“There is a phrase, ‘If you have no expectations, there will be no disappointment,’” (G) I-DLE’s Minnie explains when it comes to her mindset for the group’s newest full-length album. “I actually didn’t want to have high expectations, but it will be great if we get good results.”
In 2022, (G)I-DLE embarked on a bold new chapter with its first full LP, I NEVER DIE from 2022. The pivotal moment marked a creative renaissance for the group — with the single “Tomboy” named Billboard’s best K-pop song of the year — and propelled it to new chart heights with hit albums and signature singles. Less than two years later, (G)I-DLE is already back with its second full-length album, aptly titled 2, that shows the group’s heavy involvement in writing and producing songs discussing female empowerment, trusting one’s instinct, destiny, and love.
“Since a lot of people are waiting for (G)I-DLE music, we wanted to come out with a new concept that no one expected,” leader Soyeon says of the LP promoted by the bold and bass-driven single “Wife” (that’s gone viral for its lyrics and breaking into the general public, more on that below) and the booming, big-room anthem “Super Lady.”
Despite a packed 2023, which included the release of their Korean EP I Feel and their debut English EP HEAT — which peaked at Nos. 41 and 25 on the Billboard 200, respectively — (G)I-DLE wasted no time returning to the studio.
“I started working on our songs when we were heading towards the end of our world tour,” says Minnie. “Although I did not have enough time, I worked on the songs non-stop and was able to make ‘Vision’ and 7Days within 10 days.” Shuhua adds, “Whenever we had a free moment, we practiced and recorded our songs.”
The album also marks a significant milestone for member Miyeon, who contributed lyrics for the first time.
“Excluding my solo songs, this is my first time participating in the lyric-making for (G)I-DLE album,” the vocalist shares. “I had so much fun and was able to work with a lot of excitement since it was my first time. Although some parts were lacking, this whole process was a new experience, and I am really glad that our [fandom] NERVERLANDs liked it as well.”
Throughout the creative process, (G) I-DLE’s members took active roles in also shaping the album’s direction, from refining choreography to fine-tuning the concept.
“We all were involved together,” Soyeon says. “We communicated with the choreographer to revise the details while learning the choreography for our title track single ‘Super Lady’ because I wanted to do something that wasn’t so obvious.” Yuqi adds that “most of the choreography and concept were centered around Soyeon, as she is the producer of the group, but all of our members gathered together to share our opinions.”
While high chart rankings are undoubtedly a goal, the quintet also emphasize the importance of connecting with listeners.
“First, I want to thank you for listening and showing a lot of love towards our songs,” Miyeon says to those tuning in. “When preparing for this album, I thought, more than ranking on the charts, I hope each and every person who listens to (G)I-DLE songs can relate to our songs and enjoy them.”
Yuqi sums things up by saying, “Of course, it would be great to rank high on the charts, but I don’t go around thinking about rankings when making music. I want (G)I-DLE music to be delivered to as many people as possible. That’s the biggest and most meaningful goal!”
Read on for (G)I-DLE to break down every track of their new 2 album, track-by-track, below:
“Super Lady”
Image Credit: Cho Gi-Seok 88Rising
Lyrics: SOYEON
Composition: SOYEON, Pop Time, Daily, Likey
Arrangement: SOYEON, Pop Time, Daily, Likey
MINNIE: When I first heard the song “Super Lady,” I thought to myself “Wow, this is fresh and new,” and [that it] “sounds fun.” Actually, I am having a lot of fun with our promotion these days, just as much as I thought I would.
SOYEON: I wanted to do something that we haven’t done before and something that no one expected us to do. I thought “Super Lady” was a perfect song that gave that look.
MIYEON: Out of our members, SOYEON is “Super Lady” as she is always confident and leads on doing new things. Other than our members, Beyoncé and Lee Hyori come to my mind as fitting the “Super Lady,” who is always confident.
SOYEON: I think all of our members are a “Super Lady.” I wanted to deliver the message about the confidence and strength each (G)I-DLE member has [in the lyrics]. Also, Beyoncé is a “Super Lady” because she does everything perfectly, influencing other people who want to follow.
YUQI: I pick myself as “Super Lady.” I think having confidence is the most important thing about being a “Super Lady” and I have the most confidence and charm among the members!
SHUHUA: I think all of our members fit as a “Super Lady,” but in particular, SOYEON is a “Super Lady.” She always guides us so that we can show the best of ourselves.
MINNIE: SOYEON suits the best. She is always cool!
“Revenge”
Lyrics: SOYEON
Composition: SOYEON, Pop Time, Kako
Arrangement: SOYEON, Pop Time, Kako
SOYEON: “Revenge” is about how the person’s pain is my one and only pleasure. I never imagined taking revenge on someone before, so while writing the lyrics, I imagined what I would think if I ever took revenge on someone and wrote it into this track.
