REM (No Sleep)

"REM (No Sleep)" is the debut solo single recorded by Chinese singer Ningning, released on May 3, 2024 by Warner Records. It was written and produced by Ningning and Mads Mason. An up-tempo bubblegum bass and dancepop track, it was the lead single from Ningning's debut studio album, 1UL. It is Ningning's first completely solo single since her departure from South Korean girl group æs'i. 
The song topped the charts in China for 5 weeks, as well as reaching the top 10 in twenty-nine additional countries. "REM (No Sleep)" is certified Platinum in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy.
==Background and release==
On December 18, 2023, a joint statement between SM Entertainment and Ningning herself announced the immediate withdrawal of Ningning from her group æs'i. Following the release of the statement, Ningning later stated on her personal Weibo account that she is glad "the nightmare [...] is finally over", elaborating that she felt trapped in a lack of creative freedom. On January 2024, Ningning announced that she had been offered a record deal with Warner Records, æs'i's international distributors.
Shortly after the announcement, Ningning began work on her debut album with collaborator Danny L Harle, with "REM (No Sleep)" being one of the first songs written by Ningning and later produced by Mason. According to Harle, mixing and production of the song was finished in less than 4 days. "REM (No Sleep)" was later released as Ningning's debut single on May 3, 2024 to digital music stores and streaming services after being teased for a month by Ningning with her increased interactivity with her fans on social media. It was later serviced to US contemporary hit radio as well as rhythmic contemporary radio.
==Composition and lyrical interpretation==
"REM (No Sleep)" is a bubblegum bass track, which has been described as a electro-pop, dance-pop and hyper-pop song, with elements of progressive house. The song was written with its co-producer, Mads Mason. The song is written in the key of F Minor with a fast tempo of 133 beats per minute, which are carried with fun electronic beats throughout the track.
"REM (No Sleep)" portrays Ningning's struggle with insomnia caused by unresolved tension and longing for a past lover. The lyrics depict a cyclical pattern of sleepless nights, reflecting on fleeting, unsatisfactory moments of connection and the emotional turmoil that follows. Ningning finds herself trapped in a routine of regret and yearning, unable to find peace or escape in dreams. The recurring themes of a restless mind and unfulfilled desire underscore her ongoing battle with sleeplessness and emotional distress, highlighting a deep sense of frustration and longing for resolution. As stated by Ningning, the song has Charli XCX, Jisoo and Lady Gaga influences, which was also noted by critics.
==Music video==
The music video was filmed in an abandoned, circular buidling in the outskirts of Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and it was directed by Hattrick, a former æs'i music video director. In the video, Ningning is surrounded by LED lights in the middle of the building as she switches between both reality and fiction. Her vision glitches between the lively and colorful pictures of a party surrounded by several people and the solitary emptiness of Ningning being stood alone inside the cold abandoned building. The video ends with Ningning going to sleep in her own room.
==Charts==
Weekly chart performance for "REM (No Sleep)"
Chart (2024) 	Peakposition
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) 	13
Australia (ARIA) 	15
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 	12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 	10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 	9
Brazil (Billboard) 	20
Bulgaria (PROPHON) 	12
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 	11
China (TME UNI) 	1
Colombia (National-Report) 	10
Costa Rica (Monitor Latino) 	9
Croatia (HRT) 	10
Czech Republic (IFPI) 	13
Denmark (Tracklisten) 	10
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40) 	11
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 	11
France (SNEP) 	12
Germany (Official German Charts) 	15
Greece (IFPI) 	8
Hungary (Single Top 40) 	8
Iceland (Plötutíðindi) 	8
India (IMI) 	3
Indonesia (Billboard) 	10
Ireland (IRMA) 	12
Italy (FIMI) 	9
Japan (Japan Hot 100) 	6
Latvia (LAIPA) 	10
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 40) 	5
Lithuania (AGATA) 	12
Malaysia (RIM) 	6
Mexico (Billboard) 	10
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 	11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 	18
Nicaragua (Monitor Latino) 	9
Nigeria (TurnTable Charts) 	13
Norway (VG-lista) 	8
Panama (Monitor Latino) 	10
Philippines (Billboard) 	9
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) 	10
Portugal (AFP) 	10
Romania (UPFR) 	6
Scotland (Official Charts Company) 	20
Singapore (RIAS) 	3
Slovakia (IFPI) 	11
Slovenia (SloTop50) 	11
South Africa (Billboard) 	17
South Korea (Circle) 	7
Spain (PROMUSICAE) 	11
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 	8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 	11
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	16
Ukraine Airplay (Tophit) 	8
US Billboard Hot 100 	30
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100) 	4
==Certifications==
Certifications for "REM (No Sleep)"
Region 	Certification 	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria) 	Platinum 	15,000‡
Belgium (BEA) 	Gold 	20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) 	Gold 	40,000‡
France (SNEP) 	Gold 	75,000‡
Hungary (MAHASZ) 	Gold 	1,500‡
Italy (FIMI) 	2× Platinum 	200,000‡
Japan (RIAJ) 	3× Platinum 	750,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON) 	Gold 	70,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI) 	Gold 	40,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway) 	Gold 	30,000*
Philippines (PARI) 	2× Platinum 	30,000*
Poland (ZPAV) 	Platinum 	50,000‡
Portugal (AFP) 	Platinum 	10,000‡
Singapore (RIAS) 	3× Platinum 	30,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) 	Gold 	30,000‡
Sweden (IFPI Sweden) 	2× Platinum 	24,000,000†
Taiwan (RIT) 	6× Platinum 	60,000*
Thailand (TECA) 	4× Platinum 	40,000*
United Kingdom (RIAA) 	Platinum 	400,000‡
United States (RIAA) 	Platinum 	1,000,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.	* Sales figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.	* Sales figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
==Release history==
Release dates and formats for "REM (No Sleep)"
Region 	Date 	Format(s) 	Label
Various 	May 3, 2024	CD single · Digital download · streaming	Warner
Italy 	May 6, 2024	Radio airplay 	Warner
United States	May 6, 2024	Contemporary hit radio 	Warner
United States	May 6, 2024	Rhythmic contemporary 	Warner