They debuted on May 2, 2018 with their first mini-album I Am, featuring the title track "LATATA". (G)I-DLE are known to be directly involved in the creation of their music, and have been regarded as one of the most successful South Korean girl groups that do not hail from the "big three" record labels.
(G)I-DLE reached significant popularity in a short timeframe, receiving their first-ever music show win on SBS MTV's The Show on May 22, 2018, twenty days after their debut. With only one mini-album and two singles, the group earned several rookie awards at major year-end music award shows, including the Asia Artist Awards, Gaon Chart Music Awards, Genie Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Korea Popular Music Awards and Melon Music Awards. As a result, many dubbed (G)I-DLE as the "monster rookies" of 2018. Their participation in the League of Legends' virtual girl group project K/DA further increased their popularity globally.
After two more Korean releases, (G)I-DLE made their debut in the Japanese market on July 31,2019. Later that year, the group participated in Mnet's Queendom, a survival show where six groups competed to have the highest charting singles. As the rookies amongst older groups, (G)I-DLE finished in 3rd place. In early 2020, their first world tour I-Land: Who Am I was announced. Originally planned to span 32 cities around the world, the tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and an online concert was held in its place on July 5. Both Miyeon and Soyeon returned to reprise their roles as Ahri and Akali for the K/DA songs "THE BADDEST" and "MORE".
On January 11, 2021, (G)I-DLE released I Burn, which quickly became the best-selling album under Cube Entertainment, surpassing Fiction and Fact by B2ST after 10 years with over 200,000 copies sold. Simultaneously, "HWAA" topped domestic charts, achieved 10 music show wins, and was awarded a triple crown. On March 4, Soojin was announced to go on hiatus following bullying accusations. The group continued to promote, releasing "Last Dance" as a collaboration with the platform UNIVERSE on April 29.
For the remainder of the year, the members focused on solo activities, with Yuqi debuting as a soloist with A Page, and Soyeon making her solo comeback with Windy. Miyeon landed MC, acting, and singing opportunities, Minnie made her debut as an actress in So Not Worth It, while Shuhua participated in the Taiwanese variety program Mr. Player. On August 14, it was announced that Soojin would officially leave (G)I-DLE, with them to continue as a five-member group.
They made their first performance as five on January 17, 2022 during Expo 2020 in Dubai. On February 24, they announced their first full-length album I Never Die, which was released on March 14 to critical acclaim. "TOMBOY" became the group's first chart-topper in South Korea on both the Gaon Digital Chart, the K-pop Hot 100 as well as South Korea's Billboard, where it remained for three weeks straight, which earned the group 167 Perfect All-Kills. "MY BAG" additionally became the group's highest charting b-side, peaking at twenty-two on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart, thirty-four on the K-pop Hot 100, and nine on South Korea's Billboard chart. On April 27, Miyeon debuted as a soloist with My. (G)I-DLE then began their first world tour, Just Me ( )I-dle, starting in South Korea, the United States, Chile, Mexico, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and Singapore.
Since their debut, the group has released nine mini-albums: I Am (2018), I Made (2019), Latata (2019), I Trust (2020), Oh My God (2020), I Burn (2021), I Love (2022), I feel (2023), and HEAT (2023).
They also have released fourteen singles, which include: "LATATA", "HANN (Alone)", "Senorita", "Uh-Oh", "LION", "Oh My God", "DUMDi DUMDi", HWAA", "TOMBOY", "Nxde", "Allergy", "Queencard", "I DO", and "I Want That".
On March 14, 2022, (G)I-DLE released their first studio album, I NEVER DIE.
VILLAIN DIES
(G)I-DLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who is a villain?
Yeah
혀 안에 가득 찬 사탕 strawberry
이게 내 마지막 만찬인지 따갑게 달콤해 (oh)
멍청해, 흙투성이 쟨 멀쩡해
몇 발을 쏴도 내 총엔 맞지 않아 it's okay
Why don't you love me?
이것 봐, 이리 아름다운데
이 미친 소설의 끝은 대체 언제쯤
Hah, if the villain dies
(Okay, bullet, love, die)
Heroine is mine
I'll never die
Even if it's your sad ending
Heroine is mine
I'll never die
Even if it's your sad ending ah
Yeah, you put me down and want me dead
In fact, you don't even know me that well
I never cry, but I was in pain yesterday as well 'cause of her
Who is the villain?
그 악당이 나였네, 모든 걸 망치는 그녀를 미워했는데 (yeah, yeah)
이 소설 속 악당은 나였네
Hey, you God or author?
Way to hell, but not alone
뵈는 게 없어진 나의 play는 바꿔버릴 거야 이 결론
Hey, you God or author?
I'm goin' to hell, but not alone no, no, no
Why do you love her?
