When (G)I-DLE dropped the “G” and parentheses from their name on Instagram, it was a declaration. Now reborn as i-dle, the K-Pop girl group marks their eighth year not just with a new name, but with sharpened intent: to break past labels, redefine their identity, and charge into a new era of fearless pop.
The name change, announced on the group’s official social media channels on May 2—the anniversary of their 2018 debut—may appear subtle at first glance. Some Neverlands (i-dle’s fandom name) thought it was merely stylised for the group’s 8th mini album.
But as with group leader Jeon So-yeon’s creative genius, this choice was no aesthetic whim. The once-parenthesised “G” stood for “girl”—a nod to their identity as a girl group—but also represented the number six, a quiet reference to the group’s original six-member lineup. By dropping it, i-dle makes a reverberating declaration to the world.
According to their label, Cube Entertainment (which the brand resigned with last year in a surprise move to the industry), the decision reflects the trailblazers’ desire to move beyond gendered definitions, embracing a broader and more inclusive identity.
This marks a poignant move, especially for a group whose past discography (recall Tomboy, Nxde, and most recently Super Lady) has leaned unapologetically into feminist and self-empowering themes.
The rebrand was introduced with a series of cinematic teaser videos, including one titled “for (G)”, a visual elegy to their past. The video was interjected with lo-fi, digicam-style grain and scored with a remix of their 2018 debut single LATATA (winning them the sobriquet “Monster Rookies”).
Five members, dressed in sculptural white gowns, stand apart—elevated and ethereal. Around them, a crowd in uniform black hoodies gathers in mourning. At the centre lies a coffin, marked only with the gothic-styled letter “G.” But as the coffin is raised on chains, the scene bursts into a euphoric sprinkler-drenched club scene, abruptly ending with a haunting echo: “Who’s scared?” A line originally delivered by Seo Soo-jin, the ex-member whose departure in 2021 left a silent wound on her members.
While Seo was ultimately cleared of the bullying allegations that led to her exit, her absence still lingers. A star-shaped emblem formed by five lowercase “i”s now represents the current members’ unity. Yet, its implicit asymmetry serves as a stifled tribute.
With their comeback titled We Are set for May 19, this rebrand signals a launchpad for their next era—one that promises more daring concepts and inspiring music. In an industry where reinvention sometimes feels manufactured, i-dle’s metamorphosis reads like something more intimate: an evolution born from reflection and resolve.
As the group sheds a letter, it looks like they’re set to reclaim their queendom and build an empire entirely their own.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA Singapore, Author: Mitchell Hoo.
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