YUQI: We wanted to try and make a song again that contained the feeling of our first full album, I NEVER DIE, and I am glad that the message has been delivered.
SHUHUA: And since our I NEVER DIE had a dark concept, the dark concept is very similar.
MIYEON: It’s a really fascinating song with high notes. I really enjoyed singing this song since it felt like something inside me was being relieved. It was a fun song to record falling into the lyrics with those same emotions.
“Doll”
Lyrics: YUQI, BOYTOY, Jayins, Mojo
Composition: YUQI, BOYTOY, Mojo, Jayins, Lee Seung Hun
Arrangement: Lee Seung Hun
MIYEON: Since “Doll” is YUQI’s song, it’s a song that contains YUQI’s unique charm.
YUQI: “Doll” is actually a metaphor: You think that you play with me freely like a doll, but it’s the opposite — I am playing with you. That’s what the song is about.
SHUHUA: YUQI helped me a lot [in the recording studio], so I worked on it hard. I remember I had a difficult time with my part and YUQI sang along with me.
MIYEON: As (G)I-DLE tried different styles of rock in the past, I became more interested in the rock genre. It’s a genre where I have so much fun recording.
YUQI: My favorite genre changes depending on my mood that day. I really like the rock genre that you can hear in “Doll.”
SOYEON: I really like rock, but also hip-hop.
“Vision”
Lyrics: MIYEON, MINNIE, Roydo
Composition: MINNIE, Breadbeat, Shinkung
Arrangement: Breadbeat, Shinkung
MIYEON: It’s about digging into other people’s confused minds and making moves according to their instincts. I wanted to convey a message about telling the other person to show love without thinking and accept what they feel as it is.
MINNIE: While I was working on this song, I suddenly thought, “It would be great if MIYEON wrote the lyrics,” so I asked her and after hearing the song, she said she wanted to work on the lyrics right away. This is my first time working with MIYEON. I personally really like this song, and I hope our fans will also too. I always like trying new things! I wanted to try trendy music [like Jersey Club] with our members this time, so I gave it a try!
SHUHUA: It’s always fun trying new genres. I want to try other genres next time as well.
MIYEON: The pronunciation of the lyrics are a little bit difficult, but I think all of our members did really well.
“7Days”
Lyrics: MINNIE, Tim Tan
Composition: MINNIE, Breadbeat
Arrangement: Breadbeat
MINNIE: This song shows the music color and the style that our NEVERLAND have always loved. The very emotional and warm lyrics are the highlight of this song. Of course, our first U.S. EP HEAT helped a lot [in recording another English song]. Through HEAT, my dream of writing lyrics in all English became even more prominent — I was able to write the lyrics that I could empathize with the story of the song and make the lyrics sound really natural.
SHUHUA: Because I had experience singing in English before for HEAT, “7Days” was easier to record than before.
MIYEON: The recording process felt very healing through the pretty lyrics.
MINNIE: “7Days” is a song that combines a drum and bass beat and sentimental guitar riff for a “pit-a-pat” heartbeat feeling of wanting to eternally spend your time with a lover.
“Fate”
Lyrics: SOYEON
Composition: SOYEON, Pop Time, Daily, Likey
Arrangement: SOYEON, Pop Time, Daily, Likey
SOYEON: To me, “Fate” is something that unavoidably attracts you. I wanted to express the emotions when leaving a repetitive, boring life, and a new life suddenly appears in the lyrics.
YUQI: (G)I-DLE’s “Fate” is to be able to deliver what we want to say through our music.
MINNIE: It’s “Fate” that I was able to meet my members and become (G)I-DLE.
SHUHUA: How we got to meet our fans NEVERLAND is (G)I-DLE’s “Fate.”
MIYEON: I’d say all five members of (G)I-DLE becoming one is what “Fate” means for us.
SOYEON: Also, SHUHUA’s rap part was so cute!
“Rollie”
Lyrics: YUQI, BOYTOY, Melli, 213, MOJO
Composition: YUQI, Boytoy, Melli, 213, Mojo, Milli Oshyun
Arrangement: 213, Mojo, Milli Oshyun, Boytoy
YUQI: “Rollie” is a song where it literally means “I flex.” I am always confident and wanted to express these feelings as much as possible. While recording this song, I thought of SHUHUA a lot. There was a part that I really wanted SHUHUA to do, but the pronunciation was more difficult than I expected, so I remember working on it with SHUHUA without giving up and encouraging her a lot. I was very satisfied with the result.
“Wife”
Image Credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Lyrics: SOYEON
Composition: SOYEON, Daily, Likey, Pop Time
Arrangement: SOYEON, Daily, Likey, Pop Time
SOYEON: I thought that I wanted to try the concept of all five members wearing the same clothes with the same hair color.
YUQI: I happened to see an anchor dancing on the news to “Wife,” I was very surprised and felt honored. Thank you once again.
SHUHUA: I actually watched it with YUQI! Thank you for listening and loving our song!
