K-pop rookies IVE score an 11/10 with debut song "Eleven"

Most K-pop fans would agree that 2021 was a weird year for girl groups. There were some great highs–like veterans Brave Girls going viral, rookies STAYC delivering two of the catchiest bops of the year with "ASAP" and "Stereotype," and Red Velvet making their long-awaited comeback–and some crushing lows including controversies, long hiatuses, and a lot of disbandements. One of the most talked about which was the disbandement of chart-topping girl group IZ*ONE who took their final bow in April. Created on the third season of Mnet's controversial survival show "Produce 101" as a temporary group, we all knew IZ*ONE's disbandment was coming, but the time flew and it didn't make the sting any less painful.

While former IZ*ONE members Kwon Eun Bi and Jo Yu-ri debuted earlier this year as soloists, no one created quite as much buzz as former members Yujin and Wonyoung who were announced to be re-debuting together in Starship Entertainment's new girl group IVE.

Starship has a legacy of amazingly talented groups–being the home of K-pop queens SISTAR, international stars MONSTA X, and the ethereal and experimental WJSN to name a few–so I had very high expectations and knew we were sure to get something sleek, high-budget, and solidly produced. And that we did!

The six-member group, consisting of the aformentioned former IZ*ONE members along with new faces Gaeul, Rei, Liz and Leeseo, released their debut single "Eleven" on December 1st and they came through HARD. In less than 48 hours the music video is already nearing 20 million views and for very good reason.

The song

Incorporating Eastern instrumentals, a pulsing, yet minimal, dance beat, and gorgeously strong vocals, the song gives off a mature and sophisticated sound that one wouldn't expect from a new group, especially one with members ranging in age from just 14 to 18 years old. What really sold the song to me and makes it stand out is that unexpected slow-mo in the build up to the chorus.

In an era consisting of what a lot of K-pop fans call "noise music," this song's minimal beat accompanied by the sweeping vocals is really refreshing. The rich and warm tone also makes it the ideal end of fall/beginning of winter track. I'm not in any shape or form a musician or music expert, but the song sounds like how I imagine walking through a hot desert would feel like if that makes any sense.

The music video

The music video is simple, but incorporates beautiful visuals. The video is pretty abstract, but from what I'm interpreting it seems to present the girls as genies or goddesses in an enchanted vase. There is no storyline per say, but the imagery and colours seem to suggest this and it coincides with the Middle Eastern influences present in the song itself.

What I really appreciate about the simplicity of the video is how it showcases the awesome choreography. The girls create some of the cleanest formations and shapes that I've seen from a K-pop girl group in a long time. One of the standout moments for me is that really cool triangle formation they make in the opening of the song. That choreography paired with their white outfits and royal blue elbow-length gloves is just so elegant, yet fierce at the same time.

In my opinion, this is the strongest girl group debut we've gotten since STAYC's debut with "So Bad" back in November 2020. I can only hope that like STAYC, IVE continues to hold the public's attention and release solid music. With a hole in the market right now for a elegant, dance-focused girl group, the idol world is IVE's oyster and I'm looking forward to watching them become a shining pearl of 4th gen K-pop.