Hands Up (2PM song)

"Hands Up"
Single by 2PM
from the album Hands Up
ReleasedJune 20, 2011
Recorded2011
Genre
Length3:18
LabelJYP
SongwriterPark Jin-young
ProducerPark Jin-young
2PM singles chronology
"Take Off"
(2011)		 "Hands Up"
(2011)		 "I'm Your Man"
(2012)
Music video
"Hands Up" on YouTube
"Hands Up (East4A mix)" on YouTube
"Hands Up (Japanese ver.)" on YouTube

"Hands Up" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band 2PM. It was released as the lead single of their second studio album, Hands Up, on June 20, 2011 via JYP Entertainment. "Hands Up" saw both domestic and international popularity, becoming 2PM's first song to chart on Billboard's newly-launched K-pop Hot 100 and resulting in the group's appearance on Billboard's Social 50 Chart. It was the group's second number-one song on the Gaon Digital Chart.

Background and release

"Hands Up" is an upbeat dance-pop club song featuring prominent synths and drums,[1] written and composed by JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young.[2] Unlike their recent singles such as "Without U" and "I'll Be Back", which were more emotional and generally focused on heartbreak, "Hands Up" was chosen as a title track to show a more fun and youthful side of the group, much like their debut single, "10 Out of 10".[3][4]

The song includes a vocal cameo by labelmate and Wonder Girls member Ahn So-hee, who sings one line in the song;[5] the line was originally intended for f(x) member Krystal Jung, but plans for the collaboration fell through due to Jung being underage at the time.[6]

2PM released a teaser for "Hands Up" on their YouTube channel on June 15, 2011.[7] On June 20, both the music video for "Hands Up" and their second studio album Hands Up were released.[3] A Japanese version of the song was included in the group's first Japanese studio album, Republic of 2PM, released on November 30, 2011.[8]

Music video

The music video of "Hands Up" was filmed in Singapore and features landmarks such as Marina Bay and the Singapore Flyer. In the beginning of the music video, each member has an individual scene engaging in various luxurious activities, such as golfing, relaxing at a resort, or drinking champagne on a private aircraft. The members then gather at a crowded nightclub, where they dance and drink alcohol.[9][10] The song's choreography includes jumping up and down with hands raised in the air,[11] with the concept of playing around in a club.[12]

On July 15, 2011, 2PM released a music video for the remix version of "Hands Up" by South Korean DJ East4A, which was originally included in their studio album Hands Up. The music video, also filmed in Singapore, includes different scenes set on a yacht, at a nightclub, and on a ferris wheel.[13] The end of the video also contains bloopers and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of both music videos and the teaser video for "Hands Up".[14]

Promotion

2PM performing "Hands Up" in July 2011.

2PM first performed "Hands Up" on the June 24, 2011 episode of Music Bank, before performing on other Korean television music programs such as M Countdown, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo.[9][15][16] After one month, they ended promotions for Hands Up in late July to focus on advertising promotions in Thailand, the release of their first Japanese studio album Republic of 2PM, and their Hands Up Asia Tour starting in September, the group's first concert tour spanning multiple countries.[17][18]

As one of 2PM's most recognized songs, "Hands Up" has frequently been performed by the group and their labelmates in various events and concerts throughout their career, such as the MBC Gayo Daejejeon,[19] the SBS Gayo Daejeon,[20] KCON,[21] and JYP Nation concerts.[22] The song has also been covered by other K-pop groups, such as Sistar.[23]

Reception

"Hands Up" quickly topped various domestic music charts such as Melon and saw popularity in other Asian regions,[1][24][9] which can be attributed to its "catchy chorus" and "energetic" performances.[11] The song charted on the Gaon Digital Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, debuting at number 1,[25] and also debuted at number 26 on the first issue of Billboard's K-pop Hot 100 several weeks later.[26]

The music video, which saw 2.4 million views within 10 days, resulted in 2PM's appearance at number 35 on Billboard's Social 50 Chart, the first documented appearance of a K-pop act on this chart.[27] Rolling Stone, who ranked the song number 44 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music", described the song as a "celebratory" and "classic party song" which embodied the "hedonistic energy of the era".[28]

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family designation

An image of 2PM pantomiming the act of drinking a shot as part of their choreography for "Hands Up".
2PM performing "Hands Up" in March 2016. The song was designated as "harmful to youth" due to its references to alcohol.

