[Dispatch=Reporter Yu Haneul] IVE is raising the momentum for its comeback. The group will showcase its new song stage before the album release.

IVE will pre-release its title track of the new mini album "Looks Can Kill" on various music platforms on the 19th at 6 p.m.

The new song stage will be unveiled for the first time that day. The group will perform at the "Spotify DIVE Academy" live stage at Seoul Arc Gangnam.

The members expressed their excitement. Gaeul said, "I wanted to share it with you as soon as possible given how hard we prepared," and added, "I'm curious to see how you'll receive it."

"Looks Can Kill" is an album that expands the "girl fantasy" worldview shown so far. It depicts IVE's confident and captivating image.

Yujin hinted, "We broadened the message from the previous album from 'I' to 'we.' This time, we captured the image of creating new changes."

Wonyoung said, "We thought about it a bit differently from (typical) heroes. We wanted to convey the message that we can be heroes to each other."

The album contains a total of 6 tracks. There's the title track of the same name, along with "Mirror Mirror," "Snakeskin," "Crumbs," "Girls Girls Girls," and "Glow Motion."

The title track contains IVE's distinctive initiative. It features a captivating synth pad rhythm with heavy bass and electronic sounds.

Notably, energy explodes in the final chorus. It's a section where IVE's confidence reaches its peak. The immersion of the song is expected to be maximized.

Liz said, "We wanted to show the confident and self-assured charm we have," and urged, "Feel that energy together with us."

Lyricist Seo Ji-eum contributed to writing the title track's lyrics. She has worked on numerous IVE hit songs. Rill Cherry and member Rei also wrote the lyrics.

Rei shared her thoughts, saying, "I was careful to naturally unfold the album's concept and narrative in the lyrics. I'm proud it turned out well."

Lastly, Leeseo said, "Thanks to DIVE's support, we're growing every time," and greeted them, "We'll run hard with this activity too. Please keep watching."

<IVE Q&A Below>

Q. This is a comeback approximately 8 months after your second full-length album 'REVIVE+'. How do you feel?

Yujin: Every time we showcase a new album, I feel both excitement and a growing desire to show you better. Since we're returning with the keyword 'hero,' I hope you'll look forward to a more confident and self-assured IVE.

Gaeul: It's been about 8 months since we greet you with new music. Given how hard we prepared, I wanted to share it with you sooner, but I'm genuinely excited that we're finally making a comeback. This time we can show a different charm than before, so I'm also curious about how you'll receive it.

Rei: I'm truly happy to be able to share new music with DIVE after a long time, and I'm looking forward to the moments we'll create together through this activity. I hope it becomes an activity where we build many joyful and happy memories.

Wonyoung: The process of showing something new each time is an enjoyable challenge for us too. We prepared hard to maintain IVE's unique color while showing something different. I hope you'll enjoy the new story IVE will unfold together with us.

Liz: I feel more excitement and anticipation each time we make a comeback. With "Looks Can Kill," we wanted to better showcase the confident and self-assured charm we have, so I hope listeners will feel that energy together through this song.

Leeseo: I'm always excited when returning with a new song, but this time I'm especially looking forward to what we'll show on stage. We'll work hard to provide strength to many people with IVE's bright and confident energy, so please keep watching.

Q. IVE has expressed self-confidence through music so far, but this time you've put forward the keyword 'hero.' What message do you want to convey through this album?

Yujin: IVE has expressed feelings of believing in and loving oneself through various music. If we expanded that message from 'I' to 'we' in the previous album, this time we've captured the image of giving positive influence to one another and creating new changes.

Wonyoung: When people hear 'hero,' they might think of someone with special abilities, but I think we tried to see it a bit differently. A small cheer given to someone can become courage for another person, right? Through this album, we wanted to convey that we can be heroes to each other.

Q. In this album, IVE's unique interpretation of the 'girl hero' concept stands out. Is there any particular aspect you paid special attention to while preparing?

Gaeul: We focused a lot on expressing 'hero' in IVE's own style. While incorporating a different atmosphere from before, we tried to preserve our own charm. We'd appreciate it if you'd enjoy not just the music but the performance as well. Also, I participated in writing the lyrics for "Crumbs" with Liz, and I'm happy that our current image and color are well captured.

Rei: I participated in writing the lyrics for the title track "Looks Can Kill," and I was careful to naturally unfold the album's concept and narrative, which I'm proud of. We also made various visual attempts, and I'm glad many people seem to have enjoyed them. While shooting various concepts, we also had fun discovering different sides of ourselves. Please pay attention to the diverse sides of IVE captured in each concept!

Liz: I think what's charming about this album is that each song has a distinct personality. Some songs have intense energy, and others can be enjoyed more comfortably. We paid attention to preserving the atmosphere of each song while making sure IVE's charm comes through clearly. Also, I worked hard with my older member Gaeul on "Crumbs," so please listen to it nicely!

