"GingaMingaYo (The Strange World)" (from Korean: 긴가민가요; RR: Gingamingayo, meaning "uncertain") is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Billlie for their second extended play The Collective Soul and Unconscious: Chapter One. It was released as the lead single by Mystic Story on February 23, 2022. It was written by Le'mon and Hyuk Shin, MRey, Ashley Alisha and Le'mon of 153/Joombas worked on composing while Han Peacedelic Jungsu produced the song. "GingaMingaYo" is a pop song with elements of bass house. Lyrically, It contains the questions and emotions that one asks himself during the process of becoming an adult. The Japanese version was released on May 17, 2023, as the group's debut single in Japan.[1]
Composition and lyrics
The title track "GingaMingaYo (The Strange World)" was written by Lemon, composed by Hyuk Shin (153CreatorsClub), MRey (153CreatorsClub), Ashley Alisha (153/Joombas), Le'mon (153/Joombas) and was arranged by MRay (153/Joombas). "Ginga minga" is a Korean expression meaning uncertainty. As the title implies, the song is about being confused with the changes in life as one grows up. The title which is written in Korean and English is composed in the key of B flat minor, with a tempo of 122 beats per minute with a running time of 3 minutes and 35 seconds.[2]
Background and reception
"GingaMingaYo" was first announced on 11 February 2022, through a track list image released by Mystic Story on different social media platforms.[3][4] It was first heard on 21 February through the highlight medley and the official track was released alongside the EP on 23 February 2022, accompanied by its music video uploaded on YouTube by Mystic Story.[5]
Many critics observed "GingaMingaYo" to have more of a lighter, more whimsical feel with catchy deep house beats that's giving a playful and fun mood compared to their debut song "Ring X Ring".[6][7]Time noted down that Funky synths and Billlie’s animated chants propel the song, creating a fun number that piques a listener’s curiosity as much as it boosts their energy.[8]
Prior to the release, a teaser was released and the music video was released on February 23, 2022. It was directed by Hong Wonki And Shim Jihyoung from Zanybros, where they portray the girls transcending from their everyday life to a strange world where they explore the deeper layers of their unconsciousness.[16] This is the second time Zanybros has directed a music video for Billlie with the first one being for "Snowy Night".
Commercial performance
"GingaMingaYo (The Strange World)" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but appeared at number 123 on the component Download Chart and then went on to peak at 92 the following week.[17] In Japan, the song debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs Chart.[18][19]
^Park Dong-Jae (February 11, 2022). "≪브레이크뉴스≫ '미스틱스토리 첫 걸그룹' 빌리, 컴백 포스터 공개..23일 새 앨범 발매" ['Mystic Story's first girl group' Billy unveils comeback poster... New album release on the 23rd]. 브레이크뉴스 (BreakNews). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
^Jinju, Hee (March 8, 2022). "'더쇼' 빌리, 활동 시작과 동시에 1위 후보" ['The Show' Billlie, nominated for 1st place at the same time as promotions]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^So-young, Park (March 11, 2022). "'뮤직뱅크' 1위후보=소녀시대 태연 vs 스테이씨 '신구 女 대결'" ['Music Bank' 1st place nominee = Girls' Generation Taeyeon vs StayC 'New and old female showdown']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Mi-kyung, Kim (March 13, 2022). "'인기가요' 빌리가 초대한 판타지 월드 'GingaMingaYo'" [GingaMingaYo, A fantasy world invitation by Billlie from Inkigayo]. 싱글리스트 Slist (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^Seung-hoon, Lee (March 12, 2022). "'음중' 태연vs스테이씨vsMSG워너비(M.O.M), 1위 후보 등극" ['Umjung' Taeyeon vs StayC vs MSG Wannabe (MOM), nominated for 1st place]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Woo-young, Jang (March 9, 2022). "'신흥 콘셉트돌' 빌리, '쇼챔피언' 핫 컴백…시선강탈 'GingaMingaYo' 퍼포먼스" ['Emerging concept idol' Billie, 'Show Champion' hot comeback... Eye-catching 'GingaMingaYo' performance]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^ ab2022년 11주차 Download Chart [Week 11 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.