I Trust Explained

I Trust
Type:ep
Artist:(G)I-dle
Cover:I_TRUST_IDLE.jpg
Caption:Digital and Lie version cover
Recorded:2019–2020
Studio:Cube Studio
Length:16:33
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Latata
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Dumdi Dumdi
Next Year:2020

I Trust (stylized in sentence case) is the third Korean extended play (fourth overall) by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. It was released digitally on April 6, 2020 and physically on April 7, 2020 by Cube Entertainment. I Trust features 5 tracks including the previously released single "Lion" and the lead single "Oh My God", which was produced and written by Jeon Soyeon alongside Big Sancho.[3] The physical version is available in two versions: "True" and "Lie".[4] I Trust is the followup to their second EP I Made, released in 2019.

The EP debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart and became (G)I-dle's best selling work since debut, selling 112,075 copies in its first week.[5]

Background and release

On February 18, 2020, it was reported that (G)I-dle were set to comeback in mid-March ahead of their world tour I-Land: Who Am I. It was also reported that the group were filming a music video on the same day.[6] The release, however, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

On March 19, 2020, Cube Entertainment announced that (G)I-dle would be making a comeback with an extended play in early April. They had already completed their album jacket photoshoot, filming of the music video and were in the final stages of comeback preparations.[8] Later the same month, Cube officially announced their comeback with the released artwork teaser image of the third mini-album I Trust through their official social network service. The teaser contains the album name and release date.[9] [10]

I Trust is (G)I-dle's third release in the 'I' series, following I Am and I Made. I Trust comes from setting the subject of belief as "myself". The theme of the album is 'I trust = I trust myself' and through this (G)I-dle showcases their own unique confidence.[11] Soyeon revealed she got inspired by watching isekai anime, for the whole album concept.[12] [13]

Artwork and packaging

(G)I-dle released two album versions for I Trust containing different colour themes which conveys a "collision with reality—meeting halfway between their reality and what society expects from them". In a white-colour theme, Lie version represents how the group see themselves as innocence, pure and trust in oneself. The black-colour theme, True is to represent how the society views them "even though we try to stick to our original goals".[14]

Music and composition

I Trust is an album that contains the personalities of (G)I-dle starting with 'I' and 'Trust' derived from believing in one self. The opening track of the album, "Oh my god" is an urban hip-hop track with a bold rhythm that changes with every development of the song, expressing the theme 'I can be confident just by believing in myself' while experiencing feelings of rejection and confusion.[15] [16]

"Luv U" is a trap song which combines heavy 808 bass, hard drum beats, and tongue-clicking sounds recorded by member Soyeon which creates a playful yet serious, bright but dark atmosphere.[17] The lyrics express a strong energy of love and revolve around a situation when you have to believe in yourself.[18] Soulbeats called it "borderline industrial, with pops, clicks, riffs that read more like sounds than music, but composed so deftly that they form a clear melody and rhythm".[19]

"Maybe" is a dream-like dance-pop song that combines slow chord progression and minimalist electronic instrumentation, though the rubbery synths and staccato drums play against the scratched strings for a spectacular drop.[17] [19] It represents the confusion one faces when coming to believe in themselves.[18]

Promotion

On March 26, 2020, Cube Entertainment released a time table for (G)I-dle's third extended play through their official homepage and SNS, which showed the group's promotion schedule beginning March 27 until the release of their album on April 7.[20] [21] The following day, the first official concept trailer for the album was released. The trailer contained the whispering of someone but it was difficult to interpret its meaning.[22] [23] On March 28, the first teaser photo was revealed,[24] and followed with second teaser photo and concept video on March 29.[25] [26] On April 1, Cube launched the (G)I-dle's chic violet exclusive emoji for using hashtags #여자아이들, #GIDLE, #아이들_오마이갓, #GIDLE_OMG and #I_trust.[27] These emojis were effective until April 30, 2020.[28] [29] Subsequently, the group released individual and group jacket album photos. The photos feature the members wearing dark dresses with snake-shaped props and accessories, creating a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere for the True version on April 1, and wearing white dresses with light feathers and flowers to add a pure and light atmosphere for the Lie version on April 2.[30] [31]

The group held an online live media showcase before the song's digital release with Jo Kwon as the MC.[16]

(G)I-dle continue their promotion activities with follow-up song "Luv U" starting April 28, on SBS MTV The Show to repay the love sent from their fans for I Trust.[32] The promotions of the song ended on May 3.

