Gee (Girls' Generation song)#Japanese version
{{Short description|2009 single by Girls' Generation}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Gee
| cover = Girls' Generation - Gee (Japanese version) single cover.png
| alt = Cover art of "Gee" (Japanese version) featuring the nine group members in uniforms
| caption = Japanese version cover
| type = single
| artist = Girls' Generation
| album = Gee {{noitalic|and}} Girls' Generation
| released = January 5, 2009 (South Korea)
October 20, 2010 (Japan)
| recorded =
| studio = * SM Concert Hall
- SM Yellow Tail (Seoul)
| venue =
| genre = * Bubblegum
| length = 3:21
| label = * SM
| lyricist = * E-Tribe
- Kanata Nakamura (Japanese version)
| composer = E-Tribe
| producer = E-Tribe
| prev_title = Baby Baby
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = Genie
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Girls' Generation Japanese
| type = single
| prev_title = Genie
| prev_year = 2010
| title = Gee
| year = 2010
| next_title = Hoot
| next_year = 2010
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|U7mPqycQ0tQ|"Gee"}}}}
}}
"Gee" is a song by South Korean girl group Girls' Generation, who originally recorded a Korean-language version for an extended play (EP) that was released in South Korea by SM Entertainment on January 5, 2009. Nayutawave Records released a Japanese-language version of "Gee" on October 20, 2010, as the group's second single in Japan. Music duo E-Tribe wrote and produced the track, and Kanata Nakamura wrote additional Japanese lyrics.
"Gee" is primarily a bubblegum track with an electropop and Europop sound brought by prominent techno- and hip hop-influenced synthesizers and beats. The lyrics are about first love from a young female perspective. The song was supported by a music video depicting the group members as mannequins who, after the shop owner leaves, come to life and perform the choreography in colored skinny jeans. It became the first girl-group video to amass 100 million views on YouTube.
In South Korea, "Gee" was the number-one song on the music program Music Bank for nine consecutive weeks in 2009 and the top-performing song of the 2000s decade on the digital music platform Melon. According to a 2009 poll by Gallup Korea, it was the year's most popular song. In Japan, it peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and number one on the RIAJ Digital Track Chart, and the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified that it sold over one million digital copies.
"Gee" won Song of the Year at the Melon Music Awards and Korean Music Awards, and it won Digital Daesang at the 24th Golden Disc Awards in 2009. Music critics have recognized "Gee" as a K-pop standard that helped shape the contemporary bubblegum sound and attributed its popularity in part to the music video.{{Cite web |last1=Hu |first1=Elise |last2=Lee |first2=Janet W. |last3=Placzek |first3=Jessica |date=September 12, 2022 |title=How Girls' Generation shaped K-pop as we know it |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/12/1122480955/girls-generation-forever-1-anniversary-into-the-new-world |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=NPR Music}} The song ranked first on Rolling Stone's 2023 list of the 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music.
