Latest news with #CubeEntertainment
Korea Herald
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
I-dle's 8th EP sells 1m
I-dle has another million-seller under its belt thanks to its eighth EP, 'We Are,' said agency Cube Entertainment Tuesday citing a local tally. The mini album, which sold over 1.06 million copies in the first week of release, is the group's fourth consecutive album to pass the milestone. Others include I-dle's sixth EP, 'I Feel,' from 2023 as well as its second studio album, 'Two,' and seventh EP, 'I Sway,' from last year. The Music video for the new EP's focus track, 'Good Thing,' generated over 50 million views on YouTube. "We Are" is the first endeavor from the 7-year-old group since it renewed its contract with the agency in December last year and changed its name. The group dropped the '(G)' from its previous name, (G)I-dle, to signal a new chapter for its music career. Separately, a pop-up store celebrating the release of the album is running at Line Friends Square Sinsa in Seoul until June 1.
Pink Villa
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
I-DLE's Shuhua admits hiring lawyer to leave the group before contract renewal; here's why she stayed
I-DLE's youngest member, Shuhua, has candidly revealed that she was on the brink of leaving both her agency and the group. She shedded light on the emotional rollercoaster that came with their contract renewal process. On the May 24 broadcast of Knowing Bros, all five I-DLE members joined the show as guests. They spoke honestly about the difficult decisions they had to make when their exclusive contracts with Cube Entertainment approached expiration in 2024. While fans had long speculated about the group's future during that time, the latest episode offered a firsthand look at how close I-DLE came to going their separate ways. During the episode, the cast brought up the topic of contract renewals. Super Junior's Heechul made a lighthearted but telling comment, saying, 'Surprisingly, even the usually quiet Shuhua hired a lawyer.' Comedian Lee Soo Geun responded in jest, 'She must have been preparing to leave.' To the surprise of viewers and hosts alike, Shuhua didn't deny it. Instead, she responded with a calm, 'Yes. It's true.' Shuhua went on to explain that she had seriously weighed her options and had mentally prepared herself for the possibility of leaving I-DLE altogether. It wasn't just a matter of parting ways with Cube Entertainment; it was a potential farewell to the team she had debuted with and grown alongside for years. She admitted all this, before sharing what changed her perspective. As quoted by Koreaboo, 'When I thought of the members, I felt that staying with the team would be the better choice,' Shuhua revealed. According to Shuhua, her decision wasn't made overnight. She had one-on-one conversations with each member. Those heart-to-heart talks played a crucial role in helping her find clarity. Leader Soyeon, in particular, stepped in with support that extended far beyond emotional encouragement. She revealed that she took an active role in the contract renewal process, going as far as to review and revise the contract details herself. 'I even took the lead in negotiating the finer details. I made a lot of edits to the contract, even down to the word choices,' Soyeon said. Her leadership and dedication to the group became a major influence in Shuhua's final decision to stay. The trust between the members and their collective desire to move forward as one unit ultimately led to a successful renewal for all five. The contract expiration in 2024 had sparked a wave of rumors and uncertainty among fans. Many speculated that the group might disband or lose members. However, the rumors were finally put to rest when Soyeon announced during I-DLE's acceptance speech at the 2024 Melon Music Awards that all members had renewed their contracts. Following the renewal, the group dropped the stylized parentheses from their original name, transitioning from (G)I-DLE to simply I-DLE. The rebrand symbolized a fresh chapter for the quintet. Thanks to honest communication and shared trust, I-DLE emerged from the crossroads stronger than ever. What could have been the end of an era became the beginning of a new one.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
K-pop group I-dle, formerly known as (G)Idle, revels in new identity
K-pop girl group I-dle, known for crafting a distinctive musical identity, has staked out a powerful comeback with a stronger sense of self and team synergy. K-pop girl group I-dle, known for crafting a distinctive musical identity, has staked out a powerful comeback with a stronger sense of self and team synergy. The group's eighth mini album, We Are , marks a number of significant milestones: It is the group's first release under a new name — dropping the (G) from the former (G)I-dle — and its first album since the five bandmates renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment. By removing the 'G' and parentheses, I-dle has redefined its identity, signaling a break from traditional gender classifications and symbolic limitations. The group now embraces a broader, more inclusive image. "From the time of our debut, people often asked about the 'G' in parentheses. Now it feels like we've finally claimed our name," said Miyeon at a press conference Monday in Gangnam, Seoul. (From left) I-dle's Minnie, Miyeon, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua pose for a photo at a press conference in Gangnam, Seoul, Monday. — Photo: Cube Entertainment The album title We Are reflects an