(G)-IDLE's new EP will leave you feeling great about yourself

Girl group (G)I-DLE is back with new EP "I feel" and the group's leader and executive producer Soyeon says she feels confident about the new music as it's being released when the members' self-love and self-respect is at the ...

Girl group (G)I-DLE at the press showcase for its sixth EP ″I feel″ on Monday at the Josun Palace in Gangnam District, southern Seoul [CUBE ENTERTAINMENT]

Girl group (G)I-DLE is back with new EP "I feel" and the group's leader and executive producer Soyeon says she feels confident about the new music as it's being released when the members' self-love and self-respect is at the highest its ever been.

The lead track "Queencard," which Soyeon produced, was inspired by the members who seemed to be filled with "self-love and self respect" she said during a press showcase on Monday at the Josun Palace in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.

“'Queencard' was meant to be a love song in the beginning. But as I continued with its lyrics, I learned that I wanted to talk about having self-esteem and loving oneself,” explained Soyeon.

Soyeon is not just the leader and main rapper of the group, she sits as the group’s executive producer, setting (G)I-DLE’s general directions and producing many of the girl group’s hit tracks, from debut song “Latata” (2018) to “Tomboy” (2022) and now, “Queencard.”

“'Allergy' is a song that everyone living in today’s world can relate to. We also talk about social media [...] one of the places where you have your self-respect lowered after comparing yourself with others."

The music video for "Allergy" dropped last Wednesday, garnering 19 million views in less than a week and fans have complimented its lyrics, befitting concept and execution in the music video.

In fact, the theme of self-love, self-respect and pointing out a society that only focuses on outer looks is not something the girl group is singing about the first time. In “Tomboy,” (G)I-DLE sang: “No matter if you like it or not, this is me” and continued in “Nxde” (2022) by saying they will undress the unnecessary cosmetics to be proud of their true selves.

“I just thought people nowadays, people care too much about their appearances; not just your face or your body, but in a wider sense about your personal charm and everything that shows on the outside,” Soyeon explained.

“I wanted to convey the message: ‘I love myself so much, and that’s why I’m a beautiful person,’ I hope everyone loves themselves and know that everyone loves you too.”

The five members of (G)I-DLE were also full of self-confidence.

“Honestly, I can’t think of any complexes,” said Minnie with a laugh.

“No one is perfect, and we should all love ourselves even with all the imperfections. Working on ‘Queencard’ really boosted my self-respect even more.”

“Working on ‘Tomboy,’ ‘Nxde’ and ‘Queencard,’ we talked about accepting ourselves the way we are, and I learned to love myself; which is something I also learned from Neverland,” said Miyeon.

Neverland is the girl group’s fan club, which (G)I-DLE will soon meet during its world tour “I am FREE-TY,” starting with concerts on June 17 and 18 in Seoul.

“We are trying hard to showcase a more freestyle side of us [...] We plan on only performing songs that Neverland wants to see, so you’ll regret it if you don’t make it!” Minnie said.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]