On August 16, 2011, the South Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) announced that, along with other recent popular songs such as Beast's "On Rainy Days", Homme's "I Was Able to Eat Well", and 10cm's "Americano", "Hands Up" would be rated as "19+" and "harmful to youth" due to lyrics that "glorified" alcohol abuse.[29][30] These songs were prohibited from being broadcast during certain hours of the day, and purchasing these songs would require age verification.[29][31] The announcement was controversial with Korean netizens, who flooded the MOGEF's phone lines and caused the MOGEF's website to crash on August 25 due to complaints over the perceived inefficacy towards "protecting youth" and outdated or overly sensitive standards of the MOGEF.[30][32][33][34] Music experts and musicians also criticized the MOGEF for their "ambiguity" and "arbitrary" selection criteria,[31][35] with some record labels even filing lawsuits against the MOGEF for censorship and lack of objectivity.[32][33] The designation of "Hands Up" as 19+ resulted in particular backlash,[33][36] which eventually resulted in the MOGEF enacting a set of "Enforcement Rules" to show objectivity.[37] In October 2012, the MOGEF chose to overturn their 19+ rating for about 300 songs, including "Hands Up"; the decision may be attributed to the global success of the song "Gangnam Style" by Psy, who previously had songs rated 19+ by the MOGEF.[37][38][39]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Hands Up"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2011 Golden Disc Awards Digital Bonsang Award Nominated [40]
Melon Music Awards Best Music Video Nominated [41]
Netizen Popularity Award Nominated
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
M Countdown July 7, 2011 [a]
Music Bank July 1, 2011 [18]
July 8, 2011
July 15, 2011
July 22, 2011
Inkigayo July 3, 2011 [43]
July 10, 2011 [44]
"Hands Up" on critic lists
Publisher List Rank Ref.
Rolling Stone The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music 44 [28]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[25] 1
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)[26] 26
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[45] 3

Monthly charts

Chart (June 2011) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[46] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[47] 24

Sales

Country Sales
South Korea (digital)[48] 2,837,018

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
South Korea June 20, 2011 Digital download JYP Entertainment

Notes

  1. ↑ Broadcast was cancelled due to the 2011 Mnet 20's Choice Awards.[42]

