I-DLE Explains Why They Removed (G) from Their Group Name; SEE Details

K-pop group I-DLE recently held a press conference for their 8th mini-album ‘We Are’ in Seoul. The event took place at the Chosun Palace in Gangnam on May 19. During the conference, the group explained their decision to drop the (G) and 여자 (Yeoja, meaning “female”) from their name.

This is their first comeback in 10 months since their last release, ‘Klaxon’, in July 2024. All members have renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment, signaling a new era for the group. The name change has sparked discussions among fans and media.

Miyeon shared her thoughts:

“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.”

Yuqi also admitted:

“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.”

A New Creative Direction

For this album, all members participated in songwriting and composing for the first time since their contract renewal. Leader Soyeon revealed she was initially worried but found the process rewarding.

The group also shifted from their long-running “I” series (starting with their debut album ‘I Am’) to a “We” theme, symbolizing unity. Every member contributed to lyrics and compositions, making this album a true group effort.

Details About the New Tracks

The title track, “Good Thing,” blends 2010s autotune sounds with a fresh twist. Soyeon described it as a bold take on confronting a cheating lover, a theme not often explored by female artists.

Minnie explained her track “Chain”:

“I wanted to depict the tightly interwoven relationships within I-DLE, like chains. It can also be interpreted as a romantic relationship. The lyrics are direct and daring.”

Yuqi worked on “Love Tease,” a disco-inspired song. She focused more on melody than lyrics, and Soyeon praised her for creating catchy tunes.

Miyeon contributed to “Unstoppable,” saying:

“Thanks to the support of the members, I found the courage to write my song. When I write lyrics, I try to focus on universally relatable themes.”

Shuhua participated in lyric writing for the first time with “It’s Okay.” She thanked Soyeon for encouraging her and expressed interest in composing in the future.

Funny Promises and Future Goals

Yuqi joked about a past promise:

“I once said I’d shave my head if we hit No.1 on Billboard, and this time Soyeon said she has a good feeling. I’d be happy to go bald if that happens.”

Soyeon added:

“Since we took on new challenges, the album reflects a wide range of styles. I’m sure many people are looking forward to seeing Yuqi shave her head.”

Contract Renewal and Group Dynamics

The members discussed their contract renewal, revealing that the new terms are more artist-friendly while ensuring fairness for the company.

When asked about their group dynamic, Yuqi said:

“There was a lot of speculation last year, but the five of us are straightforward and honest. We do fight a lot, too. After renewing our contracts, I felt glad we stuck together. I think we can continue as I-DLE for a long time.”

Addressing Past Criticisms

I-DLE has often promoted female empowerment but also faced criticism for strict diets and provocative concepts. Soyeon responded:

“We don’t create songs to push a message. We just express what we feel and want to talk about at the time. It may seem contradictory, but we view it as expressing different sides of ourselves through character.”

She admitted that external opinions sometimes influence their work but emphasized that music is open to interpretation.

Also Read: (G)I-DLE Set to Return with New Mini Album in May: A Full-Group Comeback Fans Can’t Wait For

With a new name, renewed teamwork, and creative growth, I-DLE’s comeback marks a fresh chapter. Fans are excited to see how their artistic evolution unfolds in future releases.

Sources: WikiTree

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