Written by: Shruti Nirmal, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Edited by: Devyani Segan, Delhi

Have you ever heard of the famous Greek mythology about types of love? IVE is inspired by Greek mythology, and Philautia, which means ‘Self-Love,’ is in a way their final destination or hidden form of love in their concepts.

IVE is a six-member girl group from Starship Entertainment that debuted on December 1, 2021. The group consists of Gaeul, An Yujin (leader), Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo. IVE’s uniqueness comes from its motto of self-love, which it promotes through its songs, visuals, and music video concepts. Their name is a well-known shorthand for ‘I HAVE,’ which emphasizes what you have and should confidently display. IVE also uses the fandom name ‘DIVE’ in their greeting: ‘DIVE into IVE.’ This article will look at six songs by IVE that explore different aspects of love.

After LIKE 

After Like is IVE’s ideal all-kill song, and it’s worth noting that the music video has color codes for each member! It’s a fantastic notion when you’re new to a K-pop group and want to learn more about them. Each member in the song video wears a single color, which fans like using to identify them: Rei opens the music video in a green dress and background; Leeseo is in sunflower yellow; Liz is in light blue; Yujin is in pink; Wonyoung is in red; and Gaeul is in dark blue. The song is about confessing that the feelings the singer has are more than a crush. They express this by asking, ‘What’s the after like?’ The song’s lyrics also hint at the solution, which is L-O-V-E, towards the end. However, the song also conveys a message of self-love. Whatever thought is at the top of the iceberg, it all leads to the idea of self-love.

“LO and an I and a VE
This is a space for you and I
No one can stop us
If you see me
You won’t even waste a blink
It’s nice to finally meet you
And I go between L-O-V-E”

Eleven 

Eleven is IVE’s debut song, and it serves as the foundation for the group’s idea. The song shows how a person’s attitude and world change upon meeting someone who makes them ‘feel like eleven,’ because ten is not enough! When they meet someone, they discover a side of themselves they didn’t know existed. The members explain the title in their first debut showcase. It is inspired by soccer’s ‘best eleven’ players to bring forth their full ability on the pitch. Gaeul says, ‘This is our first album that contains our ambition to show our best teamwork.’ The song takes heavy inspiration from the Greek figure Narcissus, who fell in love with his reflection as a result of a curse for his arrogance. This is also evident in the lyrics:

‘You, the one in front of me
The reflection of me in those eyes
I fell in love’

It is up to one’s interpretation whether she fell in love with the person or with herself or both. The debut posters also feature members sitting in a glass room, which is a fascinating teaser for the music video concept.

LOVE DIVE 

The song in question, Love Dive, is one of IVE’s most popular tracks. This song’s premise is similar to that of ‘Eleven.’ You may say that ‘Love Dive’ concludes the tale described in ‘Eleven.’ The song highlights the famous Greek figure, Narcissus.

‘Narcissistic, my god I love it’

The concept includes references to wings, Cupid, love-struck arrows, Narcissus’ reflection in the pond, and echoic sounds. The song includes a unique promotional video titled ‘Dear Cupid,’ which might serve as an introduction to ‘Love Dive,’ as the music begins where the video ends. In the video, the members ask Cupid six questions. The song reveals how self-love can go in two directions: healthy or unhealthy—self-acceptance or narcissism. This is also visible in the album cover, posters, lyrics, and dance part, where the members hold mirrors, making it clear that they love themselves and take pride in their appearance. Aside from the heavy meaning and background, Love Dive’s music and lyrics are unforgettable, especially these impactful lines:

‘(Woo) lalalalalalala
(Woo) Come on in, love dive
(Woo) oh perfect sacrifice yeah
Hold the breath, love dive’

Kitsch 

Kitsch is the pre-released song from their album “I’ve IVE.” The song shares the album with the title track, ‘I AM.’ This song is a game-changer for the entire album. Kitsch, as a word, has had quite a different meaning throughout history, but IVE uses an eccentric word to describe youth’s individuality. ‘I have an identity, and my style is unique to me; you aren’t the one to judge.’ Even though the word refers to things and ideas that are old or exhausted, IVE uses it as ‘nineteen’s kitsch.’ As a result, they establish their trends for others to follow until they are exhausted, and no one will condemn them. People must recognize that they are unique individuals who should not be defined solely by their differences from others. Keeping in mind the style and aesthetics of youth, the song is extremely modern. This music video can also come across as haughty and full of attitude at times, but that just adds to its charm. The climax of the music video, along with the verse, is amazing. That alone stopped my endless anxious thoughts at times of watching or listening to the song.

‘…This ain’t your life
Useless thoughts can go away
I’ll do what I want in this frustrating world
YOLO! Say no! Go your own way now
Nagging is quite down
Now finally peace out‘

Mine

‘Mine,’ written by Jang Wonyoung, is the sixth track on their album ‘I’ve IVE.’ The song sounds unique and lovely, with a lot of passion in it. The lyrics describe a girl’s charming attitude when she is falling in love. The song shares powerful feelings of attraction and desire for someone they like. But she is heartbroken when she finds that the person values themselves more than anyone else. Yet when they meet their special someone, it makes them feel like an innocent child with dreams.

‘Me more than love, and me more than you
It’s for sure, but when I look at you
I become like a marshmallow on a chocolate latte’

Despite valuing themselves more than anyone else, including the person they desire, the singer feels happy and lighthearted when she sees the person. The song holds truly unique vibes. It’s normally about giving up a piece of yourself for someone, but this song offers an uplifting message for yourself. Of course, the song can also be seen in reverse. Though I didn’t realise the lyrics until later, the music drew me in.

Off the Record

The newest song by IVE is from their upcoming album I’ve Mine, with Off the Record and two other songs having dedicated music videos. The song is laidback, soft, and groovy—the best fit for a good night’s sleep.

‘Off the record night
This late night conversation
Won’t come to an end
No more time, no more kill my vibe
This late night conversation
Won’t go to sleep’

Everyone has some idea of the perfect or ideal love they create in their minds. In the song, you can see Gaeul’s character kissing someone, but all you see is a shadow, not a person. She sees other couples and wonders what it would be like to be in their place. After all, finding a partner also means getting out of your comfort zone. The song has many Biblical references, such as lyrics about reaching out for the “forbidden island” or breaking out of your shell. The members are whispering into each other’s ears in the video, which is a call for temptation or for eating the ‘forbidden fruit.’ The song also leaves space for self-reflection. Being alone is not the same as being lonely. “I” can relate to the same lyrics without needing a romantic relationship. Sometimes we need time to figure things out and have ‘late-night conversations’ with ourselves.

IVE’s music takes you on an emotional roller-coaster, and its profound meaning adds significant value. What’s truly remarkable about their music is the depth and thought they infuse into it, allowing us to discover something new even months after hearing it, just as I did. Equally captivating is the group’s emphasis on self-love and individual identity.

From the good to the bad, they show different shades of love and self-love. There are many more songs in IVE’s discography that speak the language of love. One key takeaway is IVE’s signature theme of self-love and DIVE, the beloved fandom of IVE. Share your favorite IVE songs in the comments