[CELEB] Grab your 'Sneakers' and fasten your shoelaces for ITZY's new EP 'Checkmate'

K-pop

Published: 17 Jul. 2022, 15:53 Updated: 17 Jul. 2022, 17:44

[CELEB] Grab your 'Sneakers' and fasten your shoelaces for ITZY's new EP 'Checkmate'

EP cover of "Checkmate" showcasing the five members of ITZY [JYP ENTERTAINMENT]

With shoelaces tightly fastened on their sequined sneakers, the five members of girl group ITZY are ready to march full-speed to success with their new song "Sneakers" in the group's fifth EP, "Checkmate."

The group began its live performances on Korea’s local music shows from Friday. ITZY is also set to appear on CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on July 23 and give a live performance of “Sneakers.”

In line with the group's iconic boldness and positivity, EP's lead track “Sneakers” revolves around themes of self-love and confidence as putting on sneakers is likened to taking control of one’s life and freely marching toward "the top, straight up” as indicated in the lyrics of the song.

“I hope that everyone who listens to our song can find their own pair of sneakers that helps them find true freedom,” said member Yeji in an interview released by the group's agency JYP Entertainment on Friday.

The positive message is amplified by the song’s upbeat tune and popping vocals.

The song is written by K-pop’s hit composer group, team Glactika*. ITZY has worked with the team several times in the past for songs “Dalla Dalla” in 2019, “Wannabe” in 2020 and “LOCO” last year.

“Because we’ve worked together with the composers for such a long time, they know each members’ strong points,” said Chaeryeong. “During the recording process, they really brought out the best sounds and vocals in each of us.”

“We strived for perfection, especially during the recording process,” added Yuna. “We sang the song again and again until we were satisfied with every detail.”

The choreography for the new song slightly deviates from the more powerful and edgy performances that the group has showcased over the last few years. "Sneakers" veers more toward a sweet and expressive style of dance.

“The choreography includes steps inspired by the motion of putting your shoes on or shaking your shoes off,” said Chaeryeong. “It’s a fun dance.”

To the question of where each member would like to go if they had a pair of sneakers that could take them anywhere, Yeji replied, “I want to go to the future! I want to see what the future holds for ITZY, and I want to know if aliens really do exist.”

Chaeryoung also said that she wants to visit the future. “I am curious to know how the world will have evolved,” she said.

Lia said that she wants to go back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries. "I became interested in this time period because many movies are based from then," she said.

Ryujin said that she wants to go to Iceland because she wants to "see the Northern lights in person."

Lastly, Yuna said that she would travel to space. “I want to see the Earth from afar, and I also want to try walking on the moon!”

The girl group is set to kick off its first world tour starting in Seoul on Aug. 6 to 7 and then will move on to tour eight cities in the United States — Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Sugar Land, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and New York.

ITZY debuted in February 2019 with “Dalla Dalla.” The group has five members — Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna. Other songs by the group include “Icy” (2019), “Wannabe” (2020), “Not Shy” (2020), “Mafia in the Morning” (2021) and “LOCO” (2021).

Chaeryeong as a 12-year-old contestant on season three of SBS's "K-pop Star" [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Of the five members, Chaeryeong has been in the public eye for the longest, ever since she was a young girl striving for a career in the K-pop world with her older sister Chaeyeon.

The sisters had appeared as contestants on the third season of SBS’s "Kpop Star" in 2013. The 12-year-old Chaeryeong and 13-year-old Chaeyeon wowed the judges, one of whom was Park Jin-young, executive director and founder of JYP Entertainment. Though the sisters did not make it as the finalists on the show, it became a springboard for their full-fledged K-pop careers in the days and years to come.

Chaeyeon, left, and Chaeryeong in an Instagram post uploaded by Chaeyeon through IZ*ONE's official Instagram account in 2021. [INSTAGRAM CAPTURE]

Chaeryeong was scouted to JYP Entertainment, and in 2015 appeared on an another K-pop audition show called “Sixteen” where girls competed to become final members of the new JYP girl group which is now Twice. Chaeryeong again did not make it into the group, but four years later, she made her long-awaited debuted as a member of ITZY.

Her sister Chaeyeon made her debut in 2018 as a member of project girl group IZ*ONE after becoming a finalist in Mnet's audition program "Produce 48" (2018). She is also part of a professional dance group called WANT and competed in Mnet's popular dance competition show "Street Woman Fighter" (2021).

Girl group ITZY member Chaeryeong [JYP ENTERTAINMENT]

Chaeryeong (Lee Chae-ryeong)

Date of birth: June 5, 2001
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Undisclosed
Debut: February 2019 as a member of girl group ITZY
Agency: JYP Entertainment

Chaeryeong debuted as one of the five members of K-pop girl group ITZY in February 2019. It released hit songs such as "Dalla Dalla" (2019), "ICY" (2019), "Wannabe" (2020), and "LOCO" (2021). Chaeryeong has been dreaming of becoming a K-pop star since she was in her teens. The artist appeared as a contestant on two K-pop audition shows before her official debut: SBS’s "Kpop Star" in 2013 and Mnet's "Sixteen" in 2015. She was not a finalist in either.

This information was confirmed by JYP Entertainment on July 14, 2022.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]