Background and release
South Korean entertainment agency SM Entertainment launched Girls' Generation, a nine-member idol girl group, in August 2007. In November, SM released the group's debut studio album, which was supported by singles including "Into the New World" and "Girls' Generation"; the latter of which was among the top three most popular songs of 2007 according to a Gallup Korea public poll.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2007 |title= |script-title=ko:2007년 올해의 10대 가수 |trans-title=The Top 10 Singers of 2007 |url=http://www.gallup.co.kr/gallupdb/reportcontent.asp?seqno=170 |access-date=2023-09-26 |publisher=Gallup Korea |language=ko}} The album was succeeded with a reissue titled Baby Baby in March 2008.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Jong-hyuk |date=March 11, 2008 |title=Girls' Generation, Repackaged Album Baby Baby Out on the 13th |url=http://sports.chosun.com/news/news.htm?name=/news/entertainment/200803/20080312/83l75106.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319015239/http://sports.chosun.com/news/news.htm?name=/news/entertainment/200803/20080312/83l75106.htm |archive-date=March 19, 2008 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=The Chosun Ilbo |language=ko}} Girls' Generation sold over 100,000 copies of their debut album in South Korea and became one of the rising idol groups with strong albums sales.{{cite web|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2009/01/135_37368.html|title=Idol Stars Gearing Up for Various Activities|work=The Korea Times|author=Han Sang-hee|date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507182007/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2009/01/135_37368.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Hye-song |date=2008-04-15 |title= |script-title=ko:'걸 댄스그룹', SES 이후 6년만에 '10만장 시대' |trans-title='Girl Idol Group' Reaches 100,000 Copies Sold in 6 Years Since SES |url=https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2008041516250673400 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Star News |language=ko}}
On January 5, 2009, SM released Gee, the group's first extended play (EP) (known in South Korea as "mini album").{{cite web |last=Gil |first=Hye-song |date=March 17, 2009 |title= |script-title=ko:소녀시대, 올 첫 10만장 돌파..2연속 10만장 판매 |trans-title=Girls' Generation, Two Albums Exceeding 100,000 Sales |url=http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2009031710540748246 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227004038/http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2009031710540748246 |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |access-date=April 28, 2015 |website=Star News |language=ko}} SM had planned to release "Dancing Queen", a cover version of Duffy's single "Mercy (2008), as the title track.{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Hyeong-woo |date=January 6, 2009 |title= |script-title=ko:소녀시대가 돌아왔다! "9개월만에 컴백, 몸 근질근질했다"(인터뷰①) |trans-title=Girls' Generation Has Returned! 'Comeback After 9 Months, We're Excited' Interview Part 1 |url=http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200901061334371002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224005519/http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200901061334371002 |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |access-date=December 19, 2014 |website=Newsen |publisher= |language=ko}} The plan was inspired by the "retro" music trend caused by fellow idol group Wonder Girls' hit single "Nobody" (2008).{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2023-07-20 |title=The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music: Girls Generation, 'Gee' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-korean-pop-songs-1234727955/gee-girls-generation-1234728145/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} It was scrapped due to copyright issues.{{cite web |date=January 3, 2009 |title= |script-title=ko:'인형'으로 변신한 소녀시대 'Gee' 티저영상 공개 |trans-title=Girls' Generation 'Gee' Teaser Released, Fresh and Bright Charms Shown |url=http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2009010396137 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218034731/http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2009010396137 |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |work=Korea Economic Daily |language=ko}} Production duo E-Tribe, who wrote "Gee", pitched the song to SM, who thought the lyrics were childish and the melody weak. E-Tribe stood their ground and SM ultimately decided on "Gee" as the title track. It was released as the lead single onto South Korean digital music platforms.{{Sfn|Kallen|2014|p=39}}
After Girls' Generation's domestic success, SM extended their promotional activities to Japan. In September 2010, the group signed with Universal Music Japan-owned Nayutawave Records. Their first Japanese single was the Japanese-language version of "Genie", which had been released in South Korea prior. Nayutawave released the Japanese-language version of "Gee" on October 20, 2010, as the group's second Japanese single.{{cite magazine |last=Schwartz |first=Rob |date=December 3, 2010 |title=Korea's Girls' Generation/SNSD Ready to Storm Japan |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/949769/koreas-girls-generationsnsd-ready-to-storm-japan |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116045040/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/949769/koreas-girls-generationsnsd-ready-to-storm-japan |archive-date=January 16, 2014}}
Music and lyrics
{{Listen
| filename = Gee-SNSD.ogg
| title = "Gee"
| pos = left
| description = "Gee" is a bubblegum song with an electropop and Europop sound. The production incorporates techno- and hip hop-influenced synthesizers and beats.
