I-DLE Drops 8th Mini-Album “We Are” and Unveils New Identity After Name Change
On May 19, I-DLE (formerly (G)I-DLE) held a press conference to mark the release of their 8th mini-album, We Are, and share insights into their highly anticipated comeback and group rebranding. The album officially dropped at 6 p.m. KST on the same day across major music platforms, launching their latest era with the retro-inspired title track “Good Thing.”
From (G)I-DLE to I-DLE: A New Chapter
Debuting in 2018 as (G)I-DLE[^1], the group celebrated their 7th anniversary this year by boldly removing the “G” from their name—symbolizing “Girl”—to reintroduce themselves simply as “I-DLE.” The change comes after all five members renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment, signifying a fresh start and a desire to move beyond conventional labels.
Miyeon reflected, “Since debut, we were puzzled by the ‘G’ in parentheses. We always said we’d drop it once people knew us well. Now, it feels like we’ve found our true name.” Yuqi added, “After using the name for seven years, we wanted a rebranded feel following our recontracting. Please support us as I-DLE from now on.”
The group also emphasized that the new name better aligns with their evolving identity and creative direction. “We want to be free from gender constraints and continue to present diverse concepts,” they said.
About the Album: We Are
We Are marks I-DLE’s first album beginning with “We” rather than “I,” signaling a shift from highlighting individual members to showcasing the group as a unified whole. Leader Soyeon explained, “Our past albums introduced each of us. This album introduces ‘us’ it’s the start of the ‘We’ series.” Soyeon also revealed that We Are was inspired by their debut track LATATA. “I wondered how we would sing ‘LATATA’ now, after all these years. This album is our way of starting anew,” she said.
The album features six tracks: the pre-released Girlfriend, the title track Good Thing, along with Love Tease, Chain, Unstoppable, and It’s Okay. All members participated in the songwriting process, adding a personal touch that reflects their journey and growth. The title track Good Thing is an upbeat, charming song infused with retro sounds and 8-bit elements that highlight I-DLE’s playful yet polished style.
During their We Are album promotions, I-DLE faced controversies including plagiarism accusations comparing their visuals to Red Velvet. This adds to past disputes around their music videos and leader Soyeon’s songwriting. No official response has been made yet. Individually, member Yuqi drew criticism after expressing frustration over paying for concert tickets for friends and family, which some fans saw as ungrateful.
With a revamped name, renewed contracts, and a bold new concept, I-DLE is stepping into their eighth year with fresh energy and unity. As they continue to evolve, We Are not only represents their artistic maturity but also reaffirms their place as one of K-pop’s most innovative girl groups.