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(G)I-DLE Rebrands as ‘i-dle’ and Announces Two New Albums

On May 2, (G)I-DLE officially rebranded to 'i-dle' and announced two new albums. The change marked a return to the group's original pre-debut name, signaling a fresh start for their seventh anniversary and a tribute to their roots.
Cube Entertainment

On May 2, (G)I-DLE officially rebranded to “i-dle” and announced two new albums. The change marked a return to the group’s original pre-debut name, signaling a fresh start for their seventh anniversary and a tribute to their roots.

The group reflected this symbolic transformation across all official social media accounts. It arrived with the announcement of a major May comeback, consisting of two new albums: a special mini album titled We Are I-dle and an upcoming EP called We Are, set to release on May 19.

A Symbolic Concept Trailer

The rebrand and comeback come nearly ten months after the group’s last EP, I Sway, was released in July 2024. The group unveiled a concept trailer to build anticipation, presenting a dark, theatrical atmosphere.

On May 2, (G)I-DLE officially rebranded to 'i-dle' and announced two new albums. The change marked a return to the group's original pre-debut name, signaling a fresh start for their seventh anniversary and a tribute to their roots.
Cube Entertainment

The black-and-white video showcased the members unveiling themselves before a robed, cult-like crowd surrounding a coffin marked with the letter “G.” As the music shifts into a rave-like intensity, the coffin begins to ascend, symbolizing the group’s departure from their past identity and the emergence of a new era.

Special Mini Album Highlights

Additionally, We Are I-dle, the special mini album, was released on May 2, featuring re-recorded versions of their iconic title tracks, effectively bridging the past and present. Among the featured songs is their debut single, “LATATA,” from their first EP, I Am, a tropical house track with bold vocals and sultry flair.

Also included is “Uh-Oh,” a gritty ’90s hip-hop track confronting fake friends with a biting attitude, and “Oh My God,” the genre-defying lead track from I Trust, blending trap, EDM, and R&B elements in a narrative of emotional conflict and temptation. “HWAA,” the poetic, East-Asian-inspired title from I Burn, is also present, among several other tracks.

Breaking Away From the ‘G’

Adding more depth to the comeback is the “I-dentity Trailer,” released on May 4. It features the members separating themselves from the “G” in “(G)I-DLE.” They sit in fold-out chairs before spray-painted windows bearing their former name.

Then, Miyeon smashes the pane with the letter “G,” leaving only “i-dle” behind. Each member received their trailer, offering a symbolic, aesthetic representation of shedding the “G.”

Together, these visuals deepen the message behind the rebrand: leaving behind a label or limitation and reclaiming identity on their terms.

What’s Next for i-dle

With We Are I-dle now available and the new EP We Are on the horizon, the group is poised to begin a transformative new chapter. As they celebrate their seventh anniversary, “i-dle” declares creative independence and artistic evolution.

Listen to i-dle’s special mini-album, We Are I-dle, now, and the EP, We Are, on May 19.