GIDLE
The group (G)I-DLE from CUBE ENTERTAINMENT is making its comeback today with a first full album, entitled “I NEVER DIE“.
Consisting of members SOYEON, YUQI, MINNIE, MIYEON and SHUHUA, this is the group’s first comeback since SOOJIN’s departure in August 2021. The showcase opens with a black and white teaser, showing the fierce young women, refusing to be weak. A year and two months since their previous comeback, they are ready to go back on stage and face the public gaze. In order to deliver different facets of themselves, the album has three versions; RISKY, CHILL and SPOILED. This album is a cry to the world, the artists claiming not to be dolls but full people. The title track, “Tomboy”, represents the confidence and charm of the singers, who seek to capture the attention of people looking at them. They are rebellious, daring and irresistible, and move away from the clichés of a heroine who cannot get up after a disappointment in love. Their outfits underline this impression as they wear leather jackets and ripped pants with chains, in symbiosis with the rock/grunge style of the album.
« I think YUQI is the best fit for this comeback, with her intimidating gaze and charismatic facial expressions. » — MINNIE
The album is laid out succinctly, as each song is summed up with a phrase to express its concept:
- « Tomboy » : No one or any standard can match me. I am just me.
- « Never stop me » : I will live as I want. The regrets are also mine.
- « Villain dies » : I make sad endings for the protagonist.
- « Already » : On this last day, our story ended.
- « Polaroid » : The times we spent together, I’ll keep those memories forever in the photographs.
- « Escape » : You don’t have to bear it alone. Hold my hand whenever you feel tired or want to give up, I’ll take you anywhere.
- « Liar » : I haven’t actually changed, I haven’t shown you the diamond ore in me yet.
- « My bag » : I have five red diamonds in this bag.
The clip for “Tomboy” then plays, the singers dazzling and fierce. In black and red hues, they warn men not to underestimate them. Once the clip was released, they go backstage of the clip, declaring that they particularly liked the last day of filming, because they were able to take more freedom and have fun, like YUQI who had to shoot scenes in a car. SHUHUA, however, reveals that she injured herself on set by falling, but that she did not forget her goal by asking that the camera continue to roll, despite the concern of the other members of the group. After that, it’s the turn of the performance of “Tomboy” to be broadcast, the (G)I-DLE seem happy to be on stage, and claim to be.
« It took us a while to get back on stage, because we wanted to create a new image for ourselves as a group of five members. » – SOYEON
During the Q&A session with the journalists, they are asked which songs they prefer in the album. SHUHUA selects “Liar”, because she was able to try rapping, MIYEON supports her choice, and adds “Escape”, which represents just as well this concept of independence that the young women seek to highlight in this album. MINNIE talks about the preparation of the album, which filled her with emotion, because, having spent some time abroad because of the covid, she lost a bit of her Korean. However, the members were able to understand what she was trying to say without having to speak, and is grateful for this understanding on their part. YUQI ends by selecting the “Polaroid” track which, according to her, allows us to highlight the voice of the artists in a different style. If they had to sum up the album in one word, MINNIE says “just me“, symbolizing being yourself. The singers reaffirm their pleasure to stand on stage, and wish everyone good health, by offering a gift to their fans: if they obtain the first place in a musical show, they will publish a “dance practice” in accordance with a concept selected by their fans. This is how this showcase concludes, the group hoping to receive a lot of love and support for this comeback.
The words of our reporter: “A concept rarely seen in Kpop, this grunge universe should allow them to stand out more.”
Journalist: Pillet Anaïs
Translator: Shawn
Photos: CUBE ENTERTAINEMENT
Source: KSTATION TV