}}
"Gee" was written, arranged, and produced by E-Tribe, a production duo consisting of Ahn Myung-won and Kim Young-deuk. It was recorded at SM's Concert Hall and Yellow Tail Studios in Seoul, South Korea. The track is three minutes and 21 seconds long.{{cite web |title=The First Mini Album Gee |url=http://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=458355 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820122207/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=458355 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=February 9, 2018 |publisher=Melon |language=ko}} The Japanese version's lyrics were written by Kanata Nakamura.{{cite AV media notes|title=Gee (Japanese version)|type=CD liner notes|year=2010|publisher=Nayutawave Records|language=ja}}
"Gee" is an upbeat track that uses dense synthesizers.{{cite web |last=Covington |first=Abigail |date=May 15, 2014 |title=Navigating through the Excessive World of K-pop |url=https://www.avclub.com/navigating-through-the-excessive-world-of-k-pop-1798269041 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518023040/http://www.avclub.com/article/navigating-through-excessive-world-k-pop-204421 |archive-date=May 18, 2014 |work=The A.V. Club}} Rolling Stone described the synthesizers as "glittering Shibuya-kei", and Billboard found them to be influenced by techno. The track is accentuated with chimes at the beginning and pulsing electropop beats throughout. Music critics categorized the sound as bubblegum,{{Cite magazine |last=Herman |first=Tamar |date=2019-01-06 |title=The Legacy of Girls' Generation's 'Gee', 10 Years Later |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/girls-generation-gee-10th-anniversary-legacy-8492312/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |magazine=Billboard}} Europop,{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Ji-seon |title= |script-title=ko:K-pop 명곡 100: Gee – 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation) |trans-title=Top 100 K-Pop Songs: Gee – Girls' Generation |url=https://www.melon.com/kpop100/detail.htm?detailSong=2012282 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828181556/https://www.melon.com/kpop100/detail.htm?detailSong=2012282 |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website= |publisher=Melon |language=ko}} and electropop. The A.V. Club characterized the track as "a three-minute aural mélange of techno, bubblegum pop, and hip-hop". The group members sing in high-registered vocals accentuated with electronic processing including bleeps and clicks. According to musicologist Michael Fuhr, this vocal technique demonstrates aegyo, a Korean concept for cuteness in an adolescent, feminine way.{{Sfn|Fuhr|2013|p=279}} The lyrics talk about the girls' feelings when they fall in love.
Music video
The music video for the Korean version of "Gee" begins with the nine members being displayed as mannequins at a clothing store and coming to life after the store's male staff (played by Minho of Shinee) leaves. The members then discover the surroundings and find out the portrait of Minho being "the employee of the month". Scenes of the members performing the choreography are juxtaposed with the storyline. At the end of the video, the members leave the store and Minho returns realizing the mannequins have disappeared.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1DeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA4|title=Globalization and Popular Music in South Korea: Sounding Out K-Pop|first=Michael|last=Fuhr|page=4|publisher=Routledge|year=2015|isbn=9781317556916|access-date=February 10, 2018|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512064439/https://books.google.com/books?id=l1DeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA4|url-status=live}} The video became the first video by a girl group to achieve over 100 million views on YouTube.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6032628/top-10-k-pop-girl-groups-korea-sistar-2NE1-girls-generation|first1=Jeff|last1=Benjamin|first2=Jessica|last2=Oak|date=April 30, 2014|access-date=February 10, 2018|title=Top 10 K-Pop Girl Groups|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=July 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714235335/http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6032628/top-10-k-pop-girl-groups-korea-sistar-2NE1-girls-generation|url-status=live}} Another music video for the Japanese version was also released, which also features Minho as the male staff, but does not portray the members as mannequins but Minho's fellow female staff.{{cite AV media|title=Gee (Japanese version)|type=music video/DVD|publisher=S.M. Entertainment|date=2010|others=Girls' Generation}}
Reception
File:090227 SBS 백상예술대상 Gee.jpg
