[FOCUS] Monster rookie girl band ITZY makes successful debut in thriving K-pop scene

By Park Sae-jin Posted : February 13, 2019, 14:55 Updated : July 12, 2019, 11:18

[Photograph by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]

SEOUL -- "ITZY", a new teenage girl band created by JYP Entertainment, set its first grand footstep into the thriving global K-pop scene by mesmerizing some 36 million people on YouTube in about 60 hours with a music video for its debut song "Dalla Dalla" and earned the nickname "Monster Rookie."

Based on an initial reaction from fans at home and abroad, ITZY is threatening the glamor of its sister band TWICE, which has built a strong fan base across Asia for more than three years.

ITZY is the brainchild of Park Jin-young, a famous singer-producer who heads JYP Entertainment. He is well known for producing successful girl bands including Wonder Girls and miss A.

Dalla Dalla, which translates to "different" in Korean, captured the hearts of many K-pop fans soon after it was pre-released via YouTube on February 11.
The song topped South Korea's major real-time music charts soon after ITZY officially released its single debut album "IT's Different" on Tuesday.
 

[Photograph by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]

Unlike TWICE and may other girl bands, JYP's new band aims to bear an image of "teen crush," a girl crush style dubbed with vibrant and popping aspects unique to teenagers' characteristics.

"We see ourselves as having the image of teen crush, with all five of us having five different charms," Yeji, the 19-year-old group leader, said during a showcase event Tuesday. She confidently promised to show an aura that cannot be seen from other girl groups, saying her team members hope to get the title "monster rookie".

ITZY's unique style was reflected well in Dalla Dalla. The electro house music takes listeners for a rollercoaster ride of sing-talk verses and very K-pop girl band-like hip-hop based dance rhythm hook choruses. Its music video has received some 1.1 million likes and 173,000 comments from fans.

"I can tell this is a song people will either love or hate, but i LOVE it. it’s catchy but not the basic mainstream girl crush everybody was expecting," wrote FluffyUnicornLay, a YouTube user. Another user, Alanis Pinche, said: " ITZY IS THE NEW SENSATION!!!!!! I LOVE THIS SONG BUT 'IAM DALLA DALLA'."

The band's name ITZY, which means "to have" in Korean, symbolizes the talent of five teenage members -- Yuna, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Lia and Yeji. Before their debut, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yeji have demonstrated singing and dancing skills through TV survival audition shows as future K-pop stars.

"Unlike TWICE, which was tailored to the need for energetic, popular and friendly girl band with a huge fandom, ITZY is the brainchild of Park Jin-young," pop critic Kim Kyo-seok told Aju News. He said ITZY would follow the footsteps of Wonder Girls and miss A which have been loved for their unique style of music and performance.

Without seeking to have a large fandom, ITZY is likely to consistently set up each member's musical background and characteristics, Kim said. "ITZY will become a super girl group housing members with great talents and skills."
 
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