References

  1. 1 2 유, 지윤 (June 20, 2011). "2PM 'Hands up' 음원 공개 직후 음원차트 1위 올킬" [2PM's 'Hands Up' Achieves All-Star No. 1 Spot on Music Charts Immediately After Release] (in Korean). 파이낸셜뉴스. Retrieved July 7, 2026 – via Naver.
  2. ↑ "Hands Up" (in Korean). Dreamus. JYP Entertainment. June 20, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011 – via Melon.
  3. 1 2 고, 현실 (June 24, 2011). "2PM "신나게 노는 모습 보여주고 싶어요"" [2PM "We want to show you us having fun"]. 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 28, 2026. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ 박, 영웅 (June 23, 2011). "2PM "'짐승돌' 보단 젊음..초심으로 돌아갔죠"(인터뷰)" [2PM "Youth over 'Beast Idol'... We returned to our roots" (Interview)]. 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ 한, 여울 (June 17, 2011). "소희 2PM 정규2집 타이틀곡 'Hands up'에 참여" [Sohee participated in 2PM's 2nd full album title track 'Hands Up']. 아시아경제 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  6. ↑ 박, 아름 (July 27, 2011). "2PM 옥택연 "준호가 f(x) 크리스탈 피처링 가장 원했다" 폭로" [2PM’s Ok Taecyeon Reveals, “Junho Wanted f(x)’s Krystal to Feature the Most”]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ 전, 원 (June 15, 2011). "2PM 드디어 컴백한다 '핸즈업' 티저영상 공개 '대박예감'" [2PM Finally Making a Comeback: 'Hands Up' Teaser Video Released, 'Predicted to Be a Huge Hit']. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ "REPUBLIC OF 2PM | 2PM". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 김, 재범 (June 22, 2011). "2PM, 신곡 뮤비 'Hands Up' 온라인 강타" [2PM's New Music Video 'Hands Up' Takes Online by Storm]. 아주경제 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  10. ↑ 나, 지연 (June 22, 2011). "클럽에서 핸즈 업…2PM, 자유분방 M/V 화제" [Hands Up at the Club… 2PM’s ‘Free-spirited’ M/V Becomes a Hot Topic]. Dispatch (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "芸術品のようなダンス！十数年を駆け抜けてきた東方神起、2PM、SHINeeが解き放つ圧倒的熱量" [A dance performance like a work of art! The overwhelming energy unleashed by TVXQ, 2PM, and SHINee, who have been performing for over a decade.]. ホミニス (in Japanese). September 16, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  12. ↑ "【明星采访】2PM："我们正处于'偶像青春期'，想要好好玩一玩"" [[Celebrity Interview] 2PM: "We're in our 'idol adolescence' right now, and we want to have some fun."]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Chinese). June 28, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ 권, 수빈 (July 15, 2011). "2PM '핸즈업' 리믹스 싱가포르편 뮤비공개" [2PM 'Hands Up' Remix Singapore Version Music Video Released]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  14. ↑ 김, 수지 (July 15, 2011). "2배로 뜨거워졌다…2PM, '핸즈 업' 리믹스 버전 M/V 공개" [Twice as Hot… 2PM Releases 'Hands Up' Remix Version M/V]. Dispatch (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  15. ↑ 김, 미리 (June 26, 2011). "2PM 굴욕 사진 공개, 우영 나홀로 생존 신고" [2PM Humiliation Photo Revealed, Wooyoung Reports Sole Survival]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ 김, 채현 (June 26, 2011). "택연, 설리에 "준수 어깨 기대줘서 고마워" 훈훈 아이돌 등극" [Taecyeon to Sulli, “Thank you for leaning on Junsu’s shoulder,” crowned heartwarming idol]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ 김, 형우 (July 19, 2011). "'핸즈업' 2PM 이번주 끝으로 한달 한국 활동 마무리" [2PM wraps up their one-month Korean activities for ‘Hands Up’ this week.]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  18. 1 2 백, 솔미 (July 26, 2011). "'역시 2PM', '뮤뱅' 4주 연속 1위 올해 첫 주인공" ['As Expected' 2PM, First of the Year to Take 1st Place on 'Music Bank' for 4 Consecutive Weeks] (in Korean). 마이데일리. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  19. ↑ "2PM 무대 불만 "새해 공 많이 받으세요"…깨알 디스 '공투유'" [2PM's Stage Complaint: "Have a Happy New Year"... A Subtle Diss, 'Gongtuyu']. 픽콘 (in Korean). January 2, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  20. ↑ 박, 지은 (December 29, 2013). "[SBS 가요대전] 박진영, 후배들과 히트곡 메들리 '어깨 춤이 절로!' - 연예 | 기사" [[SBS Gayo Daejeon] Park Jin-young, Hit Song Medley with Juniors: 'Makes You Naturally Dance!' Entertainment News]. 더팩트 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  21. ↑ 전, 효진 (April 14, 2016). "'KCON 2016 재팬' 오늘(14일) 2시간 연속 방송" [‘KCON 2016 Japan’ to be broadcast for 2 consecutive hours today (14th)]. 스포츠동아 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  22. ↑ Herald, Korea (August 10, 2014). "[Herald Review] 28 voices in 'one mic,' JYP Nation lives up to its name". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ 전, 원 (October 11, 2012). "씨스타, 여자 2PM 변신..태국 현장을 클럽으로 '후끈'" [SISTAR Transforms into Female 2PM... Heats Up Thailand Scene into a Club]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  24. ↑ Kim, Heidi (June 28, 2011). Kim, Jessica (ed.). "2PM's "Hands Up" to 1st place on Mnet chart". 아시아경제. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Search - Digital ("Hands Up" search)". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "K-pop Hot 100 - Week of August 20, 2011". Billboard. August 20, 2011. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015.