Girls' Generation had their first promotional activity for the song on the MBC's music show Music Core on January 10.[http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200901110105431002 Girls' Generation comes back after 9 months "cute dance" (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224011114/http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200901110105431002 |date=December 24, 2014 }} Newsen.com (January 11, 2009). Retrieved on December 20, 2014. "Gee" eventually became a hit, achieving nine consecutive top one on the KBS's Music Bank,[https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2009/06/135_46836.html Girls Generation to Return With New Album] Koreatimes.co.kr (June 15, 2009). Retrieved on January 27, 2015.[http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200903131947261002 Girls' Generation topped Music Bank for 9 consecutive weeks (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226094727/https://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200903131947261002 |date=December 26, 2020 }} Newsen.com (March 13, 2009). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. and eight consecutive wins on the Mnet{{'}}s chart,[http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200903031140411002 Girls' Generation broke Mnet's record, staying at number 1 for 8 consecutive weeks (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224010611/http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200903031140411002 |date=December 24, 2014 }} Newsen.com (March 3, 2009). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. setting a record at the time. It was named as the Song of the Decade by South Korea's online music website Melon,{{cite news|url=http://en.korea.com/snsd/news/legendary-%E2%80%98gee%E2%80%99-is-officially-%E2%80%98song-of-the-decade%E2%80%99s|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505015135/http://en.korea.com/snsd/news/legendary-%E2%80%98gee%E2%80%99-is-officially-%E2%80%98song-of-the-decade%E2%80%99s/|archive-date=May 5, 2011|date=April 29, 2011|publisher=en.korea.com|title=Legendary 'Gee' is officially 'Song Of The Decade'}} and chosen to be the most popular song of 2009 on Music Bank.[http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200912251937301002 Girls' Generation's "Gee" is most popular song of 2009 on Music Bank (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224011201/http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200912251937301002 |date=December 24, 2014 }} Newsen.com (December 25, 2009). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. The song has also won several major awards such as Digital Daesang and Digital Bonsang at the 24th Golden Disc Awards,[http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?year=2009&no=638545 Half worthy awards ceremony, music fans feel bitter (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120724190231/http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?year=2009&no=638545 |date=July 24, 2012 }} News.mk.co.kr (December 11, 2009). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. the Daesang and Digital Music awards at the 19th Seoul Music Awards,[http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201002032121251002 Girls' Generation won digital music award at Seoul Music Awards (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224013429/http://newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201002032121251002 |date=December 24, 2014 }} Newsen.com (February 3, 2010). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. and Song of the Year at the 7th Korean Music Awards.[http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2010033011543903056&outlink=2&SVEC Girls' Generation, 韩 Pop Music 'netizens selected geurupsang (in Korean)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501214854/http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2010033011543903056&outlink=2&SVEC |date=May 1, 2016 }} Star.mt.co.kr (March 30, 2010). Retrieved April 3, 2010.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804044458/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/06/201_61266.html|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/06/201_61266.html|title=Korea Launches First Official Music Charts Gaon|date=February 23, 2010|work=The Korea Times|author=Han Sang-hee|url-status=live|archive-date=August 4, 2010}}
The Japanese version sold 130,145 physical copies in 2010, becoming the 49{{sup|th}} best-selling single of the year in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2010/musicrank1220/index03.html|title=2010 Oricon TOP50|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-date=July 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707113009/http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2010/musicrank1220/index03.html|url-status=live}} The song reached number one on the RIAJ's weekly digital track chart on October 26,[http://satsuki.musicdb.gr.jp/all_info/ranking_weekly/WeeklyRankingAction.do?term=2010s&weeklyCd=20101026&rankKbn=50 RIAJ Digital Track Chart for October 20-26, 2010 (in Japanese)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722105757/http://satsuki.musicdb.gr.jp/all_info/ranking_weekly/WeeklyRankingAction.do?term=2010s&weeklyCd=20101026&rankKbn=50 |date=July 22, 2011 }} Recording Industry Association of Japan (October 2010) Retrieved on October 29, 2010. and eventually was ranked fifty-seventh and twenty-third on Billboard's 2010 & 2011 Japan Hot 100 charts, respectively.