Wikipedia

Gold (Itzy EP)

(Redirected from Imaginary Friend (Itzy song))

Gold is the ninth extended play by South Korean girl group Itzy. It was released by JYP Entertainment on October 15, 2024, and contains 11 tracks, including the singles "Gold" and "Imaginary Friend" and five tracks from Born to Be (2024) re-recorded as a quintet. The EP marks the return of Lia to group activities following her health-related hiatus.

Gold
Members of Itzy sitting
Digital cover
EP by
Itzy
ReleasedOctober 15, 2024 (2024-10-15)
Length33:55
LanguageKorean
Label
Itzy chronology
Born to Be
(2024) 		Gold
(2024)
Singles from Gold
  1. "Gold"
    Released: October 15, 2024
  2. "Imaginary Friend"
    Released: October 28, 2024

Background

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Itzy performed as a quartet from September 2023 to July 2024 while Lia took a hiatus to focus on her recovery from anxiety.[1] During this time, they released and promoted the extended play Born to Be in January 2024,[2] and the Japanese-language single "Algorhythm" in May 2024.[3] Lia resumed her group activities on July 8, 2024, during a livestream for the group's fifth anniversary.[4] JYP Entertainment confirmed that Itzy would be releasing their next album in October on the same day.[5]

Music and lyrics

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Composition

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We created this album with the determination to properly show our colors, encompassing all those feelings. We wanted to say that we are still different

— Yuna, during a showcase for the album

Gold consists of 11 tracks and has a runtime of 33 minutes and 56 seconds. The EP's tracks revolve around the motif "our world is still different" and aim to showcase the group's versatility.[6] Itzy collaborated with producers Ryan S. Jhun and Dem Jointz, and lyricists Jo Yoon-kyung and Bang Hye-hyun in producing the record. Changbin of Stray Kids features on "Vay" and was listed as a writer for the track.[7][8]

Songs

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The EP opens with the pop-rock eponymous track, which showcases the group's signature energetic sound and features the electric guitar.[6][9] "Imaginary Friend" explores a sweeter melody that contrasts with the band's past work, exploring an old school pop-style acoustic sound.[6][9] "Bad Girls R Us" contains elements of country pop and jazz with "sassy" motifs.[9] Chaeryeong highlights "Supernatural" for having a "mysterious and dreamy vibes".[9] Yeji explained that "Five" expresses the group's bond from their "first meeting to the present", deeming it an integral part of the album.[9]

The latter part of the album are re-recorded versions of "Born to Be", "Untouchable", "Mr. Vampire", "Dynamite", and "Escalator" from Born to Be (2024), which included Lia's vocals and were noted as "Final version".[7][8]

Release and promotion

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Gold was released on October 15, 2024, alongside the singles "Gold" and "Imaginary Friend", as Itzy's ninth extended play.[10]

The record's title and release date were announced on September 13, alongside the promotional schedule.[10] The album's concept trailer was released on September 30.[11] On October 7, the six new tracks for the album were previewed through a series of videos accompanied by instrumental snippets.[12]

The music video teasers for "Gold" were released on October 9 and 11.[13][14] Following the release of Gold, Itzy will hold a fan meeting on November 2 to support the album.[15]

Track listing

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Track listing for Gold
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Gold"
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • Dem Jointz
3:07
2."Imaginary Friend"Ryan S. Jhun
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • James Daniel Lewis
  • Jun Seo
  • Hwan Yang
3:22
3."Bad Girls R Us"Jo Yoon-kyung
Jason Suwito3:02
4."Supernatural"
  • Jack Brady
  • Jordan Roman
  • Austin Wolfe
  • Sofia Quinn
The Wavys3:08
5."Five"
  • Myung Hye-in (Inhouse)
  • Song Yu (Inhouse)
  • Kobee (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Holy M (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Voll (Inhouse)
  • Ezit (Inhouse)
  • Arineh Karimi
  • Jonna Hall
  • Kobee (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Holy M (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Voll (Inhouse)
  • Ezit (Inhouse)
3:21
6."Vay" (featuring Changbin of Stray Kids)Changbin (3Racha)
  • Changbin (3Racha)
  • Restart
  • Chae Kang-hae
  • Restart
  • Chae Kang-hae
2:41
7."Born to Be" (Final version)Noday
  • Arineh Karimi
  • Gusten Dahlqvist
Gusten Dahlqvist2:58
8."Untouchable" (Final version)
  • Maria Marcus
  • Zarah Christenson
  • Tobias Näslund
Tobias Näslund3:14
9."Mr. Vampire" (Final version)Seo Ji-eum
  • Kobee (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Holy M (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Ezit (Inhouse)
  • Noémie Legrand
  • Sofia Quinn
  • Melange (Inhouse)
  • Ezit (Inhouse)
2:50
10."Dynamite" (Final version)Noday
  • Kobee (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Holy M (Melange/Inhouse)
  • Voll (Inhouse)
  • Noémie Legrand
  • Sofia Quinn
  • Melange (Inhouse)
  • Voll (Inhouse)
2:49
11."Escalator" (Final version)Lee Thor
  • G'harah 'PK' Degeddingseze
  • Tricia Battani
  • G'harah 'PK' Degeddingseze
  • Tricia Battani
3:20
Total length:33:52