  27. ↑ Bylin, Kyle (June 30, 2011). "Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga Among Week's Biggest Social Media Stars". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  28. 1 2 "The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music". Rolling Stone. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "대중가요 가사, 청소년 유해 매체물 결정 논란" [Controversy over the designation of popular song lyrics as media harmful to youth]. 매일신문 (in Korean). September 10, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  30. 1 2 김, 미리 (August 22, 2011). "청소년유해매체판정 김현중-2PM-비스트 된서리 '술, 담배 꼭꼭 숨어라'" [Kim Hyun-joong, 2PM, and BEAST Face Harmful Media Ruin: ‘Alcohol and Tobacco, Hide Well’]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  31. 1 2 김, 미화 (August 29, 2011). "여성가족부 가요 심의제도 논란" [Controversy over the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's song censorship system]. 민주신문 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  32. 1 2 김, 선태 (September 2, 2011). "[시사이슈 찬반토론] 술 · 담배 가사 있다고 금지곡 지정해야하나요" [[Current Affairs Debate] Should Songs Be Designated as Banned Due to Lyrics About Alcohol and Tobacco?]. 생글생글 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 "유해한 것을 가르는 명확한 기준이 필요하다" [There is a need for clear criteria to distinguish harmful items.]. 동덕여대학보 (in Korean). August 29, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  34. ↑ "여성가족부 홈페이지 마비…"~없애달라" 패러디 봇물" [Ministry of Gender Equality and Family website paralyzed… Flood of “Please remove~” parodies]. 경향신문 (in Korean). August 25, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  35. ↑ ""여성부 가요 심의, 기준 모호하고 비현실적"" [“Ministry of Gender Equality’s Song Review Standards Are Vague and Unrealistic”]. 미디어스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  36. ↑ 김, 진숙 (August 25, 2011). ""조개구이도 야하니까 19금이다" 여성부 비난 폭주에 여성부 '진땀'" ["Grilled clams are also racy, so it's rated 19+": Ministry of Gender Equality 'sweats' amidst flood of criticism]. 미디어제주 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Chung, Goo Kwon (May 2023). "인터넷 환경에서의 대중음악규제 양상: 청소년 유해음반 지정과 해제를 중심으로" [A Study of Popular Music Regulation in the Internet Environment: Focusing on the Designation and Cancellation of Harmful Music for Youth]. Korean Journal of Popular Music (in Korean). 31 (31): 9–59. doi:10.36775/kjpm.2023.31.9 – via Kyobo Scholar.
  38. ↑ 서, 혜림 (October 10, 2012). "여성부 음심위, 싸이 '라이트 나우' 19禁 철회(종합)" [Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Music Review Committee Withdraws 19+ Rating for Psy's 'Right Now' (Roundup)]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  39. ↑ "라잇 나우 19금 철회 '월드스타의 위엄'…'싸이의 인기에 여성부도 '흔들''" [Right Now 19+ Rating Withdrawn: 'The Dignity of a World Star'... "Ministry of Gender Equality Also 'Shaken' by Psy's Popularity"]. 매일신문 (in Korean). October 11, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Korean 2011 Golden Disk Awards release nominations". Yahoo! Singapore. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  41. ↑ [2011 MMA] 2011 멜론뮤직어워드 – 3부 (Online broadcast) (in Korean). Melon. November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  42. ↑ 양, 자영 (July 7, 2011). "Mnet '20s choice' 연이은 방송사고로 '보는 재미' 반감" [Mnet '20s Choice' loses 'entertainment value' due to consecutive broadcasting mishaps]. bnt뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  43. ↑ 최, 은영 (July 3, 2011). "2PM, 컴백 1주 만에 음악 프로 정상" [2PM Tops Music Shows Just One Week After Comeback]. 이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  44. ↑ 김, 영환 (July 10, 2011). "2PM, `인기가요` 뮤티즌송 2주 연속 차지" [2PM Wins 'Inkigayo' Mutizen Song for 2 Consecutive Weeks]. 이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  45. ↑ "2PM Chart History: World Digital Song Sales | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Digital Chart – June 2011". Circle Chart (in Korean). June 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Digital Chart – 2011". Circle Chart (in Korean). January 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  48. ↑ Cumulative sales for Hands Up: 2011년 Download Chart [2011 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
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