TWICE Part 2: Cheer Up, TT, and the Rise of a K-Pop Powerhouse
How TWICE went from promising rookies to record-breaking superstars with Cheer Up, TT, and one unforgettable dance craze.
From Rookies to Rulebreakers
If you read Part 1 of this series, you already know how TWICE was born on a tough survival show. Nine trainees became one group. Their debut song “Like Ooh-Ahh” made people smile.
But debut success does not always last. Lots of K-pop groups have a great first year, then fade away. TWICE did the opposite. In 2016, they exploded.
The Editor’s friend, who has followed TWICE from day one, calls 2016 “the year everything changed.” She is not exaggerating.
“Cheer Up”: The Song That Changed Everything
In April 2016, TWICE released “Cheer Up.” It was catchy. It was colorful. And it had one line that became famous across the internet: “Shy shy shy.”
That single phrase quickly became a widely recognized meme and catchphrase in South Korea. The song did not just top the charts in Korea. Its viral popularity helped introduce TWICE to a much wider audience.
“Cheer Up” went on to win Song of the Year at both the 2016 Melon Music Awards and the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards. It was the group’s first major sweep at the top award shows. The music video became one of TWICE’s most widely viewed early releases on YouTube.
For a group just over one year into their career, that kind of recognition was massive.
Bright concepts, big wins. 2016 was TWICE’s breakout year.
▶ Watch TWICE “Cheer Up” on YouTube
“TT”: A Dance Move That Took Over the World
Just a few months later, in October 2016, TWICE released “TT.” If “Cheer Up” introduced the world to TWICE, “TT” made sure nobody could forget them.
The song’s hook was not just musical. It was visual. During the chorus, members made a “TT” shape with their hands, copying the crying-face emoticon. It was simple, cute, and instantly copyable. Fans in Korea and overseas began recreating the instantly recognizable pose.
“TT” became the TWICE song with the most Korean music-show wins, earning 13 trophies. It later even landed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest Korean pop songs of all time, praised for kicking off a true dance craze.
For the Editor’s friend, “TT” was the moment TWICE stopped being “a group she liked” and became “a group everyone she knew liked too.”
Knock Knock, Signal, and a Winning Streak
TWICE did not slow down after “TT.” In February 2017, they released “Knock Knock,” extending their run of four consecutive hit singles from debut. That kind of consistency is rare, even for top K-pop acts.
Later that year, “Signal” added another major hit to their growing catalogue, winning Song of the Year at the 2017 MAMA Awards. Combined with their earlier win for “Cheer Up,” TWICE became the first act to win MAMA’s Song of the Year award for three consecutive years, once they added a third win the following year with “What Is Love?”
By this point, TWICE was not just a rookie success story. They were one of the most consistent hit-makers in the entire industry.
Why This Era Still Matters
Looking back, 2016 and 2017 were the years TWICE built their identity. Bright colors. Easy-to-copy dance moves. Songs that felt like inside jokes shared with millions of strangers.
It is also the era the Editor’s friend talks about most fondly. She remembers doing the “TT” pose with coworkers who had never watched a single K-drama or K-pop stage before. TWICE had a strange power: they made K-pop feel approachable, even for total beginners.
That approachable, joyful style is part of the reason TWICE fans span so many ages. It is not unusual to meet a fan in their 40s standing right next to a fan in their teens at the same concert, both singing every word.
Looking Ahead
By 2018, TWICE had accumulated multiple chart hits, major awards, and record-setting achievements. But their story was far from finished. Global tours, English-language releases, and a very different kind of fame were still ahead.
Want to read more about groups that shaped K-pop the same way TWICE did? Check out our deep dive into BLACKPINK’s rise or the IVE series for another look at how a group builds lasting global fandom.
Rating: 9.0 / 10
A personal note from the Editor. Every time I hear “TT,” I think about how a single hand gesture can travel further than any advertising campaign ever could. TWICE didn’t just make hit songs. They made moments people wanted to share.