Q. What kind of song is the pre-released title track "Looks Can Kill"? If there are particular listening points or parts to pay attention to on stage, please introduce them.

Yujin: "Looks Can Kill" is a song where energy comes across from the moment you hear it, so I hope you'll enjoy the changing atmosphere according to the song's progression. In particular, there are points that will stick in your memory after one listen, so please listen carefully.

Leeseo: The appeal of this title track will be felt even more when you enjoy both the music and performance together. We thought together with the members about how to bring out the song's feeling on stage. Please also look forward to a stage that captures IVE's confident charm.

Q. Lyricist Seo Ji-eum, who created IVE hit songs from the debut track "ELEVEN" to "LOVE DIVE," "After LIKE," "BANG BANG" and others, also participated in this title track "Looks Can Kill." How do you feel about working with lyricist Seo Ji-eum again after maintaining this long relationship?

Wonyoung: Many people have loved the songs we've worked on with lyricist Seo Ji-eum so far. We were very excited to be able to work together this time as well. Since she expressed IVE's confidence and self-assurance well, you'll be able to encounter lyrics that capture our color this time too. There are witty expressions scattered throughout, so I hope you enjoy finding those parts.

Q. This year you've been active on various stages including your second full-length album activity, fan concerts, world tours, and domestic and international award ceremonies. Looking back before this comeback, is there a moment that stands out in your memory?

Rei: The moment I challenged being an MC at an awards ceremony for the first time this year comes to mind. While I was nervous because it was my first time, it was a joyful and meaningful experience. I want to continue showing growth based on the confidence I gained from that.

Wonyoung: The activity from our recent second full-length album also comes to mind. I was truly grateful that so many people loved our music, and that support became a huge source of strength in preparing for this album. We prepared hard for this activity to repay the love you've shown.

Leeseo: The world tour stands out most to me. It's truly precious to be able to meet DIVE in various places around the world and build memories together. As we do more performances, we gain more ease on stage and can fully enjoy those moments. I'm already looking forward to future performances.

Q. We'd like to talk more about the world tour. The second world tour "SHOW WHAT I AM" that began last October saw sold-out performances at Japan's Kyocera Dome and Tokyo Dome, and the North American tour expanded from 6 cities in the first world tour to 8 cities. How do you feel about successfully completing the tour?

Yujin: I'm truly proud to have completed the second world tour safely, and I'm grateful to everyone who was with us. As the number of cities where we performed increased compared to the first world tour, it was meaningful to meet more fans. Seeing fans in cities we visited for the first time singing along to our songs and enjoying the performances made me truly happy and moved. It was happy watching precious memories build up one by one with each performance, but on the other hand, I felt regret that the tour was coming to an end. If we have the opportunity to meet again through performances next time, I want to show you an even better stage based on the experience we gained from this tour.

Gaeul: Following the first world tour, we were able to perform at Tokyo Dome again this time, and being able to stand on the Kyocera Dome stage for the first time this year made me excited from the moment we started preparing for the performance. Seeing DIVE filling up the seats at both venues made me feel truly overwhelmed and grateful. I once again felt how precious it is to sing together and breathe with so many fans on such a grand stage. Even now after the tour has ended, the audience view from the stage and DIVE's support vividly come to mind. I think it's all thanks to DIVE who always supports us by our side. Going forward, we won't forget that heart and will do our best to create good moments together for a long time.

Q. Through this album, how would you like IVE to be remembered by the public? We're also curious about the goals you hope to achieve through this activity.

Gaeul: In keeping with the album title "Looks Can Kill," I want to show such an impressive stage that your eyes can't leave the moment you watch it. Through this activity, we'll do our best so that IVE's stage can be remembered for a long time by many people.

Liz: I hope that after listening to this album, you think "That's IVE indeed." I hope it becomes music where you gain strength the moment you listen to it, or on certain days you can gain confidence. I hope this activity leaves good memories and that you'll continue to be curious about the music IVE will showcase in the future.

Q. Finally, we'd like to ask for a word to DIVE (official fandom name) who has waited for this comeback.

Yujin: DIVE! I'm so grateful for DIVE who always supports us with consistent love. I hope we can spend happy time supporting each other through this activity as well.

Gaeul: I'm truly thankful to DIVE who always believe in and wait for us. Going forward, we'll work hard to be an IVE you can be proud of.

Rei: While preparing this album, I was curious what DIVE would think. We've prepared various content beyond music broadcasts, so please enjoy this activity excitedly!

Wonyoung: As time passes with DIVE, the bond between us seems to become even more special. I hope we can stay together for a long time, sharing good moments by each other's side in the future.

Liz: We prepared with excitement thinking about what DIVE would like, and I'm also curious which song DIVE will like the most. These are songs we really worked hard on one by one, so please have high expectations and support us well for this activity.

Leeseo: Thanks to the support DIVE sends, I feel I'm growing bit by bit each time. We'll continue to show you development, so please keep watching. We'll run hard with this activity too!

<Photos provided by Starship Entertainment>