Maps of Music

I Love (2022)

Where the lyrics of I Love take you, and where it was really made.

The album was named 'I Love', but its title has no object, and the group left the meaning of 'love' to each listener.

Key places

Recording at CUBE STUDIO (2022)

Recording site CUBE STUDIO — The album was recorded at CUBE STUDIO, the studio linked to the release, and the members wrote the songs themselves. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Mixing at KLANG STUDIO (2022)

Recording site KLANG STUDIO — The album's mixing is recorded at KLANG STUDIO, a separate studio from the one where the vocals were recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• I Love: fifth Korean EP (seventh overall) by (G)I-dle
• Released digitally on 17 October 2022 and physically on 18 October 2022 by Cube Entertainment
• Three physical versions: Born, Act, X-file
• Six tracks, with the lead single "Nxde"
• Tracks are listed in reverse to narrate the process of love, from first love (track 6) to loving oneself (track 1)
• Vintage Hollywood-inspired concept

Background

• Concept first mentioned by Soyeon on I Live Alone, which aired on 13 May 2022
• Soyeon said the album was inspired by the late Marilyn Monroe, aiming to break the "dumb blonde" image
• Preparation was completed before the Just Me ( )I-dle World Tour, held from 17 June to 1 October 2022
• Keeps the 'I' theme, following I Never Die (2022)

Recording

• Three members took part in the lyrics, composition and arrangement of all six tracks
• Leader Soyeon composed and arranged the title track and took a large part in writing every song
• Recorded at CUBE STUDIO, Seoul
• Mixing location listed as KLANG STUDIO

Cover

• Act version: heart-shaped objects and retro lingerie in a provocative, seductive mood
• Born version: visuals inspired by Marilyn Monroe
• X-file version: rabbit masks covering the faces

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ko.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Formed by Cube Entertainment in 2018 as (G)I-dle, a six-member girl group; renamed I-dle in May 2025.
• Debuted on May 2, 2018 with EP I Am and lead single "Latata".
• Soojin departed on August 14, 2021, leaving five members.

Members

• Current members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon (leader, rapper), Yuqi, Shuhua.
• Former member: Soojin (2018–2021).

Career

• Praised for musicality and for self-producing their material, breaking idol stereotypes.
• "Tomboy" (2022) from debut studio album I Never Die became a viral hit and topped the Circle Digital Chart.
• "Nxde" also topped the chart; the group was the only artist with two perfect all-kills in 2022.
• "Queencard" from EP I Feel (2023) marked a third consecutive number-one single in South Korea.
• Second studio album 2 and EP I Sway were released in 2024; contracts were renewed the same year.
• Describes an artist with self-written material and a fanbase called "Neverland".

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Writing for Genius, Sofia E. Gomez called the album "impressive" for its lyrics on self-love, toxic relationships and destructive behaviours
• Gomez praised the group for being bold, raw and evocative, no longer tied to outdated social beliefs
• In The Korea Herald, Park Jun-hee said the album is not the typical love-talk album
• Park praised the group for tackling self-love and self-care, topics many in K-pop shy away from
• Park wrote that the six tracks tell the story of a brokenhearted person, or a hopeless romantic, who finds love for themselves

Records

• Debuted at number one on the Circle Chart with over 500,000 copies
• Circle album chart: debuted at number one with 637,090 copies
• Circle Retail Album Chart: over 227,416 copies on the release day
• Growth rate up 284% compared with the group's previous album I Never Die
• Pre-orders surpassed 700,000 copies on 11 October, a Cube Entertainment record
• Hanteo Chart: over 610,000 copies sold by 21 October, the fifth day of release
• iTunes top album chart: number one in Singapore and Brazil on 17 October
• "Nxde" topped real-time charts Melon, Bugs! and genie on release

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ja.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Soyeon said the album was inspired by Marilyn Monroe, and wanted to show Monroe's true self beyond her sex-symbol persona.
• Shuhua took 2–3 days to think over the platinum-blonde look before accepting the proposal.
• The title 'Nxde' replaces the 'u' in 'nude' with an 'x'.
• Hours before release, the group held a media showcase called 'X-Love Show' to discuss the making of the album.
• The album's pre-order record was set on 11 October, before the release on 17 October.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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