 2주연속 뮤티즌송 수상" [Girls' Generation's 'Tell Me Your Wish' Mutizen Song Award for 2 weeks in a row]. Osen (in Korean). July 19, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  52. ↑ "Genie" (Liner Notes [CD, Single]). Girls' Generation. Nayutawave Records. 2010. p. 11. UPCH-89086.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  53. ↑ Girls' Generation (2010). Genie (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment; Dreamus. Credits.
  54. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2010/09/20". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  55. ↑ レコード協会調べ (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Girls' Generation Discography – Genie" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Gaon Album Chart: Week 22, 2011" (in Korean). Gaon Album Chart. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  58. ↑ "2010 Year-end Chart" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Record Association Analysis: December 16, 2009 – December 14, 2010" (PDF) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  60. ↑ "2011 Chart: International Albums" (in Korean). Gaon Album Chart. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  61. ↑ "Japanese single certifications – Shojou Shidai – Genie" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2010年9月 on the drop-down menu
  62. ↑ "Oricon Ranking Service 'You Big Tree'" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  63. ↑ "Japanese digital single certifications – Girls' Generation – Gee" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 10, 2021. Select 2012年3月 on the drop-down menu
  64. ↑ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Girls' Generation – Gee" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 10, 2021. Select 2011年8月 on the drop-down menu
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