(C) KBS
SEOUL — IVE, the trailblazing girl group of K-pop’s fourth generation, is officially closing the chapter on their "royal" concept to embrace a more profound, darker evolution. On February 23, 2026, the sextet held a press showcase at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their second full-length album, 'REVIVE+', marking a bold "re-ignition" of their musical identity.
A Transformation from "Me" to "Us"
Since their debut in 2021, IVE has been synonymous with "narcissism" and elegant, high-teen aesthetics. However, 'REVIVE+' signals a strategic pivot.
"We’ve consistently shown a 'princess-like' image, but this time we tried something entirely new," shared member Liz during the showcase. "The public response has been incredibly positive, which gives us the courage to continue experimenting in the future."
The album’s title, as leader An Yujin explained, carries a fiery symbolism. "The title means to 're-ignite' or light the fire again. It contains our ambition to let the flame of IVE spread even further and wider than before." This shift isn't just aesthetic; it’s lyrical. While their previous hits focused on self-love (the "Me" era), this album expands that perspective to a collective "Us."
Double Titles: 'BANG BANG' and 'BLACKHOLE'
The 12-track album is anchored by double title tracks that showcase the group's newfound versatility:
"BANG BANG": A high-octane EDM track released as a pre-single on February 9. It features a powerful performance where the members collaborate with male dancers—a first for the group—to emphasize strength and intensity.
"BLACKHOLE": A shuffle-based track with a cinematic atmosphere reminiscent of the film Interstellar. It explores the grand duality of "extinction and birth," utilizing a long-table choreography that Liz described as a visual feat never seen from them before.
Jang Wonyoung emphasized that the focus of this comeback was breaking molds. "Rather than sticking to standardized visuals or conventional beauty, we focused on making things look fresh because IVE is doing them. I hope listeners find positive energy in our music."
A Milestone Year: All Members Enter Adulthood
The release of 'REVIVE+' is particularly poignant as it coincides with a significant personal milestone: all six members are now officially adults. With the group’s youngest member, Leeseo (born in 2007), turning 20 (Korean age) this year, the group enters a new era of maturity.
"The biggest change is that we are now a group where every member is an adult," Leeseo remarked. "While I’m living dream-like days as an adult, my heart remains the same. I want to continue being the happy youngest member within this team."
Artistic Depth and Global Ambition
Beyond the title tracks, 'REVIVE+' offers a rich tapestry of sounds:
"Hide and Seek": A smooth pop track.
"Malware": A digital-inspired song reminiscent of a video game OST.
"Fireworks": A track with a fairytale-like melody.
Solo Tracks: For the first time in a full album, all six members have included individual songs, showcasing their growth as distinct artists.
Rei summed up the group's sentiment: "We’ve poured everything we’ve built as IVE into this album in a way that feels uniquely ours. We worked hard to show our multifaceted charms, so please look at us with a fresh perspective."
As IVE continues to dominate the charts—following the massive success of 2025 hits like "REBEL HEART" and "ATTITUDE"—'REVIVE+' cements their status not just as "K-pop icons," but as evolving artists whose next move remains the industry's most anticipated mystery.
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