Singles

"Lion" serves as the album's pre-release single.[33] It was released alongside a music video on October 25, 2019. It peaked at number 5 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, earning (G)I-dle their fifth top 10 hit, while reaching the top twenty in South Korea.[34] [35] (G)I-dle performed "Lion" for the first time in the Queendom final live broadcast on October 31, 2019.[36]

"Oh my god" was released as the album's lead single on April 6, 2020, with the accompanying music video. In South Korea, the song debuted and peaked at number 15 on the Gaon Digital Chart. Moreover, the song attained international success, peaking at number three on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart. "Oh My God" debuted in the charts of several countries, including Hungary, Thailand and Scotland. The song gave (G)I-dle four music show wins.

Critical reception

Writing for IZM, Kim Do-heon described the EP as "it avoids the trap of self-reproduction or boredom through various variations". He continued and praised Soyeon's designing the song by grasping the individuality and the breath of her team members.

Pop music critic Seo Jeong Min-gap included (G)I-dle's I Trust in the list of albums 'If You Don't Listen, You Will Regret It'.[37] Lee Jeong-beom of XSports News included "Luv U" on his list of the "10 K-pop Girl groups' B-Sides that left an impression and helped improve the quality of my life this year". In his article, he wrote that the song expressed a cute side to a strong character and saying "it takes risks to show a side that is not customary for a certain field of creation." He concluded, "The song received high marks for expressing a character that was strong outside but soft inside through a fun, energetic and charming way."[38]

Ref.
DazedThe 40 Best K-pop Songs of 202018"Oh My God"[39]
MTVBest Kpop B-sides of 202015"Luv U"[40]
TonpleinBest Songs of 202015"Oh My God"[41]
Rolling Stone India20 Best K-pop Music Videos of 20204Music video[42]

Commercial performance

According to Hanteo, the album sold 91,311 physical copies on the first day of availability, becoming their fastest and best-selling album to date,[43] demonstrating a growth rate of 495%,[44] and the second-highest (behind Iz*One's Bloom*Iz) first day sales by a girl group on Hanteo.[45] In under three days of its release, the album recorded 100,000 physical copies sold,[46] and later, it topped the album charts in 15 retail stores.[47] I Trust debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart, becoming (G)-I-dle's first number one album in their home country. It is also their first album to have all tracks debut on the Gaon Download Chart.[48]

I Trust debuted at number 7 on the KKBOX Hong Kong Korean Album Weekly Chart.[49] Later, it peaked and charted at number 3 for week 16 and 18 of 2020.[50] [51]

It was reported that I Trust set the highest record for a South Korean girl group to topped iTunes Top Albums chart in 62 countries worldwide.[52] [53] [54] The album also ranked first in the United States on iTunes Pop Album Chart, K-Pop Album Chart, and K-Pop Song Chart.[55] The album scored their best one-week sales with 1,000 copies and a total of 2,000 album-equivalent units in the week ending April 9, debuting at number 4 on Billboards World Albums Chart.

