On Monday, I-DLE held a press conference for their highly-anticipated 8th mini-album, ‘We Are‘ where they discussed their new music, renewed contracts with Cube Entertainment, and the significant decision to rebrand their group name.
The removal of the parenthetical “(G)” and the Korean word for “female” has undoubtedly been a talking point among fans. Miyeon addressed this directly, stating,
“I always found the ‘female’ label in parentheses a bit odd since our debut. It feels like we’ve finally claimed our true identity and name.”
Yuqi echoed this sentiment, even sharing a relatable slip-up:
“I recently made a mistake when introducing the group name out of habit. I hope the public will get used to the new name along with us.”
Leader Soyeon shed further light on the decision, linking it to their artistic growth.
“We decided to try something new by having all the members take part in the songwriting and composing process for the first time since renewing our contracts,” she explained. “I was a bit worried about whether we could pull it off, but it turned out to be a fun and meaningful experience.”
This collaborative spirit extends beyond the name change, as I-DLE also announced a shift from their long-running “I” series to a new “We” theme, starting with this mini-album. This transition signifies a move towards unity and shared narratives within their music.
For the first time since their debut, every member actively contributed to the lyrics and compositions of ‘We Are,’ truly embodying the “we” concept. Soyeon elaborated on the title track, “Good Thing,” describing it as a blend of “nostalgia with freshness” by incorporating autotune sounds popular in the 2010s. The song delves into the rarely portrayed perspective of a female artist confronting a cheating lover with boldness and a unique edge.
Minnie described “Chain” as a depiction of the “tightly interwoven relationships within I-DLE, like chains,” which can also be interpreted romantically, with “direct and daring” lyrics. Yuqi expressed her love for the disco genre in “Love Tease,” emphasizing its catchy melody, a quality Soyeon readily praised. Miyeon shared that the members’ support gave her the courage to write “Unstoppable,” focusing on “universally relatable themes.” Even Shuhua‘s contribution was highlighted, with Soyeon noting her use of “expressions not commonly found in Korean lyrics,” adding a fresh linguistic dimension to the album.
Yuqi jokingly set a high bar for their comeback success:
“I once said I’d shave my head if we hit No.1 on Billboard, and this time Soyeon said she has a good feeling. I’d be happy to go bald if that happens.”
Soyeon playfully added to the anticipation, stating,
“Since we took on new challenges, the album reflects a wide range of styles. I’m sure many people are looking forward to seeing Yuqi shave her head.”
Soyeon also touched upon their contract renewals, emphasizing a balanced agreement that benefits both the artists and the company. Looking to the future, she expressed a desire for I-DLE to continue performing with diverse concepts, refusing to be pigeonholed into specific genres.
When questioned about their group dynamic after renewing their contracts, Yuqi offered a candid glimpse into their bond:
“There was a lot of speculation last year, but the five of us are straightforward and honest. We do fight a lot, too. After renewing our contracts, I felt glad we stuck together. I think we can continue as I-DLE for a long time.”
Addressing past criticisms regarding themes of female empowerment, intense dieting, and provocative concepts, Soyeon clarified their artistic intent:
“We don’t create songs to push a message. We just express what we feel and want to talk about at the time. It may seem contradictory, but we view it as expressing different sides of ourselves through character.”
She also acknowledged the influence of external opinions, admitting that they sometimes grapple with potential contradictions in their artistic choices, highlighting the abstract nature of music and the possibility of misunderstandings.
What are thoughts on I-DLE’s comeback so far? Let us know in the comment section below!
