Step and a Step

"Step and a Step" is a song by Japanese girl group NiziU. It is the group's debut maxi single and includes three other tracks. The song was pre-released digitally on November 25, 2020, and the CD single was released on December 2 by JYP Entertainment and Epic Records Japan.[1]

"Step and a Step"
Single by NiziU
from the album U
B-side
"Joyful"
"Sweet Bomb"
"Make You Happy"
ReleasedDecember 2, 2020 (2020-12-02)
GenreJ-pop
Length3:21
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)J.Y. Park
NiziU singles chronology
"Make You Happy"
(2020)		 "Step and a Step"
(2020)		 "Take a Picture / Poppin' Shakin'"
(2021)
Music video
"Step and a Step" on YouTube

Background and release

NiziU was formed through the audition program, Nizi Project by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and is the first Japanese group to be managed by JYP.[2][3] The group released its pre-debut EP Make You Happy in June 2020, which peaked at number one on both Oricon's digital album's chart and Billboard Japan's Hot Albums chart.[4] Following the commercial success of Make You Happy,[5] NiziU announced the release of their debut Japanese single titled "Step and a Step".[6] Solo jacket album photos for group members Mako, Rio, and Maya, were released simultaneously on October 10. An online autograph session was announced the same day in which NiziU members would fulfill requests from fans.[7] Album jacket photos featuring Riku, Ayaka, and Mayuka, were released on October 11, followed by photos of all members on October 12.[8][9] In lead-up to the release of the single, an online collaboration campaign between NiziU and Lawson Store began in early-November.[10] Despite participating in the recording of the single and appearing in the music video, Miihi was absent from the dance choreography portion and promotions for the single due to going on hiatus for health problems from October to December 2020.[11][12]

On November 25, 2020, "Step and a Step" was pre-released as a digital single on various online music portals in conjunction with the accompanying music video.[13] The CD single was officially released on December 2, 2020.[14] The physical version is available in four different limited editions: Regular Edition, First Press Limited Edition A and First Press Limited Edition B, and Fan Club Edition (With U Limited Edition).[6] Edition A comes with a CD and a DVD containing the music video of "Step and a Step" and the making of album jacket photos. Edition B contains a CD and a 28-page booklet while the regular edition includes only the CD. All three versions contain "Step and a Step" as A-side and three other tracks "Joyful", "Sweet Bomb" and "Make You Happy" as B-side. The fanclub edition comes with the CD featuring only "Step and a Step" and "Joyful".[15]

Composition

"Step and a Step" has lyrics written by Kentz, Yui Kimura, and Park Jin-young, with the latter also serving as the composer. Park Jin-young produced the track alongside Lee Hae-sol.[16] A youthful and energetic pop song with an "addictive" rhythm, its lyrics convey "a warm message" that is intended to heal listeners during the COVID-19 pandemic, through lines like, "It's okay if you go slowly, step by step, at your own pace".[6][17]

Music video

The music video for the song was uploaded to JYP Entertainment's YouTube channel on November 25, 2020.[18] The music video is magical and features NiziU dressed in immaculate, white dresses as the members are seen performing choreography in multiple colorful settings.[13][19] The video also includes a "rabbit" dance during the song's chorus.[20]

Promotion

A documentary series titled We NiziU: We need U began airing on Hulu from November 5, 2020, focussing on NiziU's journey towards their official debut.[21][22] To commemorate the release of group's debut single, a one-time commercial featuring "Step and a Step" would be aired on NTV on November 25, 2020.[23] In addition, 15-second solo commercials featuring each NiziU member would be broadcast on the Nippon TV affiliated stations of Kansai, Chubu, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Miyagi and Okinawa corresponding to the home-towns of each member, from November 26 to December 2.[24] "Step and a Step" was first performed on Nippon TV's Best Artist 2020 year-end programme on November 25.[25]

Korean version

"Step and a step" (Korean version) was released as part of the limited edition B of U on November 24, 2021.

Track listing
Digital download[26]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Step and a Step"
J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
  • Lee Hae-sol
3:21
2."Joyful"Kentz
  • Kentz
  • Junya Maesako
  • Yui Mugino
Kentz3:30
3."Sweet Bomb"Safari Natsukawa
  • Trippy
  • Tim Tan
  • Ciara Muscat
Trippy2:55
4."Make You Happy" (Surprise Version)
  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
  • Yuka Matsumoto
  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
  • Lee Hae-sol
  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
  • Lee Hae-sol
3:04
Total length:12:50
First press limited edition A DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Step and a Step" (Music video) 
2."Step and a Step" (Jacket shooting making movie) 

