On the 7th anniversary of their debut, (G)I-DLE has officially transformed—welcome to the era of i-dle.

In a bold and symbolic move, the group dropped the “G” and the word “girl” from their name, rebranding themselves simply as i-dle. This isn’t just a cosmetic update—it’s a redefinition of identity, power, and purpose, tightly connected to their upcoming 8th mini album, We are, slated for release on May 19.

From “I Am” to “We Are”: A Full-Circle Reinvention

Back in 2018, they made their debut with I Am, a declaration of personal identity. Seven years later, i-dle’s new album We are marks a powerful evolution from the individual to the collective. It’s a statement that the members, now stripped of old labels, stand united as a reimagined force.

Since their debut, the group—spearheaded by leader and producer Soyeon—has pushed K-pop boundaries through genre-bending tracks like “LATATA,” “Oh My God,” “TOMBOY,” “Nxde,” and “Queencard.” But with We are, i-dle isn’t just changing the sound—they’re reshaping the very foundation of their artistry.

Killing the “G”: A Symbolic Death and Rebirth

The rebrand has been rolled out through a carefully layered campaign. The “for G” tribute video visualizes the symbolic farewell to the “G”—the label of “girl”—as the members dance under a rain of wine, celebrating a liberating rebirth.

In the “i-dentity” video trailer, each member creatively sheds the “G” in everyday scenarios:

• Miyeon removes a stuck card and snaps off a nail decorated with the letter.
• Minnie walks away from the pain of high heels, symbolically discarding the “G” embedded in them.
• Soyeon rips the “G” off a car emblem post-crash.
• Yuqi lets a “G”-emblazoned golf club fall unnoticed.
• Shuhua kicks past a doorknob engraved with the letter.

In the final moment, the members come together and shatter a glass wall marked “G,” literally and metaphorically breaking through the identity cage they were once confined to.

A New Chapter Backed by Artistic Intention

This rebrand is more than marketing—it’s performance art, and one of the most intricately designed identity shifts seen in K-pop. The group’s exhibition, (G) Exhibition, held in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong, invited fans to engage with the transformation themselves, further cementing the emotional connection behind the change.

It also marks their first release since all members re-signed with CUBE Entertainment in December 2024—a statement of unity and forward momentum.

What Comes Next for i-dle?

With We are, the newly reborn i-dle are set to show the world what it means to exist beyond labels. Global fans are waiting in anticipation for how this rebirth will sound, look, and feel on stage.

One thing’s clear: the “G” is gone, but the ambition, edge, and identity that made them stars remains stronger than ever.

Are you ready for i-dle’s new era? What do you expect from We are?