Dropping the (G) after seven years in the industry, we look back on i-dle’s discography post-rebrand with a ranking of all their title songs thus far.
The group formerly known as (G)I-DLE recently celebrated their seven-year anniversary not with a disbandment but with a rebrand. Removing the (G) from their name, i-dle reintroduced themselves as a group that has grown beyond the limits of traditional labels, conventions, and genders. Over the course of seven years, each member has developed their talents and contributed to an incredible body of work with an unmistakable sound that is all their own, rightfully claiming their spot as fourth-generation leaders.
Upon reaching this milestone, now seems as good a time as any for a quick retrospective ranking. Which of i-dle’s tracks stood the test of time?
For the sake of this article, we’re only counting title tracks, meaning the lead single off an EP or full album. This unfortunately means bangers like “Lion” and “Uh-Oh” won’t be in the running. Rest assured they’d probably be high up on the list if they were.
As always, we must issue a disclaimer that this is just one Neverland’s opinion. We all have our own tastes, experiences, and relationships with music, and there’s no reason to let a list on the internet dictate what you should and shouldn’t like. It’s not that deep.
With that out of the way, let’s get into it!
See More: Pop Review: (G)I-DLE YUQI Shows She is a Certified Freak with YUQ1
11. “I DO” from HEAT (2023)
US debuts occupy an awkward space in K-pop. More than just a change in language, there’s always an odd feeling that comes when K-pop groups are trying to break into the Western market, a question of globalization and identity that would take an essay to fully explain. Since we only have a paragraph, it’s enough to say that “I DO” is an okay song. It has a fun, high-concept music video and sufficiently coherent English lyrics to pacify the haters.
Though it doesn’t necessarily feel like the best song to represent i-dle—HEAT’s second single, “I Want That,” might be a better choice—it’s an earnest effort to redirect their lightning in a bottle to a different part of the world.
10. “Klaxon” from I SWAY (2024)
“Klaxon” is not at all a bad song. It’s a perfectly respectable entry in 2024’s roster of summer bops. The last title track released before their rebranding, it’s upbeat, flirty, and playful. Was it groundbreaking compared to i-dle’s other title tracks? Not so much. Listening to the other songs on this relatively short mini-album, it’s clear that the girls were going for a more easy, breezy vibe to balance out the energy from their second full album.
However, toning it down led to a forgettable title track that got lost in the hits of last summer.
9. “Señorita” from I made (2019)
Sorry, “Señorita” apologists. This song taking the third-lowest spot would probably be a choice that most Nevvies—and even some of the members—would agree with. Released a few years after that era when K-pop was very into Latin music (see Super Junior’s “Lo Siento” and SF9’s “O Sole Mio”), “Señorita” is a groovy tune with a distinct flamenco-like flair.
However, it was i-dle’s first release that didn’t quite reach the level of success the girls had been riding since their debut. It’s an understandable dip, as the group was still finding their footing on their second mini album, but i-dle has more than “Yu-fu-fus” up their sleeve.
See More: (G)I-DLE Ranks First In February Girl Group Brand Reputation Rankings
8. “Good Thing” from We are (2025)
The title track that came with the big rebrand, “Good Thing” came with the confidence of a seven-year group with nothing left to prove. The music video was clearly shot on a high budget and it spends so much of that money on delightfully edgy and weird choices. Its spot on the lower half of the list is partly due to its newness. It’s still hard to see how this track would measure up when squared against the classics, but almost like a new “LATATA,” it shows a lot of promise.
It’s always fun to see a group having reached a level of maturity and financial security to be able to do whatever they want. Whatever i-dle has teed up next, we’re excited to see it.
7. “Oh my god” from I trust (2020)
A cultural reset brought about by a single pronoun, “Oh my god” was another groundbreaking release for i-dle. It further proved what fans already knew–they weren’t afraid to get a little dark. Fresh off their Queendom run, i-dle ran with the success of “Lion” and came out with I trust, one of their shortest EPs packed with a few of their strongest songs.
