"She Cried, Refusing to Sing It"—The K-Pop Song That Became a Phenomenon

There’s a legendary K-pop hit that nearly didn’t see the light of day—so much so that one member reportedly cried when she first received the song. But against all odds, it became a nationwide sensation, forever changing the history of Korean pop music. That song? 'Gee' by Girls’ Generation.

Girls’ Generation’s 'Gee'—A Game-Changer in K-Pop

Released in January 2009 as the title track of their first mini-album, 'Gee' is widely regarded as one of the most successful girl group songs in Korean pop music history. The song’s success catapulted Girls’ Generation to “Nation’s Girl Group” status, solidifying their legacy as K-pop legends.

At the time, 'Gee' dominated Korean music charts, securing consecutive No. 1 wins on music programs. It shattered records on MBC’s Music Bank, where it held the top spot for an unprecedented nine consecutive weeks, breaking the previous record set by Jewelry’s 'One More Time'. The song also swept major awards at the Melon Music Awards, Seoul Music Awards, and other prestigious ceremonies, making it the defining hit of 2009.

That same year, 'Gee' was named “Song of the Year” by Gallup Korea. More than a decade later, the song continues to be recognized as a timeless classic—ranking 5th on the “Top 100 K-Pop Songs of All Time” list by Melon and Seoul Shinmun in 2021, as evaluated by industry experts. In 2023, Rolling Stone placed 'Gee' at the No. 1 spot on its list of the 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of All Time, proving its enduring influence.

The song’s impact wasn’t just limited to Korea. As Girls’ Generation’s popularity soared across Asia, the 'Gee' music video became the first-ever K-pop idol MV to surpass 100 million views on YouTube in 2013, four years after its release.

Beyond music, 'Gee' even sparked a fashion trend—the group’s signature colorful skinny jeans became a must-have item among young women, further cementing their cultural influence.

Taeyeon Once Cried Because She Didn’t Want to Sing 'Gee'

Despite its massive success, 'Gee' wasn’t an instant hit among the Girls’ Generation members themselves. In a 2010 episode of Happy Together, Taeyeon revealed that the songs she initially disliked always turned out to be big hits—'Gee' included. Fellow member Yuri added that Taeyeon was so reluctant to sing it that she even cried when she first heard the song.

Later, on Win Win, Taeyeon admitted that she felt uncomfortable with 'Gee'’s bubbly and cute concept at the time. Having just turned 20, she preferred a more mature image, but the song’s youthful energy and playful lyrics were heavily focused on teenage emotions, making it difficult for her to embrace initially.

Ironically, Taeyeon’s wish for a more mature concept came true with their next release, 'Genie', which showcased the group in stylish military-inspired outfits and remains one of Girls’ Generation’s most iconic songs to date.

At its core, 'Gee' is a song about the overwhelming emotions of first love, with its lyrics capturing the excitement and nervousness of falling for someone. The title itself is an English exclamation—akin to “Oh my!” or “Wow!”—which perfectly matches the song’s bright, addictive melody and repetitive hook.

The track’s ultra-catchy chorus and cheerful rhythm made it an instant earworm, skyrocketing its popularity. Even years later, fans continue to reminisce about 'Gee'’s golden era, sharing nostalgic memories on streaming platforms:"Back in elementary school, my entire class picked 'Gee' for our talent show… and so did nine other teams. It was the song of an era", "No matter how many years pass, this song never gets old", "In 2009, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing this song. It defined an entire generation."

More than 15 years later, 'Gee' remains one of the most iconic songs in K-pop history, a track that not only turned Girls’ Generation into legends but also redefined the global appeal of Korean girl groups.