On May 19, (G)I-DLE held a press conference for their 8th mini-album, We Are, at the Chosun Palace in Gangnam, Seoul. This marks the group’s first comeback in around 10 months since the release of Klaxon in July 2024. Notably, all members have renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment and have officially dropped the “(G)” and “여자 (Yeoja/female)” from their name, a change that has attracted significant attention.
Miyeon expressed her feelings about the rebranding: “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 noted the adjustment, saying, “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.”
Leader Soyeon highlighted the group’s creative direction, stating, “We decided to try something new by having all members take part in the songwriting and composing process for the first time since renewing our contracts.” She described it as both fun and meaningful.
With the album, I-DLE is shifting from their “I” series to a new “We” theme, symbolizing unity. Every member contributed to the lyrics and compositions, embedding the concept of “we” into their music. The title track “Good Thing” features popular autotune sounds from the 2010s and conveys a bold narrative of confronting a cheating lover. “It’s a way we wanted to express something different, rarely done by female artists,” Soyeon explained.
Minnie elaborated on the track “Chain,” saying, “I wanted to depict the tightly interwoven relationships within I-DLE, like chains,” while Yuqi shared that “Love Tease” showcases a strong melody over lyrics, her favorite disco track.
Miyeon expressed confidence in writing her song “Unstoppable,” emphasizing relatable themes, and Shuhua, who participated in writing for the first time with “It’s Okay,” thanked Soyeon for her support, saying, “I’d love to try composing someday too.”
The group also expressed humor about their goals, with Yuqi joking about shaving her head if they reach No.1 on Billboard, a sentiment echoed by Soyeon regarding their new album reflecting various styles.
Addressing their contract renewal, Soyeon stated, “The new conditions are more favorable to the artists,” emphasizing the need for harmony with the company. She also voiced aspirations for diverse concepts moving forward, hoping to continue performing for a long time.
Yuqi noted that despite rumors of discord, the group remains honest and straightforward with each other, adding that their dynamic has only strengthened since contract renewal.
While I-DLE frequently promotes themes of female empowerment, they’ve faced criticism for intense dieting and provocative concepts. Soyeon asserted, “We don’t create songs to push a message. We just express what we feel and want to talk about.”
With a new name and collaborative spirit, I-DLE’s comeback signifies a fresh chapter in their artistry and unity.