[http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/japan-hot-100?begin=51&order=position Billboard's 2010 Japan Hot 100] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323143159/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/japan-hot-100?begin=51&order=position |date=March 23, 2015 }} Billboard (2010). Retrieved on December 19, 2014.[http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/japan-hot-100?begin=21&order=position Billboard's 2011 Japan Hot 100] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323143212/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/japan-hot-100?begin=21&order=position |date=March 23, 2015 }} Billboard (2011). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. In January 2014, "Gee" was certified "Million" by the RIAJ, achieving more than one million digital downloads.[http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140228.html Recording Industry Association of Japan's certification for January 2014 (in Japanese)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305015635/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140228.html |date=March 5, 2014 }} RIAJ (January 2014). Retrieved on December 19, 2014. The song is also the group's best-selling single in the US with 80,000 downloads sold as of May 2020.{{Cite magazine|title=Taeyeon's 'Happy': K-Pop Star's 15th Top 10 on World Digital Song Sales|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9379035/taeyeon-happy-15th-top-10-world-digital-song-sales-chart|date=May 15, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516012511/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9379035/taeyeon-happy-15th-top-10-world-digital-song-sales-chart|url-status=live}}
Accolades
"Gee" won 14 first place music program awards in South Korea, and received a record nine consecutive wins on Music Bank until Psy's "Gangnam Style" in 2012.
In popular culture
A parody of "Gee", called "Hee", has gained popularity among Korean citizens. It is a combination of the instrumental of "Gee" and some extremely venomous dialogue from the drama Temptation of Wife.Kim, Swung-yen. [http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year=2009&no=125676 ‘아내의 유혹’ 신애리, 노래 ‘hee’로 가수 데뷔? (Wife's Temptation Shin Ae-ri, Debuting as Singer with "Hee"?)] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090721002723/http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year=2009&no=125676|date=July 21, 2009}}. Maeil Yungaburra. February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2009. A viral video named {{Nihongo|Showa Era Gee (Grandpa Showa era)|Gee しょうわ時代 （爺爺爺－昭和時代))}} was posted on YouTube on August 15, 2011, featuring elderly men in a shoe shop dancing to the Japanese version of "Gee". The video was originally on SMAPxSMAP Japanese show. It was also posted on Smosh website and was reviewed by "AtomicMari" on "Smosh Pit Weekly".
In 2009 and 2010, SM labelmates Super Junior regularly included a cover of "Gee" in their setlist for Super Show 2. The performance was preceded by a video interlude entitled The Secret of "Gee" including Jessica and Tiffany respectively dancing Heechul's and Kangin's parts in "Sorry, Sorry" during a Girls' Generation dance practice before the practice is infiltrated as a prank by Heechul, Kangin, Leeteuk and Sungmin respectively disguised as Jessica, Tiffany, Taeyeon and Sunny.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fFP0b0Sgsg Super Show 2: The Secret of Gee (featuring Girls' Generation)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512064614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fFP0b0Sgsg|date=May 12, 2021}} YouTube (created by SM Entertainment) "Gee" was the opening theme song of the film "To All the Boys: Always and Forever".{{Cite web |last=Tamara |first=Fuentes |date=February 12, 2021 |title=The "To All the Boys: Always and Forever" Soundtrack Is Everything You Needed In Life and More |url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a35462572/to-all-the-boys-3-always-and-forever-soundtrack-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819054040/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a35462572/to-all-the-boys-3-always-and-forever-soundtrack-music/ |archive-date=August 19, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021 |publisher=Seventeen}}
Legacy
File:Search volume for kpop.svg began spreading across Asia through digital media and online sharing sites.{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Julie |date=August 13, 2013 |title=Then & Now: A look back at the changing tides of K-pop |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130813000905 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064112/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130813000905 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2016 |work=The Korea Herald}}]]
