(Photo courtesy of P NATION)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] Girl group Baby DONT Cry has unveiled a new musical direction with its latest single ‘Replay’. By adding sophisticated R&B influences to its signature confident and energetic style, the group has demonstrated a broader musical range.

Baby DONT Cry released its new digital single ‘Replay’ on November 4 at 6 PM KST. The release marks the group's first comeback in approximately eight months since its first mini-album ‘AFTER CRY’ in March.

Debuting in June 2025, Baby DONT Cry is a four-member girl group consisting of IHYEON, KUMI, MIA, and BENI. The group attracted attention even before its debut, particularly with the inclusion of Jo Yi-hyeon, a former contestant on Mnet's children's singing survival program ‘We Kid’, who debuted under the stage name IHYEON. She also gained recognition for her visuals as a fifth-generation girl group idol, establishing herself as a prominent face of the group.

The group's name carries a meaning that goes beyond the word "baby". It represents the purity and innocence of a child's spirit, along with the inner strength that lies beneath. It reflects the group's determination to pursue its own path without being shaken by hardships or challenges.

This identity is also reflected in its music. Baby DONT Cry's debut track ‘F Girl’ attracted attention for its production involvement from i-dle's SOYEON and delivered a confident message about staying true to oneself regardless of others' opinions.

The group followed up with ‘I DONT CARE’, showcasing its free-spirited energy, before exploring emotional changes and personal growth through the pre-release track ‘Shapeshifter’ and title track ‘Bittersweet’ from its first mini-album ‘AFTER CRY’.

 


The new single ‘Replay’ marks Baby DONT Cry's first venture into R&B since its debut. Built around a two-step garage rhythm, a subgenre of UK garage, the song explores memories and emotions that keep resurfacing no matter how hard one tries to forget them.

Moving away from the group's previously intense, performance-driven image, the track introduces a different kind of charm through restrained vocals and fluid rhythms.

In a comeback interview released through the agency, MIA explained, "‘Replay’ expresses memories and emotions that keep coming back even when you try to forget them. I hope its addictive melody keeps replaying in your heads."

P NATION founder PSY participated as the executive producer of the single, while CRUSH took charge of its lyrics and composition.

IHYEON expressed her gratitude for the collaboration, saying, "I've learned so much from listening to both of their music, so it was truly an honor to have them work with us directly. I'm very grateful, and because they created such great music for us, I also feel a strong sense of responsibility to do an even better job."

BENI added that PSY had emphasized the importance of understanding the new genre and practicing consistently.

The music video visually captures the recurring memories and emotions suggested by the title ‘Replay’.

The members' balletcore-inspired skirt styling adds an elegant, dreamlike quality to their movements. Scenes of the members gathering in front of mirrors and drawing pictures capture ordinary moments in the girls' lives, while spaces filled with clocks and shadows cast across walls evoke memories that refuse to fade with time.

In the latter part of the video, black-and-white footage alternates with vivid color sequences, creating a shift in atmosphere. The contrasting visual tones give the impression of moving between the past and present, while performances alongside dancers bring the song's rhythms to life.

Rather than relying solely on beautiful visuals, the music video thoughtfully incorporates lingering traces of the emotions conveyed by the song throughout its scenes.

Recalling the filming experience, MIA shared, "We filmed a scene where we danced with the dancers in a beautiful hall. It felt like I was in a dream, and I was so happy."

BENI also encouraged fans to pay attention to the choreography, which reflects the song's atmosphere, as well as the hidden details throughout the video.
 


This comeback is particularly meaningful as Baby DONT Cry prepares for its upcoming activities in Japan.

The group is scheduled to release its Japanese debut mini-album ‘DAYBREAK / Replay -Japanese ver.-’ on January 20, 2027.

The album will feature six tracks, including the double title tracks ‘DAYBREAK’ and ‘Replay -Japanese ver.-’, Japanese versions of ‘F Girl’, ‘I DONT CARE’, and ‘Shapeshifter’, as well as ‘After The Rain’.

On November 4, Baby DONT Cry also pre-released ‘Replay -Japanese ver.-’ in Japan, beginning preparations to connect with local fans.

In the comeback interview, IHYEON expressed her excitement about the group's upcoming Japanese activities, saying, "I'm really looking forward to being able to meet our Japanese fans more closely."

BENI highlighted the group's contrasting charms, explaining, "Our greatest strength is our powerful performances on stage and our honest, lovable personalities off stage."

She also expressed hope that Japanese fans would come to appreciate the members' contrasting sides and natural chemistry.

KUMI shared an affectionate message with the group's fandom, CHERIZ, saying, "Thank you for waiting for us for so long. Let's make lots of happy memories together during these promotions, too."

From the bold energy of its debut track to the youthful emotions explored in its first mini-album and now its venture into a new genre with ‘Replay’, Baby DONT Cry has steadily expanded its musical identity by revealing a different side of itself with each release.

With its official Japanese debut also approaching, anticipation is growing over how this comeback will serve as another turning point in the group's development.

As the four members continue balancing innocence with inner strength, attention is turning to the stories and music through which Baby DONT Cry will further establish its name.

 yeonwoo38@hanteo.com