IVE Appears on JTBC Newsroom Ahead of 'REVIVE+' Comeback, Discusses World Tour and Award Success
K-pop group IVE visited JTBC Newsroom on February 15, discussing their upcoming second studio album "REVIVE+," world tour plans, and their record-breaking achievements at the Golden Disc Awards.
The six-member group appeared on the flagship news program just one week before releasing their full album on February 23. The appearance held special meaning for member Jang Wonyoung, who revealed her childhood dream of becoming a news anchor. "I've never been to a space like this, and standing here feels both exciting and emotional," she said.
During the broadcast, IVE sent encouraging messages to athletes competing in the Winter Olympics. "We're all sincerely cheering for you, so please don't get hurt and we hope your hard work brings good results," the group said.
Three Consecutive Years of Golden Disc Awards Success
The group discussed their recent sweep at the 40th Golden Disc Awards held in Taipei on January 10. IVE won both the Album Bonsang for their third mini-album "IVE EMPATHY" and the Digital Song Bonsang for title track "REBEL HEART," continuing their three-year streak of winning both categories simultaneously.
At the 37th Golden Disc Awards in 2023, IVE became the first group to win Rookie of the Year, a main prize (Bonsang), and the Digital Song of the Year Daesang in the same year. They have now secured Album and Digital Song Bonsang awards for three consecutive years, a rare achievement that establishes them as the only fourth-generation girl group to accomplish this milestone.
Member Liz reflected on the pressure of maintaining success. "We're grateful to receive so many awards," she said. "As the years go by, we realize it's never easy to win major awards. Above all, we know we can continue this great work thanks to our fans, so we're extremely grateful to DIVE."
'REVIVE+' Album Details and Member Contributions
The group previewed their upcoming album "REVIVE+," scheduled for release on February 23. They previously dropped the pre-release single "BANG BANG" on February 9, which has already charted highly on domestic and international music platforms.
Jang Wonyoung, who participated in writing lyrics for "BANG BANG," explained the creative direction. "For this song, I focused on confidence and 'self-assurance' as keywords, and tried to compose witty lyrics that the public can enjoy more," she said.
When asked about her philosophy behind "Lucky Vicky" and "Wonyoungism" - terms describing her positive mindset - she explained: "It comes from the fact that 'I' am the subject of my life. Ultimately, it's my life, and I'm the one who has to solve things, so that mindset is firmly in place, which is why I don't hesitate when making decisions."
Member Gaeul described the other title track "BLACKHOLE" as central to the album's concept. "It's a song that sits at the album's core, redefining IVE's 'we' and announcing a new leap forward," she said. The members previewed the track's killing part and signature "Look at Me" choreography for the first time on the broadcast.
World Tour Expansion and Global Growth
IVE discussed their second world tour "Show What I Am," which launched in Seoul last October with sold-out shows at KSPO Dome. The tour will continue throughout 2026 with dates across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania.
"I'm excited to meet fans from various countries, and we're preparing to show diverse performances," said member Leeseo.
Leader An Yujin reflected on growth from their first world tour "SHOW WHAT I HAVE," which ran from October 2023 to September 2024 across 37 concerts. "Our ways of communicating with fans on stage have become more diverse, and spending so much time with members, I feel we've grown closer," she said.
Group Identity and Future Ambitions
When asked about IVE's color and appeal, An Yujin explained the meaning behind their name. "The team name 'IVE' means 'I HAVE,' showing everything we have," she said. "Rather than being defined by one color, our strength is showing various charms."
She added with confidence, "Since this is our second full album, I feel like we've only shown 20 percent so far."
When asked what they want to be known for, Leeseo chose "a singer you can trust and listen to," while Rei picked "a singer without limits," expressing their ambition to continue the diverse appeal they've shown since debut.
IVE's "REVIVE+" will be released on February 23 at 6 PM KST with double title tracks "BANG BANG" and "BLACKHOLE." The physical album will be available in 10 versions including member-specific digipacks.
