In the K-pop industry today, the sexy concept is often utilized to help certain K-pop acts, especially girl groups, to break out from certain typecasts they may have initially been pigeon-holed into. For example, So Nyeo Shi Dae (SNSD), better known as Girls’ Generation, was mostly known for being cute thanks to their popular, bubble gum pop hit, “Gee.” Later songs, especially “Run Devil Run” emphasized a more sexy look.
For some girl groups however, the sexy concept is necessary because it is their bread and butter. Case and point: EXID . Ever since their song “Up and Down,” all their featured hit songs afterwards, “Ah Yeah” and “Hot Pink” (video attached below), have utilized some sort of sexiness. Now they will continue to push that concept with their upcoming K-pop comeback as they release numerous teasers for their fans.
Banana Republic, the entertainment agency EXID is signed to, made it known that the popular K-pop girl group will be releasing their upcoming full-length studio album on June 1, as reported by KpopStarz . The title of the album will be Street , and it will be EXID’s first studio album they ever made since they made their debut back in 2012. Prior to Street , EXID has only released extended plays (EPs), better known as mini-albums among the K-pop fandom, Hippity Hop and Ah Yeah .
The production of the album is reportedly going well as Banana Republic has provided a statement pertaining to the album’s promotions and release.
“We finished filming the music video and took photos for the album over last week. We are currently working on the final details of the album.
We hope that everyone enjoys EXID’s musical growth since their debut five years ago.”
Promotions for Streetare apparently very important this time around. Along with a series of promotional images consisting of two individual teasers featuring Solji and Hyerin and a group teaser, the biggest fans who identify as LEGO (devoted fans of EXID) were given a special pre-screening of the title song“L.I.E.” at an official fan event in Seoul on May 21, as reported by Korean entertainment news outlet Top Star News. It should be noted that LE, the rapper of EXID, helped compose and write lyrics for the song. It is said to be much different from EXID’s previous hit songs. This might be considered both bold and risky. It is bold because EXID’s last three hit songs, “Up and Down,” “Ah Yeah,” and “Hot Pink,” have been similar on sound and execution. Yet, it might be risky because the sound and execution of said songs was what made them popular among the K-pop community.
Since there are only about eight days, which includes today, until Street releases, it is expected more teasers will be released. LE, Hani, and Junghwa might have taken individual teasers too. Also, the music video of the featured title song mostly releases before the studio album’s release day. With that in mind, it is possible the “L.I.E.” music video will air prior to June 1.
[Image via Banana Republic/EXID Promotions for Street ]