ifeye Evokes Curiosity in Debut EP, ERLU BLUE

Photo: ifeye official X

ifeye, a girl group produced by choreographer and music producer RyuD, made their debut on April 8. The sextet released their debut digital EP, ERLU BLUE, with the title track “NERDY.” ifeye consists of members Won Hwayeon, Taerin, Rahee, Kasia, Meu, and Sasha. They are the first group launched by Hi-Hat Entertainment, co-founded by RyuD and CEO Seungjoo Lee. Hi-Hat Entertainment also boasts a talent roster of additional in-house producers in CALi, De view, and LEEZ—individuals who have worked with the likes of EXO, ATEEZ, IZ*ONE, and Dreamcatcher. 

Pre-Debut: A Mysterious Group

According to Hi-Hat Entertainment vice president Kyu C. Lee, the company prepared ifeye’s debut for three and a half years. Publicly, Hi-Hat Entertainment started posting teasers of their trainees in 2024: each trainee came with an assigned codename ranging from “S# Q” to “S# Z.” The finalized group narrowed down to six members by 2025.  

By February 24, Hi-Hat Entertainment unveiled the full group and their name. According to ifeye’s social media biographies, their name stands for “Imagine & Find, Energetic Young Eyes.” The group’s teaser films showcased a schoolgirl concept with dark shots and unnerving music, further adding mystery to their debut. 

The Title Track: “NERDY”

Despite the eeriness of the group’s previous teasers, the concept for “NERDY” is a take on the classic, peppy high school aesthetic. The dreamy pop song “NERDY” comes from composers Cazzi Opeia, Swedish singer-songwriter KIDDO, and British producer Jon Shave. Cazzi Opeia is well-known amongst K-Pop fans from her songs for SM Entertainment; KIDDO previously helped compose and write H1-KEY’s “Thinkin’ About You,” and Shave has previously worked on MONSTA X’s “MISBEHAVE” and helped produce Charli xcx’s highly-acclaimed album BRAT. In “NERDY,” ifeye compares clamming up around someone you like to being “nerdy”: emotions feel high-strung and the body freezes like the stiffness of a robot. 

Its music video follows a simple storyline of wanting to confess to someone. The members worry frantically about the outcome, plucking off flower petals, and anxiously waiting to give out their love letter. Luckily, the song is anything but anxiety inducing. Its airy and gorgeous harmonies will make listeners feel at ease. 

Also included in the EP is the English version of “NERDY.” This version keeps the same overall message but includes some lyrics about why the crush feels compatible. “Socially awkward, but you seem to like it,” and “Got the same humor, you know when I'm kidding” gives context to the attraction.

The B-Sides: “IRL” and “BUBBLE UP” 

ERLU BLUE comes with two B-sides: the drum and bass song “IRL” and the rap-filled “BUBBLE UP.” Both songs describe unbelievable feelings in different genres. Composed by LEEZ, Tiggi Hawke, CALi, and ELLUII, the fast-paced instrumental of “IRL” mimics the frantic heartbeat of a person experiencing a surreal dream. In this case, the person imagines a loving relationship that they want to hold onto: “Don’t disappear / Stay by my side like now / Hold me tight in real life,” the chorus says. 

Hip-hop and love songs do not commonly match for girl groups’ music, but ifeye manages both in “BUBBLE UP.” “BUBBLE UP” includes much more rapping than in “NERDY” and “IRL.” Written and composed by CALi, INJUN, ELLUII, De view, YEZI, Gmoh, and Kitz, Just like an “irresistible” attraction discussed in the song, “BUBBLE UP” gives more reason to stay tuned for ifeye’s future.  

Edited by Clark Royandoyan