A five-member South Korean girl group under Cube Entertainment, debuted on May 2, 2018. Members are Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua. Their fandom is called Never land.
The group was formerly known as (G)I-DLE and officially rebranded to i-dle in May 2025.
The group Soyeon built
Most K-pop groups have their music handed to them. i-dle works differently. Leader Jeon Soyeon writes, composes, and produces the majority of the group’s songs — and has done so since their debut. It’s an unusual level of creative control for a female idol, and it’s the foundation of everything the group has become.
Soyeon came in with a track record before i-dle even debuted. She competed on Produce 101 and Unpretty Rapstar, and was already known as a rapper and songwriter. When Cube built the group around her, they gave her the creative lead. That bet has paid off consistently.
Members Minnie and Yuqi have also co-written tracks over the years, making i-dle one of the few girl groups in K-pop where creative contribution isn’t limited to one person.
“Tomboy” and the turning point
i-dle had a solid run from debut — “LATATA,” “HANN,” “HWAA” all performed well and built a loyal fanbase. But 2022 was when things shifted significantly. Their first studio album I Never Die and its lead single “TOMBOY” became one of the biggest K-pop moments of that year, achieving a Perfect All-Kill on domestic charts. The song’s tone — blunt, unpolished, deliberately rejecting conventional femininity — resonated far beyond their existing fanbase.
It arrived after a difficult period. Member Soojin had departed in August 2021 following controversy, and the group returned as five for the first time with this album. “TOMBOY” felt like a statement, and it landed as one.
Where they stand now
i-dle are consistently one of the stronger-performing girl groups outside of the major four labels — a meaningful distinction in an industry where label size still matters. They’ve completed world tours, maintained a steady release schedule, and seen individual members build solo careers alongside the group.
The rebranding from (G)I-DLE to i-dle in 2025 was a deliberate reset — new era, simpler name, same group.
Where to start listening
“TOMBOY” (2022) — The clearest entry point. If you want to understand what makes this group different, start here.
“HWAA” (2021) — A darker, more atmospheric side. One of their most technically impressive songs vocally and sonically.
“Queencard” (2023) — Their most playful and accessible release, and one of the biggest K-pop songs of 2023 globally.
Photo Credit: i-dle’s Official SNS