Heartbeat (2PM song)

"Heartbeat"
Single by 2PM
from the album 01:59PM
ReleasedNovember 10, 2009 (2009-11-10)
Recorded2009
GenreK-pop
Length3:15
LabelJYP
SongwriterPark Jin-young
ProducerPark Jin-young
2PM singles chronology
"Again & Again"
(2009)		 "Heartbeat"
(2009)		 "Without U"
(2010)
Music video
"Heartbeat" on YouTube

"Heartbeat" is a song by South Korean boy band 2PM. It was released on November 10, 2009 via JYP Entertainment as the lead single for 01:59PM, the group's first studio album and first release since the departure of the group's leader Jaebeom. "Heartbeat" is often considered 2PM's signature song within South Korea due to the popularity of the group's performances, which were often parodied on television.

Background

"Heartbeat" is an experimental song composed and written by Park Jin-young. The song utilizes stringed instrumentation and a pulsing electronic drumbeat that emulates the sound of a heartbeat. The lyrics of the song center around the experience of heartbreak.[1][2]

Prior to the release of "Heartbeat", 2PM had withdrawn from appearances on television shows for several weeks due to the controversy surrounding the group's leader Jaebeom and his subsequent departure.[3] Starting from November 6, 2009, six teaser videos, each featuring one of the band members, were released on YouTube in the days leading up to the album's release. The videos featured various close-up shots of the band members hooked up to medical equipment and speaking, before panning to a heartbeat monitor, playing a short clip of the song, and displaying the text "What is your Heartbeating for?"[4][5] Taecyeon's teaser video mentioned the inclusion of seven members in the band, the seventh member referring to Jaebeom.[6]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Jang Jae-hyuk and released on November 11, 2009, the day after the song's release.[7] The music video features the members acting as zombies, styled identically in dark makeup and black-and-white outfits. It is 2PM's first music video to exclude Jaebeom, who left the group a few months before the video's release.[1]

The video begins with reversed sequences of the members falling in sand accompanied by stringed instruments, before transitioning to a sequence of close-up shots of the members expressing anguish accompanied by the sounds of a heart rate monitor eventually flatlining. The rest of the music video showcases the choreography of the song, set in either a dark, sandy set with minimal beams of light to accentuate the members' shadows or a well-lit room with curved white walls. At the end of the music video, the members all lie on the ground, with their souls leaving their bodies.[8]

Reception and legacy

"Heartbeat" initially saw mixed reception due to its experimental sound and "zombie" concept, with responses ranging from "novel" and "refreshing" to "strange" and "difficult to understand".[1][9] Furthermore, netizens commented on how the storytelling of the song, along with the entire album 01:59PM, seemed to be a metaphor for the group without former member Jaebeom.[10]

However, the song quickly grew popular due to its choreography featuring multiple "point dances" and physical stunts that have often been covered by other groups or parodied on TV music programs and variety shows such as Family Outing and Running Man.[11][12][13] Examples include the opening sequence of Taecyeon pantomiming a pulsating heart in his hand, only to have his head pushed away by Chansung; the point dance of emphasizing a heartbeat with a hand to the chest; and the human pyramid formation at the end of the song.[14] "Heartbeat" was also known for having different choreographed endings focused on a different member each performance, such as 2PM's hallmark acrobatic flips or ripping shirts open.[15][16] The latter was an uncommon practice for K-pop idols at the time and solidified 2PM's image of masculinity and sex appeal.[17]

"Heartbeat" is often considered 2PM's signature song for its impact in South Korean pop culture.[18] In 2010, the song won a Bonsang Award at the Cyworld Digital Music Awards.[19] In 2016, "Heartbeat" was voted as the eleventh best male idol song in the past 20 years in a poll involving 2,000 people by South Korean magazine Dong-a Ilbo, web magazine Idology, and research company M Brain.[20][21] In 2021, Melon and Seoul Shinmun placed "Heartbeat" at number 35 on their list of the top 100 K-pop songs of all time as determined by thirty-five music critics and industry experts.[22][23] MBC Radio director Son Han-seo praised the song for being able to invoke "intense emotions akin to watching a heart-wrenching movie", as well as the theatricality of the group's performances of the song.[22]

"Heartbeat" on select critic lists
Publication Year List Rank Ref.
The Dong-a Ilbo 2016 Top Male Idol Songs of the Past 20 Years 11 [20][21]
Melon 2021 Top 100 K-pop Songs of All Time 24 [22][23]

