Emoji (song)
| "Emoji" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by SB19 and Jolin Tsai | ||||
| from the album Wakas at Simula | ||||
| Language |
| |||
| Released | March 27, 2026 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 4:01 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| SB19 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Jolin Tsai singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "︁Emoji" on YouTube | ||||
"Emoji" is a song by Filipino boy group SB19 and Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai. It was written by Felip Jhon Suson, John Paulo Nase, Jolin Tsai, Joshua Daniel Nase, and Chendy, with production handled by Felip Jhon Suson and Luke April. The song was released on March 27, 2026, through Sony Music Philippines as the second single from SB19's second studio album, Wakas at Simula (2026).
Background
[edit]The collaboration between SB19 and Tsai began after both acts performed at the Hito Music Awards in Taipei on June 21, 2025. SB19 performed at the event, with Tsai as the closing act. The two acts formed a connection during this time.[1]
On March 23, 2026, SB19 announced the release of six new tracks for their upcoming album Wakas at Simula (2026) at a media launch in Quezon City. "Emoji" was revealed as one of the album's key tracks and features Tsai.[2] SB19 expressed that this collaboration represents a step forward in their career as they aim for a broader international audience. Ken of SB19 noted, "From the very beginning, we've aimed for the global stage, and now is the right time to step out of our comfort zone."[3]
Composition and lyrics
[edit]"Emoji" blends elements of funk carioca with dynamic rhythms. The song's lyrics, co-written by SB19 members Pablo, Ken, and Tsai, discuss the use of emojis on social media as a way to hide real emotions. It touches on the difference between how people present themselves online and how they truly feel.[4]
SB19 shared that their new album explores more personal themes, with a focus on self-expression and growth. "This album represents a new beginning for us," the group said. "We want to express ourselves more openly and explore deeper themes." Tsai expressed her gratitude for the collaboration, saying, "It was a great experience working with SB19 on this song. The style and choreography of 'Emoji' are different from anything I've done before."[5]
Music video
[edit]On March 27, 2026, the same day as the album's release, SB19 shared a teaser for the "Emoji" music video, featuring Tsai, ahead of its full premiere at 19:00 (UTC+08:00).[6] The video was produced by 1032 Lab and directed by Alanshiii and John Vladimir Manalo.
The music video is set in a futuristic, metaverse-inspired environment characterized by neon lighting, glitch effects, and digital interfaces. It presents a dual visual concept that contrasts a polished, glamorous setting with a fragmented, chaotic one, representing the contrast between curated online identities and underlying emotional states. SB19 appear in coordinated black ensembles, while Tsai is introduced in a contrasting dark-themed style, joining the group in synchronized choreography sequences.[7][8]
Critical reception
[edit]According to Billboard's Jeff Benjamin, "Emoji" from the album Wakas at Simula (2026) is the record's most conceptually unexpected track, featuring a collaboration with Tsai that blends distinct musical styles. Benjamin noted that, although the song does not constitute a definitive artistic statement for either performer, it serves as a notable cultural bridge between two prominent figures in Asian pop music.[9]
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits are adapted from the description of the music video for "Emoji" on YouTube.[10]
Music
- SB19 – vocals
- Jolin Tsai – vocals, songwriting
- Felip Jhon Suson – songwriting, production
- John Paulo Nase – songwriting
- Joshua Daniel Nase – songwriting
- Chendy – songwriting
- Luke April – production, mixing
- Emil Dela Rosa – mastering
- Yeh Yu-Hsuan – Tsai's vocal recording engineering
- BB Road Studio – Tsai's vocal recording studio
Video
- 1Z Entertainment – production
- SB19 – concept
- 1032 Lab – concept, production house
- Alanshiii – direction, creative direction
- John Vladimir Manalo – direction, cinematography
- Iana Cris Forbes – executive production, creative direction
- Iris Manzano – line production, production management
- Iolo Braganza – assistant direction
- Rie Hata – choreography (SB19 and Tsai)
- Jay Joseph Roncesvalles – choreography (W3)
- W3 – dance performance
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] | 38 |
| Philippines Hot 100 (Billboard Philippines)[12] | 62 |
| Philippines Top Songs (Billboard Philippines)[13] | 24 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | March 27, 2026 | [14] |
References
[edit]- ↑ 聯合新聞網 (March 27, 2026). "SB19合體蔡依林炸裂！「Emoji」互尬舞力 闇黑女王造型電翻全網". 噓！星聞 (in Chinese). Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ Panaligan, Marisse (March 23, 2026). "SB19 combines EP trilogy, 6 new tracks in 'Wakas at Simula' album". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ "A new era begins as SB19 unveils latest album 'Wakas at Simula'". Pop!. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 26, 2026. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ 中時新聞網 (March 27, 2026). "蔡依林超火辣合體天團SB19！網曝驚人巧合「註定相遇」 - 娛樂". 中時新聞網 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ 娛樂星聞 (March 27, 2026). "蔡依林驚喜公布另一半！對象是菲律賓超帥人氣天團 無預警合體宣布喜訊 | 娛樂星聞". Star.Setn.Com (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ "SB19 drops new album 'Wakas at Simula,' MV teaser for 'Emoji'". GMA Integrated News. March 27, 2026. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ "SB19 enters metaverse in 'Emoji' MV ft. JOLIN | GMA News Online". GMA Network. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ NOWnews今日新聞 (March 27, 2026). "SB19新專輯合作蔡依林！她親參與創作、拍MV 粉絲狂喊：夢幻組合". NOWnews今日新聞 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (April 3, 2026). "SB19's 'Wakas At Simula' Album: All 24 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ SB19 Official (March 27, 2026). SB19 X JOLIN 'Emoji' Music Video. Retrieved March 27, 2026 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Explore our 50 year history". aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Philippines Hot 100 – Week of April 11, 2026". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on April 9, 2026. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Top Philippine Songs – Week of April 11, 2026". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Emoji - Single by SB19 & JOLIN on Apple Music, March 27, 2026, retrieved March 27, 2026
External links
[edit]- Audio on YouTube
- Behind-the-scenes on YouTube
Jolin Tsai songs | |
|---|---|
| Singles |
|
| Promotional singles | |
| Other songs | |
