IVE ready to take on Lollapalooza, Summer Sonic with ‘grateful’ hearts

IVE members (from left) Rei, Leeseo, Jang Wonyoung, An Yujin, Gaeul, and Liz. Image: Courtesy of Starship Entertainment

IVE is not new to performing at music events in South Korea and different countries. But they consider their upcoming gigs at the Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic festivals as an opportunity to show their “grateful hearts” through their performances.

The K-pop girl group, who wrapped up promotions for their second EP “IVE Switch” last May, will perform at Lollapalooza 2024 in Chicago from August 1 to 4 with fellow K-pop act Stray Kids.

IVE is also confirmed as one of the performers of the Summer Sonic festival in Osaka and Tokyo on Aug. 17 and 18. Other K-pop acts part of the event are Zerobaseone, NCT Dream, ATEEZ, and BabyMonster, among others.

Despite their packed schedule, Jang Wonyoung sees the upcoming festivals as another “opportunity to stand on the global stage.”

“I am preparing hard every day with a very grateful heart. I know that many global people are joining us at the festivals we are attending. This is a stage with many people, we are doing our best to prepare to leave a good impression,” she said in an email interview by INQUIRER.net.

Meanwhile, Liz and Leeseo said being on a global festival may be “different” from their past world tours, but they hope their performances will be worth enjoying.

On ‘IVE Switch,’ being on ‘30 under 30 Asia’ list

The six-member girl group also looked back at their promotional activities for “IVE Switch,” with Rei saying that it was “so [much] fun” that it felt it went by “really quickly.”

“The activities were so fun that it felt like it went by really quickly. I hope it was an activity that fans can remember happily… it was great to meet so many different fans [in the promos], from an episode in the show ‘Favorite Teacher’ to ‘Running Man,’” she said.

IVE’s leader An Yujin agreed with her bandmate’s thoughts, saying, “I think I showed a lot of different sides of myself through this activity, so I think it was a very memorable activity for me.”

“[At the same time], I believe that IVE was able to safely reach the 900th day of his debut thanks to the support and love of our fans, Dive. I am always so thankful,” she added.

For the group’s youngest member Leeseo, the mini-album was a time where she explored different sides of herself onstage.

“The ‘IVE Switch’ promotion was a time when I tried many transformations. All the moments I spent with the fans were truly memorable and happy times. I want to be with Dive every day for the next 9,000 days or 90,000 days,” she said.

IVE members (from left) Jang Wonyoung, Rei, Leeseo, An Yujin, Liz, and Gaeul. Image: Courtesy of Starship Entertainment

Liz, on the other hand, said the record was a prelude to what she can show as a K-pop idol and performer.

“It was fun because I felt like I was able to change my style and show various aspects of myself through the promos,” she said. “I’m [also] really grateful for the past 900 days [as a member of IVE], and I hope you’ll keep watching because I have a lot more to show you in the future.”

Meanwhile, the group’s eldest member Gaeul shared that “IVE Switch” was a time when she showcased herself not only as an IVE member but also as an individual.

“I filmed various content with the members and also by myself, and it seemed like the fans liked it a lot, so it was a very happy activity for me as well,” she said. “One of them was the TV show ‘Superman is Back’s Dance Friends’ where I was with elementary school friends, and it was a time to return to our childhood.”

Among the recent milestones reached by IVE was being the only K-pop group to be included on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” list for 2024. For Yujin, it’s a recognition that should be viewed as a responsibility to do better.

“I’m happy to see IVE’s name in the honorable title of ‘30 Influential People Under 30’ in Asia.’ I thought I should approach the stage with more responsibility in line with my title, and I will continue to work hard to become someone with a positive influence,” said Yujin.

IVE was formed by Starship Entertainment and is composed of An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo. The girl group debuted in December 2021 with the single album “Eleven.”

The six-member act is set to return to the Philippines for their “Show What I Have” tour on July 13.

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