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[31]
CD 		Platinum 250,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[32]
Digital 		Gold 100,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[33] Gold 50,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Lee, Sun-min (November 26, 2020). "Girl group NiziU's debut song reaches No. 1 on Line Music's top 100". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  2. So-yeon, Yoon (May 20, 2020). "JYP Entertainment's "Nizi Project" is coming to YouTube". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  3. 「Nizi Project」発グループがプレデビューミニアルバム発売決定、秋にメジャーデビュー ['Nizi Project' group will release pre-debut mini album, major debut in autumn]. Natalie. June 26, 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  4. "Exporting the template: K-pop agencies' overseas idol projects yield solid results". Korea Herald. July 13, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  5. Dong, Sun-hwa (September 7, 2020). "K-pop groups without Koreans". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  6. NiziU、デビューシングル発売決定 「みなさんを明るく！元気にできる新曲を」 [NiziU to release debut single : 'Brighten everyone! New songs that can energize']. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  7. NiziUデビューシングルのソロジャケット3種公開、オンラインサイン会開催決定 [NiziU debut single solo jacket released, online autograph session decided]. Natalie (in Japanese). October 10, 2020. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  8. NiziU、デビューシングル付属DVDにMV別バージョンやビジュアル撮影の裏側収録 [NiziU, debut single attached DVD with MV version and behind-the-scenes recording of visual shooting]. Natalie (in Japanese). October 11, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  9. NiziUデビューシングルの詳細発表、メンバーソロジャケットすべて公開 [Details of NiziU debut single released, all member solo jackets released]. Natalie (in Japanese). October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  10. NiziU×ローソンキャンペーンが11月にスタート、オンラインミーグリほか特典多数 [NiziU x Lawson campaign started in November, online Meguri and many other benefits]. Natalie (in Japanese). October 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  11. "「NiziU」メンバー ミイヒが体調不良で活動休止". TV Asahi News (in Japanese). October 23, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  12. "休養のNiziUミイヒ、体調回復で「活動を徐々に再開」 インスタで感謝伝える「大好きです」". Oricon (in Japanese). 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  13. NiziU、新曲「Step and a step」のMV公開 うさぎダンスに注目 [NiziU releases music video for new song 'Step and a step' Focusing on rabbit dance]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  14. NiziU、デビューシングル「Step and a step」12月2日にリリース [NiziU releases debut single "Step and a Step" on December 2nd]. Natalie (in Japanese). October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  15. "NiziU Release Music Video for Debut Single 'Step and a step'". Aramajapan. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  16. "Step and a step - NiziU". Tidal. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  17. NiziU、12月2日に正式デビュー！シングル「Step and a step」をリリース…新ビジュアルも公開 [NiziU officially debuts on December 2nd! Released single "Step and a step" ... New visual released]. KStyle (in Japanese). October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  18. NiziUがデビュー曲「Step and a step」MV公開 ミイヒも合流 [NiziU releases music video for debut song 'Step and a step' Mihi, who is resting, joins] (in Japanese). Excite. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  19. NiziU・ミイヒ、「踊れないほど具合が悪い」と判明しファン衝撃 [NiziU Mihi, fan shock when it turns out that 'I'm sick enough to dance'] (in Japanese). Excite. November 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  20. NiziUデビュー曲「Step and a step」MV解禁 ミイヒの笑顔も うさぎダンスにも注目 [NiziU debut song 'Step and a step' MV lifted Also pay attention to Mihi's smile and rabbit dance] (in Japanese). Excite. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  21. NiziUのデビューまでに密着した新番組「We NiziU ～We need U～」Huluにて独占配信 [Exclusive distribution on Hulu, a new program 'We NiziU ~ We need U ~' that was closely related to NiziU's debut]. CD Journal (in Japanese). October 27, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  22. "NiziU and Babymetal to perform for first time on NHK's 'Kohaku' music show". The Japan Times. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  23. NiziUデビュー日に1回限りのテレビCMオンエア [One-time TV commercial on air on NiziU debut day]. Natalie (in Japanese). November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  24. NiziU、デビュー日に1夜限定で60秒TV-CMがオンエア [NiziU, 60 seconds TV commercial on air for one night only on debut day]. CD Journal (in Japanese). November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  25. NiziU「ベストアーティスト」でデビュー曲「Step and a step」初披露 [Debut song 'Step and a step' debuted at NiziU 'Best Artist']. Natalie (in Japanese). November 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  26. "Step and a step - Single by NiziU". Apple Music. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  27. "Billboard Global 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  28. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [2020/12/14 付け]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  29. 週間 合算シングルランキング 2020年12月14日付 （2020年11月30日～2020年12月06日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking December 14, 2020 (From November 30, 2020 to December 06, 2020)] (in Japanese). Oricon. December 14, 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  30. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  31. "Japanese single certifications – NiziU – Step and a Step" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 1, 2021. Select 2020年12月 on the drop-down menu
  32. "Japanese digital single certifications – NiziU – Step and a Step" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 1, 2021. Select 2020年12月 on the drop-down menu
  33. "Japanese single streaming certifications – NiziU – Step and a Step" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 1, 2021. Select 2021年1月 on the drop-down menu
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