It serves as the lead single of the group's eighth EP Feel Special, released through JYP Entertainment on September 23, 2019, along with its music video.
"Feel Special" was an instant hit, debuting at number one on both the Billboard Kpop Hot 100 and World Digital Song Sales.
In April 2023, the song was certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for surpassing 200 million streams.
"Feel Special" is a pop, synth-pop, miami bass and house song written in the A-flat major key.
[1][2][3] Billboard's Tamar Herman described the song as "a vibrant, uplifting track", writing that the song "[opens] with quirky synths and [leads] into a groovy bass beat", slowly transitioning into "atmospheric verses and perky raps" and eventually enters "the boisterous, impactful chorus".
[8] The lyrics of the song, written by Park Jin-young, were based on a conversation he had with members of Twice during dinner, in which they expressed the emotions they felt while dealing with the pressures of fame throughout the four years since their debut in 2015.
[4] In an interview with CNN Brazil, Park revealed more about what inspired the lyrics: "Back then, Sana was going through some struggle, and I was watching how the other members were supporting her, and it just touched my heart and I wrote the song for their friendship.
[4] In an interview with PopCrush, Chaeyoung said that the lyrics are meant to inspire fans to realize that they are not alone and appreciate the precious people around them during difficult times.
"[12] Kim Do-heon of IZM gave a mixed review for the song, calling its production "stylish but outdated", and noted that while the single successfully aimed for a more mature image, its "completeness and method of expression are the lowest among Twice's discography."
Nevertheless, he stated that the entirety of Feel Special as a whole is worth listening due to "the well-placed urban and chic electropop [sound] under the lonely and calm atmosphere created by the title track.
"[13] "Feel Special" reached the top of both Billboard's Kpop Hot 100 and World Digital Song Sales.
[23] Twice promoted "Feel Special" on several music programs in South Korea, including Inkigayo, M Countdown, and Show!