IVE is Here to Solidify their Place in K-Pop History with I’VE MINE

Since their debut in 2021, IVE has been making waves in the K-Pop world with multiple viral hits. Their latest dual titles, “Kitsch” and “I Am,” both achieved a perfect all-kill on the charts. For their first EP, I’VE MINE, the group released three singles to go along with the album, starting with “Either Way” on September 25, “Off The Record” on October 6, and finally “Baddie” on October 13.

Pre-Release: “Either Way”

“Either Way” is a slower pop ballad with a slightly melancholic undertone, with the slower tempo and meaningful vocals making it particularly impactful. The vocal line shines very strongly in this song, as the melody tends to be more subdued in order to shine the spotlight on the vocals. Even on first listen, it is a very moving song, and the power ballad influences are surprising from the group, but they perform it unbelievably well. 

The music video uses a slight sepia filter over the shots to subdue the coloring of the sets, perhaps to match the more melancholy feeling of the song. There is a break in the song to showcase the loose storyline of the video, and that silence speaks volumes. It’s very easy to connect with the silent sadness showcased in this video, even without the full context of the lyrics. It’s incredibly impactful and beautiful, especially when interspersed with shots of the girls having fun.

Pre-Release: “Off The Record”

In contrast to “Either Way,” “Off The Record” is a more classic upbeat pop track. This song feels more congruent with IVE’s previous releases. The driving pop beat remains consistent and has a bit more than just a focus on vocals. It’s a more carefree and cheerful track.

The video naturally matches the song, with a brighter feel in the shots and more use of color that is not subdued. There’s not as much of a cohesive visual narrative presented as in the previous track, but certain motifs for each member. It’s a nice feel-good song for those who are fans of the upbeat, bright girl group concepts.

Title: “Baddie”

“Baddie” is not the group’s first girl crush concept release, and perhaps the success of “Kitsch” led us here. As the title would suggest, the song goes full girl crush, with a predominantly hip-hop melody making up the majority of the song. It’s a powerful song, but it could definitely be polarizing if that type of concept isn’t your favorite. The track is less than three minutes long, making it the shortest title track. It’s also the polar opposite of both previous titles, showcasing all the different sides of IVE’s music.

The music video has a heavy focus on neon colors and a bad girl aesthetic, complete with mostly black, pink, and hip-hop style outfits. The music video showcases the girls as cat-human hybrids, which I find to be an interesting angle, but that’s about the only narrative focus in the video.

I really like that the chosen three titles for this release showcase vastly different musical styles and concepts. It really shows IVE’s musical diversity and their ability to showcase all different types of styles, which isn’t an easy feat in this industry. IVE’s popularity is certainly earned, and this new EP continues to showcase their talents. There’s no doubt that the girls have solidified themselves as a powerhouse K-Pop group.

Edited by Diana