I Never Die

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I Never Die
Digital cover
Digital cover
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 14, 2022 (2022-03-14)
StudioCube Studio
Genre
Length24:36
LanguageKorean
Label
(G)I-dle chronology
I Burn
(2021)
I Never Die
(2022)
I Love
(2022)
Singles from I Never Die
  1. "Tomboy"
    Released: March 14, 2022
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Genius[1]
NME[2]
The Kraze10/10[3]

I Never Die is the first studio album by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, released by Cube Entertainment on March 14, 2022. It contains eight tracks, including the lead single "Tomboy", and marked the group's first release as a quintet following the departure of member Soojin in August 2021.

Background and release[]

In January 2021, the group released their fourth extended play I Burn, which detailed the various emotions experienced during the process of finding happiness after separation.[4] It received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics.[5][6] It debuted at number three on the Gaon Album Chart, becoming the group's fifth top ten album in the country, and scored their best opening-week sales, selling 115,500 copies.[7] The EP also marked as their final release as a sextet before Soojin's hiatus and subsequent departure from the group in August 2021.

In an interview with E-Daily, Miyeon revealed that (G)I-dle might be promoting as a group "sooner than fans expect" and that they "will show you lots of new and cool sides of ourselves this year".[8] On February 17, 2022 Cube Entertainment stated that the group was preparing to release new music in March.[9] On February 24, 2022, the label announced that (G)I-dle would be releasing their first studio album, titled I Never Die, on March 14.[10] On February 25, a black-and-white comeback trailer was released.[11] On February 28, the track listing was revealed, with "Tomboy" announced as the lead single, followed by a lyric poster on March 1.[12] Concept photos were released on March 2, 3 and 4.[13] An audio snippet was published on March 7,[14] with music video teasers on March 11 and 12.[15][16] I Never Die was released worldwide on March 14, 2022 through Cube Entertainment, in conjunction with a music video for "Tomboy".[17]

Composition[]

Music and lyrics[]

The standard edition of I Never Die is twenty-four minutes long, consisting of eight tracks. The CD adds an explicit version of "Tomboy". The majority of the album, including the lead single, was co-written and produced by member Soyeon.[18] Yuqi participated in the creation of "Liar" and "Polaroid", while Minnie contributed to "Already" and "Escape".[18] I Never Die is primarily a pop record with influences of alternative rock, rock, R&B, and hip hop.[19][20] The album focuses on speaking out against prejudices and exuding self-confidence.[20][21] It is divided into three concepts: "RiSKY", "a very close noir concept"; "CHiLL", a "relaxed and cool revenge squad concept"; and "SPOiLED", which "expresses a protagonist who you can’t hate even though it’s arbit".[22]

I wanted to show the spirit and determination of the (G)I-dle through the album name itself. It contains our feelings and thoughts about all the prejudices in the world and I thought about how the five of us, who have grown up, should look like. I wanted to make an album that proves our worth.

— Soyeon, Naver.[23]

Songs[]

The opening track "Tomboy" is a grimy, empowering alternative rock, rock and pop-punk song about independence and breaking the "perfect girlfriend" stereotype.[19][18] The track is set to reverberating guitar riffs and drum beats with lyrics such as "I'm not a doll", and "Just me I-DLE".[2] "Never Stop Me" is a rock-leaning song with 2000s emo-teen influences that expresses the feelings of a breakup.[2] In the third track "Villain Dies", the group "proudly embrace their darker side".[2] It is a dark electro-pop song that also combines hip hop and rock with "ominous" violin.[2] "Already" is a soft R&B and pop acknowledgement song that just "because there's been healing, [it] doesn’t mean [that] the scars have disappeared altogether".[2] The fifth track "Polaroid" is a mesmerizing and nostalgic R&B song with a heartwarming message about (G)I-dle's desire to live in the moment and capture their youth in their memories like they would capture something in a polaroid photo.[2] "Escape" was made for "those who become tired of everything and feel like giving up, as this will provide warm consolation and care". "Liar" is a classic rock song with electric guitar. It presents the "spirited act" of the group standing up for themselves and realizing that it is better to let a bad thing go.[2] The "bombastic" and "proud" closing track "My Bag" is a climactic song where all members show off their rapping prowess against a hip-hop instrumental.[2]

Promotion[]

On February 24, 2022, Cube Entertainment announced on their social media accounts that the group would be releasing their first studio album titled I Never Die on March 14. Preorders for the album began the same day. On February 28, the group revealed the album's track listing, with "Tomboy" as the lead single of the album. On March 8, 2022, (G)I-dle released a one-minute-long video for the track "My Bag", where they are accompanied by a team of backup dancers in the middle of an empty road, racing in flashy white sports cars.[24] I Never Die was released on March 14, 2022, to retail stores, digital music and streaming platforms, as well as on the band's website. Prior to the album's release, on March 14, 2022, the group held an online showcase event to introduce the album, communicate with their fans and perform songs from I Never Die.[25][26]

The group performed "Tomboy" on Mnet's M Countdown on March 17,[27] KBS's Music Bank on March 18,[28] MBC's Show! Music Core on March 19,[29] and SBS's Inkigayo on March 20.[30]

Accolades[]

Awards and nominations
Organization Year Category Result Ref.
Genie Music Awards 2022 Album of the Year Pending [31]

Track listing[]

I Never Die track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Tomboy"Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Jenci
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Jenci
2:55
2."Never Stop Me" (Korean말리지 마; RRMalliji ma)Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Kako
  • Pop Time
  • Pop Time
  • Kako
2:25
3."Villain Dies"Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • The Proof
The Proof3:05
4."Already"
  • Minnie
  • Houdini
  • Minnie
  • Houdini
3:25
5."Polaroid"
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy (Blatinum)
  • PLZ (Blatinum)
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy (Blatinum)
  • PLZ (Blatinum)
  • Yuqi
  • Boytoy (Blatinum)
  • PLZ (Blatinum)
3:40
6."Escape"
  • Minnie
  • BreadBeat
  • Soyeon
  • BreadBeat
  • Minnie
BreadBeat3:30
7."Liar"
  • Yuqi
  • Siixk Jun
  • Soyeon
  • Yuqi
  • Siixk Jun
  • Kim Myong-kyu
  • Siixk June
  • Kim Myong-kyu
2:55
8."My Bag"Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Nathan
  • Nathan
  • Flip_00
2:41
Total length:24:36
CD only bonus track
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
9."Tomboy" (explicit)Soyeon
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Jenci
  • Soyeon
  • Pop Time
  • Jenci
2:55
Total length:27:31

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[32]

Musicians

  • (G)I-dle – vocals (all tracks)
    • Soyeon – background vocals (track 1, 2, 8, 9), lyrics (except track 5), composition (tracks 1, 2, 3, 8), arrangement (track 1, 9),
    • Minnie – composition (tracks 4, 6), arrangement (tracks 4, 6), background vocal (track 4, 6)
    • Yuqi – composition (tracks 5 and 7), arrangement (track 5), background vocal (track 4)
  • Pop Time – composition (track 1, 2, 9), arrangement (track 1, 2, 9)
  • Jenci – composition (track 1, 9), arrangement (track 1, 9), background vocal (track 1, 2, 9), keyboard (track 1, 9)
  • Kako – composition (track 2), arrangement (track 2), background vocal (track 2)
  • The Proof – composition (track 3), arrangement (track 3), drum (track 3), synthesizer (track 3)
  • Houdini – composition (track 4), arrangement (track 4), background vocal (track 4), guitar (track 4), bass (track 4), drum programming (track 4), keyboard (track 4)
  • Boytoy (Blatinum) – lyrics (track 5), composition (track 5), arrangement (track 5), bass (track 5)
  • PLZ (Blatinum) – lyrics (track 5), composition (track 5), arrangement (track 5)
  • BreadBeat – lyrics (track 6), composition (track 6), arrangement (track 6), piano (track 6), synthesizer (track 6)
  • Siixk Jun – lyrics (track 7), composition (track 7), arrangement (track 7), piano (track 7)
  • Kim Myong-kyu – composition (track 7), arrangement (track 7), guitar (track 7), bass (track 7)
  • Nathan – composition (track 8), keyboard (track 8)
  • Flip_00 – arrangement (track 8), drum (track 8)
  • Jeon Jae-hee – background vocal (track 1, 8, 9)
  • Lee So-hyun – background vocal (track 5)
  • Perrie – background vocal (track 5)
  • Kim Ho-hyun – guitar (track 1, 2, 9)
  • EOMT – guitar (track 3)
  • Kim Myung-gyu – guitar (track 6)
  • Lim Hyunqi – acoustic guitar (track 5)
  • Lee Ji-ho – electric guitar (track 5)
  • Park Ji-young – keyboard (track 1, 2, 9)
  • Kim So-hoon – keyboard (track 5)
  • Oh Song-ji – keyboard (track 5)
  • Kim Mi-geum – keyboard (track 5)
  • Choi In-seong – bass (track 1, 2, 9)
  • Yang Chae-ni – piano (track 3)
  • Kim Seung-nam – drum (track 5)
  • Baek Min-sung – drum (track 5)

Technical

Charts[]

Certifications and sales[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[43] Platinum 218,727[42]
China 511,793[44]

Release history[]

Release history for I Never Die
Region Date Format Label
South Korea March 14, 2022 CD
Various Cube

References[]

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  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i I. Raj, Tanu (March 17, 2022). "(G)I-DLE – 'I Never Die' review: these are not wide-eyed girls anymore". NME. Retrieved March 18, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Sofia, Gomez (March 16, 2022). "(G)I-DLE CONQUERS THE WORLD IN I NEVER DIE". The Kraze. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  4. ^ "'컴백 D-4' (여자)아이들, 오디오 티저 공개 [공식]". Naver. January 7, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  5. ^ JT, Early (January 19, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: (G)I-DLE – I BURN". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Ginsberg, Gab; Lipshutz, Jason (January 11, 2021). "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Olivia Rodrigo, (G)I-dle & More". Billboard.
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  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Chakraborty, Riddhi (March 14, 2022). "(G)I-DLE Refuse to Play by the Rules in 'Tomboy'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
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External links[]

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