(G)I-DLE pays homage to times gone by with release of latest EP

K-pop

Published: 17 Oct. 2022, 17:03 Updated: 29 May. 2024, 16:24

(G)I-DLE pays homage to times gone by with release of latest EP

(G)I-DLE introduced its new EP "I love" on Monday with a vintage talkshow-inspired session streamed online. [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

After seeing sensational success with its megahit “Tomboy” in March and completing its first world tour, girl group (G)I-DLE is back with the EP “I love” which dropped Monday.

On the same day, the girl group introduced its new music via an event streamed online. The session took the form of a vintage talk show, in line with the EP’s vintage Hollywood-inspired concept.

All five of the group's members — Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi and Shuhua — appeared on set donning striking blonde hairstyles.

“It’s an homage to Marilyn Monroe,” Soyeon said. “All of us are slightly different blondes from each other.”

Teasers released in the past weeks have also featured imagery reminiscent of vintage silver screen divas and 1920s flappers.

(G)I-DLE during Monday's online session [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

“Our new EP ‘I love’ sings strictly about love,” said Miyeon. “There are many different kinds of love. It can be love for one’s family or your friend. That’s why we didn’t add any object after the phrase ‘I love.’ We wanted to convey the message that we respect every kind of love out there. What word goes after it is up for you to decide after listening to it.”

“We feel really blessed and happy that we are able to express what we want to say through our music,” said Shuhua.

The lead track “Nxde,” a surprising title for a female K-pop act, sings about “baring it all and showing myself just the way I am.”

(G)I-DLE recently returned from its first world tour “2022 (G)I-DLE World Tour [JUST ME ( )I-DLE],” which saw the girl group perform in Seoul, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Santiago, Mexico City, Monterey, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Tokyo and Singapore between June and October.

(G)I-DLE during Monday's online session [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

“We were excited but also worried for our first-ever world tour, but we were so happy to see Neverland [the girl group’s fandom] around the world enjoy it,” Miyeon said.

“What shocked us was the sight of Neverland singing along to ‘Tomboy’ in Korean while we were performing overseas,” said Uqi. “We knew the song was popular in Korea, but to see such an enthusiastic audience abroad [...] it became such a strong memory.”

The members also did not forget to have fun while they were jet-setting around the world.

“We traveled the area and ate so much delicious food,” Soyeon laughed.

“While we were in Thailand to perform, the members visited my house to hang out,” said Minnie, a Thai member.

(G)I-DLE during Monday's online session [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

“A lot of people asked us whether we feel pressured to live up to the success of ‘Tomboy,’” Soyeon said. “There’s always some level of pressure, but it’s also a motivation that makes us work hard. It was a pleasant pressure we felt while working on this new EP.”

“We really put all our energy into this EP, as we always have,” said Minnie. “I feel so grateful that we can show our hard work to Neverland. We work as hard as we love them. I hope they like it and can empathize with it.”

“Nxde” and other songs will be made available on music streaming websites on Monday at 6 p.m.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]