“I’m really excited for this comeback because I know that many people, including our Midzy, have been waiting for me and for all five of us [to be] on stage,” Itzy member Lia says on a Zoom from Seoul.
The 24-year-old makes her return to the K-pop girl group on the new album Gold after a 10-month hiatus to focus on her mental health. During the break, the group put out an album and embarked on a world tour.
It quickly becomes clear that the group, comprised of members Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna, has been anxiously awaiting the day they could perform together again. “We are so happy to get five of us all together again,” Ryujin says.
“Thank you all Midzy for waiting for us,” Yuna, the group’s youngest, later adds, referring to the group’s official fanbase.
The five-piece group, hailing from Korean entertainment company JYP Entertainment, has spent the last five years carving our their own space in the world of K-pop. The group found early critical success with their take on the “girl crush” concept, rocketing the group into domestic and global stardom.
Girl crush concepts showcase the groups with stronger music, trading in the bubblegum pop girl groups have often been categorized by for powerful anthems full of self-confidence. Itzy’s debut track “Dalla Dalla” is a perfect example. “Don’t measure me by your standards alone / I love being myself, I’m nobody else” Lia belts out in the song’s chorus.
Gold feels reminiscent of their earlier work, with the EP’s two lead singles — the powerful and bold “Gold” and the vocal-heavy “Imaginary Friend” — perfectly showcasing the group’s range.
Gold also features re-recorded versions of songs from their last EP, such as “Untouchable,” which Lia was unable to participate in. “With this new album being completed with all five members’ voices, it’s more unique and special,” Yeji says, adding that the group is sure fans will be excited to hear Lia’s voice in the songs.
Itzy’s new EP also features a collaboration with Stray Kids member Changbin. “[It] was a very amazing and fun experience,” Chaeryeong says of working with the rapper and producer. Ryujin adds that since the group knows Changbin, whose group is also under JYP Entertainment, the recording was fun and comfortable.
Of the new songs, several members are excited for fans to hear “Five,” which Ryujin says the group has had waiting in the wings for two years. With Lia returning to the group, Ryujin thinks fans will be touched by the song.
Chaeryeong says the album’s fourth track “Supernatural” is her favorite. Meanwhile, Ryujin says “Bad Girls R Us” takes the top spot for her. “I love the sound of the song, and also the message of the song,” she says.
As the five-piece group looks ahead to their sixth year, they’ve been able to reflect on what they’ve learned along the way. “Things don’t always go as planned,” Yeji says. “I always have to be careful and think more deeply, and I think that trying my best is the way to not leave any regrets when preparing for the album.”
The group will keep working towards their next goal, and as the lyrics for their song “Five” suggests, they’ll do it together: “Four a lucky clover / But nothing is better than five.”
“Nothing is assured with life,” adds Yuna. “But we will still always trust each other, and make good memories with our band and make good albums that contain good messages.”