(Photo courtesy of STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT)

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] Magical girls transform through magic, while superheroes save the world with extraordinary powers. Girl groups embracing fantasy have each explored stories beyond reality in their own ways. IVE, too, has taken on a new character after portraying Cupid and magical girls. This time, they are heroes. But there is one more word attached to the title: “Girl.”

 

IVE’s new song ‘Looks Can Kill,’ pre-released on the 19th, expands on the self-confidence the group has consistently expressed through the new character of a hero. The title refers to an irresistible charm powerful enough to captivate someone instantly. IVE presents this charm as its heroes’ greatest weapon. Rather than relying on extraordinary superpowers or a grand mission, these heroes overwhelm others with their own unique charm and presence.
 

From Cupid and Magical Girls to Heroes

 

In ‘LOVE DIVE,’ IVE became Cupid, taking control of love, while ‘Accendio’ revealed another side of the members through magic and transformation. If ‘I AM’ portrayed protagonists who believe in their own potential and move forward, ‘Looks Can Kill’ introduces heroes who wield their charm and presence as weapons.

 

Girl groups have taken different approaches to incorporating fantasy characters into their concepts. ILLIT has embraced imagery reminiscent of magical girls, while aespa has drawn on superpowers and its own distinctive fictional universe. In comparison, IVE’s “girl hero” stands apart by presenting the charm of being a “girl” itself as a source of power, rather than relying on special abilities or an elaborate fictional universe.
 

More Interesting Than the Heroes’ Actions Is How They Are Portrayed

 

The music video for ‘Looks Can Kill’ begins on a filming set, with preparations involving hair, makeup, and costumes, before transitioning into scenes reminiscent of a superhero movie. Against dramatic backdrops featuring burning cars, the members appear as fully realized heroes. At the same time, the video reveals the process behind creating those scenes.

 

While the song’s title emphasizes the overwhelming power of charm, the music video shows how that charm is constructed and presented. Rather than focusing solely on heroic exploits, it captures the moments leading up to the creation of the heroes’ images.

 

Promotional content featuring the members dressed as heroes while cleaning everyday spaces or visiting parks follows the same approach. By combining extraordinary appearances with ordinary actions, IVE brings the idea of a hero into everyday life.

 

IVE does not simply attempt to portray heroes with complete seriousness. In front of the camera, the members become cinematic superheroes, while on set and in everyday settings, they play freely with those images. They take on the role of heroes without allowing themselves to be confined by it. This is where the wit of the concept lies.

 

What Matters More Than Perfection Is Doing Things Their Own Way

 

This approach also aligns with the image IVE has built over the years. JANG WONYOUNG, in particular, has come to be recognized by the public as an icon of perfection, self-discipline, and confidence. This makes it especially interesting that IVE is revealing not only the finished image of a hero but also the process of creating it.

 

Rather than presenting only a flawless final product, the group makes the process behind that result part of the concept itself. This does not mean rejecting perfection. Instead, it reflects an attitude of being able to create and use even a seemingly perfect image on their own terms.

 

Although IVE borrows the role of a hero, the members do not allow themselves to be defined by that image. Instead, they redefine the role through their own charm and effortless confidence.

 

From Cupid to magical girls and now heroes, IVE’s characters have changed, but one thing has remained consistent: the group has never surrendered control over how it expresses itself.

 

The irresistible charm at the heart of ‘Looks Can Kill’ is both a force that captivates others and a means through which IVE expresses its identity.

 

Rather than simply playing the part of perfect heroes, IVE makes even the image of a hero entirely its own. That is where the appeal of IVE’s “girl hero” concept lies.

 

yeonwoo38@hanteo.com