IVE Gives Each Member a Hero Name, From Captain Purple to Spider Red, in New Teaser

IVE's new mini album "Looks Can Kill" is a spin-off project built around a "girl hero" concept, according to the group's agency, Starship Entertainment. The agency says it will extend the group's existing message of self-assurance and show new charms. The title track of the same name is released ahead of the album at 6 p.m. on the 19th.

The album's message is that anyone can be the protagonist and the hero of their own life. The members' colour-coded suits, their individual hero names, and the powers and action scenes in the teasers make up the concept. Photos released alongside the first teaser show the names Captain Purple, Wonder Green, Jin Yellow, Bat Pink, Super Blue and Spider Red. The video shows the six members appearing together as well as individually.

Swords, wires, lightning and sparks

The teaser released on the 17th through the group's official social media accounts is built around visual effects and staging reminiscent of superhero films. A sword standoff is followed by aerial action on wires, with the members' movements cutting quickly from scene to scene. An Yu-jin is shown wielding lightning. Sparks burst as the six members make hand gestures as if firing guns, a device meant to express the members' hero powers. Together, the short clip's sword standoff, aerial action, lightning and sparks convey a concept of heroes with different abilities. The agency used the teaser to reveal some key scenes from the title track's music video.

First teaser: from the preparation to the set

The earlier first teaser showed the preparation for filming and the members in hero costumes. It opens with the members having their hair and makeup done and adjusting their outfits, then shows them striking individual poses before the camera and, together, making the gun-firing hand gesture on set. It captures both the preparation for the music video and the real scenes, on and off the set.

When the scene changes, the members appear in hero suits reflecting their signature colours and walk a street that evokes ruins, with a burning car and cracked ground. Near the end come preparations for wire action and a clapperboard, and the clip ends with the director's call of "action." Behind-the-scenes stills released with it show the members resting in a waiting room or playing pranks on one another.

Heavy bass, electronic sound and a confident stance

The title track "Looks Can Kill" blends heavy bass with rich electronic sound. According to the reference article, it opens with an intense synth pad rhythm, followed by raw bass, drums and electronic sound. The mood carries IVE's confident presence, which overwhelms its surroundings simply by showing up. Seo Ji-eum, Lil Cherry and IVE member REI took part in writing the lyrics. Reference articles said the song carries the group's distinctive confidence and independent attitude, while a repeated chorus and witty lyrics pair with an addictive melody.

The reference article described the album as presenting the "girl hero" as another alter ego, following the earlier Cupid and magical girl concepts.

Release schedule

The title track "Looks Can Kill" is released as a pre-release at 6 p.m. on the 19th, and the album of the same name follows on the 26th, a week later.

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