Seoul: K-pop girl group i-dle is embracing a transformation with its latest comeback -- a new name, fresh sound, and revamped image. The change signals a new chapter for the group, which returned Monday with "We Are," its eighth EP and first album in 10 months.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the group, formerly known as (G)I-dle, dropped the "(G)," short for "girl," after all its members renewed exclusive contracts with their agency Cube Entertainment late last year. The members expressed that the name change reflects their identity and marks a new beginning for the group. The new album, "We Are," features six tracks, including the lead track "Good Thing" and the pre-released song "Girlfriend," with contributions from all members in composition and lyrics.
In the lead track "Good Thing," i-dle showcased an 8-bit sound, a new exploration for the band. Team leader Soyeon, who participated in writing, composing, and arranging the song, noted that the autotune sound incorporated in the track brings back memories from around 2009-2010, appealing to both nostalgic and new listeners. The song's lyrics narrate the story of confronting a cheating lover.
Yuqi described the experience of hearing the track for the first time as electrifying, realizing the potential for innovation even in their eighth year as a group. Since their debut in 2018, i-dle has become a major K-pop girl group with successive hit singles.
The contract renewal process strengthened the bond among the five members, who agreed that rebranding has made them more solid as a group. When discussing future directions, Soyeon emphasized the group's commitment to exploring a wide range of music genres, aspiring to be versatile artists in the industry.