On May 6, (G)I-dle debuted at Rolling Stone's Top 25 Breakthrough chart as the only K-Pop group to chart for the month of April at the top 20 spot with a unit growth of 3.3 million and over 5.5 million total on demand audio streams in the U.S.[56] [57]

On July 13, it reported that I Trust rank in the Top 20 albums for Gaon's Mid Year Album Sale Chart, with 151,108 album sales. (G)I-dle remains one of two 2018 rookie female groups and only female artists to come from a "non big three" company in the top 20.[58]

Personnel

Additional personnel

Accolades

Year! scope="col"
Organization CategoryResult
2020NetEase Cloud Music AwardPopular Album of the Year[59]
Best Creativity of the Year

Charts

Weekly chart performance for I Trust
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [60] 48
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[61] 1
Spanish Albums (Promusicae) [62] 34
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[63] 81
US World Albums (Billboard)[64] 4

Release history

Release formats for I Trust
RegionDateFormatDistributor
South KoreaApril 6, 2020Digital download, streaming[66]
United States
Various[67]
South KoreaApril 7, 2020CD
Japan[68]

See also

Notes and References

  1. K-Pop Girl Group (G)I-DLE Signs With Republic Records in the US. Billboard. Tatiana Cirisano. April 8, 2020. en.
  2. Web site: I Trust / (G)I-dle – TIDAL . Tidal. April 7, 2020.
  3. Web site: (여자)아이들, 전소연 자작곡 'Oh my god'으로 컴백. [Official] (G)I-DLE comeback with Jeon So-yeon's own song "Oh My God". NBN News. Hong Seung-hoon. March 31, 2020.
  4. Web site: (G)I-DLE – Mini Album Vol.3 [I trust]]. KTown4U. March 26, 2020.
  5. Web site: [초동 기록] (여자)아이들((G) I-DLE)의 미니앨범 'I trust' 초동 판매량 11만 장 이상 기록 (한터차트 공식) "500% 이상의 놀라운 성장력... 여성 그룹 초동 순위 2위까지 차지하며 쾌거 거뒀다!"]. [Initial Chodong Record] (G)I-DLE's 3rd Mini Album 'I trust' Sold More Than 110K Copies in the First Week (Hanteo Chart Official) "Amazing growth of more than 500%.. 2nd in Initial Chodong rankings among girl groups!". Hanteo. ko. April 14, 2020.
  6. Web site: [단독] (여자)아이들, 3월 중순 가요계 컴백 '오늘 뮤비촬영 중'..독보적 실력 예고]. [Exclusive] (G)I-DLE comeback in mid-March 'Today's filming music video'... OSEN. Kim Eun-ae . February 18, 2020. 2020-03-24.
  7. Web site: (여자)아이들, 월드투어·3월 새 앨범 발매 프로젝트 잠정 연기[공식]]. (G)I-dle World Tour, March New album release project tentatively postponed [Official]. Spots Seoul. Choi Jin-sil. February 28, 2020. 2020-03-19.
  8. Web site: [단독] (여자)아이들, 3월 중순→4월 초 컴백 확정…MV 촬영 완료]. (G)I-dle mid-March → early comeback in early April… MV shooting completed. News1. Kim Min-ji. March 19, 2020.
  9. Web site: (G)I-DLE 3rd Mini Album [I trust] Release On 2020.04.06 18:00 (KST) Coming Soon]. March 23, 2020. March 29, 2020. (G)-Idle. Twitter.
  10. Web site: [공식] (여자)아이들, 세 번째 미니앨범 'I trust'로 9개월 만에 컴백…4월 6일 발매 확정]. [Official] (G)I-DLE comeback in 9 months with third mini album 'I trust'… April 6 release confirmed. KyungHyang Newspaper. Yoo In-sun. March 24, 2020.
  11. Web site: (G)IDLE – I Trust album information. Cube Entertainment. April 6, 2020. April 6, 2020. April 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200406164103/http://www.cubeent.co.kr/gidlealbum/4231703. dead.
