ITZY X GALACTIKA, working together for the fourth time followed by their previous hits ‘DALLA DALLA’, ‘WANNABE’, and the ‘LOCO’ Chin, Carmen (June 2, 2022). "Itzy announce 2022 North American tour and an upcoming mini-album". NME . Retrieved June 16, 2022. ITZY once again delivers a hit song with GALACTIKA, “SNEAKERS” showcase their chemistry from prior collaborations on ITZY’s iconic songs ‘DALLA DALLA’, ‘WANNABE’, and ‘LOCO’. In addition, Swedish composer Sebastian Thott, who worked on the song ‘Mirror’ from the first full-length album < CRAZY IN LOVE > , joined to increase the song’s perfection. Their first world tour, it has been a long time coming for ITZY, who saw the pandemic strike barely a year into their career. “[I’m looking forward to] meeting our fans face to face, the screaming,” Chaeryeong says, smiling shyly. “ Especially the screaming,” Ryujin emphasises. “Since it’s been, like, two years that we haven’t heard the real screams from our fans, I really missed it. I’m really looking forward to it!” Yuna adds: “[‘Domino’] describes the relationship not only among [the members of] ITZY, but also [between] ITZY and MIDZY (their fans) very well through the lyrics. I think this song also shows all the process we came through to release this album.”

ITZY Interview: New Album ‘Checkmate’ and Expectations ITZY Interview: New Album ‘Checkmate’ and Expectations

There’s no mistaking ITZY. Known for their fiery stage presence and charisma, the quintet have worked their way up into becoming one of the most distinct groups in K-pop, both visually and sonically. The audacious quintet paint their image with a distinctly bold palette, unafraid to demand your full attention. A few years ago, I used to be more unstable,” Lia recalls. “[It wasn’t] only confidence. I was unstable because I was very unsure of myself. I wasn’t sure if what I was doing was right or correct. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I was doing at that time. I was doing what I [could] do– like at my best – but I didn’t know exactly where I was heading.” ITZY showed unrivaled presence in KPOP field by satisfying the tastes of MZ generation (Millennial generation born in the early 1980s to early 2000s, and Generation Z born in the middle of 1990s to early 2000s), with their perfect live skills and performance on stage. ITZY as “4th generation representative girl-group”, they aim worldwide fandom and music industry in this summer with their new album that has their strong leap forward. The success of their past few releases, while daunting to follow, has only made the group more determined to show the world what they are made of. “It would be a lie if we said we felt no pressure at all,” Lia confesses. “But I guess [this time], we just tried to focus on showing what kind of group we are, what kind of group ITZY really are, and how good we can be.” Chaeryeong shares how she remains empowered to forge forward. “Our fans, my members, my family, they’re my motivation,” she tells us, earning a resounding chorus of “awwws” from her bandmates. I think the reason that person is perfect is because it’s her, like, it’s them. Like, the reason Yeji is so good is because it’s Yeji, because Yeji’s doing it,” she continues, gesturing to the leader, who lets out a flustered laugh as Ryujin nods enthusiastically. “And I think I’m doing my best that I can in my place,” Lia continues.

Details

It’s easy to spot the sisterhood that comprises the core of ITZY’s humanity. It’s as evident on calls as it is on screen – while Lia leads through most of the interview, she deflects to Yeji seamlessly. Ryujin’s calm energy is a contrast to Yuna’s excitable charm, and when the shy Chaeryeong speaks, the others silently encourage her and help her out. Due to the pandemic, we couldn’t travel the world. But we can feel the love through the comments!” – Yeji

ITZY (있지) - CHECKMATE (5th Mini Album) [24bit/96kHz] ITZY (있지) - CHECKMATE (5th Mini Album) [24bit/96kHz]