“Oh my god” blew everyone away with its dramatic music video and references to religion and royalty, proudly announcing the message loud and clear: the queens had arrived.
6. “Nxde” from I love (2022)
Cabaret is not a genre often featured in K-pop. For that reason, “Nxde” has such an uncommon sound, from its surprising intro to its almost angry ending. Yet i-dle makes it work. They’ve always been more interested in saying something meaningful with their music over being palatable to the public, and “Nxde” feels like a statement that needed to be said.
Before their rebrand, i-dle explored and subverted gender expectations, getting as close to political as a K-pop group can get. Though they’re probably not done questioning the constraints of gender now that they’re post-(G), “Nxde” still holds its position as an important song from a fearless group.
See More: (G)I-DLE Yuqi And Minnie Resume Group Activities
5. “HWAA” from I burn (2021)
Artful, poetic, and ethereal, many consider “Hwaa” to be the spiritual successor of “Oh my god.” Compared to the latter though, it’s quieter and more evocative, full of symbolism that listeners might not catch without listening closely to the lyrics. The title itself uses the meaning of two hanja characters, “fire” and “flower,” to represent the burning passion of a flower blooming after a long, difficult winter. The mini album it’s from, I burn, was packed with hits and represents a turning point in i-dle’s discography.
Notably, it is also Soojin’s last record with the group before departing in 2021.
4. “LATATA” from I am (2018)
Admittedly, this high ranking is due to sentimentality. When i-dle entered the scene with “LATATA” in 2018, there was undeniable magic there. A lot of hype was drummed up around their debut due to survival show alumna/rap prodigy Soyeon, but the other members quickly endeared themselves to fans with their talent, personality, and visuals. The minute Minnie came in riding on that pink horse, it was all over. The lead of a promising first mini album, “LATATA” was a preview of i-dle’s potential–powerful, unique, and fluorescent.
3. “Superlady” from 2 (2024)
In terms of power and potential, “Superlady” is all that and then some. With outfits reminiscent of Girls Generation’s “Genie” and a set clearly inspired by 2NE1’s “I Am The Best,” “Superlady” led i-dle’s second full album with a nod to the second generation girl groups who paved the way. Released soon after the successful run of I NEVER DIE, some fans feel like 2 crumbled a bit under the pressure and had fewer standout singles than its predecessor.
Despite this, “Superlady” is a song that could only be pulled off by i-dle. It came to unironically slay, oozing with self-confidence without a trace of arrogance. Tell the critics that cringe culture is dead. Let go on fearless, we came to take a win.
See More: (G)I-DLE: Ready “2” Greet 2024 With Epic Comeback
2. “Queencard” from I feel (2023)
True to its name, “Queencard” is coming for the top spot on this list. It’s pink, it’s camp, and it’s i-dle’s funnest comeback to date. Known for their strong image, it’s rare for the group to explore typical femininity, so it was delightful seeing the girls enjoy every performance and cute outfit.
The whole of I feel feels like it was made for the girls, with each track speaking to an aspect of girlhood from insecurities to sleepovers to night outs. With lyrics like “my boob and booty hot” and “I’m twerking on the runway,” “Queencard” obviously doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it’s precisely that attitude of poking fun at the ideas of beauty and popularity that makes it strangely empowering. An earworm with a message, “Queencard” is the best song to remind yourself that you don’t have to try to be beautiful; you’re already a queen.
1. “Tomboy” from I NEVER DIE (2022)
This is i-dle at their peak. After a long hiatus in the wake of a member’s departure and a slew of solo activities, the chorus of i-dle’s “Tomboy” echoed around the world. Before this, i-dle’s songs were a little too odd or dissonant with the trends to be properly popular, but with its bass line, bold lyrics, and broken Barbie dolls, “Tomboy” rocketed them to icon status. Aside from being a good song in its own right, it also came at the head of a no-skip first full-length album, aptly titled I NEVER DIE.
Looking back, the foreshadowing is unmistakable. The queendom will be led by neither man nor woman – “Just me, idle.”
Source: Twitter/X
