ITZY Is 'Born to Be' Resilient on New Album: 'Think About How Strong You Are' (Exclusive)

Though terms like self-love and confidence may seem simple on the surface, ITZY shows that there can be a deeper and ever-evolving meaning behind the concepts.

Ever since ITZY first ushered their explosive influence on the K-pop landscape in 2019, the girl group’s artistic ethos has nearly become inseparable from those concepts. The numerous records shattered, millions of music video views and their first world tour have cemented just how much their messages have resonated with their fans, the Midzys. 

But when the five girls aren’t in their element on stage, it’s easier to imagine the pressure and expectations that the young women have grown up with in the public eye. Very quickly, such static concepts may feel more stifling to constantly uphold, rather than empowering. 

But instead of crumbling under the pressure, ITZY rises up as a diamond. In fact, they emerge with the force of a literal volcano in the release of their eighth mini-album, Born to Be. In a 10-track tour de force, four of the girls — Yeji, 23, Ryujin, 22, Chaeryeong, 22, and Yuna, 20 — return to their energetic, “girl crush” roots that showcases their raw power and determination. 

The album’s first track of the same name reflects their yearning to embrace the part of themselves that was “born to be wild and free.” Alongside a sizzling electric beat, the song suggests that one has to overcome their own limitations as well. 

If their seventh mini-album, Kill My Doubt, hinted at their desire to rise above their doubts and break free, then Born to Be makes that a reality. Emboldened by an “intense mood,” as Ryujin tells PEOPLE, the album’s title track "Untouchable" sees the black-clad girls launching headstrong into their path forward. Their dynamic choreography even becomes a weapon as they take out a whole team of helmet-clad pursuers with shields, determined to stop them. Instead of hiding underneath the weight of a crown as proper princesses from their Checkmate era, the girls shed those layers for good.

But self-love and exploration take a more complex turn as the girls get the chance to co-write their own solos and express more of who they are. Take Yuna’s bubbly and youthful solo, "Yet But," and contrast that with Yeji’s ultra-powerful "Crown on My Head." Or listen as Ryujin embodies a more villainous side in "Run Away" and how Chaeryeong leaves her self-composed song, "Mine," to the listener’s interpretation.

With this newfound freedom also comes a space to question what loving and accepting oneself truly mean. While speaking to PEOPLE on Zoom during an early Seoul morning, the girls begin to reflect back on how concepts like self-love have shifted in meaning. 

After a thoughtful moment, Yuna, the group’s youngest member, gives her take. 

"When I debuted, I thought simply caring for me, providing me with delicious food, providing me with a good sleep, and these kinds of one-dimensional things was self-love," the singer says. "But as time passed and I spent more time with the members, self-love is more about feeling stable and being well with lots of people around me."

Drawing from their own wealth of experiences, the members are quick to jump in and provide tips to trainees as newer idols increasingly debut at younger ages. 

"Take care, and loving yourself is very good," Chaeryeong says. "I would say love yourself."

Ryujin also encourages the same, recalling a specific moment when she saw a group of younger idols. 

"At age of 16 or 15, they have to go out and play and they should do whatever they want, but because they’re [an] idol, there will be some things that they can’t [do] if they want," she explains. "I just want to tell them you’re doing great and please be healthy, and I hope they do whatever they want."

Being in the public eye as an idol often comes with a certain level of pressure. Yet, even though the girls have grown accustomed to it with confidence and grace, they’ve still never been afraid to show that they encounter challenges and worries as well, just like their fans.

For some of the members, being one with themselves comes naturally to them at all times, onstage and off. 

"I try not to distinguish between my appearance at work and my everyday appearance," Yeji muses. "I think I try to show many people who I am as a person."

On the other hand, Yuna says she’s still finding her balance as she grows up under the spotlight. During the harder moments, she’s focused on trying to find a more mature way to work through her emotions. What helps is having her fellow members to look up to and lean on, she says. 

Chaeryeong has also become more resilient from moving past tough emotions as well, making new challenges “easier and quicker” to overcome than before, she adds. 

Ryujin is quick to agree, realizing that “I’m going to be stronger than I thought."

"Even if you don’t face very hard moments, you can [still] think about how strong you are," she continues. "Those kinds of moments always taught me that you can do more."

Rather than letting challenges continually worry her, Yeji says she’s gotten better at "shaking it off as quickly as possible.

"I think I actually now know how to get rid of [worrisome thoughts,] so I tend to get over it as quickly as possible.” 

Armed with newfound strength, ITZY is setting a new bar of success for themselves in 2024. For Yeji, her motivating factor comes whenever she hears that her songs have inspired strength in others. As for Ryujin? It’s the vision that one day, ITZY can be heard and seen everywhere.

And soon, come February, the K-pop stars will be one giant leap closer to fulfilling their goals as they kick off their second world tour in Seoul. 

"I’m very excited, and at the same time, a little bit nervous, but I hope that all the members don’t get hurt, stay healthy and prepare well for this comeback and world tour," Yeji says. 

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The mention of touring brings up warm and happy memories for the members ever since their first showcase tour in 2020. While Ryujin fondly recalls a trip to the amusement park, Chaeryeong reminisces the visions of snow falling on their Atlanta stop. Fried food also brings up many particularly savory moments. 

"Onion rings!" Ryujin says excitedly of her favorite American food. 

"Pancakes," Chaeyerong adds with a sense of nostalgia. 

Yuna pipes in with "French fries" and a chorus of agreeable murmurs arise. 

With their tour coinciding around their fifth anniversary as a group, a sentimental feeling naturally arises. When asked what message they would send to their younger selves, a series of themes resonate across the board, alluding that their best years are yet to come. 

"Hi Yeji. How are you?" the idol says to her younger self aloud. "Good job. You worked hard and had really good times. You will continue to be happy in the future, so keep going!"

"For me, I want to tell my younger self to be a little more lazy," Ryujin says with a laugh. "When I was practicing for my debut, I was really passionate and hard-working, so I think I want to tell myself to cool down a little bit."

On the flip side, Chaeryeong offers a slightly different message to her past self. 

"I want to say to my younger Chaeryeong, work harder!" she says with a light-hearted smile. "More, work hard!"

After a series of laughs, Yuna composes herself for her own message, reflecting on ITZY’s bright past, present and future. 

"Don’t worry too much," she simply says. "Everything will turn out great."

Born to Be is available to stream now.