'MZ wannabe iKON' IVE (An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Lee Seo) continues the 'IVE syndrome' with their fourth mini album 'IVE SECRET.'
According to their agency, Starship Entertainment, IVE will release their fourth mini album 'IVE SECRET' on the 25th at 6 p.m. (KST) through various online music sites.
'IVE SECRET' is a new release for IVE, showcasing their unique confidence while revealing hidden sides and a twist in their attitudes. Including the title track 'XOXZ,' a total of six songs are included, each representing independent pieces of emotion that connect into a single narrative.
IVE has proven their global status over the recent months by performing at the world-renowned music festival 'Lollapalooza' and winning four awards at the '2025 K World Dream Awards.' Starting with their previous release 'IVE EMPATHY,' they have achieved remarkable success this year, and as their comeback approaches, we highlight the points of anticipation surrounding them.
# MZ wannabe activities... Title track 'XOXZ'
Receiving the title of 'MZ wannabe iKON,' IVE captures the hearts of the MZ generation with their new title track 'XOXZ.' The song name 'XOXZ' is a neologism created by twisting the English expression 'XOXO,' meaning 'I love you, good night. See you in my dreams.'
Through 'XOXZ,' IVE expresses complex emotions in a sensory manner as a code rather than revealing a single emotion, establishing their sophisticated yet secretive identity. A teaser for an ethereal music video has recently been released in which IVE invites 'myself' into the secret dreams they've crafted 'in their own way,' depicting a multidimensional world with diverse scenes, continuing their actions as 'MZ wannabe iKON.'
# A deepening musical color... Jang Wonyoung and Liz participate in writing lyrics
In this album, Jang Wonyoung and Liz are credited, further highlighting IVE's distinct musical colors. After taking on their first title track lyric writing challenge with 'ATTITUDE' in February, Jang Wonyoung participates in writing the lyrics for the title track 'XOXZ,' continuing IVE's narrative.
Additionally, Liz, who challenged her first lyric writing with the previous album track 'Thank U,' is set to prove her musical abilities once again by participating in writing the lyrics for the new album track 'Midnight Kiss.' Starting with 'XOXZ,' which Jang Wonyoung participated in, and 'Midnight Kiss,' in which Liz participated, IVE will present music where distinct moods and identities exist in harmony, unfolding stories that they can confidently share.
# From completion to expansion, IVE's 'SECRET'
IVE has proven the label of 'completion-type girl group' by delivering diverse messages centered around their distinctive identity of 'self-assurance' with each album. The upcoming 'IVE SECRET,' releasing on the 25th, will showcase another expanded world at its peak, elevating hidden attitudes and three-dimensional identities to the surface instead of predictable narratives.
IVE's expanded musical world has already been hinted at through various teasing content. They have displayed multifaceted aspects by collaborating with street artist Doezy on posters, trailer photos, and concept photos thematically tied to the album name 'SECRET.' Particularly, fresh storytelling, such as 'EVIL CUPID,' which aims arrows at oneself, and the pretty yet dangerous 'cover girl' concept, has made the wait for their comeback even more enjoyable. With fans' excitement at its peak, IVE is expected to open a new chapter and take another leap forward with this new release.
Meanwhile, IVE will release their fourth mini album 'IVE SECRET' and the title track 'XOXZ' on the 25th at 6 p.m. (KST) through various online music sites and will begin their full-fledged comeback activities.
[Photo] Provided by Starship Entertainment
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