Japanese version

2PM performed the Korean version of "Heartbeat" when making their first appearances on Japanese television: Fuji TV's morning news program Tokudane! on December 9, 2010 and NHK's music program Music Japan on December 19, 2010, the latter being the first instance of an act performing a song in the Korean language on Music Japan.[24][25]

A Japanese version of "Heartbeat" was first performed live at the Mezamashi Super Live in Okinawa on February 26, 2011.[26] A ringtone version of the track was released on April 25, 2011, the same day the song received its first broadcast television performance on Fuji TV's Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ.[27] The song was then included as the B-side track for 2PM's debut Japanese single "Take Off", released on May 18, 2011.[28][29] The track was also included in 2PM's first Japanese studio album, Republic of 2PM, released on November 30, 2011.[30]

Charts

Despite the Gaon Digital Chart launching in 2010, months after the release of "Heartbeat," the song charted at number 14 in its very first issue and remained on the chart for 11 cumulative weeks.[31] "Heartbeat" also topped other domestic charts including the Melon Chart and charted at number 58 in the 2009 Melon Year-End Chart.[32]

Chart performance for "Heartbeat"
Chart (2010) Peak

position

South Korea Weekly Singles (Gaon)[31] 14

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Heartbeat"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2009 Cyworld Digital Music Awards Bonsang Award Won [19]
2010 Melon Music Awards Netizen Popularity Award Nominated [33][34]
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
Music Bank November 27, 2009 [35]
December 4, 2009
December 11, 2009
December 18, 2009
Inkigayo November 29, 2009 [36]
December 6, 2009
December 13, 2009

