Girl group ifeye used a nine-month hiatus as time to strengthen their teamwork.
Ifeye (Kasiah, Rahee, Won Hwayun, Sasha, Taerin, Miyu) will release their third EP As if in full and the music video for the title track Hazy (Daisy) at 6 p.m. on the 15th on various music sites.
Ifeye debuted on Apr. 8, 2025, carrying the meaning "girls who make imagination into reality." Debuting as Highhat Entertainment's first girl group produced by renowned choreographer RyuD, ifeye drew high expectations even before debut. Following their first EP ELRU BLUE, which highlighted "mystery" and "pure-chic," they made a comeback with mini album 2 Wave Nang Pt.2 sweet tang just 100 days after debut on July 16, shedding the mysterious girl image for a more mature, confident presence that left a strong impression.
After achieving a successful debut based on an original concept and outstanding skills, they proved their growth potential with a rapid comeback three months later and a bold concept change. Dubbed "everyone a center visual" and "next-generation performance doll," ifeye returned about nine months later with their third EP As if.
As if is an album that began with the two letters meaning "what if," and it takes as its theme questions anyone might have murmured in their mind at least once. It gracefully weaves into varied sounds the thrilling feeling of love kept only in the heart, fleeting emotions that brush past in an instant, and another story that might have unfolded had different choices been made, summoning them into the reality beside us.
Below is a Q&A from ifeye's comeback interview
Q. Why was there such a long hiatus before releasing your third EP As if?
Kasiah: We spent a lot of time thinking about how to show a different side of ifeye, so the hiatus became long. You will be able to feel a really different ifeye from before. Honestly, we worried at first when we heard the title track. We wondered whether it would suit ifeye or whether we would lose our own color, but as we practiced, our voices were added and we realized we could show a different side while not leaving out the performance, which is our strength. Because the hiatus was long, I think we can show a more grown-up side.
Q. Producer RyuD stepped down as creative director and producer, and there were systemic changes. Wasn't that confusing?
Rahee: We talked a lot during the hiatus. Systems are changing, but our desire to be on stage hasn't changed, so we could focus on the new album work without being shaken. Now that we have resolved to prepare this album really well, I think we can show a new side.
Q. For this promotion, the youngest member Sasha has suspended activities for health reasons, so you are promoting as five. Is there any burden?
Won Hwayun: Because Sasha was the main vocalist, we each took vocal lessons and practiced a lot so the members wouldn't feel that absence. We also practiced more to quickly fill Sasha's place performance-wise.
Kasiah: I think we told Sasha most often to recover well and come back healthy. Sasha has been cheering for us a lot, and we encourage each other, so I hope she comes back quickly and we can promote together.
Q. The atmosphere could have been unsettled. Did you make any efforts to strengthen teamwork within that?
Won Hwayun: During the hiatus we talked to each other a lot. I'm not someone who easily says I'm struggling. But Rahee noticed I was feeling down and created a place where I could open up first. At that time, the members spoke honestly about things inside them and shared things we didn't know, which made us much closer and more bonded.
Rahee: We've spent a long time with the members, but that occasion turned guesses into certainty. As we got closer and more bonded, we comforted each other while deciding the direction of this album and how to promote. Having that time made practice much easier and improved daily life.
Kasiah: What I was thankful for from the members was that as a leader, being the first time, I didn't know what kind of leader fit this team or what kind of leader I was expressing. The members' help over the year was enormous. They told me I could be more relaxed, helping me find the path of a leader, and now I can lead the team a bit more easily as a leader with more confidence.
Miyu: I was curious about the members' personalities, and while you can grasp them, there are parts you don't know unless you hear them directly. I learned a lot through that time, and I'm thankful to Rahee unnie for creating that moment. I had many questions, and I felt like a weight was lifted; it was a meaningful time.
OSEN=Jang Wooyoung reporter