IVE's prerelease track 'Rebel Heart' sweeps domestic charts

By KTimes

Girl group IVE, which has topped charts since its debut in 2021, continues to dominate the music scene with its latest track.

IVE is popular among millennials and Gen Zers, earning them the title of "Gen MZ's Wannabe Icon."

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, “Rebel Heart,” the prerelease track from “IVE EMPATHY,” the group's third mini-album released on Jan. 13, secured the top spot on all major domestic music platforms, including Melon, Genie, Bugs and Vibe. This achievement earned them a "PAK," or a Perfect All-Kill, in the charts, a rare feat in the industry.

Since its release, “Rebel Heart” has steadily climbed the charts, demonstrating IVE’s immense digital power. The song has made waves on Melon’s upper-tier rankings, often referred to as the "concrete charts," as it is difficult to break into the top spots.

“Rebel Heart” features a rich blend of vocal harmonies, a soaring chorus and an uptempo drum beat layered with emotive string arrangements. While maintaining IVE’s signature musical identity, the track showcases a more mature perspective, offering warmth and empathy with a fresh "new style" that sets it apart from the group's previous releases.

IVE also dominated music show rankings, winning first place on Mnet's “M Countdown” on Jan. 23, followed by KBS2's “Music Bank,” MBC's “Show! Music Core” and SBS' “Inkigayo.” The group achieved six total wins, including back-to-back victories on “M Countdown” and “Inkigayo” for two consecutive weeks.

Adding to the excitement, various bands have participated in the “Rebel Heart” band challenge, further fueling the song’s popularity.

The music video for “Rebel Heart” also became an instant sensation, topping YouTube’s trending videos and trending music charts upon release. The video portrays a defiant march of rebels with diverse stories, reinforcing IVE’s strong team identity and captivating viewers with its striking visuals.

Having set the stage for a comeback with “Rebel Heart,” IVE officially released its third mini-album, “IVE EMPATHY,” on Monday. With their double lead track “ATTITUDE,” the group is set to reaffirm its confident and bold musical identity.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.