  12. Web site: [SE★현장]"당당하게" (여자)아이들, 이번 콘셉트도 'Oh my god'(종합)]. Seoul Economic Daily. Cho Seung-hyeon. April 6, 2020.
  13. Web site: (ENG) [Full ver.] (여자)아이들 (G)I-DLE 'Oh my god' Showcase 쇼케이스 풀영상 (미연, 민니, 수진, 소연, 우기, 슈화) [통통TV]]. Youtube. TongTongTv 통통컬처. April 6, 2020.
  14. Web site: (G)I-DLE Detail How Their Group 'Contrast' Is Shown With New 'I Trust' EP. Forbes. Jeff Benjamin. April 8, 2020. en.
  15. Web site: [신보] 'I trust'로 돌아온 (여자)아이들, 'Oh my god' 소리 절로 나오는 콘셉트! "이번에도 믿고 듣자!"]. (G)I-dle returning to 'I trust', the concept of 'Oh my god' sound section! "Let's believe and listen again!". Hanteo News. Kim Tae-young . April 3, 2020. 2020-04-04.
  16. Web site: (여자)아이들, '당당함'으로 9개월 만에 컴백…"두 가지 버전 무대 기대"[종합]]. The Celebrity News. Kim He-seo. April 6, 2020.
  17. Web site: (여자)아이들 I Trust EP. Melon. April 6, 2020.
  18. (G)I-dle Believe in Themselves – and Each Other – on New EP 'I Trust'. Billboard. Tamar Herman. April 8, 2020.
  19. Web site: (G)I-dle Find Their Power in "I Trust". Soulbeats. Lo. April 12, 2020.
  20. Web site: (G)I-DLE 3rd Mini Album [I trust] Scheulder Release On 2020.04.06 18:00 (KST)]. March 25, 2020. March 29, 2020. (G)I-dle Official Twitter. Twitter.
  21. Web site: "티저부터, 독보적, 파격적"…(여자)아이들, 컴백 스케줄 티저 공개. "From teaser, unrivaled, unmatched"… (G)I-dle release comeback schedule teaser. MyDaily. Lee Seung-rok. March 26, 2020.
  22. Web site: (여자)아이들((G)I-DLE) – 3rd Mini Album "I trust" Concept Preview 1. March 26, 2020. March 29, 2020. (G)I-dle Official Twitter. Twitter.
  23. Web site: (여자)아이들, 'I trust' 콘셉트 프리뷰 영상 공개..역대급 콘셉트 예고. HeraldPop. March 27, 2020.
  24. Web site: The first teaser photo. March 28, 2020. March 29, 2020. (G)I-dle Official Twitter. Twitter.
  25. Web site: The second teaser photo. March 29, 2020. March 29, 2020. (G)I-dle Official Twitter. Twitter.
  26. Web site: (여자)아이들((G)I-DLE) – 3rd Mini Album "I trust" Concept Preview 2. March 29, 2020. March 29, 2020. (G)I-dle Official Twitter. Twitter.
  27. Web site: https://twitter.com/G_I_DLE/status/1245004265325649922. ko:(여자)아이들 미니 3집 'I trust' 발매 기념 이모지 오픈 안내. (G)I-DLE Special Emoji for the 3rd Mini Album 'I trust'. April 1, 2020. (G)I-dle Official Twitter. Twitter.
  28. Web site: A new hashflag has appeared: #여자아이들. April 1, 2020. WorldHashflags. Twitter.
  29. Web site: A new hashflag has appeared: #GIDLE_OMG. April 1, 2020. WorldHashflags. Twitter.
  30. Web site: https://www.mk.co.kr/star/musics/view/2020/04/336377/. ko:(여자)아이들, 'I trust' 콘셉트 포토…블랙 아우라. (G)I-DLE 'I trust' concept photo… Black aura. Maeil Economy News. Park Se-yeon. April 1, 2020.
  31. Web site: http://www.veritas-a.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=318427. ko:(여자)아이들, 신곡 'Oh my god' 콘셉트 이미지 공개 '하얀 드레스'. (G)I-dle unveil concept image of 'Oh my god' 'White Dress'. Veritas Alpha. Shin Seung-hee. April 2, 2020.
  32. Web site: https://www.news1.kr/articles/?3919890. ko:(여자)아이들, 소연 자작곡 '사랑해'로 후속곡 활동 돌입. News1. April 28, 2020.
  33. (G)I-dle Are Dominating Queens in 'Lion' Video: Watch. Herman. Tamar. Billboard. November 4, 2019.
