(G)I-DLE RELEASES THEIR SECOND FULL ALBUM 2
"Everybody your attention, we'll show the ladies rule the world"
"This is (G)I-DLE, you know about me?”
Soyeon, leader of (G)I-DLE offers a sensational entry to the group with this introduction during their performance at the 2023 MAMA Awards. Vibrant words, an energy similar to Queen B's title “Run the World (Girls)”, the sublime Beyoncé. The sound won over the audience with its revolutionary lyrics: “who run the world? Girls (girls)... who run the world? Girls (girls).” An introduction worthy of a queen of hearts which suggests an explosive sequel!
(G)I-DLE to be successful? TEASER
When (G)I-DLE first entered the K-Pop industry, nothing predicted such success. Their comeback with “Nxde” wasn’t assured, the agency didn’t want to release this track because of its sexual connotation. “Nxde”, which refers to the term Nude, wasn’t unanimous at Cube Entertainment. Soyeon insisted and demonstrated that there could be multiple meanings.
Well-known for composing songs delivering strong messages, what speech does (G)I-DLE deliver to us in this next album? A teaser with clues full of multiple meanings that arouse our curiosity. When examining the scheduler and trailers, we can see different elements such as a Roman statue. Perhaps a reference to Janus, a double-faced figure, the god of beginnings, Roman divinity watches over the start of the year and illustrates the month of January which corresponds to the month of their return. There is a tattoo on their face where it seems to be written TWO5 or IWAS referring to “I AM”, the title of their first album. This tattoo can also be reminiscent of “Oh my god” where the phrase AB IMO PECTORE (From the bottom of the heart) is tattooed on their face expressing extreme pain.
Album 2 - The Titles “Wife” and “Super Lady”
여자아이들 (G)I-DLE - 2 – TRACKLIST:
01. “Super Lady”
02. “Revenge”
03. “Doll”
04. “Vision”
05. “7Days”
06. “나는 아픈건 딱 질색이니까 (Fate)”
07. “Rollie”
08. “Wife”
On January 21, (G)I-DLE broadcasted “Wife”. While she seems to be gaining success with international fans, she is causing quite a stir in Korea with her suggestive lyrics. The doubt is present because the words can make us think of the daily actions of a housewife (cooking, cleaning), but also of sexual acts. These metaphorical and sexy lyrics are combined with hip-hop sounds. It is on a slightly retro beat that they give way to onomatopoeia and provocative gestures. Words that are visibly not spoken by the protagonists, lips sealed as if they couldn’t express themselves directly, which underlines the suggestion. Even taken at face value, the text is simple and describes the daily life of a woman who cooks and cleans for her partner, who must be pretty and keep quiet. The song ends with “but I don’t want, wife, wife, wife”, and the message seems clear. Queens of ambiguity and multiplicity, composed by Soyeon, this eye-catching title is banned from broadcast on KBS.
Despite that, pre-orders for their second album 2 reached 1.8 million copies on January 24. It represents the second-highest number of pre-orders for a K-Pop girl group in history behind BLACKPINK in 2022 for the full album BORN PINK.
On January 29, (G)I-DLE released the MV for “Super Lady”, the track serves as the title of their eight-track full-length album 2. A new revelation that offers a very different mood and atmosphere from that of “Wife”. We note the return of Girl Power in a more spectacular way, an MV that offers a multitude of messages deserving an entirely dedicated article. “Super Lady” sails on a punchy EDM (Electronic Dance Music) rhythm but with a chorus difficult to determine which can prove disappointing: the energy rises and falls like a bellows leaving the listener asking for more. While some fans point out the resemblance to 2NE1's "I Am the Best," for others it seems obvious that the last verse bears similarities to T-ARA's "SUGAR FREE."
But above all, we can once again find the inspiration of Beyoncé. At the end of the music video for “Super Lady” we see Soyeon moving like a model, a move very characteristic of Queen B in the title “Crazy in Love”. On this finale, the members of the group are dressed in a rhinestone jumpsuit, similar to those of Beyonce during the 2023 Renaissance Word Tour.
In “Super Lady,” each of the members seems to take on a powerful female historical figure who is sometimes villainous but also the victim of vilification: Medusa, Cruella De Vil, Cleopatra, Marie-Antoinette. Soyeon could represent Athena or Artemis. In fact, during her rap section, she stands on the hand of a giant statue, triumphant. In another scene, we can see her and Medusa flirting around a bust of a statue which ends up exploding (maybe Poseidon?). In Greek mythology, Athena punishes Medusa, a victim of Poseidon. Here, the real culprit is punished and justice is restored. Soyeon could also play Artemis who is closely related to the scorpion. Artemis or Athena? As we know, Soyeon likes multiplicity and ambiguity.
What is interesting is the evolution and twist that certain elements of their old titles can take. Like the scorpion that stings in the “HANN (Alone)” video whereas in “Super Lady” it is tamed. The theme of the serpent which returns in the form of a victorious Medusa was present in “Oh my god.” This clip highlights their triumph with stories of their past successes and shows their determination to fight new battles.
Edited by Vivian N.