References

  1. 1 2 3 백, 지은 (November 15, 2009). "재범 없는 2PM, 예전과 달라진 세가지는?" [2PM Without Jaebeom: Three Things Different from Before?]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  2. ↑ 이, 현우 (November 10, 2009). "2PM `하트비트` 노래-마케팅-재범 `대박공식`" [2PM's 'Heartbeat' Song-Marketing-Jaebeom 'Success Formula']. 매일경제 (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ "2PM 예능 출연 자제 왜? "팬들에 대한 예의 차원"" [Why are 2PM refraining from variety show appearances? “Out of courtesy to fans”]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). November 15, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ 이, 정혁 (November 8, 2009). "2PM, 티저 영상에 멤버들의 실제 심장소리 담아 화제" [2PM's teaser video captures the members' actual heartbeats, creating a buzz.]. 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  5. ↑ [Teaser]2PM Heartbeat Teaser Video_TaecYeon. YouTube. November 6, 2009. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
  6. ↑ 이, 언혁 (November 7, 2009). "2PM 택연, 티저영상 "우리 7명" 재범언급에 팬들 '궁금증 폭발'" [2PM's Taecyeon mentions Jaebeom in teaser video, "We're the Seven," leaving fans in a state of curiosity.]. 뉴스엔 (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  7. ↑ 박, 찬기 (November 11, 2009). "2PM, '하트비트' 뮤직비디오 전격 공개…'치명적 매력' 팬 열광" [2PM Unveils 'Heartbeat' Music Video... Fans Go Wild with 'Fatal Charm']. 헬스코리아뉴스. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  8. ↑ [M/V] 2PM "Heartbeat" from 01:59PM. YouTube. November 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
  9. ↑ 이, 혜린 (November 10, 2009). "2PM 신곡 'Heartbeat' 반응 '신선' vs '난해'" [Reactions to 2PM's New Song 'Heartbeat': 'Fresh' vs. 'Confused']. 아시아경제 (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  10. ↑ 이, 현우 (November 10, 2009). "2PM `하트비트` 노래-마케팅-재범 `대박공식`" [2PM's "Heartbeat" Song, Marketing, and Jaebeom's "Daebak Formula"]. 매일경제 (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  11. ↑ 박, 세연 (December 27, 2009). "소녀시대-브아걸, 걸그룹도 '하트비트'에 푹 빠졌다! 패러디안무 '눈길'" [Girls' Generation and Brown Eyed Girls, Even Girl Groups Are Falling for "Heartbeat"! Parody Choreography Draws Attention]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ 김, 지윤 (January 17, 2010). "브아걸, 2PM '하트비트' 코믹댄스 패러디 포복절도" [Brown Eyed Girls' comical dance parody of 2PM's "Heartbeat" will have you rolling on the floor.]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  13. ↑ 김, 소연 (March 29, 2015). "'런닝맨' 이광수·준호의 '하트비트', 심장이 아픈 무대" [Lee Kwang-soo and Junho's "Heartbeat" on "Running Man": A Heartbreaking Performance]. 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  14. ↑ 안, 인용 (February 11, 2011). "남자 아이돌 그룹, '369±1'의 법칙" [Male Idol Groups, the '369±1' Rule]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean).
  15. ↑ 박, 세연 (November 29, 2009). "2PM '하트비트' 택연 환상복근 드러내 '짐승돌 카리스마'" [2PM’s Taecyeon Reveals Fantastic Abs in ‘Heartbeat’, Showing ‘Beast Idol Charisma’]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  16. ↑ Jung, Sun (2011). Korean masculinities and transcultural consumption : Yonsama, Rain, Oldboy, K-Pop idols. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 978-988-8028-66-5.
  17. ↑ Kim Ji-soo (January 22, 2014). "Sexiness gone too far?". The Korea Times.
  18. ↑ 이, 재훈 (June 28, 2021). "2PM "'우리집' 뛰어넘는 섹시함, 고민했죠"" [2PM: "We agonized over how to surpass the sexiness of 'My House'"]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  19. 1 2 이, 은정 (February 23, 2010). "빅뱅, 리쌍 등이 싸이월드 배경음악 스타" [Big Bang, Leessang, and others were Cyworld background music stars]. Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "New survey ranks top K-pop artists & songs of the past 20 years". Special Broadcasting System Australia. September 2, 2016. Archived from the original on January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  21. 1 2 정, 양환 (September 1, 2016). "'반짝반짝 눈이 부셔'... 빅뱅-소녀시대 역대 최고 아이돌" ['Sparkling and dazzling'... BIGBANG and Girls' Generation, the greatest idols of all time]. Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  22. 1 2 3 "K-POP 명곡100". Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Hicap, Jonathan (August 29, 2021). "Top 100 K-pop songs of all time revealed". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  24. ↑ 함, 태수 (December 13, 2010). "2PM 가슴 근육에 홀딱 반한 日 여자 아나운서 '화제' : 네이트 연예" [A Japanese female announcer is a hot topic after being smitten with 2PM's pectoral muscles.]. 네이트 뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  25. ↑ 이, 태문 (November 14, 2010). "日데뷔 2PM, NHK 음악방송 첫 출연" [2PM's Japanese debut, first appearance on NHK music program]. Yonhap News Agency.
  26. ↑ "沖縄でめざましライブ初開催！大塚アナも2PMの肉体にホレボレ" [Mezamashi Live held for the first time in Okinawa! Announcer Otsuka was captivated by 2PM's physique]. ウォーカープラス（Walkerplus） (in Japanese). March 1, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  27. ↑ "ASIA No,1野獣アイドル2PMの代表曲の日本語ver.テレビで初パフォーマンス決定!!着うた(R)配信スタートも!!" [Asia's No. 1 beast idol group, 2PM, will perform the Japanese version of their hit song on TV for the first time!! Ringtone (R) downloads also begin!!]. うたまっぷNEWS (in Japanese). April 25, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  28. ↑ "2PM、デビュー・シングル"Take off"に"Heartbeat"日本語版収録" [2PM's debut single "Take off" includes a Japanese version of "Heartbeat".]. Tower (in Japanese). March 7, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Take off | 2PM". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  30. ↑ "REPUBLIC OF 2PM | 2PM". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Digital Chart – "Heartbeat" search" (in Korean). Circle Chart. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Melon Chart Finder". Melon (in Korean).
  33. ↑ [2010 MMA] 2010 멜론뮤직어워드 – 2부 (Online broadcast) (in Korean). Melon. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  34. ↑ [2010 MMA] 2010 멜론뮤직어워드 – 3부 (Online broadcast) (in Korean). Melon. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  35. ↑ 2PM, 4주 연속 '뮤직뱅크' 정상 '기염' [2PM tops 'Music Bank' for 4 weeks in a row]. Star News (in Korean). December 18, 2009. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021 – via Naver.
  36. ↑ Myung-hee, Kim (December 13, 2009). "SBS '인기가요' 뮤티즌 송에 2PM" [2PM on SBS 'Inkigayo' Mutizen Song]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Naver.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.