"Gee" has been widely recognized as a K-pop classic and the group's signature song. On writing the group's biography for AllMusic, Chris True selected "Gee" as one of their outstanding songs.{{cite web |last=True |first=Chris |title=Girls' Generation {{!}} Songs |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/girls-generation-mn0001687279/songs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511123404/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/girls-generation-mn0001687279/songs |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2015 |website=AllMusic}} Chuck Eddy from Spin ranked the single fifth on his list of the 21 greatest K-pop songs of all time in 2012, opining that the song has set up the group's "huge deals" ever since.{{cite web |last1=Eddy |first1=Chuck |last2=Bevan |first2=David |date=June 21, 2012 |title=The 21 Greatest K-Pop Songs of All Time |url=http://www.spin.com/2012/06/21-greatest-k-pop-songs-all-time/4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505192302/http://www.spin.com/2012/06/21-greatest-k-pop-songs-all-time/4/ |archive-date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=March 25, 2016 |work=Spin}} Pitchfork Media editor Jakob Dorof included the song on his list of 20 essential K-pop songs in 2014, noting it for being the "magnum opus" of modern Korean bubblegum pop genre, which he regarded as K-pop's "comfort zone." He further recognized the "formally irrefutable" song as overcoming half a millennium of historical animosity to broker pop cultural peace between South Korea and Japan for only one year.{{cite web |last=Dorof |first=Jakob |date=2014-08-07 |title=20 Essential K-Pop Songs |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/starter/9475-20-essential-k-pop-songs/3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011135250/http://pitchfork.com/features/starter/9475-20-essential-k-pop-songs/3/ |archive-date=October 11, 2014 |website=Pitchfork |publisher= |page=3}} Abigail Covington writing for The A.V. Club regarded Girls' Generation as the K-pop "premier, ubiquitous provider," particularly with "Gee", which helped to promote Korean music's full potential despite the fact that K-pop had existed long before the group's debut in 2007. Billboard magazine labelled "Gee" "arguably the most iconic K-pop song in the past ten years."{{cite magazine |last=Herman |first=Tamar |date=September 8, 2016 |title='Better Late Than Never' Stars Team Up With K-Pop Power Group Girls' Generation |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7502849/better-late-than-never-stars-team-up-k-pop-girls-generation |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124104045/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7502849/better-late-than-never-stars-team-up-k-pop-girls-generation |archive-date=January 24, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2017}}{{cite magazine |last=Herman |first=Tamar |date=January 5, 2019 |title=The Legacy of Girls' Generation's 'Gee,' 10 Years Later |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8492312/girls-generation-gee-10th-anniversary-legacy |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215053756/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8492312/girls-generation-gee-10th-anniversary-legacy |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2020}}
In 2016, "Gee" was voted the top K-pop girl group song in the past 20 years in a poll involving 2,000 people and 30 music industry experts by South Korean magazine Dong-a Ilbo, web magazine Idology and research company M Brain.{{cite web |date=September 2, 2016 |title=New survey ranks top K-pop artists & songs of the past 20 years |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2016/09/02/new-survey-ranks-top-k-pop-artists-songs-past-20-years |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124103554/http://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2016/09/02/new-survey-ranks-top-k-pop-artists-songs-past-20-years |archive-date=January 24, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2017 |publisher=Special Broadcasting System Australia}}{{cite web |date=September 1, 2016 |script-title=ko:'반짝반짝 눈이 부셔'... 빅뱅-소녀시대 역대 최고 아이돌 |url=http://news.donga.com/NewsStand/3/all/20160901/80071885/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202112902/http://news.donga.com/NewsStand/3/all/20160901/80071885/1 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2017 |work=Dong-a Ilbo |language=ko}} In a panel of 35 music critics and industry professionals organized by Melon and newspaper Seoul Shinmun, "Gee" was ranked the fifth best idol song of all-time, crediting the song as one of the catalysts of the popularization of idol/K-pop. Music critic Jiseon Choi believed that "through the rise of 'Gee', the year 2009 was heated up and became the protagonist of a nationwide syndrome."{{cite web |title=K-pop 명곡 100: Gee - 소녀시대 (Girls' Generation)) |url=https://www.melon.com/kpop100/detail.htm?detailSong=2012282 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927210733/https://www.melon.com/kpop100/detail.htm?detailSong=2012282 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |website=Melon |language=ko}} In 2023, Rolling Stone named "Gee" the greatest song in the history of Korean pop music, referring to it as "a pure distillation of the giddiness of infatuation".
