In the K-pop lexicon, “Return” is never a trivial concept: it is an art made of waiting, construction of expectations and an entry on stage that must be able to redefine the imagination of a group without betraying its identity. And with Ive secretfourth EP of their career, IVE sign a return that is much more than a Comeback: it is a manifesto of artistic growth.
Anyujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jangwonyoung, Liz and Leeseo accompany the listener in a visual and sound universe where elegance encounters malice, and where their stylistic figure – absolute trust in themselves, impeccable aesthetic and high recognition melodies – finds new shades of mystery. The duality of characters and atmospheres, expressed both in music and in the images, reveals unpublished sides of the group, which now seems ready to dictate its own rules in the global panorama.
From debut in 2021 with Elevencapable of climbing the Billboard rankings and conquering prizes such as Song of the Year and Rookie of the Year, their trajectory was an unstoppable crescendo: Love dive, After Like, Kitsch, I amup to collaborations with Saweetie and David Guetta, passing through international festivals such as Lollapaloza and Kcon. Not only a K-Pop group, but a Pop Planetary Pop phenomenon that Forbes included in the “30 Under 30” list and which Billboard defines as “a undeniable force of the new generation of the K-pop”.
With Ive secretthe six artists still raise the bar: six traces – from XOXZ to Midnight Kiss – who explore complex emotions, between daring and delicate confessions declarations. It is the demonstration that their evolution is not a side effect of success, but a conscious choice, designed to speak to an increasingly demanding global audience.
Panorama spoke exclusively with them.
Let’s start in a simple way – but not too much. Can you introduce yourself and tell us with which “vibe” do you face your path as IVo now?
Anyujin: I’m Anyujin! I would say that my “vibe” is translatable with energy. Whether we are on stage or simply together, I always carry that lively and positive spirit.
Gaeul: They are Gaeul. I would say charm: I try to bring elegance and security in everything we do.
Rei: They are rei! Uniqueness This is what defines me. I love to express my style and my personality in a way that stands out in the group.
Jangwonyoung: I’m Jangwonyoung. I would say luxury: I want to give a glamorous and refined touch to the image of the IVs.
Liz: I’m liz! Dreamy It is the word that describes me best. They often tell me that my voice has a soft and dreamlike quality.
Leeseus: They are leeseo. I choose princess Because I am the youngest and I like to think of bringing a playful and fascinating energy to the group!
Ive Secret seems like a desired turning point: more mysterious, more stratified. What was the first spark that turned on this concept?
Anyujin: With each album we want to explore something new, and this time it all started with a simple question: “What if we showed our hidden, inner side?” From there the heart of IVE Secret was born. We are constantly evolving, we hope be curious to see where we will arrive!
“Xoxz” is hypnotic and engaging. When you were recording it, what was the image or feeling you kept in mind?
Jangwonyoung: I imagined a dream fantasy, like finding yourself in a beautiful surreal dream. This led my approach to the song.
“Wild Bird” has a cinematographic flight and freedom. Have you taken inspiration from a particular moment of your life to sing it?
Leeseus: I imagined myself like a small bird that flies free in the sky. This image helped me to transmit the feeling of freedom for all registration.
“Dear, My feelings” is raw and almost confessional. Recorded it was like opening your diary in front of millions of people?
Rei: Absolutely yes. It was like opening my heart. I tried to express honest and personal emotions, how to write a diary page and show it to the whole world.
“Gutcha (Baddest Eros)” is bold without excuses. How did you get to enter that darker and more dangerous side without losing the elegance that is pure ive?
Anyujin: We paid close attention to how our voices adapted to the powerful bass and the atmosphere of the song. He pushed us to try a deeper and more controlled tone, something a little different for us. We are fairs to show that Ive can be bold and gritty, while remaining elegant.
“Beats” is pure rhythm. What was the most unexpected element you added to make it stand out?
Gaeul: It is such a sparkling song that I really exaggerated in a tire and a cute and playful interpretation to follow that energy. It was a fun challenge!
“Midnight Kiss” looks like the credits after a perfect movie. Why did you choose it to close the EP?
Liz: It is precisely the effect we wanted to achieve. “Midnight Kiss” has a dreamy and cinematographic quality that remains in the mind, like the last scene of a beautiful film. It seemed the perfect way to close IVE Secret.
Since it’s called IVE Secret, I have to ask: what is a secret about you that fans would never guess, but that they would love to know?
Rei: In the music video I actually wore a short wig! It was the first time I tried short hair from the debut, so some fans may not have recognized me immediately.
Ive has an energy recognizable instantly in the k-pop and beyond. What is something you think you are bringing to the global stage that no one else can give?
Jangwonyoung: I think it’s our unique chemistry. Each of us brings something different and together we create a synergy that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Collaborations with Saweetie and David Guetta showed that you can move in any soundscape. How do you integrate global pop influences into your music without losing the K-Pop DNA?
Anyujin: I listen to all types of music to be inspired. We always remain faithful to the heart of the k-pop, but we are open to experiment with sounds and global styles: this is how we continue to grow.
Ive Secret visuals seem richer and more symbolic than ever. How much would you contribute each of you to the narrative of IVE?
Liz: In this album I also contributed to writing the texts and I assured me that they were in line with the concept of IVE Secret. It was great to make a creative contribution to the story we are telling.
From Eleven to today, your definition of trust has clearly evolved. How do you carry it on stage today?
Leeseus: I believe that now my safety emerges more naturally on the stage, especially in the way I connect with fans through performance.
If IVE Secret could leave a lasting message in the hearts of your fans, what would it be?
Gaeul: I hope our fans fall in love even more than us thanks to this concept, discovering deeper and more hidden sides of who we are.
You are often called “trendsetter” in fashion and music. Is there a visual or style choice in this era that you have particularly kept?
Rei: I try all the outfits and I give many feedback. I love to experiment with new styles, especially with hair and makeup: it is one of my favorite ways to show different sides of me.
Many of your songs explore emotional extremes. Is there a verse of IVE Secret that remains particularly impressed on you?
Jangwonyoung: “Red Light, Stop Signs, Do You Trust Me?” – In reality I wrote it. I love the way he manages to be bold and dreamlike at the same time.
Behind the scenes of IVE Secret, what was the funniest or unexpected moment that nobody would believe without having seen it?
Jangwonyoung: While we shot the outdoor music video there were many insects! But instead of frightening, we laughed all together and we transformed the thing into one of the funniest memories.
And finally, for all six – if you have to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Anyujin: Satisfying
Gaeul: Happy
Rei: Cute
Jangwonyoung: Exciting
Liz: Xoxz
Leeseus: Fantastic
