i-dle: ‘We’re ready to show our real, unfiltered selves’

i-dle have entered a new era. The K-pop girl group, formerly known as (G)-IDLE, marked their seventh anniversary recently with a rebrand, changing their name by dropping the ‘G’ – which stood for girl.

The five-member group – made up of MIYEON, MINNIE, SOYEON, YUQI, and SHUHUA – seek to redefine their identity beyond gender or symbolic labels as they embark on a new musical journey.

“We rebranded to start a new chapter for i-dle. Dropping the “G” was our way of saying we’re ready to show our real, unfiltered selves,” said MINNIE. “We wanted to be just who we truly are — more honest, more confident, and more free. It’s a fresh start, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

The group marked their comeback with their 8th mini-album, We Are, which was released in May. The six-track album showcases the group’s versatility and unique talents in the K-pop world as each member wrote and composed at least one song, which MIYEON said made We Are feel even more “honest and meaningful.”

SHUHUA added: “For the first time since our debut, all of us took part in writing lyrics and composition, which makes this album really special. With a mix of genres and styles, I think it’s the clearest reflection of who we are as artists right now.”

Each member had the freedom to play around with concepts and express their own individual talents. This gave them the courage to step out of their comfort zone and encapsulate the true spirit of i-dle.

“For the B-side tracks, we actually have a lot of freedom for creativity. We’ve always been encouraged to explore concepts we’re passionate about, so we usually send in a variety of songs and ideas,” said YUQI. “From there, we choose the ones that feel the most exciting or meaningful to us.”

It is still rare in the K-pop world for musicians to write and produce their own material. However, i-dle believe that this creative control is integral to their DNA as they are able to express themselves more authentically.

“We believe it’s important that we tell our own story in our own way. That’s what really shapes our identity as a team and makes us who we are,” said SOYEON. “When we share our genuine experiences and emotions, it creates a deeper connection with our fans, and I think that’s why people love us and support us the way they do.”

The lead single of the mini-album is ‘Good Thing’ – which was written, composed and arranged by SOYEON. The songwriter describes the genre-bending track as a “fresh sound that still represents who i-dle are”.

YUQI echoed this sentiment and reflected why ‘Good Thing’ was the perfect lead single to kickstart their new era.

“Our leader, SOYEON, always plays a big role in producing our title tracks, and this time she did an amazing job with ‘Good Thing.’ She really knows how to bring out new sides of each member while still keeping that unique i-dle sound. The song felt exciting, fresh, and goes well with our vibe.”

With any fresh and exciting song, there needs to be the visuals to match. I-dle lived up to expectations with the ‘Good Thing’ music video. The group smashed bottles on each other’s heads, fought in the subway and SOYEON even smashed a Porsche.

“I actually smashed the car for real, and there was no CGI! My hands hurt so much, and the next day, I had muscle pain all over my body. It was intense, but kind of fun too!” Said SOYEON.

The internationally acclaimed and chart-topping quintet celebrated their seventh anniversary in May. This milestone gave i-dle the opportunity to reflect and look back on all they have achieved so far.

There have been highs and lows along the way but SHUHUA reflects how proud she is that the group have continued to remain fearless throughout this journey.

“I’m really proud that our team has never been afraid of change. The times we trusted each other and embraced new experiences are moments I’m both proud and thankful for, said SHUHUA. “And above all, I am truly grateful to the fans who have waited for us and walked alongside us for the past seven years.

The group promised that with the rebrand, they would move toward “limitless music” and creative concepts that would excite the fans. During the interview, i-dle revealed what sounds and concepts they’d like to explore next in the studio.

YUQI said: “Lately, I’ve been really into hip hop and band music, so I’m planning to try those styles next time. I’m excited to explore something new and different!”

MINNIE added: “Hip hop! I’ve always wanted to make music that’s really hip and full of energy.”

Before their rebrand, i-dle recently completed their third world tour, ‘2024 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [iDOL]’, which had stops across Asia, Australia and America. The group haven’t performed in London for almost two years, following a big headline show at Wembley Arena. However, they promised their NEVERLAND – the name for their fandom name – that they’ll be back during their next world tour.

“To all our NEVERLAND waiting for us in London — thank you so much for always loving and supporting us from afar. It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years!” Said MIYEON. “We truly miss you and can’t wait to come back and create more special memories together. Thank you always, and we love you so much!”