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = CD single {{nobold|— Japanese version}}{{cite web| url=http://www.universal-music.co.jp/girlsgeneration/products/upch-80207/| title=Girls' Generation: Gee| publisher=Universal Music Japan| language=ja| access-date=May 26, 2015| archive-date=May 26, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526162910/http://www.universal-music.co.jp/girlsgeneration/products/upch-80207/| url-status=live}}
| total_length = 10:05
| title1 = Gee
| note1 = Japanese version
| lyrics1 = Kanata Nakamura
| music1 = E-Tribe
| length1 = 3:23
| title2 = Gee
| note2 = Korean version
| lyrics2 = E-Tribe
| music2 = E-Tribe
| length2 = 3:23
| title3 = Gee
| note3 = without main vocal
| music3 = E-Tribe
| length3 = 3:21
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = DVD {{nobold|— Japanese version}}{{cite web| url=http://www.universal-music.co.jp/girlsgeneration/products/upch-89088/| title=Gee [+DVD]| publisher=Universal Music Japan| language=ja| access-date=May 26, 2015| archive-date=May 26, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526163012/http://www.universal-music.co.jp/girlsgeneration/products/upch-89088/| url-status=live}}
| title1 = Gee
| note1 = music video
| title2 = Gee
| note2 = Dance version
}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from album's liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes|title=Gee|last=Girls' Generation|year=2009|at=Credits|type=photobook|publisher=SM Entertainment; Dreamus|location=South Korea}}
Studio
- SM Concert Hall Studio – recording, mixing
- SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording
- Sonic Korea – mastering
Personnel
- SM Entertainment – executive producer
- Lee Soo-man – producer
- Girls' Generation – vocals, background vocals
- E-Tribe – producer, Korean lyrics, composition, arrangement, vocal directing
- Kanata Nakamura – Japanese lyrics
- Sugarflow – background vocals
- Go Myung-jae – guitar
- Nam Koong-jin – recording, mixing
- Lee Seong-ho – recording
- Jeon Hoon – mastering
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
{{col-end}}
Sales and certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|relyear=2010|certyear=2010|certmonth=10|award=Gold|artist=Shoujo Shidai (Girls' Generation)|title=Gee|refname="physical"|note=physical single|access-date=May 15, 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=ringtone|artist=Girls' Generation|title=Gee|relyear=2010|certyear=2011|certmonth=4|award=Platinum|number=2|note=Ringtone|access-date=September 10, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=Girls' Generation|title=Gee|relyear=2010|certyear=2014|certmonth=1|award=Million|digital=true|note=Digital single}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
See also
Notes
{{reflist|group="note"}}
References
{{reflist}}
= Sources =
- {{Cite book |last=Fuhr |first=Michael |title=Vocal Music and Contemporary Identities: Unlimited Voices in East Asia and the West |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-41-550224-5 |editor-last=Utz |editor-first=Christian |chapter=Voicing Body, Voicing Seoul: Vocalization, Body, and Ethnicity in Korean Popular Music |editor-last2=Lau |editor-first2=Frederick}}
- {{Cite book |last=Kallen |first=Stuart A. |title=K-Pop: Korea's Musical Explosion |publisher=Lerner Publishing Group |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-46-772549-1 |chapter=The Korean Wave}}
External links
- {{YouTube|id = mpoKx48WmEM|title = Japanese music video}}
{{Girls' Generation songs}}
{{Golden Disc Award for Song of the Year}}
{{Melon Music Award for Song of the Year}}
{{Seoul Music Awards for Best Song}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gee (Girls' Generation Song)}}
Category:Girls' Generation songs
Category:SM Entertainment singles