Just days after five members had left ALICE, their company teased a digital single album called MILKY WAY. With no member teasers or further information, this left more questions than answers in an uncertain and unexpected fashion. The single’s release on May 13 contained the work of all seven members: EJ, Do-A, Chaejeong, Yeonje, Yukyung, Sohee, and Karin. MILKY WAY contains the title track of the same name and the B-side “FAIRY TALE.”

The Circumstances Prior to MILKY WAY

ALICE debuted as the five-member group ELRIS on June 1, 2017, under Hunus Entertainment. The original lineup consisted of Do-A (under the stage name “Bella”), Yeonje (under the stage name “Hyeseong”), Yukyung, Sohee, and Karin. EJ and Chaejeong joined the group in February 2020 ahead of their fourth EP JACKPOT. In December 2021, the group moved labels to IOK Company, and unveiled their rebrand as ALICE the following April. Coinciding with this rebrand came Do-A and Yeonje’s current name changes. 

In March 2023, DoA and Yeonje went on a health-related hiatus. The two last participated in the promotions for ALICE’s October 2022 single album DANCE ON. ALICE promoted one more single album, SHOW DOWN, in April 2023. 

On April 25, 2024, Sohee simultaneously announced her departure from the entertainment industry alongside revealing her upcoming marriage this year. The following week, Do-A, Yukyung, and Yeonje announced their departure from the group through personal Instagram posts on May 2 and 3. Karin also announced her departure from the group on May 3, through the messaging service Bubble. As of this article’s publication, EJ and Chaejeong remain members of the group. 

“MILKY WAY” and “FAIRY TALE”

Composed by Steven Lee, Caroline Gustavsson, and Sebastian Thott, “MILKY WAY” is a sweet, upbeat track. Its lyrics, penned by Lee, DearS, Wkly, and jxxdxn, describe falling for someone who becomes one’s universe. Their thoughts revolve around this person like they are their own “milky way.”

“FAIRY TALE” contains a dance beat as ALICE sings about wanting to experience a fairy tale story with their love interest. The instrumental starts out light with percussive hits that sound like small twinkles, but layers on dance elements as it progresses. This song written and composed by hongsamman, 희찬 (coke paris), and Lee Eunseong pairs well with “MILKY WAY” as it continues a theme of romantic dreams. 

Two weeks after the release, Chaejeong guested on Raina’s Biscuit and Star Candy (레이나의 건빵과 별사탕), a radio show hosted by Raina of AFTER SCHOOL. She revealed that the group recorded the songs many months in advance but these only saw release now. As of this article’s publication, only three members remain signed at IOK Company: EJ and Chaejeong stay ALICE members, while Yeonje renewed with the company as an actress. It is currently unknown whether ALICE continues as a two-member group or not. While ALICE’s seven-member lineup didn’t experience the fairy tale ending hoped for all K-Pop groups, the sendoff single album provides a bit of comfort.