이것 봐, 늘 날 아프게 하는데
이 미친 소설의 끝은 대체 언제쯤
Hah, if the villain dies
(Okay, bullet, love, die)
Heroine is mine
I'll never die
Even if it's your sad ending
Heroine is mine
I'll never die
Even if it's your sad ending
멍청하게 흘러가게 두지 않아 난
재밌는 ending을 다 잘 봐 um-mm
악역의 웃음에 우울한 마지막 장
Oh, right
Oh, right, write
Never die
The song VILLAIN by (G)I-DLE is a reflection of the popular Korean drama trope of the uneasy relationship between the hero and the villain. The lyrics portray the story of the singer, who identifies herself as the villain, despised and neglected by the hero but still standing firm. The song starts with the introduction of the villain, who is sweet like a strawberry, but her sweetness does not last long. She is well aware of her position and knows that no matter what she does, she won't succeed or be able to charm the hero. The villain expresses her frustration and pain through the line, "Why don't you love me?", suggesting that her attempts to gain the hero's affection have always gone unnoticed.
As the song progresses, the villain shift gears and begins to question her own identity, "Who is the villain?". She recognizes that, in fact, she is the antagonist in the hero's story, trying to win him over to no avail. The song ends with the villain never losing, never dying, and finally accepting her role, with the line "Never die". The lyrics of VILLAIN depicts the difficulties and struggles of a villain in any story or relationship, who is often unpopular and unloved, but still perseveres and stands their ground.
Overall, VILLAIN by (G)I-DLE is an interesting take on the hero and villain relationship trope and the emotional turmoil the villain goes through to win their hero's love. The song is emotionally engaging and compelling, and the overall message is relatable and universal.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time, there was a villain
The story begins with a character who is a villain.
Who is a villain?
The question is asked to emphasize the character's role in the story.
My tongue is filled with a strawberry candy
The character is enjoying the taste of the candy, which might be the last meal they have.
Is this my last dinner? It's bittersweet.
The character is reflecting on their situation, which is a mix of good and bad feelings.
Stupid me, covered in dirt, but still alive
The character contrasts the fact that they are still alive despite being a villain and covered in dirt with their own stupidity.
No matter how many bullets you shoot, they won't hit my gun. It's okay.
The character is confident in their own abilities and doesn't fear any danger.
Alright? Okay, okay.
The character is reassuring themselves that everything is okay and they can handle whatever comes their way.
Why don't you love me? Look at me, I'm so beautiful.
The character is questioning why they aren't loved despite their physical appearance.
When will this crazy novel ever end?
The character is desperate for the story to end and is questioning when that will happen.
Hah, if the villain dies...
The character acknowledges that they are the villain of the story and realizes that their death is possibly the end of the story.
Okay, bullet, love, die. Heroine is mine.
The character lists the factors that would cause their death, as well as reiterating their claim over the heroine of the story.
I'll never die, even if it's your sad ending.
The character is determined to survive and overcome any obstacles and defy any negative endings that the author may have in store.
Yeah, you put me down and want me dead. In fact, you don't even know me that well.
The character is aware that they are the target of the author's or God's will, but feels misunderstood by them.
I never cry, but I was in pain yesterday because of her.
The character is hurt by the actions or the mere presence of the heroine in the story, despite their tough exterior.
Who is the villain? I was the bad guy, hating her as she destroyed everything.
The character realizes that they themselves are the true villain and that everything was ruined simply because they hated the heroine.
Hey, you God or author? I'll change this ending, where there's no one left to see my play.
The character addresses the author or God directly, and vows to rewrite the story in a way that suits them, even if no one is around to read it.
I'm going to hell, but not alone. Hey, you God or author?
The character is possibly alluding to the fact that they are aware of their role in the story and are acknowledging that others, such as the author, also share the responsibility.
Why do you love her? Look at me, she's always hurting me.
The character is questioning why the heroine is loved, even though they cause the character so much pain.
Hah, if the villain dies...
The character repeats this line again, signifying their willingness to die as the villain.
Okay, bullet, love, die. Heroine is mine.
The character repeats this line again, reiterating their ownership over the heroine and the variables that could cause their death.
I'll never die, even if it's your sad ending.
The character repeats this line again, reiterating their determination to rewrite the story and their refusal to succumb to a sad ending.
I won't just let things flow stupidly. I'll enjoy the ending.
The character is determined to make the ending of the story entertaining and worth reading and not just let it happen without thought.
The last chapter ends on a depressed note, with the laugh of the villain.
The story ends with a depressing atmosphere, with the laughter of the villain as the final sound.
Oh, right. Oh, right, write. Never die.
The character repeats this line again, signifying that they will never die and the story will continue to be rewritten or continued.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: So Yeon Jeon, Seong Ho Park, Kang Hyun Jo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind