The K-pop world is buzzing once again as IVE (An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo) gears up for their highly anticipated comeback. On August 16, 2025, the group’s agency Starship Entertainment dropped the second batch of concept photos for their upcoming fourth mini album, IVE SECRET. The images showcased the group’s diverse personalities and visual transformations, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement ahead of the official release.
Six Members, Six Distinct Auras
One of IVE’s strongest appeals has always been the ability of each member to stand out while still harmonizing as a complete group. The newly released photos highlight exactly that:
- An Yujin exudes cool charisma, presenting a more mature aura that balances the group’s playful energy.
- Gaeul shows off curly hair styling, bringing out a fresh and bold image that contrasts with her usually elegant presence.
- Rei, often praised for her individuality, once again radiates unique fashion-forward vibes.
- Jang Wonyoung embraces her trademark cuteness with bangs, adding an extra layer of softness to her striking visuals.
- Liz experiments with pink hair, symbolizing bold self-expression and individuality.
- Leeseo, the youngest member, captivates with her photogenic appeal and natural confidence.
The photos reflect not only different looks but also a wider spectrum of concepts IVE will be exploring in this era.
The “SECRET” Theme
The new teasers continue the narrative introduced in IVE’s earlier mood sampler video, where the members were styled as secret agents. The phrase “WHAT IS YOUR [*****] IVE?” hinted at mystery and transformation. By the end of the video, the cryptic blank [*****] was revealed as the word SECRET, tying into the album title.
The theme of secrecy, hidden duality, and layered personalities matches well with IVE’s established identity as a group that balances elegance, power, and youthful charm. This time, however, fans are promised an even more unpredictable side of IVE, where each member embodies both light and dark dualities.
From Angels to Rebels
A striking moment in the teasers featured an animation of an angel halo morphing into devil horns. This symbolizes the “Evil Cupid” concept that has been teased through earlier posters. Rather than playing the traditional Cupid role of connecting others through love, IVE’s version turns the bow and arrow toward themselves, choosing independence and self-definition over conformity.
This bold twist aligns with IVE’s reputation for challenging conventional K-pop tropes. By turning classic fairytales and myths upside down, the group emphasizes a message of empowerment, choice, and self-identity—core themes that resonate deeply with their fandom, DIVEs.
The Music: “XOXZ” and Beyond
IVE’s new mini album IVE SECRET is set to feature six tracks, led by the title song “XOXZ”. This track promises to combine 808 bass, brass, and heavy drum beats with a mix of deep rap tones and minimalist vocal harmonies. The sound is expected to be both powerful and addictive, signaling a confident step forward in the group’s musical journey.
What excites fans even more is that Jang Wonyoung contributed to the lyrics of “XOXZ,” while Liz participated in writing the words for another track, “Midnight Kiss.” Their direct involvement elevates the album’s artistic value and shows IVE’s growing creative independence.
The collaboration with acclaimed lyricist Seo Ji-eum, who was behind the group’s earlier hits “Eleven,” “Love Dive,” and “After Like”, further strengthens expectations. This continuation of the so-called “Narcissism Trilogy” into a new chapter demonstrates IVE’s ambition to deliver conceptually rich, thought-provoking music.
A Legacy of Success
Since their debut in December 2021 with “Eleven,” IVE has experienced a meteoric rise. With each release, they not only achieved commercial success but also set cultural trends. Their discography so far includes:
- “Eleven” – Their debut single that established them as “monster rookies.”
- “Love Dive” – The track that earned them multiple “Song of the Year” awards.
- “After Like” – A retro-inspired anthem that cemented their global popularity.
- “I AM” and “Kitsch” – Songs that reinforced their status as confident storytellers of youth.
- “IVE EMPATHY” – Their third mini album earlier this year, which reached 5 consecutive million-seller status.
They even made headlines with their pre-release single “Rebel Heart,” which scored a Perfect All-Kill on Korean charts, proving their unmatched digital dominance.
Global Stages and Cultural Impact
Beyond Korea, IVE has been actively expanding their global presence. In July 2025, they performed at Lollapalooza, one of the world’s top four music festivals, with successful stops in Berlin and Paris. Their ability to captivate non-Korean audiences with performances entirely in Korean is a testament to K-pop’s growing universality and IVE’s global appeal.
Additionally, their collaborations with international designers and artists (like street artist Doezny, who crafted the earlier “Evil Cupid” posters) highlight IVE’s hybrid identity as both a K-pop idol group and global pop-culture icons.
Anticipation Builds
With less than two weeks until release, the anticipation surrounding IVE SECRET is at its peak. Fans are theorizing about the meaning behind the mysterious “XOXZ” title, speculating whether it represents a play on the phrase “XOXO” (hugs and kisses) with a twist of secrecy and rebellion.
Social media has been flooded with reactions to the teaser images:
- Some fans praised Yujin’s transformation into a “CEO-like leader aura.”
- Others celebrated Liz’s daring pink hair as “her best look yet.”
- Many highlighted Leeseo’s growth, noting her confidence is now on par with older members.
Hashtags like #IVEXOXZ, #IVESECRET, and #EvilCupidIVE quickly trended worldwide following the teaser release.
Release Details
- Album: IVE SECRET (4th Mini Album)
- Title Track: XOXZ
- Release Date: August 25, 2025, at 6 PM (KST)
- Available on: All major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Melon, and YouTube.
IVE will also kick off full-fledged comeback promotions with appearances on Korean music shows, online fan meetings, and possibly international stages later in the year.
Conclusion
With IVE SECRET, the six-member powerhouse is once again ready to redefine what it means to be a K-pop leader of the MZ generation. Their creative experimentation, combined with chart-topping consistency, proves why IVE continues to dominate both domestic and global music scenes.
From their dual angel-and-devil imagery to the anticipation surrounding “XOXZ,” everything about this comeback screams fresh, bold, and unforgettable. As IVE prepares to step into this new chapter, one thing is certain: fans are in for a thrilling ride filled with mystery, empowerment, and, of course, irresistible music.
Article Source
JTBC News (2025.08.17, reporter Kim Sunwoo)
🖼 Alt Text
IVE members at Music Bank Mini Fan Meeting on April 28, 2023
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IVE at Music Bank Mini Fan Meeting, April 28, 2023
🔗 Image Source
“IVE (아이브) Music Bank Mini Fan Meeting, April 28, 2023 (2)” by NewsInStar, via Wikimedia Commons
