Genie (Girls' Generation song)

"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.

"Tell Me Your Wish" redirects here. For 2022 South Korean TV series, see Tell Me Your Wish (TV series).
"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

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]
2011 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Video of the Year Nominated [45]
Best Group Video Won [46]
Best Karaoke Song Won
Space Shower Music Awards Best Pop Music Video Won
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
Music Bank July 10, 2009 [47]
Inkigayo July 12, 2009 [48]
July 19, 2009 [49]

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.[50][51]

Studio
  • Recorded, mixed and digitally edited at SM Booming System
  • Mastered at Sonic Korea

Personnel

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[59]
physical single 		Gold 151,042[60]
Japan (RIAJ)[61]
PC download 		Platinum 250,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[62]
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.[55]

References
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