IVE return with trio of lead tracks for upcoming ‘I’ve Mine’ EP

K-pop

Published: 08 Oct. 2023, 19:45 Updated: 09 Oct. 2023, 13:08

IVE return with trio of lead tracks for upcoming ‘I’ve Mine’ EP

IVE held a press conference ahead of its ″Show What I Have″ world tour on Sunday [STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT]

If one is not enough, why not three?

IVE is back, this time with three lead tracks hoping to satisfy everyone's tastes.

“We wanted to express different sides of ourselves in our latest album, instead of limiting ourselves with one style,” IVE’s member Liz said during a press conference in Seoul held on Sunday ahead of the group’s album release as well as its first world tour “Show What I Have.”

IVE will drop its first EP “I’ve Mine” on Friday, with three total lead tracks: “Off The Record” “Baddie” and “Either Way,” followed by B-side tracks “Holy Moly,” “Payback” and “OTT,” a track written by member Jang Wonyoung.

IVE held a press conference ahead of its ″Show What I Have″ world tour on Sunday [STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT]

Since the group’s debut in 2021, IVE has been focusing on the theme of self-confidence and self-love, and the girl group’s upcoming album is no different.

“‘I’ve Mine’ is a story about ourselves, and it connects back to our previous albums, while also showing a brand-new side of IVE,” Wonyoung said.

“It’s about looking at myself from different angles, which is why we prepared three lead tracks [to each tell a different story.]”

“Either Way,” which Yujin “sympathizes” with, is a track that talks about how other people see ‘myself,’ while “Off The Record” is ‘me’ and others discovering each other and “Baddie” is ‘me’ finding a whole new side of ‘myself,’ according to IVE members.

“Either Way” and “Off The Record” were released on Sept. 25 and last Friday, respectively, as a prerelease single.

IVE held a press conference ahead of its ″Show What I Have″ world tour on Sunday [STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT]

But even for IVE, who have had a flawless career winning so many awards from its debut, coming back with an album with three lead tracks was an adventure.

“It’s our first attempt at having three lead tracks, and we were both worried yet excited,” Gaeul said.

“We told each other to fully show the charms of all three lead tracks, and I think our efforts can really be seen with the music videos.”

“But that being said, [out of the three lead tracks] I prefer ‘Baddie,’ which is not in the ‘easy listening’ genre like others: it’s very addictive and I think you guys will like it very much,” said Liz.

"I personally prefer ‘Off The Record,’; the track’s melody and its lyrics match IVE’s loveliness,” Leeseo said.

IVE held a press conference ahead of its ″Show What I Have″ world tour on Sunday [STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT]

But before the IVE releases its first EP “I’ve Mine” Friday, the girl group kicked off its first world tour, “Show What I Have” with a two-day performance at the Jamsil Indoor Arena in southern Seoul on Saturday and Sunday.

"It’s always been our dream to host solo concerts and I’ve even said during our debut showcase that I will strive to hold a world tour,” Wonyoung said.

“I’m so happy to be able to hold an IVE solo world tour, our dream and our objective, just two years after our debut.”

IVE held a press conference ahead of its ″Show What I Have″ world tour on Sunday [STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT]

“We are blessed to have received unwavering support since our debut, and we are extremely thankful for the support,” said An Yujin.

“But we also know that there are people who wonder what more IVE can show; and the concert’s title ‘Show What I Have’ answers that question: we still have a lot to show,” she added.

“Now our goal is to successfully complete our world tour, and I think if we try hard enough for our upcoming world tour, I think other achievements will follow us naturally, and we are planning our future steps based on our world tour,” Wonyoung explained.

The girl group will be holding its world tour in 27 cities around 19 different countries, performing in Japan, other Asian countries, Europe, North America and South America.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]