IVE pre-releases ‘Looks Can Kill’…“As expected of IVE! Eager to listen” - 스포츠경향

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“Please look forward to IVE showing an even more assured and confident side.”

‘MZ wannabe icon’ IVE (IVE: An Yujin·Gaeul·Rei·Jang Wonyoung·Liz·Leeseo) is returning with the mini-album ‘Looks Can Kill’.

According to their agency Starship Entertainment, at 6 p.m. today (the 19th) IVE will pre-release via various music platforms the title track of the new mini-album ‘Looks Can Kill(Looks Can Kill)’.

Alongside this, IVE will take the stage at the ‘Spotify DIVE ACADEMY(Spotify DIVE ACADEMY)’ live show held at Arc Gangnam in Seoul today to unveil the first-ever performance of the new song ‘Looks Can Kill’. On the final day of this three-day event that began on the 17th, they will present the stage to fans for the first time, further building excitement ahead of the new release on the 26th.

The new release ‘Looks Can Kill’ is an album that expands the ‘girl fantasy’ universe IVE has showcased so far. Following Cupid and magical girls, it puts forward another ego, the ‘girl hero’, portraying IVE’s assured and alluring presence that overwhelms the mood by its very existence.

The album includes six tracks in total: the title track of the same name, ‘Mirror Mirror(Mirror Mirror)’, ‘SNAKESKIN(Snakeskin)’, ‘CRUMBS(Crumbs)’, ‘Girls Girls Girls(Girls Girls Girls)’, and ‘Glow Motion(Glow Motion)’. Through six songs with distinct vibes and personalities, it captures IVE’s wide musical palette.

The title track ‘Looks Can Kill’ encapsulates IVE’s signature confidence and initiative. A captivating synth pad rhythm intertwines with a weighty bass, dynamic drums, and electronic sounds to deliver powerful energy. In particular, the explosive final chorus after the bridge is expected to heighten immersion.

The lyrics of ‘Looks Can Kill’ feature Seo Ji-eum, who has worked on many of IVE’s hits, as well as Lil Cherry and member Rei, infusing the song with IVE’s unique confidence and character.

Previously, with their second full-length album ‘REVIVE+(Revive Plus)’, IVE achieved clear results on digital charts and music shows, continuing the ‘IVE syndrome’. With the double title track ‘BANG BANG(Bang Bang)’, they achieved the group’s sixth Perfect All-Kill (PAK), and together with ‘BLACKHOLE(Blackhole)’, they won a total of nine music show trophies. Notably, ‘BANG BANG’ remains a long-running hit, staying high on major domestic charts even in its ninth month after release.

On top of that, through their second world tour ‘SHOW WHAT I AM(Show What I Am)’, which spanned Asia, Oceania, and North America, IVE cemented their on-stage presence, and now they return as a ‘girl hero’. Attention is on what kind of impact IVE, who has proven prowess across recordings and performances, will show with ‘Looks Can Kill’.

To mark the pre-release of the title track, IVE shared in their own words a variety of stories, from the narrative contained in the new release to the preparation process and their resolve for promotions.

- This is your comeback about eight months after the second full-length album ‘REVIVE+’ (Revive Plus). How do you feel?

An Yujin : Each time we present a new album, the fluttering excitement grows along with the desire to show an even better side of ourselves. Since we are back with the keyword ‘hero’, we hope you will look forward to an IVE that is more assured and full of confidence.

Gaeul : We are greeting you with new music after about eight months. Because we prepared so hard, we wanted to let you hear it as soon as possible, and we are finally making a comeback, which is truly thrilling. This time we can show a different charm from before, so I am curious how many people will take it in.

Rei : I am really happy at the thought of being able to let DIVE (our official fandom name) hear new music after a while, and I am also looking forward to the moments we will create with fans through these promotions. I hope it becomes a period where we stack up many joyful and happy memories.

Jang Wonyoung : The process of showing a new side each time is an enjoyable challenge for us too. We worked hard to present something different while keeping IVE’s own color. I hope you will enjoy the new story IVE is about to unfold together with us.

Liz : Each comeback makes my heart flutter and my expectations grow. With ‘Looks Can Kill’, we wanted to show our assured and confident charm even better, and I hope listeners can feel that energy through the song.

Leeseo : Every time we return with a new song I get excited, but this time I am especially looking forward to what we will show on stage. We will work hard so that our bright, bold energy can give strength to many people, so please keep an eye on us.

- You have expressed IVE’s unique ‘self-assurance’ through music. This time you put forward the keyword ‘hero’. What message do you want to convey through this album?

An Yujin : IVE has expressed the heart of believing in and loving oneself through various music. If the previous album broadened that message from ‘me’ to ‘us’, this time it contains the way we give each other positive influence and create new change.

Jang Wonyoung : When you hear hero, you might think of someone with special powers, but I think we tried to think a little differently. A small encouragement offered to someone can become courage for another, right? Through this album, we wanted to tell the story that we can be heroes to one another.

- In this album, the concept of a ‘girl hero’ is interpreted in IVE’s own color, which stands out. If there were aspects you paid particular attention to while preparing, please share them.

Gaeul : We focused a lot on expressing ‘hero’ in IVE’s own style. While capturing a different mood from before, we worked to keep our unique charm. I hope you enjoy not only the music but also the performance. Also, I took part in writing the lyrics for ‘Crumbs’ together with Liz, and I am glad it reflects our current look and color well.