Ji-hye, Kim (July 15, 2022). "[팝's신곡]"원래 두려운 게 없어 난"..ITZY, '스니커즈' 신고 당당한 발걸음"[[Pop's new song] "I'm not afraid of anything", ITZY's SNEAKER Released]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021 . Retrieved July 15, 2022– via Naver. Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of July 20, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese) . Retrieved July 20, 2022. From their genesis, this interpersonal bond has been the strongest pillar in their foundation, often wondrous to watch as it unfolds on stage. The lightning speed of thought transference among them is par with their smooth choreography – a fluvial transition of personal relationships into professional ones. Their latest mini-album – led by the bold, energetic ‘Sneakers’ – is testament to that. At first glance, ITZY’s regal visuals for the new record and single appear mismatched. After all, who would connect a princess-inspired concept to a pair of running shoes? Coming from a group so fiercely committed to marching to the beat of their own drum, though, the mish-mash of ideas makes sense.Being comfortable in your shoes,” as the group puts it, is an alluring idea, but they’re not above admitting that it’s easier said than done. They’re no strangers to pressure –“for me, the pressure helps me do more, dance more, or [present] better stages,” counters Ryujin – but as these adjectives become synonymous with who they are, there is little room for days when you’re not feeling up to it. Lia explains: “We have this thing… it’s like a cute word for that kind of [bonding] moment. We didn’t want to make it too deep and too emotional, because we don’t want to hurt anyone. It’s very easy to hurt someone’s feelings when we’re dealing with that kind of stuff, so we wanted to make that middle ground. We decided to call it–” APMA 2022】亚洲流行音乐大奖2022年度入围名单"[[APMA 2022] Asian Pop Music Awards 2022 Shortlist]. Weibo (in Chinese). December 13, 2022 . Retrieved 2022-12-16. NME’s conversation with ITZY takes place entirely in English without the aid of a translator. Though vocalist Lia has studied a couple years abroad in Canada, the rest of the group have spent their entire lives in Korea. Even so, the girls breeze through the interview, candidly expressing themselves with ease. The members break out in a chorus of laughter, nodding furiously in agreement when Ryujin tells us that their language skills have improved. “She said that English is confidence,” she adds, pointing at Yeji, and the leader lets out a giggle before throwing up a peace sign. As we chat, it becomes clear how much the members of ITZY have grown to rely on one another over the years. Despite some of their personalities being worlds apart, they meld together seamlessly as a team, both on and off stage. “Our teamwork and our bond have gotten much better,” Lia reflects. ITZY are a group of all-rounders, yet every member possesses specific talent – think Lia’s powerful voice or Chaeryeong’s razor-sharp dance moves – that assures each of them an important role in the group. “Because we understand each other so well, we know what kind of person they are,” Lia shares. “We know what kind of people [each of] ourselves are, so we wouldn’t want to be someone else.”

CHECKMATE | ITZY Wiki | Fandom CHECKMATE | ITZY Wiki | Fandom

The other members help me a lot,” Chaeryeong says. “They give me a lot of positive energy, support me, and give me advice.”Mathew, Ilin (January 2, 2023). "Golden Disc Awards 2023 Performers, Presenters, Nominees, and More". International Business Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023 . Retrieved January 2, 2023. We’ve been together for a long time – four years now.” Ryujin says. “We work together. We eat together, we sleep together. We do everything together.”

CHECKMATE - Album by ITZY - Apple Music ‎CHECKMATE - Album by ITZY - Apple Music

a b "2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023 . Retrieved January 13, 2023. Ironically, that very implication also makes them equally vulnerable. I deas leave little space for humanity. It’s easy to think of them as monoliths – perfect and perfectly confident – and with a label like that, expectations soon follow. Matching ITZY’s zany energy step for perfectly coordinated step, it’s a motivating anthem and a self-help pep-talk rolled into one. As concerns about coming off as a “weirdo” or “trouble” are left behind in the dust, it’s as much a reassurance for ITZY as it is for their fans. Despite their apparent status and power, the rules of their position are unspoken but evident, keeping them caged inside a dazzling prison until they throw caution to the wind and decide to break free. Let the chips fall where they may – they’ll be out here ditching the high heels and running full-speed towards their dreams with their sneakers on. In these moments, they lean on each other, combining the promised freedom and self-assurance of their songs with friendship that’s stood the test of time. “The other members help. We tell that member: ‘No, don’t listen to that. You’re not like that. We are the ones who know you the best. It’s not them,’” Lia says. “I think that’s really nice because [the haters] are not the ones that know me. I have my close ones here, and they’re telling me that I’m a better person.”

CRITIC REVIEWS

Dongre, Divyansha (July 15, 2022). "Itzy Embrace Their Queenship in the Latest Music Video for 'Sneakers' ". Rolling Stone India . Retrieved July 16, 2022. Oficjalna lista sprzedaży:: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 4, 2022. The closest descriptor she gets to is “family,” and even that pales in comparison : “Although families are [usually] the closest person, they could listen to you, but they can’t [a] hundred percent relate to you because they haven’t been in your shoes.”