IVE turns superhero: 'Looks Can Kill' drops Oct. 19, album Oct. 26
IVE is teasing its comeback like a superhero franchise. The title track 'Looks Can Kill' comes out first on Oct. 19, and the mini album of the same name follows on Oct. 26, about eight months after the group's last release.
It began with a post-credits scene
'POST CREDIT SCENE : GIRL HERO', posted Oct. 6, borrows the end-credits trick of a superhero film. The six members are introduced as heroes, Jang Won-young asks "Did you check the schedule? Did you capture it well?" and Ahn Yu-jin insists the cookie in her hand makes this a "cookie video".
The video above is that first teaser.
Two drops: the 19th and the 26th
The title track 'Looks Can Kill' lands first on the 19th, with the mini album of the same name on the 26th. Reports say top contributors from Korea and abroad worked on it, and Gaeul, Rei and Liz are hinted to have taken part musically.
On the 19th there is also a Spotify event called DIVE ACADEMY, tied to the Hero Academy concept.
Oct. 11: hero training camp
On the 11th came the 'HERO TRAINING CENTER : HERO COMICS' video and comic-collage concept photos. The six train at the center while each member's powers and personality are put on show.
With a universe this built out, more teasers before release look likely.
YouTube · IVE (STARSHIP) ↗
The pre-release has usually won
TenAsia notes that 'Kitsch' (2023) and last year's 'REBEL HEART' both topped music charts before their albums even arrived, and 'BANG BANG' made a perfect all-kill on domestic charts.
IVE returns after the SHOW WHAT I AM world tour, which included Kyocera Dome and Tokyo Dome.
Before release day
The Oct. 19 track will be on IVE's official YouTube and streaming services the same day. Watch the two hero videos on the official channel first and the concept's in-jokes land much better.