Rei : I participated in writing the lyrics for the title track ‘Looks Can Kill’ and thought a lot about naturally unfolding the album’s concept and narrative, and I am proud that it seems well captured. We tried many things visually too, and I am happy that many people seem to have enjoyed them. As we shot various concepts, we ourselves had fun discovering fresh sides of us. Please pay close attention to the diverse faces of IVE contained in each concept!

Liz : I think the charm of this album is that each track has a distinctly unique character. There are songs where you can feel intense energy, and others that you can enjoy a bit more comfortably. We focused on expressing them so that IVE’s uniqueness comes through while keeping each song’s atmosphere. And I worked hard together with Gaeul on ‘Crumbs’, so please listen kindly!

- What kind of song is the pre-released title track ‘Looks Can Kill’? If there are listening points to note or aspects on stage to watch for, please introduce them.

An Yujin : Since ‘Looks Can Kill’ delivers energy from the very first listen, I hope you enjoy how the atmosphere shifts as the song unfolds. There are memorable points that stick after a single listen, so please listen closely.

Leeseo : The charm of this title track will be felt even better when you enjoy the music and performance together. We prepared while thinking with the members about how to bring out the song’s feel on stage. Please also look forward to the stage packed with IVE’s bold charm.

- Lyricist Seo Ji-eum, who has created IVE’s hits together from the debut track ‘ELEVEN’, to ‘LOVE DIVE’, ‘After LIKE’, and ‘BANG BANG’, also took part in the title track ‘Looks Can Kill’. How does it feel to work again with Seo Ji-eum, with whom you have a long-standing relationship?

Jang Wonyoung : Many people have loved the songs we have done together with lyricist Seo Ji-eum. We were very excited to work together again this time. As she has expressed IVE’s assuredness and confidence so well, you will be able to meet lyrics infused with our color again. There are witty turns of phrase sprinkled throughout, so I hope you enjoy finding those parts too.

- This year you were active on various stages, including promotions for your second full album, a fan concert, the world tour, and awards ceremonies at home and abroad. Looking back ahead of this comeback, what moment was the most memorable?

Rei : I recall the moment I challenged myself to be an MC at an awards ceremony for the first time this year. I was nervous because it was my first time, but it was a joyful and meaningful experience. Based on the confidence I gained then, I want to keep showing growth.

Jang Wonyoung : We cannot leave out the promotions for the second full album. We were truly grateful that many people loved our music, and that support was a great strength in preparing this album. We prepared hard for these promotions as well so that we can repay the love you sent.

Leeseo : For me, the world tour remains the most memorable. Being able to meet DIVE in many places around the world and stack up memories together is truly precious. As the shows went on, I felt more at ease on stage and able to enjoy the moment to the fullest. I am already looking forward to future performances.

- We would like to talk more about the world tour as well. On your second world tour ‘SHOW WHAT I AM(Show What I Am)’, which started last October, all dates at Japan’s Kyocera Dome and Tokyo Dome sold out, and the North American tour also expanded in scale from six cities on your first world tour to eight. How do you feel after successfully completing the tour?

An Yujin : I am truly proud that we were able to finish our second world tour safely, and I am grateful to everyone who joined us. Since the number of cities we performed in increased compared with the first world tour, it was meaningful to meet even more fans. Seeing people in the cities we were visiting for the first time sing along to our songs and enjoy the shows made me so happy and moved. While I was happy that precious memories piled up one by one as the tour went on, on the other hand I also felt sad that it was coming to an end. If we get the chance to meet again through performances, I want to show an even better stage based on the experience we gained on this tour.

Gaeul : Following our first world tour, we were able to perform at Tokyo Dome again this time, and this year we also stood on the Kyocera Dome stage for the first time, so I was thrilled from the very start of preparations. Seeing DIVE fill the seats to the brim in both venues made me feel overwhelmed and grateful. I once again realized how precious it is to sing and breathe together with so many fans on such big stages. Even now that the tour has ended, the sight of the audience from the stage and DIVE’s cheers come back vividly. I think it is all thanks to DIVE, who always cheer by our side. We will not forget that feeling, and we will do our best to create many good moments together for a long time.

- Through this album, how do you want IVE to be remembered by the public? We are also curious about the goals you want to achieve in these promotions.

Gaeul : True to the album name ‘Looks Can Kill’, we want to show a performance so striking that you cannot take your eyes off it the moment you see it. We will do our best so that IVE’s stage remains in many people’s memories for a long time through these promotions.

Liz : After listening to this album, I hope people think, ‘This is indeed IVE’. I wish it to be music that gives you strength the moment you hear it, and on some days gives you confidence. I hope these promotions remain a good memory so that people keep being curious about the music IVE will present in the future.

- Lastly, please say a word to DIVE (your official fandom name), who have been waiting for your comeback.

An Yujin : DIVE! It is so reassuring to have DIVE, who always support us with unwavering love. I hope this promotion period becomes a happy time where we give strength to each other.

Gaeul : I am sincerely grateful to DIVE, who always trust us and wait for us. We will keep working hard so that we can be an IVE that DIVE can be proud of.

Rei : While preparing this album, I wondered what DIVE would enjoy. We prepared various content besides music shows, so please have lots of fun with these promotions too!

Jang Wonyoung : As the time we have shared with DIVE stacks up, our relationship feels even more special. I hope we continue to stay by each other’s side, sharing good moments for a long, long time.

Liz : We prepared with fluttering hearts while imagining what DIVE would like to see, and I am curious which song DIVE will love the most. We poured care into each and every track, so please look forward to them, and we ask for your support in these promotions too.

Leeseo : Thanks to DIVE’s support, I feel that I am growing a little each time. We will keep showing you continued growth, so please watch over us. We will run hard in these promotions too!