Ive-media showcase
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| ▲ Girl group Ive poses for photographers during a media showcase for its second studio album, "Revive+," in Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Jang Wonyoung of girl group Ive poses for photographers during a media showcase for the group's second studio album, "Revive+," in Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ An Yujin of girl group Ive poses for photographers during a media showcase for the group's second studio album, "Revive+," in Seoul on Feb. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) |
Ive-media showcase
Ive promises 'endless new experiments' with expansive 2nd studio album
By Shim Sun-ah
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- Girl group Ive says it is ready to keep revolving with the release of its second studio album, rather than settle into the comfort of its early success.
Since its debut in 2021, the six-member act has become one of K-pop's top girl groups. It produced chart-topping hits, including "Love Dive," "After Like" and "I Am," before expanding its sound with tracks such as "Rebel Heart," "Attitude" and "XOXZ."
Beyond the stage, individual members have cemented a presence across fashion, television and commercials, reflecting the group's growing influence in pop culture.
"We've been trying new things beyond our usual princess-like image, and we've been getting so much love for that," member Liz said during a media showcase in Seoul for the new album, "Revive+," on Monday.
"We want to keep experimenting and become artists who make people curious about what's next," she added.
That experimental drive is visible in the album's ambitious choreography. The prereleased main track, "Bang Bang," features powerful routines alongside male dancers, while another lead track, "Blackhole," uses an extended table as part of the set, an inventive move Ive had never tried before, according to her.
Thematically, the album marks a shift in narrative focus from "me" to "us."
"In our past music, we talked a lot about 'me' and independence. Now that we've grown, we wanted our message to grow too -- to create a bigger world where individuality and unity coexist," Jang Wonyoung said.
An Yujin explained that the title "Revive+" means "to reignite." "It's about spreading Ive's flame farther and wider," she said.
"We wanted listeners to feel our growth and also find comfort through our stories," Gaeul added.
The 12-track album also includes the silky pop track "Hush," the game soundtrack-style "Stuck In Your Head" and the dreamy "Fireworks." Each of the six members also contributed a solo song. Gaeul called it a deliberate move "to showcase different sides of Ive ahead of its concert tour."
"Blackhole," built around an infectious shuffle rhythm and cosmic imagery reminiscent of Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar," explores themes of destruction and rebirth. "Bang Bang" hits with a rush of EDM and electronic sounds designed for the big stage.
"This time, rather than chasing standardized visuals or conventional beauty, we focused on making it feel new because it's Ive," Wonyoung said. "I hope listeners can get positive energy from our music."
The new album is set for release at 6 p.m.
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