Again is the fifth extended play by South Korean girl group T-ara, It was released on October 10, 2013 by Core Contents Media. It marked their first release with the original line-up following member Lee Areum’s departure from the group.
"Again 1977" is the repackaged version of "Again", released on December 4, 2013. It features a retro concept with a blend of pop and rock influences. The title track, "Do You Know Me?", which is a remake of Sand Pebbles' 1977 single "What Should I Do", showcases the group's versatile musical style and is known for its catchy melody and upbeat vibe.
Background and release The album was released digitally on October 10, including the title track "Number 9" (넘버나인) and b-side track "Because I Know" (느낌 아니까) and their music videos. "Number 9" is an electro-pop dance song with sad lyrics and melody. It was choreographed by Yama & Hotchicks, who also choreographed "Bo Peep Bo Peep". "Because I Know" is a mid-tempo song with an acoustic feel.
A repackaged edition of the EP, Again 1977, was released on December 4, 2013. It contains two new songs, "Again 1977" and "Do You Know Me", a remake of Sand Pebbles' 1977 hit, "What Should I Do". T-ara held a series of fan signing events in Suncheon and Gwangju, starting January 6. Notably, for the first fan sign, over 5,000 fans gathered around the venue, but for safety concerns, only 1,000 people eventually were allowed to attend. Actors Son Ho-jun and Yoon Jong-hoon attended the event.
The EP was re-released as special album on December 14, 2013 titled White Winter in addition to a Christmas song, "Hide and Seek" and an alternate version of the song featuring the same lyrics but slightly different instrumental.
In 2016, Chinese girl group "Miss Mass" released a remake version of the song in Chinese.
Commercial performance Shortly after its release, "Number Nine" reached number one on multiple real-time charts.
Again reached number 2 on the South Korean Gaon Weekly Albums Chart and number 45 on Japan's Oricon Weekly Albums Chart as a Korean import. The single "Number 9" reached number 5 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart and number 4 on Billboard's Korea K-Pop Hot 100. "Because I Know" charted at numbers 41 and 21 on the Gaon and Billboard charts, respectively.
Track listing
Again 1977
White Winter
Charts
Again ChartPeakpositionSouth Korea Weekly (Gaon) 2South Korea Monthly (Gaon) 6South Korea Yearly (Gaon) 64Taiwan (5-Music)2Japan Weekly (Oricon) 45
Singles chart history SongPeakKRGaonKRHot 100Positions on the Korea K-Pop Hot 100 by Billboard:
US WorldPositions on the World Digital Songs by Billboard:
"Number Nine": "Number 9"547"Do You Know Me"1915—
Other charted tracks SongPeakKRGaon"Hide and Seek"37"Because I Know"41"Hurt"124"Don't Get Married"150"1977 Do You Know Me?"176
Sales +Again Total pure album salesRegionSalesSouth Korea (Gaon)41,133Japan (Oricon)5,800
Accolades
Awards and nominations +Award ceremonyYearCategoryResultRef.Golden Disc Awards2014Album BonsangPopularity Award
Rankings YearPublisherListRecipientPlacementRef.2017SBS PopAsia9 of the best T-ara singlesNumber Nine7
Release history RegionDateFormatLabelVariousOctober 10, 2013Download digital musicCore Contents Media KT MusicDecember 4, 2013 Digital download (Again 1977) December 14, 2013Digital download (White Winter)South KoreaOctober 16, 2013CDDecember 4, 2013CD, digital download (Again 1977)December 14, 2013Digital download (White Winter)
References