Lovelyz Celebrates Tenth Anniversary With New Music and Performances
On November 12, 2014, Lovelyz began their journey in the K-Pop industry. In honor of the group’s anniversary, recent reunion, and new single, let's briefly reminisce about Lovelyz’s evolution throughout the decade. Baby Soul (now Lee Sujeong), Jiae, Jisoo, Mijoo, Kei, Jin, Ryu Sujeong, and Yein have worked hard to bring the group back on stage.
Lovelyz’s Debut: Their First Full Album, Girls’ Invasion
Lovelyz made the rare decision to debut with a full album. Under Woolim Entertainment, the group released their nine-track album, Girls’ Invasion. This album featured the title track “Candy Jelly Love,” a sweet school girl concept. The song was composed by legendary producer Yoon Sang and SPACECOWBOY, both of the production crew 1Piece, and written by prolific songwriter Kim Eana.
With Yoon Sang as the group’s producer, 1Piece would go on to craft Lovelyz’s sound as the years progressed. Girls’ Invasion also used other kinds of songs to showcase the group’s talents. Jiae, Jin, and Baby Soul received solo tracks; Baby Soul and Kei also teamed up for a song, “She’s a Flirt,” featuring Dongwoo of INFINITE.
Last Release Before Hiatus: Their Seventh EP [Unforgettable]
By the end of 2020, the group released two full albums, a repackage, an instrumental album, many singles, and seven EPs. On September 1, 2020, Lovelyz released what would be their last collection of songs before an indefinite hiatus. Their seventh EP [Unforgettable] featured the title track “Obliviate,” the intro “Unforgettable,” and four B-sides.
Composed by Stardust and Jarry Potter (재리포터), “Obliviate” reaches far beyond the concept of “Candy Jelly Love”: the members grew from school girls into elegant women with a darker sound. In lyrics written by its composers and Ryu Sujeong, “Obliviate” references the Harry Potter spell of the same name that erases negative memories (that Jarry Potter contribution seems fitting in hindsight). Intentional or not, naming their final EP “unforgettable” describes Lovelyz’s legacy: one with positive memories and hits.
Clarifying the “Disbandment”: Still Together
On November 16, 2021, Lovelyz’s contract with Woolim Entertainment expired. Though Baby Soul renewed her contract, the rest of the members parted ways with the company. Following this decision, she dropped her stage name to promote under her birth name, Lee Sujeong.
Woolim Entertainment’s official statement never stated the word “disbandment,” but the series of events implied it would take time for the group to reconvene. Lovelyz’s eighth anniversary marked their first reunion, not just with themselves but also with their producer: the members appeared on Yoon Sang’s radio show, Music To You, in November 2023. 2024, however, would see Lovelyz’s first on-stage reunion in three years.
Current Activities: Reunion, Anniversary Song, and Future Concert
Lovelyz reunited on stage in June for the Hangout With Yoo Festival, an event hosted as part of the variety show Hangout with Yoo (How Do You Play?). Mijoo works as one of the show's hosts alongside Yoo Jaesuk, Haha, Park Jinjoo, Lee Yikyung, and Joo Woojae. Lovelyz met up with their performance director, Yoo Jiyoung, to prepare performances of “Hi~,” “Destiny,” and “Ah-Choo.” They also recently recorded a video for dingo music’s Killing Voice, featuring a medley of many beloved songs.
Today, the wait for new music is over: Lovelyz just released their tenth anniversary single “November.” Composed and written by JUNZO, Memphis, and NEWTYPE, this song stays true to Lovelyz’s roots with the nostalgic sound of chiming bells. While the members do not appear in its music video, it unfolds like a diary looking back at memories. It helps convey the song’s message of remaining together over the years.* Lovelyz will likely feature this song at their tenth anniversary concert, which begins in a few days. It starts in Seoul on November 16, visits Macau on November 24, and ends in Taipei on December 1.
*Note: lyrics taken from the English captions in the official music video.
Edited by Clark Royandoyan