"Up" (stylized in all caps) is a song by South Korean singer Karina, and included on the digital single album Synk: Parallel Line by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released through SM Entertainment on October 9, 2024. The song is a hip-hop and dance track, written and composed by multiple contributors, including Karina. It achieved widespread success, peaking at number 2 on South Korea's Circle Chart and placing on other global charts.
Background and composition
On June 29–30, 2024, Aespa held their second concert tour Synk: Parallel Line at Jamsil Indoor Stadium.[1] Each member of the group debuted a new solo song for the tour.[2][3] Karina performed second with the hip-hopdance song "Up", which she had written all the lyrics for.[4][5] The song includes an "addictive" chorus and is a "minimal" track containing a "confident" message.[6] On October 9, the group released Synk: Parallel Line to streaming platforms, including the four solo songs performed.[7]
Commerical performance
"Up" debuted at number six on Circle Digital Chart and later peaked at number two.[8][9] The song debuted and peaked at number one on the component Download Chart.[10] On the component Streaming Chart, it debuted at number 11 and peaked at number one.[11][12] Additionally, the song debuted and peaked at number 32 on the component BGM Chart.[13] It also debuted and peaked at number one on the South Korea Songs chart.[14]
In Japan, "Up" entered the Japan Hot 100 at number 98,[15] later peaking at number 50.[16] The song also debuted at number 68 on the component Streaming Songs chart and peaked at number 33.[17][18] It debuted and peaked at number 80 on the component Download Songs Chart.[19] It also peaked at number number 35 on Oricon Streaming Chart.[20] In Singapore, the song peaked at number 11 on the Top Streaming Chart and reached number four on the Top Regional Chart.[21] It also debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Singapore Songs chart.[22] The song also debuted and peaked at number 12 on the Malaysia Songs chart.[23][24] It debuted at number nine on the Hong Kong Songs chart and number three on the Taiwan Songs chart.[25][26] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 17 on the Hot 40 Singles chart.[27] Internationally, it entered and peaked the Billboard Global 200 at number 27,[28] while debuting and peaking at number 12 on the Global Excl. US chart.[29]
Reception
"Up" achieved viral success quickly after Karina first performed it at the Synk: Parallel Line concert tour, even before the song had an official release on streaming platforms,[30] with dance covers and challenges posted on various short-form platforms.[31] Due to the strong public response, SM Entertainment decided to release it officially, alongside the other solo songs performed at the concert.[32] It was noted by Z Yeonwoo for X why Z that "Up" stood out because Karina contributed to songwriting herself, knowing what kind of songs work best for her and the style she's most comfortable in.[33] On South Korea music programs, the song received its first music program award in Show! Music Core, marking Karina's first award as a soloist despite not having officially debuted as one yet.[34]
^Hyun, Jung-min (July 1, 2024). 에스파와 기깔나는 시간…출구 없는 마성의 매력에 갇힐 수 밖에(싱크:페러렐 라인) [Time to Have a Blast with aespa…You're Bound to be Trapped by the Charm of Magic without Exit (Synk: Parallel Line)]. Sports World (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^Ko, Seung-ah (July 1, 2024). 에스파, 이것이 '쇠맛'이다…더욱 확장된 초신성 에너지 [N리뷰] [aespa, This is the 'So Taste'…More Extended Supernova Energy [N Review]]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
^Yoon, Ki-baek (July 1, 2024). 이쯤 되면 '쇠슐랭' 맛집… 에스파가 '에스파' 했다 [리뷰] [At this Point, 'Michelin' It's a Good Restaurant… aespa did 'aespa' [Review]]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^Lee, Min-ji (July 1, 2024). 에스파 두 번째 단독 콘서트도 ‘수수수 수퍼 히트’ [The Second Solo Concert of aespa is also 'Sususu Super Hit']. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^Yoo, Won-jung (October 12, 2024). 카리나 솔로곡 'Up' 멜론 일간 1위…컴백 예열 끝났다 [Karina's Solo Song 'Up' Topped Melon's Daily Chart…Done Pre-heating Comeback]. No Cut News (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^Lee, Seung-hon (October 7, 2024). 느낌 좋은 '쇠맛'..에스파, 9일 솔로곡 깜짝 발매 ['Iron Taste' with a Good Feeling..aespa, Will Release a Surprise Solo Song on the 9th]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^Choi, Hye-jin (October 19, 2024). 에스파 카리나, 솔로곡 1위에 눈물 셀카 "이렇게 사랑받아도 되나혼자 울 것" [aespa Karina, A Crying Selfie for Winning 1st Place in Solo Song "Can I Be Loved Like This..I Will Cry Alone"]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^곡 정보 – UP (KARINA Solo) [Song Information – UP (KARINA Solo)]. Melon (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2024.
