Latest news with #Miyeon
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.
Hype Malaysia
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Why K-pop Group I-DLE Dropped The ‘G' From Their Name
Earlier this month, K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE ((여자)아이들) surprised fans when they announced a rebrand on their 7th anniversary, subsequently dropping the 'G' and '여자 (Yeoja/ female)' from their group name. Now going as I-DLE (아이들), the quintet revealed why they decided to make that shocking move. On 19th May 2025 (Monday), the girl group held a press conference for their new album, 'We Are'. During the press conference, the group discussed their album and explained their decision to rebrand as I-DLE. Member Miyeon (미연) said the move aligned with how the group wanted to be represented, saying, 'I always found the 'female' label in parentheses a bit odd since our debut. It feels like we've finally claimed our true identity and name.' The group reportedly wanted to broaden their musical style and concepts, choosing to remove the female imagery in their old name as they felt it limited their music. However, member Yuqi (우기) admitted that the group needed time to readjust to the new name, saying, 'I recently made a mistake when introducing the group name out of habit. I hope the public will get used to the new name along with us.'. Along with the rebrand, the group re-recorded nine of their past singles, which sparked mixed reactions from fans. As the new versions no longer contain vocals from former member Soojin (수진), many perceived the move as erasing the vocalist's existence in I-DLE's discography. The group also shifted their long-running 'I' album series, which began with their debut album, to a new 'We' theme, symbolising unity and shared narratives. 'We Are' is also significant as it's the first album in I-DLE's discography where every member contributed to the lyrics and compositions. Previously, leader Soyeon (소연) was the one in charge of producing, writing and composing most of the group's songs. She shared her thoughts about the new creative direction, saying, 'I was a bit worried about whether we could pull it off, but it turned out to be a fun and meaningful experience.' I-DLE's comeback marks a fresh chapter in their career and highlights their desire to continue to grow and reinvent themselves as artists. Check out their new title track, 'Good Thing', below: Source: Allkpop
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.'
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
K-pop girl group (G)I-dle start new chapter as I-dle to mark 7th anniversary
K-pop girl group I-dle, previously known as (G)I-dle, debuted in May 2018. PHOTO: OFFICIAL_I_DLE/INSTAGRAM K-pop girl group (G)I-dle start new chapter as I-dle to mark 7th anniversary SEOUL – K-pop girl group (G)I-dle have rebranded more simply as I-dle to mark seven years since the act debuted, their label Cube Entertainment announced on May 2. '(G)I-dle will now be promoting under the new name I-dle,' the label said. It added that the rebranding signals a fresh chapter for the group, which debuted on May 2, 2018. The updated name drops both the '(G)' – which means Girl – from their English name and the word 'Yeoja', meaning 'Female', from their Korean name. It reflects the act's desire to move beyond gender-based labels and showcase a broader identity with greater creative and conceptual freedom. Also unveiled was the group's new logo and symbol. 'The logo, composed of lowercase letters 'i d l e', features a structural design based on the principles of points, lines and planes, symbolising the group's limitless potential and organic connectivity,' Cube Entertainment said. The new symbol, made up of five lowercase I's arranged in the shape of a star, represents the group's five members coming together as a unified whole. All five bandmates – Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua – renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment in December 2024. They released their special EP, We Are I-dle, on May 2. Since debuting with Latata, the group have released a string of hits, including Oh My God (2020), Hwaa (2021), Tomboy (2022) and Nxde (2022). In 2024, I-dle topped both South Korean and international music charts with Super Lady, the lead track from their second studio album 2, and saw a resurgence in popularity with the B-side I Do Not Like Being Sick. The group also led the summer season with Klaxon (2024), the main track from their seventh EP, I Sway. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
