For just three letters, the moniker IVE possesses a deceptively elegant ethos. Those three letters, absent an apostrophe, signify that the six-member K-pop act won't be defined by convention.
A contraction of "I Have," IVE declare — in moniker and spirit — that they will show everything they have to give. Members Yujin, Wonyoung, Gaeul, Liz, Rei and Leeseo are readying the release of I've Mine. Out Oct. 13, this six-song EP features three title tracks — a rarity in an industry where most EPs showcase just one or two.
It’s a bold move, but IVE have been shaping the landscape since their December 2021 debut. Just a week later, their single "Eleven" won on MBC’s "Show Champion," setting a record for the fastest music show win by a girl group. The song also reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Trending Songs Chart and held a spot on the Global 200 chart for 14 consecutive weeks.
Subsequent singles illustrate how their charm is threaded through paradoxical pillars. The darkly alluring "Love Dive" is balanced with the discoing whirlwind "After Like," which samples Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." Those songs continued IVE's winning streak, netting Song Of The Year and Rookie Of The Year honors at multiple Korean award ceremonies.
Early singles unfurled this duality even further. "Kitsch" captures high school life, playfully chronicling their custom-fitted OOTD and sassy dismissal of unread DMs. Contrasting those cheeky cadences are tracks like the aspirational "Blue Blood," which cleverly riffs on the Korean tradition of using blood types to determine personality traits.
Ahead of their new EP, GRAMMY.com caught up with IVE via Zoom in Seoul. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the first title track, "Either Way," dropped just hours before.
"We do feel the pressure of representing our new album, but it's a very positive pressure for us. It's not a negative feeling or anything," says Wonyoung, who is seated in the center of the group. "We just pushed each other and thought about our DIVEs [fans]."
However, embracing a myriad of concepts on three title tracks was no small task. "We really wanted to express different concepts of each one," Yujin notes.
"Either Way" is a prime example of this wider artistic intent. In the accompanying music video, IVE’s typical lush and luxurious aesthetics are traded in for poignant black and white close-ups of the girls shedding tears. It is their most melancholic and cinematic project to date, evoking the emotional heartache seen in a top tier K-drama.
Vocals and lyrics get the brightest spotlight in such a stripped-back confession. Liz, sharing her favorite line on the EP says, "There is a part in 'Either Way' where the lyrics are about misunderstandings and how it creates countless images of me." Afterwards, the chorus "Either way, I'm good," underscores a powerful message about self-acceptance and resilience in the face of diverse perceptions.
A touching opening salvo, "Either Way" is part of an overarching theme: "All of the title tracks are about the idea of ‘Me,’" Gaeul explains. "'Either Way' explores how others perceive ‘Me,’ 'Off the Record' delves into how we view each other, and 'Baddie' is about discovering a new version of ‘Me.’ We hope that fans will unpack that all versions are us."
The second single, "Off the Record," is Leeseo's favorite. "It’s cutesy and fits my vibe."
As with previous IVE entries, at least one member contributed to the creation process. Wonyoung earned her third writing credit for the group with the B-side "OTT."
"I wanted to say I fall in love in an over-the-top way, like more than normal," she says, "It can be about DIVEs and saying 'I’m really into you guys.' To DIVEs it can be about [anyone they] really love. I really wanted to express a very exaggerated love through this song. I think the word OTT is kind of cute too."
DIVEs' love for IVE propelled the group to new heights. In September, IVE made their U.S. debut, captivating both coasts with dazzling performances at KCON L.A. and the Krazy K-pop Super Concert in New York.
"We were a bit nervous, but the local fans in L.A. and New York had a lot of passion and energy," Rei reminisces about the experience fondly. "They knew the chants to our songs, so we had a really fun time performing in front of them."
IVE led the coveted Dream Stage during night one of KCON. It is a special KCON tradition where fans are chosen for their exceptional dance skills and given the opportunity to perform alongside a K-pop act.
With two U.S. appearances under their fashionable belts, IVE are primed for a global scope. Wonyoung teases her giddiness to meet more DIVEs during their forthcoming world tour, Show What I Have, kicking off in Seoul next month.
"The main message we want to tell our audience is to love ourselves and to not mind other people’s words," she says. "To love ourselves and be ourselves is the most important part of life."
Listening to "Either Way" makes Wonyoung’s message ring true. As idols, they have many facets and identities: "I’ve Mine" shows the groupat their most mature and vulnerable.
It is a refreshing step forward and serves as a reminder that their greatest strength lies in their authenticity. IVE has found harmony in their identities and may just discover that they really can have it all someday.
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