  34. LION. Billboard. November 13, 2019.
  35. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 45 of 2019. Gaon Chart. ko. April 2, 2020.
  36. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 신곡 'LION' 발표…31일 '퀸덤'서 무대 최초 공개. https://www.tvreport.co.kr/2015761. Kim Min-ji. Tv Report. 2019-10-25. 2020-04-02. 2019-10-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025131546/https://www.tvreport.co.kr/2015761. dead.
  37. Web site: https://www.vop.co.kr/A00001499227.html. ko:[서정민갑의 수요뮤직] 2020년 상반기, 당신 곁에 두어야 할 음악들. [Seo Jung Min Gap's Demand Music] The music you should keep by your side in the first half of 2020. July 8, 2020. VOP. Seo Jung Min-gap. Voice of the People.
  38. Web site: http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1362611. ko:블랙핑크부터 트와이스까지…2020 걸그룹 수록곡 10선 [K-POP포커스]. From Blackpink to Twice... 10 songs from 2020 girl group [K-POP focus]. December 7, 2020. Lee Jeong-beom. XSports News.
  39. News: The 40 best K-pop songs of 2020. December 19, 2020. January 11, 2021. Taylor Glasby. Dazed.
  40. News: THE BEST K-POP B-SIDES OF 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201229163147/http://www.mtv.com/news/3173138/best-k-pop-b-sides-taemin-boa-bts-list/. dead. December 29, 2020. December 29, 2020. January 11, 2021. Elizabeth de Luna. MTV.
  41. Web site: http://www.tonplein.com/?p=4450. Top Songs of 2020: Korea. ko:2020 케이팝 결산. November 30, 2020. Tonplein. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202131311/http://www.tonplein.com/?p=4450. December 2, 2020. live. December 8, 2020.
  42. News: 20 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2020. January 1, 2021. January 11, 2021. Riddhi Chakraborty. Rolling Stone India.
  43. Web site: [일간랭킹: 4월 7일] (여자)아이들((G) I-DLE)의 'I TRUST: 미니앨범 3집 TRUE VER.' 1위]. Hanteo. April 7, 2020.
  44. Web site: [Breaking] (G)I-DLE Surpasses the Initial Chodong Sales Amount of 100K Copies on the 3rd Day Since Release of 'I Trust' (Hanteo Chart Official) "Achieves the growth rate of 495% and breaks the group's own record"]. Hanteo. April 9, 2020.
  45. Web site: http://www.stardailynews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=258504. ko:아이즈원(IZ*ONE), 정규 1집 '블룸아이즈' 예판 韓日 1위 동시 접수. Star Daily News. Hwang. Kyu-jun. ko. November 5, 2019. November 6, 2019.
  46. Web site: https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/202004081732750778. ko:(여자)아이들, 컴백 사흘 만 음반 판매량 10만 장 돌파…자체 최고. 100,000 albums sold over three days. Self best. Lee Ho-yeon . ko . April 8, 2020.
  47. Web site: https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2020041310192333464. ko:(여자)아이들 가온 앨범차트 1위..10만장 판매고[공식]. (G)I-dle, Gaon album chart #1 100,000 copies sold [Official]. Yoon. Sang-geun. Star News. ko . April 15, 2020.
  48. Web site: Luv U Maybe Lion Oh My God" (English Ver.). April 16, 2020.
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  53. Web site: ko:(여자)아이들, 데뷔곡 '라타타' 영어버전…세계시장 두드린다. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200515078000005. Yonhap News Agency. May 15, 2020. Oh. Bo-ram. ko.
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