Chungha and the “Snapping” Comeback
On June 24, 2019, Chungha released her fourth mini-album Flourishing, along with the music video for title track “Snapping.” This marked her first album release since the release of mini-album Blooming Blue in July 2018, and her first release since January 2019 when she released single “Gotta Go.” Flourishing features four other tracks alongside the title track, including “Flourishing,” her first track to include hip-hop elements and her first rap verse, and “Young in Love,” which is also sometimes translated as “We have Fun” and was co-written by Baek Yerin.
The Music Video
The music video for “Snapping” differs from Chungha’s previous summer singles in that rather than going with a lighter, bubblier vibe, she went for intense and seductive, from the outfits to the choreography. The lyrics talk about the uncomfortable end of a relationship and snapping your fingers to empty your mind and welcome another new day, getting rid of all those emotions and feelings that linger. Her outfits are flawless, and the set designs are equally stunning, playing off the colors and vibes set by her clothing. One to highlight is a flowing red dress worn in a black room with red curtains, which Chungha is later seen wearing in a white room as she drops into a red smoke. Another, is a black jumpsuit with a cutout on the abdomen worn in a darker room, with backlit dividers behind her as her background dancers’ silhouettes are cast against them.
Chungha also released a performance version of the music video, as well as a dance practice.
The Comeback Performances
Chungha’s comeback for “Snapping” was on the June 27, 2019 episode of M!COUNTDOWN, with the soloist performing “We have Fun” and “Snapping.” The stage for “We have Fun” was bright and colorful, with Chungha wearing a half yellow, half white with pink stripes outfit. She stood stationary for most of the performance, singing into the microphone in front of a Van Gogh-esque image of a city skyline. Before the dance break, Chungha danced in place at the microphone stand, mostly moving her arms and stepping in place, but during the dance break, she took the microphone off the stand and began to move around with her dancers. Just like the title of the track, it’s nice to see Chungha have fun and let loose.
Before launching into her performance of “Snapping,” Chungha performed part of “Flourishing.” For “Flourishing,” the background lights were set to white to match her outfit, but once she began performing “Snapping,” the lights strobed through white, pink, and purple. Through the performance, Chungha’s facial expressions perfectly showed just how she felt about the song’s subject — completely done, over the relationship, and ready to move on to the next thing.
The Legacy
“Snapping” took home six music show wins: the first on Show Champion on July 3, one on Music Bank on July 5, one on Show! Music Core on July 6, one on Inkigayo on July 7, and two from M!COUNTDOWN on July 4 and July 18.
Flourishing peaked at No. 6 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart, No. 24 on the Gaon Monthly Albums Chart, No. 7 on the Billboard U.S. World Albums Chart, and No. 25 on the Billboard U.S. Heatseekers Albums Chart. “Snapping” peaked at No. 2 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart, No. 1 on the Gaon Weekly Download Chart, and No. 4 on the Gaon Weekly Streaming Chart. However, the title track is not the only track to appear on the Gaon charts — B-side track “Chica” also charted the week of the mini-album’s release, peaking at No. 91 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart and No. 21 on the Gaon Weekly Download Chart. It is the only other track from Flourishing to chart.
At the year-end awards ceremonies, “Gotta Go” was nominated more frequently than “Snapping,” proving the staying power of Chungha’s early 2019 single, though both tracks were nominated at the Gaon Chart Music Awards. “Gotta Go” was nominated for “Artist of the Year - Digital Music (January)” and “Snapping” was nominated for “Artist of the Year - Digital Music (June).” Neither track won the award they were nominated for, but Chungha did win “Hot Performance of the Year.” She also won “Best Icon Award - Music” at the Asia Artist Awards and “The Female Solo Artist” at the Genie Music Awards.
At the MelOn Music Awards, Chungha was nominated for “Artist of the Year,” while “Gotta Go” was nominated for “Song of the Year” and “Best Female Dance,” with the soloist taking home “Best Female Dance.” It was also at the MelOn Music Awards where Chungha put on a stellar performance of “Gotta Go” and “Snapping,” featuring one of the most beautiful award show video packages, an outfit change, and two Chunghas dancing on stage at the same time.
At the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Chungha was nominated for “Artist of the Year,” “Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10,” and “2019 Qoo10 Favorite Female Artist.” Her track “Gotta Go” was also nominated for “Song of the Year.” While she didn’t take home any of those awards, she did take home “Best Female Artist” and “Best Dance Performance - Female Solo” for “Gotta Go.” Other awards that Chungha won include the “Bonsang Award” at Soribada Best K-Music Awards, “Artist of the Year (Bonsang)” at The Fact Music Awards, and “Digital Bonsang” for “Gotta Go” at the 2020 Golden Disc Awards.