Charts

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Chart performance for Gold
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] 45
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] 116
Greek Albums (IFPI)[18] 22
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[19] 29
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[20] 12
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[21] 31
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[22] 38
South Korean Albums (Circle)[23] 3
US Billboard 200[24] 60
US World Albums (Billboard)[25] 3

Release history

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Release history for Gold
Region Date Format Label
South Korea October 15, 2024 CD
Various
United States October 25, 2024 CD
  • JYP
  • Republic

References

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  1. ^ Cho, Yong-jun (September 18, 2023). "ITZY's Lia to pause activities due to health concerns". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (January 8, 2024). "K-pop group ITZY drops 'Born To Be' album, 'Untouchable' MV". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Lee, Min-ji (May 15, 2024). ITZY, 오늘(15일) 日 싱글 3집 'Algorhythm' 정식 발매 [ITZY officially releases 3rd Japanese single 'Algorhythm' today (15th)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via Naver.
  4. ^ Yoo, Hong (July 9, 2024). "Lia to join Itzy's comeback in H2". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Kang, Seo-jung (July 9, 2024). 있지 리아, 활동중단 1년여만 직접 복귀선언 "긴장·불안증상 호전"(전문)[종합] [Itzy's Lia announces her return after about a year of hiatus, "Improvement of tension and anxiety symptoms" (Full text) [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Naver.
  6. ^ a b c Lee, Gyu-hee (October 15, 2024). "ITZY set to shine again with new album 'GOLD'". koreatimes. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Kang, Joo-hee (September 13, 2024). 있지, 내달 15일 완전체 컴백...데뷔 첫 더블 타이틀곡 도전 [Yes, full group comeback on the 15th of next month...Challenge of double title song for the first time since debut] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024 – via Naver.
  8. ^ a b So-yeon, Yoon (September 9, 2024). "ITZY to shine with 'Gold' EP on Oct. 15". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e Assis, Tássia (October 14, 2024). "ITZY's rise to the top of K-pop". Dazed. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Yoon, Sang-geun (September 13, 2024). '완전체' Itzy 10월 15일 'Gold' 컴백 확정..더블 타이틀곡[공식] ['Complete' Itzy confirms 'Gold' comeback on October 15th...double title song [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Jeon, Hyo-jin (September 30, 2024). '컴백' 있지, 트레일러 영상 공개 ['Comeback' ITZY releases trailer video] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Jeon, Hyo-jin (October 7, 2024). ITZY, '골드' 수록곡 맛보기 음원 공개 [ITZY releases preview of songs included in 'Gold'] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved October 12, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Seon, Mi-kyung (October 9, 2024). "대혼란을 일으켜"..ITZY의 강렬한 록 사운드 'GOLD' ["Causing chaos"...ITZY's intense rock sound 'GOLD']. Osen. Retrieved October 12, 2024 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Kwak, Hyun-soo (October 11, 2024). ITZY, 신곡 'GOLD' 티저 공개...록 사운드+강렬 퍼포먼스 [ITZY releases teaser for new song 'GOLD'...Rock sound + intense performance]. YTN. Retrieved October 12, 2024 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Jeon, Hyo-jin (September 13, 2024). '리아 복귀' 있지, 10월 15일 완전체 컴백...데뷔 첫 더블 타이틀곡 [공식] ['Lia's Return', Full Group Comeback on October 15th...First Double Title Song from Debut [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024 – via Naver.
  16. ^ "Ultratop.be – Itzy – Gold" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Itzy – Gold" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  18. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 43/2024)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 31, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 43. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  20. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-11-11/p/2" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2024-11-04" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 31, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  22. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of October 28, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  23. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 42 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "Itzy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  25. ^ "Itzy Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
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