TWICE, the world-renowned South Korean girl group consisting of members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, has recently released their 12th mini-album “Ready to Be” on March 10th. This release, their first project of the year, was spearheaded by their pre-release English single “Moonlight Sunrise” and their lead single “Set Me Free”.

The release was accompanied by an American-focused marketing campaign, kicked off by the group receiving the Breakthrough Artist Award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event. It also included appearances and performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Empire State Building lighting up with their official group colors, apricot and neon magenta.

Debuting in 2015, the group has managed to maintain their signature catchy and bright “TWICE” sound that is loved by fans while also offering a fresh new feel to it as well. “Set Me Free” (and its English counterpart too) is a powerful, groovy, disco track, that’s reminiscent of some of their fan-favorite songs from 2021’s acclaimed album “Formula of Love: O+T=＜3”, that is certain to make listeners set themselves free on the nearest dancefloor (whether it’s in a packed club or empty living room). 

“Moonlight Sunrise”, first released on January 20th as their second full English single, is a sexy, bass-heavy song that encapsulates the rush and excitement of late-night love with lines such as Chaeyoung’s “Loving undefeated, on your knees pleading, Baby, you can hit up my line when you need it”. 

“Got the Thrills” is another exciting bop with a bit of twang which, true to its title, takes one on a fast-paced, thrilling sonic ride. “Blame it On Me” is a powerful rock-inspired track that wonderfully showcases the group’s commanding and dynamic vocal talent. 

“Wallflower” is a smooth dance track with some Latin flair, with the group flirtingly teasing their subject to set themselves out there and join them in this dance, with addicting lines like “Are you shy? I wonder why” and “Now put your hands on me so everyone can see, somethin’ about tonight feels meant to be”.

“Crazy Stupid Love”, despite technically being the second to last track due to “Set Me Free (Eng)” being the final song, is a great ending ballad for the project. The group sings a heartfelt and freeing goodbye to a romantic relationship in a track that beautifully encapsulates the mellow end of an exciting journey.

“Ready to Be” is also primed to become the group’s best-performing album so far. The album has debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with 153k sales, making it their biggest debut to date in the chart and the highest-selling week by a Korean female act so far. In addition to its US sales, “Ready to Be” has also reached 1.7 million pre-orders globally, making it the highest for the group and the 2nd highest for a girl group.

This project is just the first step of TWICE’s big plans for the year. JYP Entertainment has already announced an album by MISAMO, a sub-unit consisting of Japanese members Mina, Sana and Momo, set to be released in late July. In addition, TWICE has also announced their 5th world tour this year, consisting of shows across Korea, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Their two shows in Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and New Jersey’s Metlife Stadium also make them the first girl group to perform in an NFL stadium, and only the second K-pop act overall.

The year has just started for TWICE, and despite being veterans nearly a decade in, they are ready to remind the world why they are truly one in a million.