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[CELEB] (G)I-DLE's Soyeon proves she still has the golden touch

Published: 30 Mar. 2022, 17:52 Updated: 30 Mar. 2022, 17:56

(G)I-DLE returned with ″I Never Die,″ its first full-length album on March 14. [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

(G)I-DLE is a girl group that knows how to make lemonade from lemons.

After dropping “I Never Die” on March 14, the group's first full-length album topped the iTunes Top Albums chart in 24 regions and the K-pop Top Albums chart in 11 nations.

The lead track “Tomboy” landed at No. 1 on the charts of local music streaming sites, including Melon, Genie, Flo, Vibe and Bugs. Within two weeks, the music video had racked up some 72 million views on YouTube.

The song was written and composed by member Soyeon, who usually writes most of the group’s songs.

In a recent episode of “Gossip Idle” (2021-), a talk show on Naver Now that is hosted by member Miyeon, the entire group appeared to talk about its new album.

Soyeon explained that usually in the process of creating new music for an EP or album, the lead track is finalized by many different people. However, in the case of “I Never Die,” Soyeon played “Tomboy” to her agency's staff, and after one listen they said “I think we won’t have to listen to any more songs.”

Like the album’s title, (G)I-DLE proved that it “never dies” — in spite of some risky situations it found itself embroiled in over the past year.

(G)I-DLE on Mnet’s “Queendom” (2019), back when the group performed as a sextet. From left, former member Soojin, and the rest of the current members: Miyeon, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua and Minnie [ILGAN SPORTS]

Originally a six-member act, member Soojin left the group last August following allegations that she bullied a former classmate. At the time, Cube Entertainment announced that the group would continue with five members.

Earlier this month, Soyeon became the center of criticism that she had plagiarized the song “SUN,” which she co-produced for the MBC K-pop audition show “My Teenage Girl” (2021-22). Soyeon was appearing on the show as a judge.

Suspicions arose online that “SUN” sounded similar to the melody of the chorus of “WAVE” (2019), a song by boy band Ateez. Soyeon’s agency immediately apologized through a statement for the similarities between the two songs and for adding the producer of “WAVE” as part of the song credits for “SUN” without “prior discussions.”

Such incidents worried fans that the group may postpone releasing new music, but “Tomboy” only proved (G)I-DLE's place in the K-pop industry.

The music video for the group's debut song ″Latata″ (2018) [YOUTUBE SCREEN CAPTURE]

(G)I-DLE debuted in 2018 with its first EP “I Am” and the lead track “Latata.” Since Soojin’s departure, the group has five members: Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi and Shuhua.

Although the group is already well known thanks to Soyeon’s direct participation in making most of its music, Minnie and Yuqi have also written or composed other tracks. Most of the lead tracks, such as “Latata,” “Lion” (2019) and “Oh my god” (2020) were written by Soyeon. Minnie and Yuqi produced “i’M The Trend” (2020).

(G)I-DLE has also participated in Mnet’s “Queendom” (2019), a show in which six popular girl groups competed against each other.

Soyeon of (G)I-DLE [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

Soyeon (Jeon So-yeon)

Date of birth: August 26, 1998
Zodiac sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Gangnam District, southern Seoul
Debut: November 2017 through digital single “Jelly”
Agency: Cube Entertainment

Soyeon is the whole package when it comes to K-pop. She is regarded as a singer, rapper, songwriter and producer. Soyeon debuted in November 2017 with the digital single “Jelly,” and made appearances on Mnet’s popular music competition shows “Produce 101” (2016) and “Unpretty Rapstar” (2016) where she revealed that she was a trainee for Cube Entertainment. The following year she debuted as the leader of girl group (G)I-DLE, the agency’s new girl group, with the song “Latata” (2018). Soyeon is known for her songwriting and producing the majority of (G)I-DLE’s songs, including “Latata,” “Lion” (2019), “Oh my god” (2020) and “Tomboy” (2022). She has written or composed songs for other artists like Ravi, Colde, and Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation. Soyeon continues to drop solo music as well, releasing the EP “Windy” with the lead track “Beam Beam” last July.

This information was confirmed by Cube Entertainment on March 30, 2022.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [[email protected]]