evolution from the group's debut album I Am, shifting the focus from the individual to the collective. "Back then, we were more focused on introducing ourselves individually. Now, we want to tell stories as a group, as I-dle," explained Soyeon. "That's why we all took part in the songwriting from the planning stage." Lead track Good Thing and B-side Girlfriend are produced by the team's leader and main producer Soyeon, who has long shaped the group's musical direction. Other members also contributed their own songs, showcasing growth and versatility. Yuqi wrote and composed the disco-infused Love Tease , while Minnie offered the dreamlike Chain . Miyeon presents a groovy R&B track with unstoppable, while Shuhua makes her lyric-writing debut with If You Want . The album title We Are reflects an evolution from the group's debut album I Am, shifting the focus from the individual to the collective. Good Thing presents early 2010s autotune aesthetics with a nostalgic twist. "It has that throwback autotune sound I remember fondly, but I think it'll feel fresh for younger listeners," said Soyeon. "The lyrics tell a story about confronting a cheating lover. It's full of lines that female idols often don't use, which makes the song even wittier and bolder." Yuqi shared, "When I first heard the song, it felt like getting hit by electricity from start to finish. It was fun, and since it was something we hadn't tried before, it felt fresh and exciting." With their contracts renewed and rebranding complete, the bandmates are now focused on longevity and artistic flexibility. "In our early days, we just wanted to succeed and win first place. But now, after renewing our contracts, our goal is to keep singing for a long time in many different ways," said Soyeon. We want to be a group that can pull off anything, from sweet pop to rock.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
(G)-IDLE rebrand as I-dle and release new album, We Are, fronted by ‘Good Thing'
K-pop girl group I-dle, formerly known as (G)I-DLE, are starting a new chapter. Advertisement Their latest album, We Are, was released this week, their first since the group renewed contracts with their agency and officially changed their name. The five-member act – Soyeon, Minnie, Yuqi, Miyeon and Shuhua – debuted in 2018 with the breakout hit 'Latata'. The group reaffirmed their future in 2024 when all members renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment. On May 2, the band announced they would drop the '(G)' from their name in time for their seventh anniversary. 'The group will no longer be defined by 'girl', 'gender' or any other label,' Cube had said, promising 'limitless' music and concepts moving forward. The members say the change was long overdue. Miyeon recalled that the members had long discussed the name change.
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
I-dle shows who 'We Are' with new identity, renewed unity
'We Are' demonstrates group's confidence after rebranding K-pop girl group I-dle, known for crafting a distinctive musical identity, has staked out a powerful comeback with a stronger sense of self and team synergy. The group's eighth mini album, "We Are," marks a number of significant milestones: It is the group's first release under a new name — dropping the '(G)' from the former (G)I-dle — and its first album since the five bandmates renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment. By removing the 'G' and parentheses, I-dle has redefined its identity, signaling a break from traditional gender classifications and symbolic limitations. The group now embraces a broader, more inclusive image. 'From the time of our debut, people often asked about the 'G' in parentheses. Now it feels like we've finally claimed our name,' said Miyeon at a press conference Monday in Gangnam, Seoul. The album title "We Are" reflects an evolution from the group's debut album "I Am," shifting the focus from the individual to the collective. 'Back then, we were more focused on introducing ourselves individually. Now, we want to tell stories as a group, as I-dle,' explained Soyeon. 'That's why we all took part in the songwriting from the planning stage.' Lead track 'Good Thing' and B-side 'Girlfriend' are produced by the team's leader and main producer Soyeon, who has long shaped the group's musical direction. Other members also contributed their own songs, showcasing growth and versatility. Yuqi wrote and composed the disco-infused 'Love Tease,' while Minnie offered the dreamlike 'Chain.' Miyeon presents a groovy R&B track with 'unstoppable,' while Shuhua makes her lyric-writing debut with 'If You Want.' 'Good Thing' presents early 2010s autotune aesthetics with a nostalgic twist. 'It has that throwback autotune sound I remember fondly, but I think it'll feel fresh for younger listeners,' said Soyeon. 'The lyrics tell a story about confronting a cheating lover. It's full of lines that female idols often don't use, which makes the song even wittier and bolder.' Yuqi shared, "When I first heard the song, it felt like getting hit by electricity from start to finish. It was fun, and since it was something we hadn't tried before, it felt fresh and exciting." With their contracts renewed and rebranding complete, the bandmates are now focused on longevity and artistic flexibility. 'In our early days, we just wanted to succeed and win first place. But now, after renewing our contracts, our goal is to keep singing for a long time in many different ways,' said Soyeon. 'We want to be a group that can pull off anything, from sweet pop to rock.'
